An often-overlooked perk is sprucing up your bathroom and shower space. One of the worst things that may happen when you create your ideal home is ignoring the kind of drains your property has. Things that make bathing more luxurious and comfortable are necessities for these fixtures. Due to its safety features and ease of installation, linear shower drains are now the most popular.
There is no denying that contemporary bathroom remodels have shifted towards more minimalist and functional designs. The linear shower drain stands out for its immense appeal among these innovations. In contrast to more conventional circular ones, the elongated shape of linear drains increases drainage efficiency and visual attractiveness. However, installing a linear shower drain in an already-existing drain position presents its own set of difficulties.
Knowing what makes linear shower drains different is essential before beginning the installation procedure. Unlike the several slopes required by standard circular drains, linear drains only need a single slope on the shower floor. This layout makes tiling easier and lets you utilize bigger floor tiles, which means fewer grout lines and less upkeep.
Essential Materials
- Linear Shower Drain
- Plumbing Tools
- Wet Saw
- Level
- Mortar
- Waterproofing Membrane
- Tiles
- Tile Adhesive and Grout
- Drain Grate
- Sealant
- Measuring Tape
- Chalk Line or Marker
- Safety Gear
- Subfloor Material (if needed).
- P-Trap and Plumbing Fittings
- Sponge and Bucket
- Notched Trowel
- Grout Float
- Tile Spacers
Steps To Installation
Check Your Existing Setup
It is necessary to take stock of the present arrangement to install a linear shower drain in an already-built bathroom. To do this, you must take precise measurements of your shower’s dimensions and its present drain and plumbing. With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be able to choose the appropriate linear drain in terms of size and design and devise a strategy for any necessary installation changes.
Select Linear Drain to Use
Choosing the correct linear drain among the many available alternatives might be challenging. To complement your bathroom’s style and practicality, consider the dimensions, material, and grate design. Before buying a drain, measure the area it will go in and ensure it fits with your current plumbing.
Required Equipment
Acquiring the required equipment and supplies is an important first step in preparing for installation. A new linear drain, plumbing equipment, a level, cement, a wet saw for cutting tiles, and waterproofing products are all part of this. Seek the advice of a licensed plumber or contractor if you lack self-assurance in your DIY abilities.
Check Flow Rate
If the shower floor is slanted correctly and the drain can support the flow rate of the fixtures, then any linear drain should drain efficiently in a curbed shower. This is true regardless of where the drain is situated—in the middle, along the rear wall, or at the entry to the shower. You should check the combined flow rates of the showerhead, handheld showers, and any other fixtures to ensure that the linear drain you choose can manage them. The entry, the wall, or the middle of the drain all have a role in determining the maximum flow rate that may be achieved.
When a curbless shower’s linear drain is installed at the entrance, the maximum flow rate that may be achieved is five gallons per minute (GPM). Most shower fixtures have had their flow rates cut to 1.5 GPM to save water; therefore, today’s standards are far lower than 5 GPM.
Their total flow rate is 5 GPM, but you may surpass that if you simultaneously use several showerheads, body sprays, and hand showers. Because it can manage 10 to 12 GPM, a back-wall drain installation is perfect for this situation. A larger shower with several fixtures will have a substantially greater water flow, up to 20 GPM. To handle the higher flow rate, building two linear drains end-to-end or in series is advised.
Removing the Existing Drain
First, take stock of the subfloor and plumbing conditions during installation, and remove the old drain. Before installing the new drain, it is essential to detect any problems, such as water damage or old plumbing, that may need fixing.
Changing Plumbing
The new linear drain will not always fit snugly into the same spot as the old drain. A few tweaks to the plumbing will be necessary for this. The waste line may have to be moved or extended to connect to the linear drain. The plumbing must adhere to the local construction requirements and have an appropriate drainage slope.
The Linear Drain Installation
After the plumbing has been corrected, the linear drain may be installed. To do this, you’ll make a little angle in the shower floor so water runs downhill and down the drain. Form the slope with mortar; level it out and make sure it slopes towards the drain. After that, make sure the linear drain is flat with the completed floor level and fasten it in place.
Waterproofing
The failure to pre-slope before applying the waterproofing layer or liner is a common error among installers. It is essential to pre-slope the floor before installing the liner, just as with a conventional shower pan installation. This will let the liner absorb weep water and send it to the drain via the incorporated weep holes.
Even with a mortar-bed installation, the right form of topical waterproofing must be used—a sheet or liquid with plastic drain bodies or a liquid with stainless steel. The best method to guarantee a watertight pan system drains well and flows correctly is to install a full shower system according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Final Details and Tiling
You can tile the shower floor once the drain is in and waterproofed. Because of the single slope design, bigger tiles may be used, which can be precisely trimmed to fit around the drain. After finishing the tiling, put in the drain grate and apply any required sealants.
FAQs
Which arrangement works best for a linear shower drain?
A three-sided arrangement, in which the shower drain is placed against the wall, is what most experts propose. This creates a one-sided slope, which facilitates installation by reducing the amount of tile cutting required. Placing the shower drain free on the floor is another alternative to consider.
What is the recommended distance between a wall and a linear shower drain?
The PVC collar has to be 2-3″ out from the wall since these drains are designed for 3-pcs clamping ring drains. As a result, the standard distance between the drain and the rear wall is three to five inches. When installing a drain, it is best to measure the wall and position it in the exact center.
How can I fix a non-centered shower drain?
If your shower drain is not in the center or more than the suggested size, an adjustable linear drain is the way to go in these situations. The versatility of adjustable linear drains is unparalleled in such scenarios.
