Broken shower trap flange

TheGreenFrog

The next item on my (very long) list of things to fix is a broken flange (pic attached).  I am thinking that in theory it is a simple matter of unscrewing the waste grid/tube and fitting a new one.  But I am also thinking that if I do that the waste will drop and I won't be able to attach it without access under the shower tray (which may be possible if I take off some skirting board).

ThisIsWeird

You'd be very 'lucky' to manage that job without access from below, not just for the reason you mentioned - there may be workarounds - but you'd also never be certain if there was a resulting slow drip...drip...drip...

This skirting runs along in front of the tray? That's good news, as it means it was designed for access, and you don't have a flush or sunken tray - a 'mare.

Photo?

TheGreenFrog

ThisIsWeird said:

Photo?

Duly attached.  Ta!

ThisIsWeird

Awkward due to the corner mitres - unless a clever cove slid that length in from above afterwards!

See if anyone else has some ideas.

I'd be inclined to try running a blade up each mitre to ensure it's not bonded, and removing all sealant from the top of the skirting board. Gently prise it away from the tray side to ensure it ain't bonded, and then protect the floor, and use some flat filling knives, chisels, or similar to try and prise - wiggle - the skirting upwards. It should soon become clear whether it's nailed/screwed as well. 

If you examine the front surface of the skirting, can you ID any filled screw or nail heads?

TheGreenFrog

Managed to prise the skirting out.  Assume now I dismantle and replace the entire trap?

ThisIsWeird

Nice job!! How did you manage that?!

Yes, remove and replace the whole caboodle.

The EXACT same type will be out there, so a nice, easy swap. That one will almost certainly have the maker's name embossed on it, possibly even a part number.

All look nice and dry under there? Cool.

Follow the fitting instructions - see if they mention the use of sealant, for example - and then I'd leave the skirt off for a couple of weeks, and slide a sheet of newspaper under there to be fully certain there's no drips.

EssexExile

I'd take the old one to a plumbers' merchants and ask for one of these please.

ThisIsWeird

EssexExile said:

I'd take the old one to a plumbers' merchants and ask for one of these please.

Make that, "I'd like one EXACTLY like this, pleeeez!" :-)

EssexExile

ThisIsWeird said:

EssexExile said:

I'd take the old one to a plumbers' merchants and ask for one of these please.

Make that, "I'd like one EXACTLY like this, pleeeez!" :-)

"But not broken like this one". You have to be specific sometimes!

TheGreenFrog

It was a McAlpine trap. They do two versions:  one with a rubbishy won't last (mine didn't) chrome painted flange and one, for only £3 more, which is chrome plated brass.

Belenus

ThisIsWeird said:

EssexExile said:

I'd take the old one to a plumbers' merchants and ask for one of these please.

Make that, "I'd like one EXACTLY like this, pleeeez!" :-)

My girlfriend’s dog died, so to cheer her up, I went out and got her an identical one.

She was livid and yelled ‘What am I going to do with two dead dogs?’


Copyright Gary Delaney.