Shower Channels

Despite the perception that the bathroom is the most challenging area to clean in a house, keeping it clean helps minimize the risk of pathogens spreading by surface contact and prevents slip hazards. In this regard, investing in the right bathroom products and cleaning systems such as a shower channel is ideal for maintaining a hygienic house.

A shower channel is a plumbing fixture placed between a drainage pipe and shower enclosure to hold water and convey it into a septic tank. These are simple appliances designed to hold clean water and drain used water into the sewer system. They also come in diverse shapes and configurations. A shower channel consists of different shower parts , including a strainer, trap, grid, and vent. The strainer is positioned under the grid to stop large objects from clogging the drain while the trap prevents sewer gases from flowing back into the bathroom. The grid consists of holes that permit water to freely flow through them. The vent prevents the building up of air pressure in the drainage system. The shower pan is a waterproof membrane that covers the shower floor. So, in short, the shower channel is a system that allows water to carry water from the bathroom to the sewer system without leakages.

A brief guide to shower channels

Regardless of how good a shower channel is, you might run into some minor problems occasionally. Instead of replacing the entire thing each time, you should try to replace just the part that has gone bad. Also, consider the maintenance requirements of your selected product when you are buying a new one. There is a high probability that the drain will block after using it for a given period. So, you should select a drain that is easy to unclog and is easy to maintain. Here are the things that you should know before shopping for shower channels. In this article, you will also find some excellent tips that you can follow while shopping.

Shower drains vs shower channels

You will come across various drains such as invisible shower drain, point drain, square one, linear drains and more. However, the major categorization is between channels and drains. Shower channels are narrow and long, and best if you fix it along with one of the walls of the bathroom. They are often easy to maintain and provide plenty of water drainage. Additionally, the channels give your bathroom a distinctive layout since they work well nearly anywhere in a washroom. On the other hand, point drains are affordable and, therefore, more common. Point drains usually sits in the centre of the shower sill. They mostly come with either square drain grates or circular ones.

Décor vs invisible shower channels

Whether you go for a shower channel or point drain, you have to select the right style. Going for a style that matches with the rest of the bathroom accessories is a safe bet. Hence, if your taps and shower head are in chrome, then it is better if your grate is the same to complete the look. There is a wide range of constructions and finishes to choose from. The most popular among channels is the tileable grate. With this, the grate area blends with the rest of the shower floor. Hence, it gives an invisible look. With minimalism in trend, this can be a great pick for you. Whichever style you choose, it should sit well with the rest of the bathroom fittings.

Choosing the size

To attain efficient performance of the drainage system, always purchase a drain with the right length. Shower channels are manufactured in different lengths to fit bathrooms of different sizes and shapes. To make the right purchasing decision, you should measure the length of the bathroom walls and estimate how large the channel opening should be. The standard width of a shower channel is 2 inches. However, there are no such standards when it comes to the length of the channel. Rather, you should pick a channel length based on where you want to install it.