Drains are an essential part of any bathroom. With so much water flowing all day long, a properly installed drain can be the difference between disaster and staying dry. No longer just a hole in the ground, shower drains Whether it’s a standard shower grate or custom linear shower drain with a custom outlet, there are lessons to be learned about installing a shower drain properly. That’s why we turned to Australia’s largest steel supplier Steel Builders, to give us the rundown on installing an internal shower drain at home.
Installing An Internal Shower Drain
Step into any bathroom, and you’ll notice how vast the world of shower drains and grates can be. Typically positioned in the middle of the shower, a classic shower grate and drain is a standard fixture in the bathroom. Fortunately, the world has shifted from traditional positions and fixtures towards transforming the humble shower drain into something far more appealing.
Small Floor Wastes
Welded from 304 stainless steel, Small Floor Waste drain products are available in various patterns and sizes to suit a wide range of uses, providing minimal visual impact and a sleek finish to any bathroom or shower. These drain bases are designed to admit water flow to the outlet.
Linear Shower Drain
Gone are the days of digging a hole in the middle of the shower and slapping a drain grate on top. A liner shower drain opens a world of possibilities for your bathroom, allowing you to get creative with the look and feel of your shower. Place it up against the wall, in the centre, or at the edge; remember, it’s your shower.
Shower Grate Installation
While every bathroom and shower will have its unique requirements, the fundamentals of shower grate installation remain the same for concrete slabs, timber structural floors and fibre cement floors.
Step 1: We begin by stripping back everything to expose the drainage point. Depending on your bathroom, this could be 50mm, 80mm or 100mm, depending on your drain size.
Step 2: Install the flange onto the floor, followed by your water stop angles. Then it’s time to waterproof your shower to Australian Standards. When waterproofing your shower, you’ll need to create a slope towards the floor flange to ensure that any water penetrates the grout will flow into the drainage point.
Step 3: Now that you are waterproofed, install your grate at the required height. You can install linear shower drain outlets with centre, end or custom outlet locations. When a standard shower grate doesn’t work, you can modify an existing shower grate to suit your needs or install a custom shower grate. Custom outlet options are available. However, they will need to be welded in position.
Step 4: Sand and cement the floor around the shower drain. Remember that you’ll need to leave enough space between the drain to glue your tiles slightly above the drain height.
Step 5: Fill the joint gap between the shower grate and the tiles with a flexible sealant adhesive to allow for expansion and contraction. Once the sealant has dried, it’s time to enjoy your brand new shower!
Creating Smarter Solutions With Steel
As the leading supplier of structural steel for the NSW domestic housing market, Steel Builders are committed to servicing their customer’s requirements, supplying quality products, and, most of all, creating smarter solutions.
Steel Builders sell a complete range of stainless steel drains and grates suitable for a range of internal applications such as your shower grate or bathroom drain. Whether you are looking for a linear stainless steel grate or a small square floor waste, then Steel Builders has the solution for you. Shop online with Steel Builders for speedy and reliable delivery across NSW, in addition to free pickup options. Got a job coming up that requires more complicated steel requirements? Get a quote today!
