Can you use a floor drain for a shower?

A floor drain is meant as a “direct” waste drain. It is used to drain whatever water winds up on the floor. In the shower, it drains the water that is on the shower floor while showering. In a commercial restroom is it used to drain water spilled on the floor, or water used to clean the bathroom.

What are the different types of shower drains?





The Two Main Types of Shower Drains

  • Point Drains.
  • Linear Drains.
  • Three-Piece Drain.
  • One-Piece Drain.
  • Multipiece Shower Drain.

What type of drain is best for shower?

Almost any linear shower drain is suitable for a wall-to-wall installation (using the extension set). If you want a free in the floor installation with two-sided sloping then the Easy Drain Diamond is your best choice.

Where does the shower floor drain go?

Linear drains can be positioned against the wall, with the shower floor (or whole bathroom floor) sloping towards the wall. Linear drains can alternatively be installed at the shower entrance, with the shower floor sloping towards the bathroom.

How do you make a shower drain into a floor drain?





First, cut the tiles and remove the existing floor drain. Remove the drain pipe and put a shower drainpipe inside. Place the shower drain and screw the drain cover. Finally, seal the shower drain to the floor and retile the area.

Can a shower drain into a French drain?

Depending on those conditions, the wastewater that runs off the outdoor shower can percolate directly into the soil, hook-up to the house’s drainage system, or drain through a dry well or French drain.

How do shower floor drains work?

When taking a shower, water flows down the drainage and creates a vacuum within the drainage. The vacuum may slow the flow of water down the drainage. As such, the drainage is vented to allow water to flow freely. The venting works by allowing air to flow into the drainage.

What is under a shower drain?

A shower drain is made of several parts. Beneath the removable strainer cover in the shower floor, the drain leads to an under-floor trap that connects to a drain line and the waste/vent stack. The shower pan consists of a waterproof membrane that seals the shower floor.

How do I install a shower drain with no access from below?



How to install shower drain without access below:

  1. Remove the existing shower drain.
  2. Measure and cut the assembly parts.
  3. Clean the area and pipes.
  4. Assemble and install the new drain.
  5. Apply a sealant and tighten the shower drain.
  6. Clean excessive sealant.
  7. Install strainer cover.
  8. Conduct a leak test.

Does shower drain need to be centered?

No, shower drains don’t need to be in the center. As long as the drain is at the bottom of a slope so water will flow into it, your drain will work just fine.

Does the shower drain have to be under the shower head?



Yes, you can put a shower drain opposite the showerhead. There is nothing wrong with placing the drain on the other end of the tub. As long as there’s a subtle slope directing the water towards the drain, it will clear out as expected.

Where should the drain be placed in a walk in shower?

I recommend the drain (assuming no joists are in the way) be 12” (or so) from the shower head wall in front of you when showering (and centered side to side). This keeps you from standing in the drain and pools of water when it (inevitably) gets clogged.

How high should a shower drain be from the floor?

Getting Started. Make sure your drain pipe is at the appropriate height (approximately 1/4 inch above your concrete or subfloor).

How far should the shower drain be from the wall?

Rough-In Dimension Terminology

Toilet Shower/Tub
Discharge/Drain Hole from Back Wall 12 1/2″ 14″
Discharge/Drain Hole (Vertical) 0″ 0″
Fixture (Side to Side Buffer) 15″ to 18″ min 18″ min
Fixture (Front Buffer) 21″ min 18″ min

How deep is a shower drain?



There’s no specific method for setting the depth of a shower drain rough-in, but plumbing codes generally require that shower drains drop by at least a quarter-inch per foot of run to ensure adequate drainage.

How far below shower drain should P-trap be?

However, the Universal Plumbing Code stipulates that the total developed length of all tailpieces, arms and fittings connecting the drain to the p-trap must be 24 inches or less. Jennifer Roberts has enjoyed writing since 2008.

Does a shower need a 2 inch drain?

A 2-inch pipe is the recommended size because showers have a low threshold for flooding, and a 2-inch pipe helps the water drain faster than does a 1 1/2-inch pipe. So, if you are converting from a tub and shower combination to a shower, you’ll likely have to change the drain pipe size.

How much slope does a shower drain need?

In a stall shower, the plumbing code requires the floor to be sloped one quarter (1/4) of an inch per foot in order to carry the water effectively to the drain. This slope, according to the TCNA Handbook is called “sloped fill” or commonly known as the pre-slope.

How do you pitch a shower floor?



Measure from the drain opening to the furthest wall, then round up to the nearest foot. Calculate the slope by multiplying the measurement by 1/4 inch. For instance, if the drain opening measures 2-foot 8-inches from the furthest wall, then the shower floor should slope 3/4 inch from that wall to the drain.

How do you slope a shower floor for a linear drain?

SLOPE/PITCH

All wet (shower) areas must have a sloped floor towards the outlet at ¼” per foot (consult local codes for your area). Traditionally this is a 4-way slope towards the center of the wet area significantly limiting design options and tile size choice.