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Replairing a shower tray pop-up plug without tray removal

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 2/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $10 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 1 HOUR TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO THIS TASK
BEFORE YOU START
This is an acceptable fix that avoids removing the shower tray for a complete replacement of the shower tray waste plug.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

How the shower tray pop up plug broke due to corrosion

This shower pop up plug got corroded enough to break completely.
There is no bottom thread anymore to allow for the replacement of the plug by unscrewing the old one and refitting a new plug.
Replacing the whole tray waste plug requires the removal of the shower tray which is costly and sometimes requires to replace the surrounding tiles.

The material you need

The fix consists of buying a cheap basin pop up plug because basin plugs are of a smaller diameter (see further below).

How to fix the shower tray plug

Cut the basin pop up plug in a manner to use its threaded base for fixing the pop up mechanism and the new plug.
Use a file to smooth the edges. The basin pop up plug now remains fully operational yet can be inserted in the shower tray waste.
Clean and dry well the shower tray waste. Use toilet paper to dry it completely:
2-component steel epoxy glue shall be used for fixing the basin plug inside the shower tray waste.
Mix well the 2 components and work fast. You have no more than 2 to 4 minutes to have the job done depending on the ambient temperature.
Open the bathroom window if it has one or make sure to activate the fan extractor and keep the door open to avoid breathing the strong epoxy smell.
Spread the glue over the 3 arms of the base and push it in while matching the arms together.
Make sure the new pop up plug base and the existing one are well aligned and that no epoxy resin is blocking the waste: 
Note: for the purpose of taking a clear picture, I removed the brass pin (the pop up mechanism) but you'd better screw it in the new base and hold the latter with the pin while lowering it down the waste and then leave the pin inside to avoid having epoxy resin on the thread which would prevent the pin from being later fitted easily.
Wait 12 hours before using your shower tray. Fit the new plug knowing this fix does not allow you to hold water in the tray since the new thread is higher than the previous one meaning the plug remains high even when lowered. But it prevents objects from falling into the waste.

For this reason, you cannot use this fix for your bath tub unless you don't care for filling it with water.

See also...

Buy your basin or shower pop up plug here:

And visit our cooking section for delicious recipes...