Removal of old shower plug hole

[SteveMil]

Hi everyone, looking for a bit of advice - sprucing up my old shower cubicle with some panel cladding - the plughole is very old and rusted and I'd like to remove it and replace it if possible.

However, I can't get it out - It turns anticlockwise and has loosened as I've turned it, but just doesn't seem to screw out? No access to underneath unfortunately as the tray seems to be cemented in. Any advice on how to remove this? (Or if I should be doing it?). Images attached.

 

[Madrab]

You need to get underneath it. Loosen off the trap and you'll see a big plastic/brass nut holding in on. Loosen that off (really big pair of pump pliers) and it'll lift out.

 

[SteveMil]

Thanks Rob - unfortunately no way to get underneath without going through the kitchen ceiling I guess, or ripping out the shower cubicle!
Assuming there's no other way to do it? In which case I might just leave it and try and find some kind of cover for it.

When I turned it, it broke some sealant underneath the outside rim of the plug hole, should I just lift the plug hole slightly, squeeze in sealant around the edge and push it back down? By turning it and making it loose will I have loosened anything underneath that could leak? It basically just free turns (rather stiffly!) and the plastic trap inside doesn't move at all, the metal just rotates around it Really appreciate the advice! Thank you, Steve

 

[Madrab]

No there is not other way of doing it.

It should be ok .... it's the plastic and the rubber seal underneath that keeps it watertight, all you have probbaly done is loosened the chrome cover on the waste top. Obviously keep an eye on the ceiling below just in case.

The problem has been too aggressive a cleaner and that's eaten the chrome.

 

[SteveMil]

Thanks Rob!! Much appreciated!