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Original poster

Moving the shower drain pipe

14 replies

flabbytabby · 27/11/2023 20:52

Apologies if this is a mundane post but I really need some help! I'm trying to renovate our bathroom on a budget. I've managed to find quite a few bargains online, including a shower tray. However, our current shower tray has its drain positioned to one side whereas the new shower tray has its drain in the centre- would this be an easy job to do or costly?

Photos attached as examples: our current shower tray is similar to photo 1 whereas the new tray is photo 2.

Moving the shower drain pipe
Moving the shower drain pipe
OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 27/11/2023 22:36

It depends where your floor joists are. If they are in the way of the new drain then it will be difficult to fit

PigletJohn · 28/11/2023 07:04

Is your floor concrete, or wood with a space underneath?

Original poster
flabbytabby · 28/11/2023 23:17

I have no idea. We bought the house year and slowly, things are falling apart in the bathroom. We can only change the shower temperature of the shower using a spanner!

OP posts:
Original poster
flabbytabby · 28/11/2023 23:20

PigletJohn · 28/11/2023 07:04

Is your floor concrete, or wood with a space underneath?

It's an Edwardian house so I'd say wooden joists? Atm, we have underfloor heating in the bathroom and stone effect tiles on top. I don't know if the heating or tiles continue under the shower tray.

OP posts:
Original poster
flabbytabby · 28/11/2023 23:21

PigletJohn · 28/11/2023 07:04

Is your floor concrete, or wood with a space underneath?

This is what the shower looks like atm

Moving the shower drain pipe
OP posts:
PigletJohn · 29/11/2023 00:31

When you smash out the old tray you will find out what needs doing. Try not to damage the UFH which is supposed not to go under fittings.

You may have some kind of waterproof matting, but floorboards can be cut and lifted so you can reposition the waste pipes. Waterproofing and sealing afterwards is very important and you can expect to damage some floor and wall tiles. Perhaps you have a box of spares under the bath.

What will the new tray give you that warrants all this cost and upheaval?

I have a feeling that you can see the benefit of mounting shower mixers and their pipes on the surface of a wall, rather than buried and tiled over.

PigletJohn · 29/11/2023 00:35

Oh, I see you have a bar mixer. For some reason they are not as reliable as round ones, even from a good maker.

There is nothing to beat the round thermostatic Aqualisa mixers.

Original poster
flabbytabby · 29/11/2023 08:12

PigletJohn · 29/11/2023 00:31

When you smash out the old tray you will find out what needs doing. Try not to damage the UFH which is supposed not to go under fittings.

You may have some kind of waterproof matting, but floorboards can be cut and lifted so you can reposition the waste pipes. Waterproofing and sealing afterwards is very important and you can expect to damage some floor and wall tiles. Perhaps you have a box of spares under the bath.

What will the new tray give you that warrants all this cost and upheaval?

I have a feeling that you can see the benefit of mounting shower mixers and their pipes on the surface of a wall, rather than buried and tiled over.

The thought of any kind of renovation brings me up in hives :( This bathroom was installed by the previous owners and is well past it's sell-by date. We can only change the temperature of the shower using a spanner, the toilet seat is broken and a new one will cost close to £100! All this and the fact that the basin is lopsided drives me up the wall. I want to replace the shower, remove the bath completely, and redirect the sink next to the loo (opposite) and get shower panels installed. Just to tidy it up once and for all. The fixtures and fittings I can shop around for, it's the plumbing/fitting costs that terrify me.

OP posts:
Original poster
flabbytabby · 29/11/2023 08:14

Ps. Yes to everything being wall mounted. It's less hassle if something goes wrong.

Do you have a link to the shower you've mentioned please?

Also, if you're local to me (NW London), I'd love your help with this project!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 29/11/2023 11:31

Sorry I'm retired and live in idle luxury.

Aquilisa are widely sold. The full range is on the manufacturers site, you will spot the round ones. Plumbworld often have good prices. Also, if in their "search" you put "clearance" it will bring up all sorts of bargains.

Show me some closeups of your bar mixer, including the pipes through the wall, and measure the distance between pipe (or nut) centres.

Sounds like you have a weird shaped WC pan. Very fashionable but unnecessary unless you have a weird shaped arse.

PigletJohn · 29/11/2023 11:43

They all look something like this. They are dressed up to look different but they all have the famous thermostatic cartridge inside.

I don't see a surface one today, but (perhaps uniquely) they are made so you can take the cartridge out from the front even if they are walled in. There are no other working parts.

The surface one is on Plumbworld's ebay page. They might accept an offer.

Moving the shower drain pipe
Moving the shower drain pipe
Original poster
flabbytabby · 29/11/2023 13:40

Thank you so much @PigletJohn- lots to think about...

Attaching a floor plan so you know what I'm dealing with... (with a normal sized arse!)

Moving the shower drain pipe
OP posts:
Tulipsroses · 29/11/2023 13:47

I would keep the position of the drain in the same place. Just shop around for the appropriate shower tray, they are many around. Also the outlet for the shower mixer is exactly the same 180mm so just shut the water supply and change the shower mixer. I would go for Grohe they are billet prof.

Original poster
flabbytabby · 30/11/2023 09:27

Tulipsroses · 29/11/2023 13:47

I would keep the position of the drain in the same place. Just shop around for the appropriate shower tray, they are many around. Also the outlet for the shower mixer is exactly the same 180mm so just shut the water supply and change the shower mixer. I would go for Grohe they are billet prof.

Thank you- another helpful post. I've just had someone in to quote me and fitting costs alone (and moving the sink across the room) has come to £3.5!!!! I think I'll buy the goods and then save up for the actual job :(

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