QA

Quick Answer: How To Install A Shower Drain

Does shower drain need a trap?

Do shower drains have traps? 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.

Do you glue a shower drain?

Glue on Shower Drain If the drain pipe you have is plastic be sure to use the same kind of plastic shower drain so they match. The glue on shower drain can be used with plastic shower bases, fiberglass and steel.

What kind of pipe do you use for a shower drain?

Keep in mind that shower drain assemblies are generally made to fit a 2-inch drainpipe, not the 1 1/2-inch pipe usually found on tubs. 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.

Where should the drain be placed in a shower?

Point drains ideally sit in the middle of the shower floor or by the end of the wall. Either way, the water drains downward by a slope in the bottom. When placed by the wall, the floor is sloped sideways.

What do you put under shower base?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

What are the different types of shower drains?

The Types of Shower Drains [7 Types and Styles] Point Drains. Linear Drains. Decorative Drain or Hidden Drain. Single-Piece Drain. Multi-Piece Shower Drain. Shower Drain Finish and Style. Tileable Drain Grate.

How far can a trap be from a shower drain?

Under both the IRC & UPC the maximum length of the tailpiece is 24″ vertical from the finished edge of the drain opening to the standing water level in the trap except washer standpipes.

How far below drain should P-trap be?

When designing a house, it can be hard to determine how far below the drain a P-trap should be. The P-trap should be located no more than 24” below the drain.

What is a shower drain trap?

A shower trap is a necessary plumbing fitting to prevent drain clogs inside a shower stall. In certain water fixture, such as a kitchen sink, the trap sits just after a garbage disposal. This trap bends downward to resemble the letter “U” or “P” when inspected from a right angle, hence the term P-trap.

How do you secure a shower drain cover?

If you can’t figure out how your drain cover stays in place, you can always use a small bead of clear silicone caulking around the perimeter of the drain cover. Just a little bit on the underside will hold it in place until you need to remove it because of a clogged drain.

Can you use PVC for shower drain?

PVC can be used only for drain lines (including indoors, despite what the answer below says). If you want to use it for your tub and shower drain, you can. CPVC can be used for water supply lines, and you can use it for the connection between the shower valve and the shower spout.

Can you use plastic pipes for showers?

Plastic pipe is the easy-to-use plumbing solution for running under floorboards and up behind stud walls. Always use pipe inserts at joints to stop plastic pipe deforming. Include a shut-off valve on both hot and cold supplies as close as possible to the shower.

Can you use PEX for drain lines?

Since it first gained favor near the dawn of the millennium, PEX has emerged as an industry standard in water-supply line piping due to its strength and heat tolerance. PEX’s purpose, however, is the opposite of PVC — whereas the latter is restricted to drain lines, the former is only used for incoming water lines.

Does shower drain need to be level?

As long as the overall drain is the lowest point in the shower, it may not matter that the drain body itself is off a fraction. The water will still drain.

Does shower head need to be centered?

Nothing says that it needs to be perfectly centered, but many people prefer it to be. Bottom line, it’s your house, your money. Being over towards the doorway a little makes it easier to turn it on and adjust before you enter the shower.

How are shower drains vented?

Shower Drain Vent Pipe To keep the water moving, the drain line is vented with a pipe whose sole function is to allow air into the drain line. It connects to the shower drain at the point where it turns vertically downward and rises to connect with a main vent stack that extends through the roof.

Is shower drain connected to toilet?

The toilet and shower drain are connected to the main pipe. The outside of the main sewer drain is connected to the shower and Toilet Drain. The extra waste-water comes from your home to the main sewer line.

Do I have to put mortar under shower pan?

If the shower base installation floor is not level, there are two options. The second is to add mortar to the floor to even it out. If sliding shims under the base does not work, opt to install the mortar bed. This is usually a good idea when floors are badly sloped or the use of shims is simply not practical.

Do you put cement board under a shower pan?

ALL CEMENT BOARDS MUST be installed in a fresh bed of thinset. Unmodified thinset is preferable. If you want the cement board under the shower tray then do so – doesn’t matter. If that creates plumbing issues you can’t deal with then leave it out.