How to Install a Linear Wall Drain?

One of the trendiest bathroom solutions nowadays is the installed linear drain, also known as a wall drain. It is found everywhere there is a shower, but without a shower tray. The use of linear drainage is the best solution for elderly people as it adds convenience and comfort during use. We must also not forget about children, for whom such a solution is extremely safe. Additionally, instead of a shower tray, we have a floor made of tiles, which looks very aesthetic. What linear drains are, why it is worth using them, and how to install them step by step, find out from the content below.

What is a Linear Drain?

As mentioned earlier, wall drains are increasingly being installed instead of regular shower trays, and this solution works well in practically every bathroom. They can be mounted in the wall or the floor. In simple terms, by using a linear drain, we are able to drain water from the bathroom via a gravitational method. The water coming from the shower flows along the floor towards the channel connected to the siphon, and then into the sewage system.

An additional element is the so-called grate, which serves as a decorative element as well. They can increasingly be found in different colors and even illuminated with LED lights. A linear drain should be planned already at the bathroom design stage. This mainly concerns the type of floor and its height. There are no contraindications to install wall drains where there was a traditional shower tray before. However, in such cases, you might need to ask for professional help.

Installing the Wall Drain - Step by Step

The decision has been made... A linear drain is going to be installed in your home. Therefore, you should learn something about proper installation.

1. Sewage connection - this concerns evaluating our floor. The installation of the sewage connection will vary depending on the type of substrate and ceiling. Most often, we encounter installations on the ground in a single-family home, in a reinforced concrete ceiling, or in a lightweight concrete ceiling.
2. Installation of linear drain elements - the most important thing to remember when installing a drain is marking its proper height. The linear drain must be situated higher than the connection point for the draining pipes.
3. Water slope in the shower - for the linear drain to function properly, the slope of the water should be placed on both sides of the drain and should amount to 2.5%, which means in the case of the floor that its lowering must amount to 2.5 cm per 1 meter, in the correct orientation to the drain. The marking of the slope cannot be forgotten, as it would disrupt the drainage of water.
4. Installation of insulation - wall linear drains must be sealed. After drying the floor, a sealing mat should be laid. You have two options: you can place it at the drain channel or use it across the entire surface of the shower cubicle.
5. Laying the substrate - 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. Finally, you will need to cover the floor around the shower and the rest of the floor. Tiles must be laid perfectly flat on the surface of the ground.

After finishing the installation of the wall drain, install the rest of the bathroom fixtures, e.g. a shower head, a drain grate, and clean the joints. Finally, check if everything is sealed and enjoy your functional bathroom.

What Are the Advantages of a Wall Drain?

By choosing a linear drain, you have two options. The drain can be installed either on the wall or on the floor. Primarily, this is about the aesthetic aspect and the possibility of future drain replacement, which in many models could require disassembling the entire shower. Both options have their pros and cons, but now let's focus on the latter:

• A bathroom without a shower tray is easier to keep clean.
• A shower cubicle with a linear drain is more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, not only the floor but also the wall surface is tiled, which looks very elegant;
• Such solutions are safer, especially for small children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities;
• Installation of linear drains allows for various bathroom design possibilities;
• You can install it even in a small space;
• Tiles are much easier to clean than the surface of a shower tray.

On the market, you will find various bathroom drains, and many noteworthy products are offered by Mexen. Our products are entirely designed and manufactured in Poland, which guarantees the highest quality. As for choosing the right drain, increasingly linear wall drains with shortened siphons are being selected. Remember that the shape of the siphon should fit perfectly to the drain. Additionally, the siphon should be equipped with a special system that retains impurities.