How to Install a Wall-Mounted Linear Drain?

One of the more modern bathroom solutions today is a linear drain, also known as a wall drain. It is found in places where there is a shower without a base. The use of linear drainage is the best solution for older people, as it offers comfort and convenience during use. It is also extremely safe for children. Additionally, instead of a base, you have a floor made of tiles, which looks very aesthetic. What are linear drains, why are they worth using, and how to install them step by step, learn from the content below.

What is a linear drain?

As mentioned earlier, the wall drain is increasingly installed instead of the usual shower base and is a solution that will work in practically any bathroom. It can be mounted on the wall or floor. Simply put, using a linear drain, we can gravity drain water from the bathroom. Water flowing out from the shower flows on the floor towards the gutter connected to a siphon and then goes into the sewage system.

An additional element is the so-called grate, which also serves as a decorative component. Grates are increasingly available in different colors, and some are even LED-lit. A linear drain should be planned during the bathroom design stage. This mainly concerns the type of floor and its height. There are no contraindications to installing wall drains where there was previously a traditional base. However, in such cases, you may ask for professional help.

Wall Drain Installation - Step by Step

The decision is made... A linear drain will appear in your home. In this case, you should learn a little about the proper installation.

1. Plumbing Setup - This involves assessing our floor. Installing the plumbing approach will differ depending on the type of substrate and ceiling. Most often we will encounter installation on the ground in a single-family house, in a ribbed or reinforced concrete ceiling.
2. Installation of Linear Drain Elements - The most important thing to remember when installing a drain is marking its appropriate height. The linear drain must be higher than the place of connection of the pipes leading away.
3. Water Gradient in the Shower - For the linear drain to function properly, the water gradient should be placed on both sides of the drain and should be 2.5%, which means that for the floor, its decline must be 2.5 cm per 1 meter, in the right orientation to the drain. The gradient should not be forgotten, as it will disrupt water drainage.
4. Insulation Installation - Wall linear drains must be sealed. After the floor dries, you need to lay a sealing mat. You have two options: lay it by the drain gutter or use it on the entire surface of the shower cabin.
5. Flooring Installation - It's time to lay tiles in the bathroom. It's best to always start from the linear drain and precisely fit the tiles to its outlet. At the very end, you will have to cover the floor around the shower and the rest of the flooring. Tiles must be laid perfectly on the surface of the ground.

After completing the wall drain installation, install the rest of the bathroom fixtures such as the showerhead, water drainage grate, and wipe the grout. Finally, check if everything is sealed and enjoy the functional bathroom.

What are the advantages of a wall drain?

When choosing a linear drain we have two options. The drain can be mounted either on the wall or the floor. The main factor here is the aesthetic aspect and the possibility of possible future drain replacement, which in many models may require the removal of the entire shower. Each option has its pros and cons, but now let's focus on the advantages:

• A bathroom without a base is easier to keep clean
• A shower with a linear drain is more aesthetic. Additionally, not only the floor but also the wall surfaces are tiled, which looks very elegant;
• Such solutions are safer, especially for small children, older people, and the disabled;
• Installing linear drains allows for various bathroom arrangement possibilities;
• You can install it even in a small room;
• Tiles are much easier to clean than the surface of a base.

On the market, you will find different bathroom drains, and many noteworthy products are offered by Mexen. Our products are entirely designed and manufactured in Poland, which is a guarantee of the highest quality. As for the choice of the right drain, wall drains with a shortened siphon are increasingly chosen. Remember, the shape of the siphon should perfectly fit the drain. Additionally, the siphon should be equipped with a special system that captures impurities.