Setting up a shower drain is an important part of maintaining a bathroom. Anyone with plumbing experience can do the job, and if not, anyone can simply seek assistance from professional installers. In this way, you will certainly get a quality installation of a linear shower drain in concrete flooring. A shower drain not only keeps the floor of a shower dry but serves as an effective way to channel away water. In choosing materials, there are a number of pipes and sealing products. Yet the important question remains: how can a linear shower drain be installed on this concrete surface?
Embedding a drain in concrete stops mold and mildew from growing. That is its biggest advantage. Therefore, shower spaces are always damp and become a breeding ground for mold, which is both unhealthy and unsanitary. Besides the aesthetic contribution they make to the shower area, properly installed and sealed-in shower drains also help ensure a sanitary and safe environment.
Material and Equipment Required
- Tape measure
- Wire cutter
- Drill
- Utility knife
- A level and a bucket
- Concrete mix
- Sponge
- Tile cutter
- Drain base
- Metal strand
- Glue
- waterproof linear shower pan
- Silicone adhesive
- Extra water and drain pipes
Step-by-Step Instructions for Linear Shower Drain Installation
Step 1: Select the Drain’s Position
You have to find the most suitable location for your shower drain. Otherwise, water will get stuck in places or be forced back. The location of the drain must be considered.
Step 2: Ready the Hole
First, mark out the concrete slab where the drain will be located. Drill a hole, making sure it’s far sufficiently massive. Failure to make correct measurements will result in drilling a hole that is either too huge or too small.
Step 3: Fitting the Drain
To install your drain, first, you must dig a hole inside the concrete. The drain should be perfect, with no gaps. Its top has to lie flush on the concrete surface.
Step 4: Securing the Installation
After the drain is securely installed, replenish any space around it with concrete. The slopes of the region’s contours also require unique leveling, and concrete surfaces should have a natural slope to facilitate water drainage.
Step 5: Making Connections
Join the wastewater pipe to the drain of the shower. Ultimately, seal the pipe connection using a water-proof compound or concrete for additional safety.
Step 6: Do A Trial Run
When the installation and sealing are finished, turn on the water to test whether or not it works with a shower. This test checks whether the drain is working properly and that water isn’t left standing in the shower area.
Step 7: Final Touches and Cleanup
Clean it up, and clear away any rubbish or concrete residue. Your shower drain is now installed.
Linear Shower Drain On Concrete Floor Tips
- However, if your setup uses pre-assembled equipment with PVC pipes, you will need to take exact measurements. After taking accurate measurements, cut the PVC pipe to length with a hacksaw.
- Slip the shower drain carefully into the hole you just drilled in concrete. Plumber’s putty or high-quality silicone caulk (a dependable sealer) will provide a watertight fit.
- Primer and cement are great tools to have on hand when attaching PVC pipes; they will ensure that the pipe firmly grasps the shower drain.
- Make sure there are no leaks when you connect the PVC pipe to the shower drain. Applying a sealant based on silicone or plumber’s putty, which are both simple to work with, may help stop leaks.
- Laying tiles around the shower require that a show pan be well integrated. Tiles to be laid close to the drain hole must be measured and seen carefully, leaving a perfectly tight fit.
- After the pipe installation, always use a waterproof membrane over it. This step is needed to prevent water from leaking through the concrete and damaging the supporting structure.
FAQs
Is a concrete floor suitable for a shower drain?
It is preferable to have a drain that is roughly in place, with the pipe protruding a few inches from the ground. If you don’t want to destroy the concrete, running a new line to create a shower stall is one option. Contact the contractor or technician who handled the clogged pipe repair to verify the situation.
Are drains possible to install on concrete floors?
Because it takes the floor’s form and slope into account, installing a slot drain system over preexisting concrete is a breeze. For aesthetic and worker safety reasons, this system’s small size is perfect if you don’t plan on draining a great deal of solid materials.
Can you easily block a linear drain?
Although every drain is susceptible to blockage by hair and other debris, I have discovered that linear drains are particularly prone to this problem. Problems with drains become increasingly apparent as their length increases. The reason for this is because the gutter’s pitch is reduced.
Where would a linear drain work best in the shower?
The wall opposite the shower door and the wall across from it are ideal locations for a linear shower drain, also called a strip drain. Avoid creating a dangerous uneven surface by positioning linear drains parallel to the shower door wall.
What is the ideal slope for a linear shower drain?
While both linear drains and center pitch drains need a small ¼” slope per foot, the distinction is in the actual angle that this slope produces.
When should you use linear shower drains?
Ideal for curbless, threshold-free showers are linear shower drains. There is no lip to collect water in curbless showers. The greatest area for better water drainage may be covered by a linear shower drain.
How can you make your linear shower drain clean and unclogged?
Every four to six weeks, you may prevent the formation of soap scum and mold by flushing the gutter with a mix of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. Mix a cup of baking powder with half a liter of hot water and pour it into the floor waste. Set aside for a ten-minute soaking. After ten minutes, add one cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
