Shower Tray Drains
About Shower Tray Drains
People often do not think about all the little things in the world that make their lives easy. Among them is shower tray drains. Most of us don’t even think about them until the drain in our bathrooms stops working or starts to smell bad.
Common people don’t usually think about plumbing that exists around us. This is because they are hidden under the concrete or beneath the flooring. Nonetheless, they are essential in our lives and make our world more livable. Every modern home will have multiple drains at the same time. But none of them gets as showy as shower drains. Read this article to know more about them. Having a better understanding of them will help you make the right choices when you are shopping.
Four best shower drains to buy
In the earliest days of plumbing, drains used to be just a hole in the ground. But we do not live in such a world anymore. The shower drains that people use in bathrooms these days consist of multiple parts for a variety of purposes and also to make them look good. Because of this, shower drains come in a variety of different designs and styles. Here is a list of four of the most common types of drains. In this article, you will also find some really helpful tips that you can use for choosing the right type of drain.
Single piece drain
This is the simplest and most affordable type of shower drain. Even though these come in different sizes, most of them are the same size as a standard floor tile. Design-wise, these drains are meant to go on the floor along with the floor tiles and seamlessly blend in with them. The slots on the drain will be visible outside. In order to make it easy to clear the clogs, these drains consist of two parts. The bottom part goes on the concrete floor and sits there permanently. Then there is the lid that you can open up. Usually, this lid also functions as the filter of the drain.
Three-piece drain
Three-piece drains are similar to single-piece drains in a lot of ways. But the major difference is that, in this case, the filter slots of the drain won’t be visible. Even though there are no functional advantages to this, three-piece drains provide a better appearance. Another benefit is that it is possible to align the top cover of the drain such that it sits at the same level as that of the floor tiles. Not surprisingly, these drains cost a bit more than single-piece drains. Also, you will need professional help to install it to align all three pieces properly.
Invisible drains and decorative drains
Just like the name says, these are decorative shower drains. Depending on what type of them you choose, you can turn your brain into a work of art or completely hide it. In the case of invisible drains, they are somewhat similar to three-piece drains. But instead of a cover that simply seals the filter, this type of drain has a cover that can hold the tile. In order to make the drain invisible, you can fit a piece of tile the same as your floor tile on top of the drain cover. Nobody will be able to tell that there is a drain in your bathroom except for the narrow gap between the tiles.
Linear drains
Linear drains are long and narrow. So, how exactly is it different from other drains? Well, it is because linear shower drains are meant to be fitted at the corner of a shower tray where the floor meets the wall. As it runs along the wall and extends from one edge of the shower tray to the other edge, this drain looks like a part of the shower tray design rather than a drain. To give a better finish, the top cover of these filters features beautiful designs as well. There is no harm in placing them in the middle of the floor if you can manage it without ruining the look of the floor.
Tips on how to buy Shower Tray Drains
Shower drains are an essential part of any bathroom. However, nobody usually thinks about the drain unless it is not working well. The most challenging part of replacing a drain or installing a new one is finding the right one. Because there are so many different kinds of them, it can be an overwhelming task to pick the right one. However, if you know what factors to consider in a drain, it becomes easier. Here are some tips that you can follow while shopping for drains.
- Shape and style – Shower drains can be plain and simple, or they can be beautiful and feature different styles. There are two things to consider while deciding what type of it you want. Firstly, how much money you are ready to spend. Obviously, shower drains with simple designs are more affordable. Another thing is what sort of aesthetic you are going for.
- Size – Dimensions that you should consider for a shower drain depend on the shape of the drain. The most common drains are square and round drains. For them, you either have to look at the diameter or the length. Ideally, it would be better if the diameter of the side length of the drain was less than the length of the floor tile. But this might not be possible if the tile is small. In the case of the linear drain, the length should be less than the width of the shower tray.
- Flow rate – Shower drains should have a decent flow rate. We might not be using gallons of water per minute while in the shower. But a drain should be able to carry about eight or ten gallons of water per minute. This is to ensure that there is enough room for water to flow even when a part of the drain gets clogged.
- Maintenance system and durability – Drains often get clogged despite how much care you take. So, in a good shower drain, it should be easy to remove the clog. Therefore, you should always choose a drain that is easy to clean and unclog. Consider the durability of the clog as well. While plastic good-quality plastic drains are durable, there are plenty of cheap plastic drains as well.
There are many other important shower parts and bathroom accessories apart from the drains. These include shower curtain rods, shower channels, shower stools, shower pans, shower hoses, shower rods, and many more. You can find any of them easily using our shopping search engine. That way, you can also compare the prices and features of different products and choose the best one among them. Also, don’t forget to check out other amazing products from the bathroom fixtures category.
Question & Answer
What is a P-trap in a drain?
A P-trap is a small P-shaped portion in the plumbing below the drain. This type of trap is used in all kinds of drains, including shower drains and toilet drains. So, what is their function of them? Because of the shape of the drain, it will hold some amount of water in it. This trapped water stops the air from flowing back to the bathroom through the drain. But to keep the pressure from building inside the pipe, there will be a separate air vent outside the bathroom. So, it is the P-trap that stops the air from the sewer from flowing backwards.
Where does shower water drain to?
Even though the plumbing standards vary slightly between countries, usually, shower water ends up in the same sewer along with other wastewater. It is also common for toilet drains, kitchen drains, and shower drains to have a common exit pipe. This is why it is essential to have a proper exhaust vent to prevent the backflow of the air. So, what happens to the water after it reaches the sewer? Well, that depends on the infrastructure availability of the country. In places like Dubai, this water goes to wastewater treatment plants, and it eventually gets used for irrigation purposes.
How to prevent shower clogs?
The most common reason for clogs is loose hair. So, the first step to reducing or avoiding drain clogs is to prevent loose hair from going down the drain and brushing the hair before showering will get rid of the hair that is about to fall off. You can also place a thin mesh trap under the drain cover to catch gunk. These are also called hair catchers. But you will have to clean this regularly to ensure the proper flow of water. Another way to prevent clogs is to do regular flushing. Flush the drains at least once a week to stop the buildup of grease.