how is a bathtub flange connected to drain?

[ypp]

We just bought an old house that has a new bathtub liner on top of an old tub. In a few weeks of showering, water has gotten in between the old tub and the new tub liner - I'm guessing due to a bad caulk job. We are hoping to get the water out, re-caulk ourselves (and do a better job!) and make this last for 1-2 years until we're ready to gut and re-do this bathroom.

We've removed the push-pull drain and my husband loosened the tub flange just slightly - enough to break the seal. The trapped water is now leaking up via the broken seal - it's coming from the lower bathtub into the new bathtub and then over the flange and down the drain.

Our question: How does the flange connect to the drain? If we pull the flange completely, can the water flow safely/freely down the drain, or, will it also flow around the drain and get into the ceiling below, etc? Should we get the shop vac ready to suck the water out?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks much.

[HayZee518]

the flange is screwd into the waste arm - that's the short elbow under the tub. between the tub and the waste arm is a gasket. Get out the shop vac! the rest of it goes together with rubber or plastic bushngs and slip joint fittings.

[ypp]

Thanks!

[LazyPup]

Here is an illustration that may help you understand how it all fits together

http://www.homerepairforum.com/images/uploads/2006-1-9_plumbing_088_w550.jpg