Are you planning to install a new shower or replace an old one?
One important aspect of the installation process is installing a P-trap. A P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that prevents sewer gases from entering your bathroom. It’s crucial to install it correctly to avoid any unpleasant odors.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of installing a shower P-trap, from cutting the PVC pipes to gluing them together. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a beginner, our easy-to-follow instructions will help you get the job done right.
So, let’s dive in!
How To Install A Shower P-trap
Step 1: Cut the PVC Pipes
Using a hack saw, cut the PVC pipes to the desired length. Make sure to wear gloves or use a cloth to remove any burrs from the ends of the pipes.
Step 2: Dry Fit the Pipes
Assemble all the PVC pipes, fittings, and P-trap pieces by dry fitting them without PVC cement. This will help you ensure that everything fits together properly before you glue them.
Step 3: Install the P-trap
Locate the P-trap directly below the center of your shower and close to your shower drain. This will help prevent any unpleasant odors from entering your bathroom. Connect the PVC pipe to the existing drain pipe using a rubber coupling and tighten the bands by turning the screws clockwise using either a flat screwdriver or 5/16-inch socket.
Step 4: Glue the Pipes
With a brush, prime the end of the shower drain piping, waste drain pipe, bend, and hubs of the U-shaped portion of the P-trap. Add PVC cement to the waste drain and bend, then glue them together. Next, add glue to the U-shaped portion of the P-trap. Glue one end of the U to the shower drain and the other end to the bend. If done correctly, it should look like a “P” shape with the curved portion pointing towards the floor.
Step 5: Replace Subfloor (Optional)
If you have full access to your P-trap, you may want to replace your subfloor under your shower and toilet. Here’s a sequence of work you can follow:
1. Demolition.
2. Circular saw plunge cut the shower area subfloor to open up the drain pipes including P-trap.
3. Cut the horizontal drain pipe close to the P-trap and remove and throw away old P-trap.
4. Dry fit section of horizontal pipe with weir and U pipe, connect that to existing drain pipe using coupling. Make sure that the center of the U pipe is at your desired position.
5. Glue the horizontal pipe, weir, and U pipe, hold it in place using a pipe strap. (Note that vertical pipe is not connected to U pipe yet.)
6. Put in new subfloor.
7. Install cement boards as shower surround, rest on subfloor.
8. Put shower pan in place and verify that its center is aligned with U pipe.
9. Dry fit vertical pipe, drain kit bottom piece, and U pipe.
10. Glue vertical pipe to U pipe and drain kit bottom piece to vertical pipe.
11. Add membrane.
Gather The Necessary Tools And Materials
Before starting the installation process, it’s important to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
1. PVC pipes: Measure and cut the PVC pipes to the desired length using a hack saw.
2. P-trap: Purchase a P-trap kit that includes all the necessary pieces, such as the U-shaped portion, weir, and horizontal pipe.
3. Rubber coupling: This will be used to connect the PVC pipe to the existing drain pipe.
4. PVC cement: This is used to glue the pipes together.
5. Brush: Use this to apply primer and PVC cement.
6. Flat screwdriver or 5/16-inch socket: This is used to tighten the rubber coupling bands.
7. Gloves or cloth: Wear gloves or use a cloth to remove any burrs from the ends of the pipes.
8. Circular saw: If you plan on replacing your subfloor, you’ll need a circular saw to make a plunge cut in the shower area.
9. Pipe strap: This is used to hold the glued pipes in place while they dry.
10. Membrane: This is used as a waterproofing layer between the subfloor and shower pan.
By having all these tools and materials ready before starting the installation process, you’ll be able to complete the job efficiently and without any interruptions.
Locate The Drain And Measure The Pipes
Before you begin installing the P-trap, you’ll need to locate the drain and measure the pipes. Hold the P-trap in place where it will rest when you’re finished and ensure that it will be directly under the outlet of the shower. This will help ensure that your P-trap functions properly and prevents any odors from entering your bathroom.
Measure the length of PVC pipes you’ll need to connect the drain and P-trap to the shower. You may need to use PVC elbow fittings to make any directional changes in the drain to line up the P-trap properly with the shower drain outlet. It may be helpful to have someone assist you by holding parts or measuring.
Once you’ve measured the PVC pipes, use a hacksaw to cut them to the desired length. Be sure to wear gloves or use a cloth to remove any burrs from the ends of the pipes.
After cutting the PVC pipes, assemble all of the PVC pipes, fittings, and P-trap pieces by dry fitting them without PVC cement. This will help ensure that everything fits together properly before you glue them.
Once you’ve located the drain and measured and cut the PVC pipes, you’re ready to move on to installing the P-trap. Follow the steps outlined above to complete this process and ensure that your shower drains properly and efficiently.
Cut The PVC Pipes To The Correct Length
Before you begin cutting the PVC pipes, hold the P-trap in place where it will rest when you are finished. Measure the length of the PVC pipes you will need to connect the drain and P-trap to the shower. You may need to use PVC elbow fittings to make any directional changes in the drain to line up the P-trap properly with the shower drain outlet. It may be helpful to have someone assist you by holding parts or measuring.
Using a hacksaw, cut the PVC pipes to the desired length. It’s important to make accurate cuts to ensure that everything fits together properly. After cutting, make sure to wear gloves or use a cloth to remove any burrs from the ends of the pipes. This will help prevent any leaks or blockages in your plumbing system.
Once you have cut all the PVC pipes to the correct length, dry fit all of the pieces together without using PVC cement. This will help you ensure that everything fits together properly before you glue them. It’s important to double-check all of your measurements and fittings at this point before proceeding to the next step.
By following these steps and taking care with your measurements and cuts, you can successfully cut PVC pipes to the correct length for your shower P-trap installation.
Assemble The P-trap Components
After cutting and dry fitting the PVC pipes, it’s time to assemble the P-trap components. Begin by attaching the U-shaped portion of the P-trap to the shower drain using PVC cement. Make sure to apply the cement to both the shower drain and the U-shaped portion of the P-trap. Next, attach one end of the U-shaped portion of the P-trap to the bend using PVC cement. Finally, attach the other end of the U-shaped portion of the P-trap to the horizontal PVC pipe using PVC cement.
It’s important to ensure that all connections are secure and tight. Use a level to check that the P-trap is properly aligned and not tilted. Once you have assembled all the components, wait for at least 24 hours before testing it with water. This will allow time for the PVC cement to dry and create a strong bond between the components.
Connect The P-trap To The Drain And Shower
Connecting the P-trap to the shower and drain is an essential step in installing a shower P-trap. The first thing you need to do is locate the P-trap directly below the center of your shower and close to your shower drain. This will ensure that any unpleasant odors are prevented from entering your bathroom.
Next, connect the PVC pipe to the existing drain pipe using a rubber coupling and tighten the bands by turning the screws clockwise using either a flat screwdriver or 5/16-inch socket. After that, it’s time to glue the pipes together.
With a brush, prime the end of the shower drain piping, waste drain pipe, bend, and hubs of the U-shaped portion of the P-trap. Then, add PVC cement to the waste drain and bend, and glue them together. Next, add glue to the U-shaped portion of the P-trap. Glue one end of the U to the shower drain and the other end to the bend. If done correctly, it should look like a “P” shape with the curved portion pointing towards the floor.
If you have full access to your P-trap, you may want to replace your subfloor under your shower and toilet. In this case, you will need to cut the horizontal drain pipe close to the P-trap and remove and throw away the old P-trap. Then, dry fit a section of horizontal pipe with weir and U pipe, connect it to existing drain pipe using a coupling, and make sure that the center of the U pipe is at your desired position.
After that, glue the horizontal pipe, weir, and U pipe together and hold it in place using a pipe strap. Note that vertical pipe is not connected to U pipe yet. Put in a new subfloor and install cement boards as shower surround, resting them on subfloor. Put shower pan in place and verify that its center is aligned with U pipe.
Next, dry fit vertical pipe, drain kit bottom piece, and U pipe together. Once you’re satisfied with their placement, glue vertical pipe to U pipe and drain kit bottom piece to vertical pipe. Finally, add membrane for added protection against leaks.
By following these steps carefully, you can successfully connect your P-trap to your shower and drain without any hassle.
Test The P-trap For Leaks
After installing the P-trap, it is important to test it for leaks. Here’s how to do it:
1. Fill the shower pan with water until it reaches the top of the P-trap.
2. Let the water sit for at least 15 minutes.
3. Check the P-trap and surrounding area for any signs of leaks, such as dripping water or moisture.
4. If you notice any leaks, try tightening the connections between the PVC pipes and fittings. If that doesn’t work, you may need to disassemble the P-trap and apply new PVC cement.
5. If there are no leaks, drain the water from the shower pan and continue with your shower installation.
It’s important to test the P-trap for leaks before finishing your shower installation to prevent any potential water damage or plumbing issues in the future.