sewer smell…replace shower

[albertchen]

We just bought a home and noticed when we moved in that there was a distinct sewer smell coming from the shower drain. Although we thought at first it might be that the trap had dried out during the vacancy period of the house, we later learned something much worse. The previous owners had some work done on the plumbing under the shower and the plumber that they hired did not install a P trap! We have a tiny 3×3 shower. Now we have to tear out the tile in the base of the shower, have a plumber install a P trap and replace the floor of the shower. We have a slab foundation.
Any suggestions on how to best tear out the tile?
Any recommendations on replacing the shower with tile or cultured marble.
The original estimate I received (to tear out only the floor of the shower, install a P trap and replace the tile) was $1850…is that reasonable?

[mikeinpaParticipant]

could be reasonable ,without seeing job hard to tell,why not get another estimate.

[SelgasParticipant]

The lack of a trap under the shower would certainly be a cause of a sewer type smell as there would be little if any water trap to prevent any smells coming back up the shower waste pipe work.
Regarding the costs to install one – well I can only agree with our previous expert – get some more quotes for the job – it is impossible to price the work without seeing what is required to achieve the desired result.

---

Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

[Author]

Posts