Table Of Contents
Bathroom Floor Design
When conducting a building inspection during construction of a new home, checking the fall of the wet areas and the bathroom floor is crucial. There are many aspects to consider when building a bathroom floor, and one of the most important is the fall in the floor, which refers to the slope that ensures proper water drainage.
People create falls in their bathroom floors in different ways. If you're wondering how you can create falls in your bathroom or shower floor, then you have come to the right place. This article aims to inform you on everything you should know about making a fall in your bathroom floor, including creating a shower drain and installing a floor drain in your bathroom. Keep reading to learn more.
Installing A Shower Drain And Fall
Creating falls in a bathroom floor is necessary for linear shower drains so that water drains quickly and does not pool in one area. However, to make a fall, you'll need to know how to install linear shower drains, which is why we have provided the following steps to simplify things:
Step One: Choose a location
There are four key ways to install a linear shower drain. You can either install it on the wall or in the floor. It can be on one side or on three sides when on the walls. It can either be between two walls or free on the floor for floor installation. Regardless of the location you have in mind, the important thing is to ensure that you are installing the appropriate shower drain model.
Another thing to ensure, irrespective of your chosen location, is the floor must slope towards the gutter to enhance its draining. That way, you can easily prevent water from accumulating and causing flooding in your bathroom.
Step Two: Prepare the work area
Before carrying on with the installation process, the next thing is to check the work area and ensure that everything is in order. This will also include cleaning the work area because it's vital that dirt does not come in contact with the shower drain while it is being assembled.
One easy way to protect the drain is by using a cloth or a sealing membrane. Basically, before the installation, you'll need to be sure of the assembly process and its features. You can consult with a professional installer for more information.
Step Three: Determine the height of the shower drain
One of the critical things to do when installing a shower drain is to be sure of the size of the drain. Also, remember that the wall tiles need to be levelled or at least 1mm above the highest edge of the shower drain.
Doing this is also an effective way to ensure water drainage is optimal. Therefore, as you calculate the total depth, you'll also need to consider the tile adhesive layer, levelling layer, and thickness.
Step Four: Position the integrated set
Once the space for the shower drain is created, the next step is to insert, align, and level the built-in set. For this, you only need to use the height-adjustable legs.
Step Five: Connect the drain pipe
The general recommendation is to replace the drain pipes. Ideally, it shouldn't be more than 50mm. You can also achieve this during installation, even if the tray has already been fixed. You only need to first connect the shower drain to the drainpipe and be sure that the slope is sufficient.
The next thing is to slide the drain to the connector. You won't need to use any glue because the connector will seal perfectly. However, it's crucial to check the waterproofing of the connection between the drain pipe and the shower drain.
Step Six: Make a sloping floor
The next thing is to ensure that the slope is sloping correctly so that water can easily flow down the shower drain. It's also essential to use enough material when connecting the top edge of the drain frame. This will help you avoid gaps below the drain.
Step Seven: Waterproof material installation
With the base of the floor already hardened, the next thing is to make the shower drain waterproof. You can easily achieve this with a Water Protection System (WPS). One thing to note is that the pre-installed sealing membrane can unfold and get glued to the screen. This can be worked within 90 minutes.
Step Eight: Lay the tiles
Tiling is equally an essential step in the entire process, but before this, it's critical to create the slope such that it has a minimum drop of 2% to the shower drain. It's always best to avoid placing the tiles directly on the drain. You'll need to leave up to 5mm free to easily apply the sealer.
Step Nine: Seal the shower drain
With the tiles all laid, you'll need to check and ensure that the drain and tile are adequately sealed. You can do this with an elastic sealant or a maintenance joint. Also, ensure that the adhesion surfaces are clean and clear off any material because leaving them there will only reduce the adhesion quality.
Step Ten: Place the rack
Now you're all set, but there's one last thing you'll need to do after the seal has completely dried out. First, clean the drain, and then place the adjustable height grid to allow it to adapt to the thickness of the tile. It's also essential to clean the siphon periodically to easily remove accumulated dirt.
Bathroom Drainage Installation Tips
One of the most vital aspects of any building or renovation process is the bathroom drain installation. If you are considering doing a DIY, there are certain things that you'll need to have at the back of your mind. For instance, you need to know that you'll need to have basic plumbing knowledge to be able to do the installation correctly.
Generally, bathroom drain installation is a complex task, and it requires attention to every detail. However, if you don't want to go through the stress, you might want to consider consulting with a bathroom renovation professional. Nonetheless, these tips will make the bathroom drainage installation process simpler for you if you decide to handle it yourself:
Make a sketch or model
Always have a design or model of the connections and pipe before you begin the bathroom drain installation.
Identify an ideal location
Identify the place where the sink, shower, bathtub, or toilet will be so that you can easily determine the precise location to install the pipes. Also, identify the drain and clean water.
Prepare the area
Ensure that every valve is properly closed to prevent leaks from occurring. You can use a cloth or mesh to protect the drains and avoid work instruments or dirt falling.
Install water lines
According to your bathroom plan, a plumber should do water lines from the floor or wall. You'll need two water lines for the sink and shower installation. This should be the line for hot water and the line for cold water. On the other hand, the toilet installation only requires a single water line, which should be the line for cold water.
Material quality
People who try to do the installation themselves usually prefer to use cheap materials to save costs. However, another critical thing to consider is how long the materials will last after installation. It's advisable to select materials that will last for many years.
Installation types and pipe route
The general recommendation for a bathroom drain installation is to use a linear-type pipe, especially one with a straightforward and short route.
Modifying the bathroom
Whether it's a new construction or simply a bathroom renovation, you might want to consider installing a new drainage system. For this, it's best to remove the ceramic or tiles and analyse the condition of the existing pipes.
Building permits
This is usually not seen as a significant point of concern, but you may need to get building permits for a bathroom drain installation. Different building permits can be issued, depending on your region.
Degree of pipe inclination
To ensure that the pipe flows appropriately, place it at an accurate degree of inclination. In general, the tilt varies according to the diameter.
Slope of the floor
This is equally important to guarantee proper flow through the drain. If the floor is not sloped enough, it will only cause water to accumulate in your bathroom, which can be really messy.
Connect the drain lines
To connect the drainage lines correctly, you'll need many pipes. Toilet pipes are usually larger in size, ranging from 3cm to 4cm. Again, it's vital to ensure that they slope towards the drain properly to create the desired fall.
This also applies to the pipe in the sink and shower. They all need to have the correct slope so that water can flow easily, thereby enhancing proper drainage.
After following these tips, your bathroom should have a completely different layout. You should note that the final layout mostly depends on the location of the bathroom pipes, including that of the shower, sink, and toilet.
Giving The Bathroom Floor Slope To Drain
The need to ensure proper inclination cannot be overemphasised. This is the only way to create a fall and ensure that the water flows efficiently to prevent it from pooling. Without a proper slope, there will be an accumulation of stagnant water, resulting in a bad smell in the bathroom.
Here are the steps to follow in order to get the perfect slope for your bathroom:
Replace the existing floor covering
Before starting the procedure, you'll want to make sure that the remaining floor is concrete or wood, which can be wood or plywood.
Cover the floor surface
The next thing is to cover the floor surface with a waterproof floor to make it water-resistant. You'll also need to ensure that the siding edges are adequately covered so that water does not penetrate through the folds. The instructions on how to achieve this are usually included in siding packages.
Locate the drain
Whether it's the existing drain or a new drain that you'll add later on. It's usually located at the centre of the bathroom. Measure the position of the drain, as well as the surrounding wall.
Use wire mesh
Use a wire mesh to cover the floor and make it as tight as possible. You'll need to be careful so that you don't damage the waterproof floor covering when you use the wire mesh to cover the floor.
Determine the slope level
Determine the slope level you'll need from each side of the wall. This is usually one-eight or one-fourth inch per foot of the length of the floor. You might be wondering how to calculate this.
It's simple, and you only need to multiply the length of the wall that's away from the gutter by 0.125. This will give you the exact height of the added flooring surface away from the drain. The next thing is to mark the position on the walls around the drain.
Attach the flange to the drainpipe
For a new drain installation, you'll need to attach the lower flange to the drainpipe, while for an old drain, you only need to detach the drain cap.
Create a cement mixture
Make a cement mixture in a container and spread it on the floor's surface using a hand trowel. Start this process from the outer edges of the shower floor, and head towards the drain. Ensure that the cement goes down the lines you initially marked.
Use a trowel to smooth the surface
Use the trowel again to make the cement surface as smooth as possible until you have a uniform finish in the room. Also, try to maintain the slope while making the surfaces smooth. Leave the cement to dry out before you start applying finishing products like tile, paint, or cement.
Changes To Make Your Bathroom Functional
Individual preferences vary, and the changes you apply to your bathroom may differ from the changes another person would consider. The ultimate goal is to make the bathroom safe, functional, and comfortable. Here are some of the potential changes that you might want to consider:
Replace the bathtub with a shower
It's prevalent to struggle to keep balance after getting in a bathtub. Many bathroom accidents have occurred during these few seconds of getting in a bathtub. If this is something you deal with a lot, then you should consider replacing the bathroom with a shower tray or maybe an inbuilt shower.
Suction grips and cup bars
A total change may not be necessary, but if you're sure that it will provide the support you need, then you should consider it. You can make your entrance to the bathtub more accessible and safe by fixing bars on the walls and also including a suction cup system.
Make the floor of the shower or bathtub non-slip
You can place a mat in your bathtub to prevent slips, but for this, you'll need to ensure that the mat stretches and adheres perfectly to the surface. Another solution that you might want to consider is a banquette shower where you can sit while bathing.
The floor of any bathroom needs to be non-slip. Remember that water drops on the floor as you bathe, which increases the risk of slipping. However, if the bathroom tiles have enough roughness, especially in the parts closer to the toilet and shower, the risk of slipping is significantly reduced.
Furniture at your height
If you plan to change or reform your toilet, you'll want to ensure that it's comfortable for you. You may need to include risers or bars to make it easy to sit and get up quickly. With this, you can easily avoid losing balance.
Cleaning and cleaning products
A bathroom construction or remodelling is incomplete without cleaning and cleaning products. After remodelling, you'll need to clean the bathroom, and you'll need to do this regularly so that the bathroom does not become an eyesore.
Laying Tiles In The Bathroom
Here's how you can lay your bathroom tiles:
Take measurements
This does not necessarily need to be the first thing you should do, but you'll need to take measurements before you start to tile your bathroom. This will let you know the number of tiles that you'll need.
- Take measurements of the full height and width of the walls, and add them up
- Subtract the height and width of windows or doors if you have one
- Divide this by the size of a tile you chose to get the total number of tiles that you'll need
- Add extra pieces to account for broken and cut pieces
Another thing to note is that the tone and calibre from manufacturers differ, which is why you'll need excess tiles. This step will make it easy for you to determine the number of tiles you'll need.
Detach the old tiles
If you initially had wall tiles in your bathroom, you'll need to first remove them, and for this, you can use a hammer and a chisel. After removing the tiles, the next thing is to smoothen the wall's surface and make it uniform.
Prepare the surface before tiling
Once the wall is smooth, clean it thoroughly to remove dirt or dust so that the ceramic easily adheres to the wall. You'll also need to ensure that there are no mouldy areas or cracks in the wall, as this would require further treatment before you start the tiling process. Also, moisten the walls a bit before you begin installing the tiles.
Choose the placement method
The next thing you'll need to do is choose how you want to place the tiles on the walls. Size also plays a critical role in this instance. After that, you'll then need to prepare the glue cement by mixing the cement with water, keeping it flexible, and quick drying.
You can then start applying the cement with a spatula and smoothing trowel. Do this row by row, so it doesn't dry out. Another important thing when deciding how you want to place the tiles is how you cut the tiles. This is particularly important for edges and corners.
After you're done placing the tiles in the bathroom, the next thing is to place the spreaders and leave for 20 minutes before removing the spreaders and applying a grouting paste. For this, you'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once this is done and the grouting paste is dry, you only need to use a damp sponge to clean the surface, and you're all set.
Ensure Your Bathroom Floor Has A Proper Fall
Constructing a bathroom is not the simplest of tasks, whether it be creating a fall in your bathroom floor, installing floor tiles or timber-look tiles, installing a shower screen, or adding a new toilet. It is very easy to get shabby work done in the bathroom. If you are constructing or renovating a home, the bathroom must have all the necessary functionalities to prevent accidents.
Building inspectors are essential in this case as they work with tradesmen to ensure all standards are met during a bathroom construction or renovation. Before you go ahead with the construction of your bathroom, ensure you have professional building inspectors on standby to confirm the bathroom floor fall in is safe and functional.
