The only restriction on possible designs when planning the ideal bathroom shower is the functionality and durability of the materials. Although they aren’t necessarily unappealing, most people find the drain to be a boring and mundane fixture in their houses. The conventional outcome is a tiled shower with a visible gradient around a central drain, which may be square or circular. It is time to change the drains to give it a more modern aspect and eliminate the outdated design.
Decorative and popular linear shower drains eliminate the unnatural four-cornered slope of tiled shower stalls and provide a more practical alternative—without the danger of a filthy pool forming around a sluggish drain. You may encase them in a robust grate or tile them to blend in with the floor, making them almost undetectable. Taking a different approach allows you more creative freedom, resulting in a cleaner, more efficient drain. You should consider installing a linear shower drain when you remodel your bathroom’s shower or tub.
What Is a Linear Drain?
Once reserved for public restrooms and locker rooms, the linear shower drain has evolved significantly. The linear drain, which includes troughs and trench drains, is just a channel cut into the shower floor that collects water and sends it to the drain. Stylish and personalized, they are one-of-a-kind for your room. A long, narrow trough at one end of the shower collects more water simultaneously without letting it pool at your feet. After that, the water is guided to the concealed exit and down the drain by the pre-pitched channel.
For safety, the floor should have a little incline in one direction, towards the drain, so that water may more easily follow gravity and avoid impediments. The broad grate achieves further prevention of puddles and slippery risks, which helps keep material from blocking the drain. Manufacturers may choose between metal grids or tooled designs for the channel cover. By lining the shower threshold with the channel, these grates may serve as an alternative to curbs or barriers, allowing water to remain inside the shower area. The linear shower drain may be arranged in various ways in a home’s bathroom or shower.
Material Required
- Linear Shower Drain
- PVC Pipes
- PVC Primer
- PVC Cement
- Pipe Hangers or Supports
- Hacksaw or PVC Cutter
- Measuring Tape
- Wrench
- Level
- Safety Gear
- Deburring Tool or Sandpaper
- Silicone Sealant
Steps To Connecting Linear Shower Drain to House Drain
1. Safety and Preparation
Get all of your supplies and tools ready before you start. All of the necessary tools and equipment, including the linear shower drain, PVC pipes, primer, cement, a hacksaw, measuring tape, wrench, and safety gear, are included in this set. To prevent any mishaps, turn off the water supply to the restroom. Make sure you’re by the rules by studying local construction codes.
2. Preparing The Drain Connection
Find the spot where the house’s drainage system meets the linear drain. The original drain was near the foot of the shower, so that’s where you should look. After cleaning, ensure that the surface is completely dry. Locate where the drain connects to the house drain and measure the distance from there to the drain outlet. The precise cutting of the PVC pipe relies on this measurement.
3. Cut and Fit the PVC Pipe
To connect the linear shower drain to the house drain, use the measured dimensions to cut the length of the PVC pipe. If you don’t want leaks, make sure the cut is straight. Use a PVC primer to clean the interior of the drain outlet and the exterior of one end of the PVC pipe. The next step is to securely join these sections by using PVC cement. To make sure the binding is solid, hold for a few seconds.
4. Secure Connection
The PVC pipe must be connected to the linear shower drain first and then to the house drain at the other end. Connect the matching pieces tightly after applying primer and cement. After the PVC cement has dried, ensure there are no holes or disconnected pieces. If any of the fittings need tightening, use a wrench.
5. Testing and Fixing Issues
After the water supply is turned on, the freshly fitted drain may be seen in action. Inspect the connectors for signs of leakage. Cut off the water supply and check the connections again for leakage. If needed, add more cement or swap out the fittings. To confirm a good installation, it is important to check that the water flows freely and without obstructions.
Why Choose A Linear Drain?
Not everyone will benefit from these linear shower drains. Changing an existing drainage system to a linear drain may be time-consuming and expensive. When making the decision, however, there are perks to think about.
Design
If you’re looking for greater leeway in shower design, sleek and fashionable linear drains are a great option. To the naked eye, the drains are indistinguishable from the rest of the shower’s decor. Linear drains may be tiled to match or adorned with channel covers, while standard drains can be eye-catching.
Layout
You may get creative with your shower’s tile design by installing a linear drain. Instead of separating the dry and wet areas, use uniform tile size and style across the room. Installing linear shower drains in a bathroom may make a small space seem more open and airy by doing away with the need for a shower curb. More of the room is at your disposal.
Protective Measures
The gradual, flat slope drains water quickly, and ADA rules allow a level floor surface for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Those contemplating aging-in-place home modifications should consider linear drains.
Maintenance
Removing linear shower drain covers requires a key tool. A dirt barrier above the drain keeps pipes clean, and everything is simple. You may clean the channels after letting the water do most of the work.
FAQs
In what ways does a shower drain connect?
Shower drains of the compression type are fastened to the pipes of a home’s drainage system using nuts and compression washers. If you don’t have access to the area below the shower base via the basement or crawlspace, this drain is often simpler to install than the solvent-glued variety.
Does a linear shower drain go to the sewer?
When everything is running well in your plumbing system, water from the tub and shower flows down the drain and into the sewer. Every drain in your home eventually reaches the main sewage system, where your bathtub and toilet take different routes.
Is it possible to link the drains from a shower and a toilet?
Showers and toilets can share a drain but shouldn’t share a waste trap arm. That’s the standard response. There are further considerations, such as whether your drains connect to the main sewage system or septic tanks are used in your municipality.
