How to Install a Drain in a Concrete Shower Pan

The traditional base of the shower is created from a concrete subfloor, so installing a drain into a concrete shower pan should not be too difficult of a task. The drain will have to be installed through the concrete floor, either by inserting it when the floor is dry, or by making a hole in a pre-laid concrete floor. If you choose the latter method of installation, you will need to remove some of the concrete to get at the drain. Whichever method you choose, installing a drain into a concrete shower pan should be an easy matter which can be done by any home improvement fan, whether they are experts, or beginners. if you are a beginner in do-it-yourself, follow these few simple tips to get the job done right.

Step 1 - Mark Out the Area

 Before you make any cuts into your concrete shower pan, you will need to mark out where the drain will go by marking out the area on the ground. Locate the position where the drain will be best able to connect to the under-floor water system. Once you have the correct placement, begin smoothing some of the concrete away using sandpaper, or a mechanical sander. Take care not to press too deeply into the concrete, or you may find that the shower pan becomes damaged. Measure the drain, and work out where the outlet need to be connected to, then take your sandpaper, and mark out a similar area.

Step 2 - Cut Away the Concrete

You should then apply the chisel to the concrete, only tapping it lightly in the middle of the area marked out by the sandpaper. The hole you are making should not be much larger than the drain itself. Watch out for cracks and splits in the shower pan, and also keep alternating between rubbing away using sandpaper, and chipping away using the chisel. Stop once you have created a hole in the concrete to the very bottom of the shower pan.  You will soon have a large enough space to install your drain.

Step 3 - Installing the Drain

Push the drain into the hole you have made, taking care to ensure that it comes out the other side. Go to the space under the shower floor, and link up the drainage connections. Caulk around the joins in the pipework in order to keep them completely dry. Carry on pushing the drain through until the top is flush with the concrete pan, or even a little bit below the surface, to encourage proper drainage. When the drain parts are correctly fitted, add a layer of concrete around the edges of the hole, and leave to drain.

Step 4 - Finishing

When the concrete is completely dry, you can surround the outer edge of the drain with a thin layer of caulk. Ensure that you use 100 percent silicone caulk, as it will need to be waterproof. Cover over all of the holes, so that the pan is watertight, and then leave to dry.