So, this shower has been slow draining forever. Despite repeated plungering, chemicals etc It doesn't have a removable hair trap like our other shower and I'm not sure if it's been removed or lost by the previous owner or missing by design.
Had another go today, and this cap has cracked and the chrome finish is borked as you can see. Can I just remove this collar thingy and replace? If so what tool do I need to remove it? I initially thought the little divots were to accept a BB type tool (can you tell I'm not a plumber) but they are for the top cap to rest on.
The plastic is obviously brittle so any force is going to shatter it and presumably it's fixed with silicone or plumbers putty. Is there a tool I can get from Screwfix or the plumbers merchant?
Can I retro fit a hair trap? The ones I've seen are all for larger diameter drain holes, this is only about 41mm diameter.
And finally, how do I access the drain hole to get a flexible rod in to clear any blockage. It's not visible or accessible at the bottom of the visible part of the drain.
Edit Maybe not looks to wide
Can you cut a bit if aluminum to fit across the notches
Looks well cracked now, id look at replacing it.
Whats below shower can you access this at all?
Edit Maybe not looks to wide
I thought so when I read 70mm dia, but in the comments it says the actual tool bit is 44mm so it might fit. It says it for a "McALPINE STW Waste Top". I googled that and the dimensions look very similar to mine, so I may take a punt on that tool, thanks 👍
What's below shower can you access this at all?
Not without removing the shower tray which I don't fancy!
Looks well cracked now, id look at replacing it.
Yep absolutely, replacement is the plan if I can remove the old one.
Most shower wastes have an inner/outer chamber before the waste pipe connects to waste/soil stack - you can’t actually rod them in a traditional sense. Have you fully exhausted the use of drain unblocker chemicals before you get physical with the pipeware? Once you start removing bits of plumbing be prepared to remove and reinstall the shower tray and enclosure because it’s unlikely you get it all re-sealed properly - cutting an access from the ceiling below might be an easier option to access/remove/refit the waste
Most shower drains aren’t suitable for the strong chemical cleaners
Your going to need to get the bottom bit out somehow.
If you replace the top - unless you get exactly the same replacement unit your going to need to replace the bottom. They are matched parts that come together.
You are in trouble, mine did that, ch4ome came off and it cracked and therefore leaked, slowly, eventually dissolved the plasterboard of the ceiling below. Seeing as the ceiling needed repair I cut a hole in the ceiling. You will need to access the trap. The bit that's cracked screws to the top of the trap and forms a seal with the shower tray. You need anew shower trap, the top and bottom come as a pair, the good news is they are not expensive from screwfix, the bad news is you will to access the underside the shower tray. It will be leaking so needs replacing.
I've seen a replacement top that seems to be the right dimensions, this one. If I buy a removal tool and that replacement top cap fits, will that work? If it requires replacing from below I'll get a plumber to do it.
That's the sort of job you need a time machine for so you can go back and include access traps to allow easy maintainance and replacement. As it is if you manage to turn the top bit the odds are the bottom part will turn with it and something else will break/start leaking. If you want to leave the bottom part in place destroying the top part and winding what's left out of the threads might leave the bottom part intact. You've then got to source a top with the same thread - good luck with that, and tighten it back up - good luck with that too. And that still won't give you access to the waste pipe for cleaning as there will still be the syphon attached.
41mm is an odd size for a shower, the holes in shower bases are usually 60mm or 90mm.
It's one of those things where you start trying to replace a broken part and end up removing the shower base, retiling the bottom of the wall etc.
Commiserations. 🙁
Baths have their advantages.
Bugger 😕 You lot are full of good news aren't you?
what is below shower? Is there a ceiling to cut an access hatch to get at it? Had to do this to our ensuite shower, thankfully its above the garage
what is below shower? Is there a ceiling to cut an access hatch to get at it?
Open plan kitchen/dining/living room. With wooden beams on the ceiling. You just know the trap is going to be right above one of the beams instead of in one of the gaps right?
You just know the trap is going to be right above one of the beams instead of in one of the gaps right?
Even if it is, there'll still be a gap that you can work in. Though cutting through two sections might make working on the pipework easier.
I had to replace our shower trap a few years ago by cutting through the kitchen ceiling, and I found it a pretty straight forward job, once I had everything I needed
Scrim tape the plasterboard to help prevent cracks.
Probably should have, but it's still OK after 5 years. It's right in the corner of the rear extension, so there probably isn't much flex in the ceiling at that point.
