When arranging a bathroom or planning its renovation, we try to combine the stylish look of the interior with its functionality and safety during use. We spend a lot of time in it every day, so it is important that the equipment gathered there gives us maximum pleasure and comfort during the simple activities that we perform in it. An ideal bathroom should also be a place friendly to children and the elderly - according to this principle, contemporary designers of bathroom fittings and ceramics offer us a number of practical solutions. One of them is a linear drain, which will successfully replace a traditional shower enclosure with a shower tray. What is this solution? What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does the installation of a linear drain look like? We will try to answer these questions in the article.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A LINEAR DRAIN???
Replacing a classic shower enclosure with a shower tray with a linear drain is an increasingly popular solution that will be successful in almost every bathroom. Simply put, a linear drain is a way to drain water by gravity from the room - the water flows into a gutter installed in the floor or wall connected to a siphon, and then enters the sewage system. The only visible element is the grate, which often also has a decorative function - the most popular are models made of stainless steel, available in matt or glossy versions. Manufacturers of bathroom fittings also offer grates that differ in color and design - models equipped with LED lighting are becoming more and more popular, which creates a unique atmosphere in a modern bathroom. A linear drain is an extremely practical solution that should be planned relatively early, preferably already at the bathroom design stage - then you can adjust the height of the floor to the parameters of the drain, which should be under the floor together with the siphon. If we plan to renovate and replace the shower tray, it is worth consulting a specialist who will tell us what steps should be taken to properly install the selected drain with a siphon.
ADVANTAGES OF A LINEAR DRAIN
The main advantage is that a bathroom without a shower tray is easier to clean, more aesthetic and legible. It allows for much easier space development and even maneuvering it. In addition, there are more and more concepts for the installation of linear drains on the market. Thanks to the flat surface, it is much easier to clean the shower cubicle, and the soap scum does not settle as easily as in the case of shower trays. In addition, this option is much safer, which is why families with children, the elderly and those who have a problem with walking, are more and more often choosing a shower without a paddling pool. The arrangement possibilities of such cabins are almost inexhaustible, here the designer is only limited by the imagination. Manufacturers produce interesting solutions in the form of doors for such cabins, which, for example, can be folded to gain additional space when performing other activities in the bathroom. A linear drain is also a great solution for a small, unremarkable bathroom, where every centimeter of space counts. By resigning from a space-consuming paddling pool, we can choose a more comfortable washbasin or a spacious post that will be useful for storing towels, cosmetics or other toilet accessories necessary in every bathroom. For such a modern interior, we can also install a slightly larger cabin or a walk-in-style solution without a door - the bathroom will not only visually and realistically enlarge, but also become more functional and stylish.
DISADVANTAGES OF LINEAR DRAIN
The main disadvantage of arranging a bathroom without a shower tray when using a linear drain is the higher cost. The linear drain should be properly installed in the floor or in the wall. However, the most important thing is to properly shape the floor so that the water flows towards the drain and constitutes a safe surface for walking barefoot. An important issue, although not necessarily a disadvantage of such a solution, is the mandatory use of waterproofing, which in the future will help protect the room and lower floors (often also neighbors) from flooding and flooding. This treatment consists in covering the walls with a specially designed liquid foil, which we can put on ourselves or entrust this task to professionals. The cost of waterproofing is relatively low, but worth the price. Another element that we mentioned earlier is the fact that you should make this decision before laying a bathroom floor, because after finishing the bathroom, it may not be possible to install a linear drain. The most important thing is to be guided by your convenience and funds that can be spent on bathroom renovation. The specificity of renovations in bathrooms makes it worth rethinking everything a few times, because after tiling and flooring, making changes will be much more difficult. In addition to higher costs and planning the drain before the floor is laid - linear drains have recently become very popular.
THE USE OF LINEAR DRAIN
Linear drains are more and more often found in private homes. Not only when arranging bathrooms in new apartments, but also during general renovation. It is an ideal solution for elderly people who have problems with walking, and in such a shower they can sit on a specialized chair, and in the case of larger cabins - also freely move in a wheelchair. Disabled people can enjoy the convenience of using a shower without a paddling pool, because they will not have to overcome dangerous thresholds every day. Most often, however, linear drains are used in bathrooms in public places, such as swimming pools and showers in gyms. Very often bathrooms in such places are flat with a slight precipitation, and at the end there is a line of linear drains. Sometimes they are mounted in the wall and in other cases in the floor. This situation allows you to quickly and efficiently take care of cleanliness in a place where different people take a shower. These types of solutions are very aesthetic and practical not only for users, but also for people who clean bathrooms.
HOW DOES THE INSTALLATION OF A LINEAR DRAIN LOOK LIKE???
The last important issue related to the linear drain is the installation of such a solution, which takes place in several stages and most often requires the help of a specialist. The first step is, of course, to find the right set - it is worth choosing high-quality models, bearing in mind that the lower the structure of the linear drain and siphon, the easier it will be to fit it under the floor. The next steps of the installation assembly are: installation of the sewage approach, that is, connecting the sanitary facilities with the water riser - at this stage, special attention should be paid to the slope of the drain pipes, which should be about 2.5%; installation of a linear drain - remember about the appropriate location of the drain grate, which should be 1-2 millimeters below the floor level; assembly of external elements - one of the most frequently chosen ones is the grate, available in many different designs and colors, also in the version with LED lighting; connecting the siphon and pipes to the sewage system - it is worth checking the tightness of the installation at this stage by pouring water and observing whether each of its elements is tight; waterproofing the substrate and walls - the aforementioned treatment is good to repeat, that is, apply two layers of liquid foil; finishing - after making the screed, we can start laying tiles, which should be class III or IV abrasion. It is worth choosing those that are not porous, because only such have a non-slip surface. The last element of finishing is applying an epoxy grout, which is more flexible and more durable than cement grout.
