There are many architectural choices when constructing or remodeling a whole bathroom. There are many decisions that can have a big effect on the general feel of a bathroom. But one surprising feature helps the bathroom look amazing and function well. This surprising feature is shower drains. But there are lots of people who don’t even care what kind of drains they have. You might make the biggest mistake if you do this when making your dream home. It’s important to have luxury and ease in your showers and baths. When it comes to shower drains, the most popular right now are the linear ones. Their safety and ease of installation make them the best choice.
Linear lines have quickly become the most popular way to get rid of water. Because they look stylish and up-to-date, they are great for both homes and businesses. The good looks and good performance of linear drains make them more popular among homes. This makes it excellent for new construction and remodeling. These days, it seems like every new bathroom has to have a linear shower drain. Also, the process of installing a linear drain in a shower is easier. If you are considering installing a new wall drain for shower or replacing your existing one. If so, you have come to the right article. We will try to explain the whole process of How to install a linear shower drain in this article. The linear wall drain is easy to install if you follow the instructions below. Let’s start!!
What is a Linear Shower Drain?
The linear shower drain is much bigger and more rectangular than a regular round or square drain. This makes it possible to place it in different ways. It can also be installed flush against the wall or around the edge of the shower. It’s a little different to install a linear wall drain than a regular drain. When compared to a drain placed in the middle of the shower, the linear drain has many benefits. The floor must slope four ways to drain water in a normal center drain design. The floor only needs to slope in one way with a linear shower drain, so you can be more creative with your design.
Step-by-step Instructions on How to Install a Linear Shower Drain
- Select a location.
There are four different ways to set up a linear tile insert shower drain. If you put it on the floor, you can put it between two walls or on the wall (either one or two sides). It is necessary to install the model that is right for the designated location. It doesn’t matter where the concealed shower drain is put; the floors have to slope towards it. It ensures water drainage. When there is little or no slope leading to the drain, water builds up and floods the shower. You need to decide on the ideal location for the linear wall drain. If your shower floor is a little sloppy on one side, that’s where you should install a linear drain. If you want, you can also use the entrance to the shower area. We chose this option because it is easy to clean, and you won’t have to create a curb at the shower entry.
- Locate the bathroom’s in-line plumbing system.
If you are installing a tile insert shower drain, it is important that it connects with the rough-in pipes. It’s best to move your trash drain pipes in this case. When you are constructing a house, it can be simple to find where the drainage system is. When compared to people who are remodeling their bathrooms, this is pretty simple. If you want to install a linear wall drain, you’ll need to know where the main drains are so you can connect them.
- Set up your workspace.
It is important to ensure the floor and workspace are clean before starting the process. When you are putting it together, it is important to ensure that trash or other dirt can’t get into the shower drain. You may apply a cloth or pre-assembled sealing sheet to shield the drain. It’s also a good idea to talk to the tiler about your project and any special features before you start.
- Calculate the height of the linear drain
You will also need to measure the depth of the shower pan and the top of the drain. When you put down the tiles, make sure they are at the same level or just 1 mm higher than the top edge of the drain. It helps to make sure that water drains properly. When calculating depth, consider tile thickness, tile glue, and leveling layer.
- Create a hole in the drain
The most crucial thing to keep in mind when installing a tile insert drain is the accuracy of the hole. The next step is to attach the linear wall drain from your shower to the building’s plumbing system. You also have to make a three- or four-inch hole in the drainpipes to place the pipe.
- Make the hole with a saw or cutter.
You need to be very careful when cutting the hole in the surface. The hole for the wall shower drain should be about three inches from the back wall. Also, it should be three and a half inches in diameter. Now, you insert the tile insert shower drain into the line using the base drain. Next, you make the marks and take out the base and linear shower drain.
- Applying tar paper and installing wire lath
As a next step, you may use a sharp blade to cut tar paper to fit over the plywood. You should make sure to cover the shower walls’ sides and bottom. In this way, the wooden floor doesn’t soak up any water from the mortar mix. You can also apply the wire lath covering to make the pan mortar mixture more stable.
- Make the slope and install the base drain.
When you are ready to install the base drain, you can do so after you’ve removed the wire lath and tar paper. After that, you ensure the drain line is properly connected, and the fitting is level. Also, you need to check for leaks by putting water into the underside drain. You can now fix the tile insert drain in place and connect the pieces. Now, you start making the slope with the mortar mixture, but don’t cover the drain at the bottom. Water can flow away from the floor and into the base sink with the help of the correct slope.
- You must consider the Flow Rate
Whatever kind of tile insert drain you use in a curved shower will work well. But the floor must slope correctly. The wall shower drain can also handle the flow rate of the shower faucets. It doesn’t matter if the drain is in the middle, along the side wall, or at the shower door. You should ensure that the linear drain you choose can handle the flow rate of your shower items. It must work with the showerhead, handheld showers, and so on. The maximum flow rate of the drain will also depend on where it is located-at the entry, along the wall, or in the middle.
When the linear wall drain is installed at the shower’s entrance, the flow rate can reach 5 GPM. These days, shower fixtures have flow rates far lower than 5 GPM. The flow rate was reduced to 1.5 GPM to save water. If you use body sprays, hand showers, and several showerheads at the same time. As a whole, you might consume more water than their 5 GPM limit. This is the perfect time to put a back-wall drain, which can handle 10 to 12 GPM. If the shower is much larger and has more fixtures, the flow rate of water will be much higher, up to 20 GPM. So, we advise placing two linear shower drains to handle the higher flow rate.
- Waterproof liner and fastening ring installation
The shower liners should be installed after you have let the mortar at least 24 hours to harden. This is an important step to take when installing a tile insert shower drain in concrete. The waterproof liner must reach six inches up the shower wall’s sides. Also, you must fasten the base drain with the rings to secure the liner and make a water barrier.
- Cover with tiles and seal
It’s important for you to put the mortar on the cover and fill it up completely. The ground must also slope at a rate of no less than 2 degrees, or 1/4 inch per foot, toward the base drain. If you want to hide the drain after installing the tiles in the shower, use silicone caulk. After that, you attach the shower parts with silicone caulk to make an optimal finish.
Benefits of Linear Shower Drains
- It looks really good.
Linear shower drains are both modern and simple. They provide you with more flexibility when it comes to the overall look of your shower. It looks like the drains are part of the shower area, not separate from it. Also, you can tile or cover the linear shower drains with attractive channel covers.
- It offers barrier-free and curb-less designs.
Linear shower drain installations give you more options for how to build a bathroom. They make it possible for homeowners and designers to make their space more open. This helps make the floor plan look more open and beneficial by removing shower curbs.
- It offers an attractive arrangement.
You can use non-traditional tile options in your shower if you install a tile insert shower drain. There is no difference between the wet and dry areas because the tiles are all the same size and pattern. There is no need for a shower curb when you have a linear shower drain. As a bonus, the space will look bigger because there won’t be a noticeable gap in the flooring
- It gives you more safety.
The gentle and level slope of the linear wall drain is excellent for swiftly draining water. The level floor can also meet ADA wheelchair and mobility aid regulations. Linear lines are a great option for people who want to make changes to their homes to help them stay in place. A study says that 2.5 million people are hurt every year when they fall at home. The installation of a concealed shower drain reduces the stress of bathing.
- It stops water from moving to dry places.
There is only one way for water to run because the floor is sloped in one direction. The water stays away from dry parts of the shower. This stops water from spilling into the dry area of the shower. Linear shower drains also manage all the soap and water in the shower.
- It gives you more options.
Linear drains, with their long, clean lines, look nice and give you more options for how to place them. It is more adaptable than center drains since it can be positioned anywhere in the shower. Linear drains work well in the shower door opening or another wall behind the door.
- Easy to clean and maintain
Linear shower drains are easy to clean and maintain. The best way to clean is with water and soap. Linear drains with a movable waste basket are the best option. This can keep your lines from getting clogged, which is one of the most common problems in every home.
Tools and Materials for Linear Shower Drain Installation
- Measuring tape
- Hole saw bits
- Drill
- Utility knife
- Wire cutters
- Shovel and trowel
- Bucket and level
- Grout float and sponge
- Thin-set mortar
- Silicon caulk
- Waterproof shower pan liner
- Tile wet saw and cutter
- Base drain
- Tar paper
- Wire lath
- Tile and drain glue
Conclusion
It is easy to install linear drains and keep them in good shape. They also look good with other indoor designs. The main goal of interior design is to make your home look more beautiful and classy. The benefits of linear drains listed above point out how much they boost the quality of life at home. Most importantly, linear drains are easier to install than regular drains. Linear wall drains are just as easy to clean and maintain as other types of drains. You can find a tile insert shower drain at any big-box hardware shop or at Yzdrain. Linear shower drains usually cost a lot more than round or square ones.
If you want to design a shower, remodel it to remain in place, or go for a more modern feel. The linear wall drain is a great option and well worth the money. Linear shower drains only need a slope that goes in one way. This makes the construction smoother than when drains are in the middle. Your drain can last a very long time if you place it correctly and keep it in good shape. If you don’t feel like doing it or don’t have the time, you can call a professional plumber to do the job for you. We hope you found this guide on how to install a linear shower drain to be informative and helpful.
