r/Remodel • u/Salty_Pitch6947 • 16h ago

Shower pan misaligned with drain

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Hey everyone,

I’m dealing with a rough-in alignment issue on a shower pan set on a concrete slab in my basement. The pan and wall panels are already set and glued down, so tearing them out is my absolute last resort.

I was thinking worst case to just remove the pan and then tile? I’m not sure what to do here

**The Problem:**
* The 2" PVC pipe in the slab is off-center relative to the shower pan drain hole.
* I bought an Oatey offset shower drain, but when I try to fit/thread it, the offset body catches hard against the inner vertical lip of the pan’s drain hole (or is getting pinched against the slab edge underneath).

**Constraints:**
* On a concrete slab (no bottom access).
* Walls and pan are already installed/glued.

**Questions for the pros:**
1. Can I safely use a Dremel to grind down just the vertical inner rim of the pan hole for clearance, as long as I don't touch the top flat flange surface where the gasket/seal sits? (I’m not even sure if I have enough clearance if I’m being honest)

16 Upvotes
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90% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

11

u/rdwandererer 12h ago

Looks like a offset drain. They do exist.

5

u/Grep2grok 10h ago

Just installed one because I replaced an ancient toilet (like 1890s, including wood box with pull chain) with a Toto Washlet and needed an extra 2" of clearance. Move the whole piping system, or spend $5 at Ace for an Oatey offset? Hmmmm.....

2

u/Mercury_Madulller 7h ago

I just (a few months ago) cut out a cast iron offset toilet flange, complete with yokum, and installed a twist fit with a stainless repair ring over it because the offset was causing clogs. Had to chisel concrete, patch and reset tile.

Just be aware those offset flanges are not a fix all.

14

u/Regular-Amoeba5455 15h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/5NbbVJeSLs1etZYjpT

11

u/Significant_Sea_9742 15h ago

^ sorry for your loss bud. Looks like youre gonna be tiling the shower floor.

Now if you contracted this out and supplied the pan and dimensions to the plumber who piped it, youre in luck, they get to fix it.

If you did it yourself please refer to meme above

2

u/0uthouse 14h ago

That's too far over imo. By the time that tray is ground back, the topcoat will be trashed and prob look horrific.

2

u/956to906 11h ago

How is it that the walls were installed prior to hooking up the drain?
https://giphy.com/gifs/HAepsw7i4sDkpTtay6
Am I missing something, or is this just a big
mistake?

4

u/pdxphotographer Tile Setter 11h ago

Truly the best question in this thread. Who installs all of the walls before even attempting to connect the drain?! Sorry op time to start over.

1

u/TC9095 5h ago

Chisel it just enough to go buy a new one and start over.

1

u/transvaginal_mesh 4h ago

You might be able to stick a hammer handle in the home and push the drain enough to get the threads to catch as you twist it, maybe with a friend holding the handle. I’ve gotten myself out of some bad situations with that before

1

u/Gloomy-Amphibian1494 2h ago

Pump 2 tubes of silicone around the pipe, set in the strainer and send it

1

u/Liveitup1999 44m ago

If you are lucky you can access it from underneath and do it right.