Clawfoot drain questions

[keano016]

Hi

I have searched the forum for previous discussions on clawfoot tubs but seems like every situation is unique. I am hoping you can help me out with the way I set up the drain from this tub before I have the Oh &$#% moment when I have retiled the floor and all the plumbing is re-done.

1. If I decide to reuse the current drain, which I assume is 1 3/8, can I reconnect it to a 1 1/2 pipe? Would I reuse a 1/2 x 1 3/8 slip joint nut in that situation? Would you advise me to do that given the 100 year old brass and the joints?

2. Since the tub is backed against a wall I am not interested in a $200 brass drain that is for sale in some retrofit websites. Could I use some of the plastic pipe drains that I can use to replace the entire brass set up?

3. How can I remove the existing drain set up from the tub? Don't see a way to unscrew it from the bottom of the tub or in the tub drain.

I have attached few pics for ease of understanding my situation.


Thanks!

[hj]

The easiest way to remove the drain fitting is to use a SawZall and slice it off even with the bottom of the tub. You can use any drain assembly you want to, as long as the "plug" is able to go through the hole in the tub. Your biggest problem, unless this is over a basement, will be reconnecting to the 1 1/2" riser.

[keano016]

Would that be a problem if I preassemble a 1 1/2 ABS drain on the tub and then just drop the ADS in the 1 1/2 riser provided that I measure correctly for the tub to fit in the area from the side wall and the rear walls?

[rmelo99]

3.) There are wrenches to remove the drain, since you are removing to replace you can use the method of getting a pair of pliers in that drain across the "cross" then unscrew. Probably wouldn't hurt soaking with some PB Blaster to get things loose. You unscrew from the inside not the underside.