Hi whenever I use the tub or shower, the pipe that comes from the tub drain leading to the main drain leakes?

Question

Hi whenever I use the tub or shower, the pipe that comes from the tub drain leading to the main drain leakes. It seems to be leaking from the (nipple ?)but either way, is it better to replace this (brass?) pipe with a PVC pipe or try to repair the nipple...Thank you to all of you who have been trying to help me with this same problem. I'm just still not sure what the best rememdy is.
Jenn

Answer 1

It may well be brass. More often it is chrome covered brass. The pipes are large, but not as strong as they look, so be carefull. They are probably 1 1/4 diameter, since it is a bathroom. At some point they may go into either some galvanized iron pipes or some black iron pipes.

The galvanized ones rust out sometimes. Don't be surprised it you see that. Don't bang things around too much either, some pipes may be weak.

There are several fittings in that piping system, each with a nut on them. See if you can isolate which one is actually leaking, if any. If you find one, you can snug it up with a pipe wrench to see if that stops the leak. Don't put a lot of pressure on it, but go a little beyond snug. That might help, but probably not. It is free, easy, and fast to try it though.

There is a rubber gasket inside the fitting. You will see a rather large nut that goes around the pipe that is part of the fitting. Remove that nut and probably one or two other similar nuts in the same area.

That will give you access to the rubber washer. Take the washer or the pipe to a store and get a new washer. Put the washer on, put everything back together, tighten the nuts.

To not put excessive pressure on the nuts, they will warp. Also the pipes are fairly strong, but won't hold up to unlimited pressure. Snug it up and then go just a bit farther. You should have to put some pressure on the wrench, but certainly don't do pull-ups (the exercise) on them.

P.S. your description is fine. You specified that it was the pipe that goes from the tub drain to the main drain. That was important information. Not sure why the first two replys didn't see that fact.

Answer 2

I've had brass drain pipes that started leaking. When I removed them, the metal was paper thin. Replace with PVC.

Answer 3

Billy, i might want to assert the reason you're smelling sewer gasses contained in the homestead is because your sewer line is backing up and is causing those odors at your residence. quicker or later, sooner or later, you'll commence to get water backing up into your bathtub or bathe. Do you listen any "gurling" noises coming from any of the drains? it really is a tell tale signal of a line backing up. i might want to point that you get a good, community sewer & drain service to come back over & snake your sewer line. Sewer lines lower back up each of the time. it truly is common. by way of how, drain vents in consumer-friendly words vent gasses and has no longer some thing to do with the bypass of the water on your sewer line.

Answer 4

If you mean the tub spigot leaks some water when you have pulled up the tab that enables your shower, this is normal. It is simply a flap that diverts the water and it is not meant to seal tightly.

Answer 5

ARE U TALKING ABOUT WATER LEAKING OUT OF THE SHOWER OR TUB ONTO THE FLOOR OR THE ROOM BELOW U? Or are you talking about the fixtures inside the tub?