September 20, 2023

How to Move A Shower Drain in A Mobile Home

Whether looking to upgrade a shower or fix its drain, you need to know the sewer line system. This is the mechanism that allows wastewater to be discharged from the mobile home. So it’s important to learn how to relocate a shower drain in a mobile home.

Bathtubs, showers, and a permanent drainage system are standard features in mobile homes. Sometimes, the drain may stop working. You might also want to replace the whole shower system. With the revised design, this might necessitate moving the drain to the feet.

If you want to learn all the steps and tips required for moving and repairing a shower drain, please follow this article to the end.

8 Steps to Follow to Move a Shower Drain in a Mobile Home

Mobile homes have a drainage system that runs below the bathroom to the sewer line. To relocate the drain. It is recommended to know the drain line’s location and access it.

Step 1: Materials Needed

Please make sure you have the tools necessary for this task. This will make things easier for you and guarantee a successful transfer of the shower drain. Get the missing items and confirm that they adhere to the drainage system's specifications.

Tub drain wrench;
Mini Hacksaw;
Flathead screwdriver;
Plumbers tape;
Plumbers putty;
New drain fitting;
Power drill.

Step 2: Knowing About Your Drainage System

If the sewer system is below the house and visible, just check the root the water takes after drainage. This will help protect the sewer pipes. Most mobile homes lack a visible sewer line.

If you have a concrete floor covering the drainage, you can use a thermal observer to see the pipes. Remove the concrete 2 inches away from the pipe when accessing it. Run water through the drainage to determine its direction, then use that information to map the region to increase safety.

Step 3: Removing the Old Shower Base

Unscrew the wall screws which hold the shower base in place. Open up the drain using the tub drain wrench. Remove the entire shower base, so you can access to the pipes below. This will ease the work and give precision. Take the old drain outside in preparation for fixing the new one.

Step 4: Marking the New Drain Installation Point

It is recommended to mark the new drainage point before removing the concrete. This is because you don’t want to remove the fixing concrete or take out more or less concrete floor than required. Get the new shower base and put it on the top of the concrete.

Mark the hole on the shower base to the position it is on the concrete. Here is where you will join the drain to the sewer. Remove the shower base and use cardboard to draw points that will aid in positioning the pipe which prepares for fixing the shower drain.

Step 5: Removing the Concrete Floor

Now that you know the sewer line direction and where to fix the drainage pipes, it is time to clear the path. Use a drill hammer to make a hole that follows the drainage pipe to the joints. That is the p-trap.

Cut the old drain pipe below the tightening knob when you get there. Remove the old p trap. Now you have an empty pipe that goes to the sewer line. Remove the other concrete in the direction of the new shower drain.

Get to the point where the mark was made. Now you have a trench leading from the pipe to the point of the new drainage.

Step 6: Measurement and Pipe Fixation

Fix the template that you drew to the ground and stick it using tapes. This helps position the p-trap below the base shower you want to fix. Position the new p-trap with the extension above the concrete. Use the template to level it.

Measure the length of the pipe needed to connect the p-trap and the sewer line. Cut it to fit the length using a hacksaw. Get two 45-degree connectors and use them to join the sewer line to the p trap. Ensure to use glue to tighten the connections and prevent leakages.

Step 7: Doing the Concrete Work

After fixing the pipes in place, redo the floor. Pour gravel or the material you took out and tuck it below the drain. Fill the gravel near the insulation point. Make sure it is tight below the drainage.

After filling the gravel, use a triple expansion foam to cover the gravel to reach the insulation layer. It takes 4-5 hours to cure. Take care not to get foam on the skin or clothes. After the foam has cured, mix some concrete and fill the trench. Fill it to reach the height of the floor and smooth it.

Step 8: Fixing the Shower Base to the Drain

After the concrete has dried, get the shower base and fix it. Screw the shower drain to the piping and fix it in place. Ensure the drain is fixed correctly at home. Fix the base firmly above the drainage. And now you are ready to use the shower.

Things to be Avoided While Moving a Shower Drain in a Mobile Home

The whole shower drain moving task needs your care and precision. This is because it is easy to damage the sewer line or the flooring. There is also the risk of damaging the mobile home. For an effective and efficient installation, the followings are what to avoid.

Not Knowing the Drainage System

Do not start working without knowing the direction of the drainage system. This can cause damage when getting the concrete away. Damage to the sewer line can cause huge losses since you must fix the sewer line and the drainage. It will cause unnecessary work and wastage of resources.

Run water from the shower base to see the direction it goes. Use a thermal gun to know the heating system and avoid damaging it.

Working without Knowing the Exact Location of the New Drainage

Use the new shower base and mark where the drain will be positioned. Remove the base and start working on the concrete floor. This aids in having a path to follow and minimizing removing too much concrete and leaving enough for the shower base. It also makes the work easier. Always ensure to mark the location you are moving the shower drain.

Coming in Contact with the Expansion Foam

When applying the expansion foam, please be carefully. This is because it has a strong chemical composition and is very adhesive. It does not come out if it comes in contact with your cloth. If it comes in contact with the skin, you’d better to use strong chemicals like acetone to remove it. Always work carefully when using the foam. Wear protective clothing and use clothes that can be discarded if damaged.

Five Effective Tips to Relocate A Shower Drain in A Mobile Home

There are some tips and ideas to make a bathroom installation perfect. This, along with the guide above, will help to perfect the repositioning of the drainage system like a professional.

Tip-1: Using Two 45 Degrees Connectors

When connecting the pipes at a 90 degrees angle, it is recommended to use two 45-angle connectors. This is because when you use a sharp 90 connector and blockage in the drainage, you will have to drill a hole at the angle to enable you to push a wire in.

Besides, when you use two 45 connectors, they give a nice smooth curve that enables a wire to unclog the drainage. This helps not to make holes and weaken the drainage system.

Tip-2: Gluing

Glue is essential to hold pipes in place for a long time. It is required to apply both the outside and inside of the pipe you are fixing it into. This makes the connection more robust and also prevents leakage. Use strong adhesives that are water-resistant and cannot be damaged by temperatures. This will increase the lifetime of the drainage.

Tip-3: Using A Hammer And A Stone Nail

After tracing the path you want the drainage to follow, it is recommended to use a hammer to clear the concrete from the way. This increases the caution not to damage the heating system and the sewer line. It also makes the work easier since you will only have a small gap to fill with concrete.

Tip-4: Tucking the Gravel to Be Firm Below the Pipes

When laying the gravel, tuck it below the drainage pipes. Ensure it is firm enough. Use smaller gravel and sand to allow for expansion and contraction of the pipes. Also, remember not to fill the gravel above the insulation layer. It might result in loss of heat to the soil. Fill the gravel just below the insulating layer and then add the expansion foam so that it can join with the existing insulation layer.

Tip-5: Use of Water

When drilling the concrete to access the drainage system, pour some water on the concrete. This helps to reduce dust coming. When you also want to add concrete to the trench, spray the sides of the trench with water. This helps increase the adhesion of the concrete to the existing floor. Then the gap is sealed tightly. After filling and leveling the trench with the concrete, you should make sure there are no raised edges.