Extracting A Shower Drain Pan: Easy Steps To Follow

Removing a shower pan is a simple task that can be completed in a few minutes, but it requires a certain level of bathroom remodelling commitment. The tricky part is understanding that there are screws or nails holding the shower pan in place, which are hidden inside the wall. To remove the shower pan, you must get inside the wall and remove these fasteners. This involves demo work on the shower walls, which may include removing tiles and cutting through the cement board or drywall. It is important to note that the shower pan cannot be removed without damaging the surrounding walls or tiles, so be prepared to patch or redo the shower walls. Once all the screws, nails, and attachments are removed, you can lift and turn the shower pan to remove it.

Remove screws or nails holding the shower pan in place

To remove screws or nails holding the shower pan in place, you must first understand that there will be screws or nails holding the shower pan in place, which are hidden inside your wall. To access them, you will need to open up the wall.

If your shower wall is made of drywall or has a fibreglass surround, use a reciprocating saw to cut through the drywall an inch or two above the surround. Make sure to cut at an angle so that you don't go deeper than the drywall itself and risk hitting any plumbing or electrical lines. Next, use a pry bar to remove the drywall between the tub surround and your cut line, exposing the lip of the tub surround where it is nailed or screwed into the wall studs. Now, simply remove the nails or screws and pull down the surround.

If your shower wall is tiled, you will first need to remove any bullnose finish tiles around the edge of the shower. Then, use a hammer to force a flat pry bar into the wall behind the drywall or backerboard, and use the bar to remove the wall surface.

Once you have accessed the screws or nails, you can remove them, along with any brackets holding the shower pan in place. Run a utility knife between the outside edge of the shower pan and the floor to cut through any caulk holding the pan in place. Now, you can lift the shower pan out of its position.

Pry out the drain cover

Pry off the drain strainer with a flat-head screwdriver. If the drain strainer is stuck, spray it with a lubricant and leave it for some time. You can also try to cut the caulking around the cover with a utility knife. If there is debris around the cover, carefully cut it away with a utility knife. If the cover is attached by a screw, unscrew it with a screwdriver and remove it. If the cover is attached by a ring or another type of clip, try using a pair of needle-nose pliers to loosen it and then carefully remove it.

If the drain strainer is still not coming off, use a small amount of drain cleaner or a penetrating fluid such as WD-40 or PB Blaster between the strainer and the trim ring. Allow it to sit and soak, then rinse thoroughly. You can also try to tie a piece of string through a couple of holes in the drain cover so you can pull up while you are prying with the screwdriver.

Loosen the compression ring

To loosen the compression ring, wedge a screwdriver against one of the tabs and gently tap the screwdriver with a hammer to turn the ring in a counterclockwise direction. Alternatively, you can try to slip a pair of pliers inside the drain and open them against the compression ring to turn it. Keep turning the ring until it is loose enough to lift out of the drain.

If you are having trouble removing the compression ring, you can try drilling a couple of 1/4" holes in the side of the strainer and then use hooked pliers to grab the holes and pull up on the strainer while turning it counterclockwise. You can also try heating an old flathead screwdriver with a torch and carefully melting or cutting the plastic ring. Be careful not to drop the hot plastic into the shower.

Once the compression ring is loose, remove it by lifting it out of the drain. After removing the compression ring, pull out the rubber gasket beneath it.

Pry out the rubber gasket

If you are removing the entire shower pan, all layers, and the drain assembly is preventing you from doing so, you will likely need to chisel it out. Drill it out in a series of tightly spaced holes around the perimeter and use an old screwdriver to pry out the pieces.

If you are installing a new drain, the new drain comes fitted with a rubber gasket that fits snugly around the waste pipe. Turn it over and apply a bead of silicone caulk to the underside of the flange. Push the four anchors flush against the side of the drain, so they don’t get in the way as you place the drain onto the waste pipe.

Insert the tapered end of the drain into the drain opening, fit it around the waste pipe and push down to seat the flange onto the bottom of the shower pan. Keep pushing down to keep the flange as close to the shower pan as possible while you tighten the four anchor screws in turn, using a Phillips screwdriver.

Detach the shower pan from the drain

Detaching the shower pan from the drain is a crucial step in removing the shower pan to avoid damaging the drain line. Here is a detailed guide on how to detach the shower pan from the drain:

Remove the Drain Cover:

Use a screwdriver to pry out the drain cover. Some drain covers have screws, so remove them first if necessary.

Identify the Compression Ring or Rubber Gasket:

Look inside the drain. You will see either a rubber grommet (gasket) or a notched metal ring (compression ring). The compression ring has metal tabs sticking up every few centimetres and looks like the top of a rook on a chessboard.

Remove the Compression Ring:

If you have a compression ring, use a screwdriver wedged against one of the metal tabs. Tap the screwdriver with a hammer in a counterclockwise direction to loosen it. Alternatively, slip a pair of pliers inside the drain and open them against the compression ring to turn it. Keep turning until it is loose enough to lift out.

Remove the Rubber Gasket:

If there is no compression ring, you will need to remove the rubber gasket. Carefully pry it out with a utility knife or a 5-in-1 tool, always placing the tool between the grommet and the shower pan, not the grommet and the drain. Drilling out the rubber gasket is an option, but proceed with caution to avoid damaging the drainpipe or the subfloor.

Detach the Shower Pan from the Drain:

With the compression ring or rubber gasket removed, the shower pan is now detached from the drain. Ensure you have also removed all screws, nails, brackets, and attachment points before lifting out the shower pan.

Remember to clean up any debris and mess generated during the removal process to avoid tripping hazards when working in the shower area.

Frequently asked questions