Shower Drain Question

[Geaux Tigers]

This may sound stupid but how does one remove the slotted shower drain cover? We have a '97, 34' Kountry Star MH which we have owned for a little over 4 years. The drains have always worked perfectly but recently we have noticed that the shower drain is getting very slow. While on a trip, I reluctantly tried Liquid Draino but it didn't help. I bought a plastic snake-like tool that I have had success with at home but the slots in the drain cover are too skinny to use it. Twisting & prying on the cover have not worked and have only resulted in deforming the metal but it is not bad yet. I thought I had better ask someone who had experience with this before I went any further. Has anyone done this before?

Thanks. ------ Jim

[RVhauler]

My shower drain in my 97 Kountryaire 5er is getting corroded looking and have given thought about replacing it. As near as I can tell it screws into the drain pipe the same as a stick house bathtub/shower To remove those drain covers and replace, you can purchase a special wrench which fits down into the cover and allows you to unscrew the cover. Costs about $5-10 and found in the plumbing section along with with new drain covers.

[Geaux Tigers]

Thanks, RVhauler, for the reply. I stopped by an RV store but they didn't have the same drain or the removal tool. I was going to try a Lowe's or Home Depot later but the parts guy at the RV place suggested I just use a plunger to get rid of the clog. Well, I went out to the MH tonight, ran water in the shower until it backed up on the shower floor (didn't take much) and plunged away. After about 5-6 up & down strokes, the drain started running free! Collected about 3/4" of water in the shower by putting my hand over the drain, uncovered the drain, and the water emptied out in no time. I learned my lesson - do the simple things first!

----------- Jim

["007"]

Welcome to the Newmar forum Jim.
You can try some drain cleaner to desolve hair may work for you also, next time my girls constantly plug drain up because of long hair. May smell but does clean it out.

[Frank P. Martin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geaux Tigers ...the parts guy at the RV place suggested I just use a plunger to get rid of the clog. Well, I went out to the MH tonight, ran water in the shower until it backed up on the shower floor (didn't take much) and plunged away. After about 5-6 up & down strokes, the drain started running free!...

Last year, my bathtub drain was running slow too. I bought a toilet plunger and resolved the problem in the same manner.

I'm not the expert here, Roger ("007"), but I think I'd hesitate putting Drano, Liquid Plummer, or any other type of drain cleaner into an RV drain system. I'd be afraid it might damage the valve. Plus, you could be burned or blinded if something happens and you get splashed with that stuff while you're dumping the tank. It's not like at home where the stuff just goes "bye-bye" unless it can't remove the clog.

[RVhauler]

Lowes also has a plunger system that you pump air pressure down onto the plug also used to be some CO2 one shot deals but would be very leery of using them even with drain valves open. Not sure pipe could stand the pressure

["007"]

Never had a problem, I don't let it stand in plumbing that long.
Yes there are cautions on every thing we might use, please do use caution when using this stuff.

[Frank P. Martin]

I just asked the Liquid-Plumr folks on their website about whether their products can be safely used with RV waste water systems. As soon as I receive an answer, I'll post it here. Their website says they will respond to me within 48 business hours (That's a new one! I've seen business days, but business hours?). And how do you convert business hours to business days if you don't know how many hours they work in a business day? Oh, such a complicated world we've become.

[DandS]

Liquid-Plumr and Drano products are safe to use in the plastic plumbing in our rigs and they will not harm septic systems........however, they are not recommended for use with rubber so not sure if that would affect your valve seals.

[Frank P. Martin]

Dear Mr. Martin,

Thank you for contacting us about Liquid-Plumr. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.

Unfortunately, since none of our Liquid-Plumr products have been tested and approved for the plumbing in RV's, we cannot recommend it for that use. Liquid-Plumr has only been tested and approved for plumbing in stationary housing. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Again, thank you for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Sherri Knight

Consumer Response Representative

Consumer Services

[roadwalt]

I had the same problem with my 04 Kountry Star. A thin butter knife worked along the outside edge of the drain screen, carefully, and it popped right out. There is a three spoke stiffener about an inch below the screen that collected the DW hair. (Couldn't have been mine,I don't have any)
Just push it back in when done.
All the liquid plumber in the store never would have got that high in the drain J tube. Good luck.

[Brigadoon]

I just cleaned mine. Used a small thin screw driver to pop out the screen just as roadwalt said. Then just push the sreen back in place. Easy job.

[bdaball]

In some cases manufacturer would have set the drain cover with a couple of spots of silicone. Either the butter knife or a razor-utility knife will break the seal and then you can pry out the cover with a screw driver.
Since the first time I removed mine, I never have had to silicone it back in. That way it is easier to remove to remove DW's hair. ( pretty sure it ain't mine-waaaay to long and dark).

Drain cleaner would not be my first choice unless I were hooked up to drain line.