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Seems like a simple issue yet I don’t think I’ve seen a post for it and its always baffled me. I know there has to be a simple answer (maybe not..ugh). Question is: When doing a direct replacment 5′ tub the only real attachment is the one simple straight drain line. HOWWWW do you do the attachment and tighten the nut up if there isnt any access panel? Behind the tub I’m going to replace is a shower stall in the next back to back bathroom so I cant access it from there. The ceiling below is plaster so….ugh. Does there have to be an access area or is there some trick? Tell me theres a trick…I hate paying so much to a plumber for direct replacements. They seem to charge more then doctors around here. I know, I know the plaster ceiling.
Thanks gang,
Andy in the high cost of N.Y
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Andy,
It's a pre-alignment process.
If all you are doing is dropping in a tub, and the shoe and overflow line up, then you attach the threaded drain and screw it down (don't forget the gasket) and do the same with the overflow.
The real trick come when what you are replacing doesn't exactly match the old. Then you measure more than twice, cut once and drop in the tub. Do you use the glue-up fitings or the cheap adjustables? Ha, Ha. It fits. Right? Hope you don't have to lift a cast iron tub more than one or two times.
*Yeh, yeh..ha ha.IT IS Cast iron..ugh. I'm missing something here. After the drain is attached to the cast iron tub on the comfortable carpet in the adjacent bedroom....lol..theres just one straight pipe.....right?......it goes into the floor waste pipe which gets tightened up with the nut (and washer..uh huh) How do you tighten that before its dropped in unless theres an access panel?
*OK, You skipped a step.The waste arm, which consists of the shoe that goes under the tub to the drain hole and the overflow pipe, is attached FIRST to the pipe sticking out of the floor with the nut and washer.This leaves the whole waste arm unit preassembled, at the right height you hope, and ready for you to drop the tub onto. Since it is supposedly lined up, with the gaskets in place, all you do next is drop the tub in place, screw the male threaded plastic or brass drain piece into the shoe and pull the overflow pipe to the back of the tub with the screws provided for the cover plate.Clear as mud?
*Ralph, Stupid me! Right, gottcha. All these years and I never realized that. Probably because I always had a plumber do all my plumbing. Now I see why you say if its a cast iron tub....ugh!Thanks, Andy