According to regulations, all shower drains are required to have P-traps. This includes all fixtures connected to a building’s main plumbing system. P-traps are curved pipes installed under showers and drains of all kinds.

Does a shower drain need a P-trap?

P-traps, the curving section of pipe you can see under the sinks in your house, perform a vital function for any plumbing fixture in a building. Shower and bathtub drain pipes must incorporate a P-trap; otherwise the health and safety of anyone in the building will be jeopardized by sewer gases entering the building.

Does a shower drain get a trap?





The shower drainage features a piping that has a trap as part of its key components. The trap in the shower drain works like the one beneath the kitchen sink. While the sink trap is P-shaped, you may find some S-shaped shower traps.

How close to shower drain does P-trap need to be?

How far can P-trap be from shower drain? The maximum distance between the shower drain and the P-trap is 5 feet. However, the P-trap should be as close to the shower drain inlet as possible. You should even have the P-trap directly under the shower drain for the best results.

Where is the P-trap in a shower drain?

The P-trap is located underneath the shower tray. The P-trap is situated underneath the shower tray and its purpose is to hold a small amount of water to prevent odors from wafting through the drain pipes and into the bathroom. The trap will need cleaning occasionally when a buildup of soap scum occurs.

Do you need a trap on a bathtub drain?

Yes, a bathtub does require a p-trap. P-traps are also necessary for a kitchen sink, a bathroom sink, a shower drain etc. Plumbing codes require p-traps on all wastewater lines. A bathtub p-trap is part of the bathtub drain and serves the same function as it would for any sink or area with a drain line.

Is P-trap necessary?





Plumbing codes require a P-trap be installed anywhere there is an open drain line that expels wastewater into a drain waste-vent system. The P-trap traps solids that can clog the drain or sewer line. The P-trap stops sewer gases from backing into your home through the drain line.

What is a shower drain trap?

A shower trap is a necessary plumbing fitting to prevent drain clogs inside a shower stall. In plumbing terminology, the term “shower trap” refers to a bent pipe installed between the initial horizontal drain line and the secondary horizontal line.

Why does a shower require 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 does a shower waste trap work?

Similar to a kitchen or even toilet trap, a shower trap always retains a certain amount of water to seal off any gases emitted by the sewer that could come into the bathroom. When in use, shower water will flow into the drainage to create a vacuum, which can slow down the discharge of the water itself.

Can a shower and sink share a drain?



Is It Possible to Have the Same Drain for the Shower and Sink? Yes, the drain for the shower and the sink can be the same. The shower and sink can use the same drain pipe if it is well below the sink and shower level.

Can you put a 90 in a shower drain?


Quote from Youtube video: It's very hard for one of those metal snakes to get around the 90. And you actually may drill a hole through it. So it's better to put two 45 degree angles together to make the 90 degree angle.

What size is a shower P trap?

Trap Size. The usual size for a shower drain trap is 2 inches, which is the diameter of the trap. This size is the minimum size that is allowed, which means that you cannot install a trap with a smaller diameter, or the trap is not within code.

Does a shower drain need a vent pipe?



Vent Pipe Requirements for Showers



It’s easy to forget, but it’s a vital and required part of any plumbing fixture drain. The vent pipes remove sewer gases while allowing air into the system to help the water drain. Without a vent, your shower won’t drain correctly.

Can a shower and toilet share a vent?

Wet vents are typically used when plumbing a bathroom group. So yes the shower can also be vented by the wet vent along with the toilet. There is one major stipulation when wet venting multiple fixtures when a toilet is one of them: the toilet must be the last fixture connected to the wet vent.

What size PVC pipe is used for shower drain?

two-inch pipe

The 1½-inch size is used to capture water that might flow out of a kitchen sink, a bathroom vanity or a tub. The two-inch pipe is commonly used to drain a shower stall or washing machine, and it may be used as a vertical stack for a kitchen sink. A three-inch pipe is what’s used in homes to pipe toilets.

Can you use a 1 1 2 inch pipe for shower drain?



A 1 ½ pipe can be used for shower drain in some areas. It is effective for draining water in small bathtub areas but may overflow the shower base if the water flow is high. Though a 1 ½ pipe is not as efficient as a 2 inches shower drain pipe, it would suffice in small areas.

Can a shower have a 1.5 inch drain?

Current plumbing codes (IPC as well as MA Plumbing Code 248 CMR 10 for instance) need 1.5 inches to drain for a tub with a shower. The tub can drain at leisure and the shower function when in utilize, with flow-limiting showerheads, fall within the flow rate that a 1.5” drain can handle.

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 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.



How thick should mortar be at shower drain?

Calculate a measurement of how high the mortar needs to rise up along the outer shower walls to create the proper drain slope. For proper drainage, use ¼ inch in height for every 12 inches of run travel from the shower drain center. Also keep in mind that the mortar thickness in the pre-slope should be ½” to 1” thick.