An interconnected system

One of the most important decisions to consider with a bathroom, is how to incorporate drainage into the design. The solution must fit the bathroom floor layout to ensure it functions properly.

For a bathroom with a single primary drainage trap, there are two types of bathroom drains. A trapped central floor waste (overflow gully) and other waste outlets from a bathroom’s fixtures (showers, basins, bathtubs etc.). The drains from these fixtures (secondary drainage) are connected to the central floor waste (primary drainage). These form part of a bathroom’s interconnected pipe system.

Some bathrooms are plumbed with separate traps to each fixture.

Traditional floor wastes

Floor wastes offer a point outlet, typically located at the centre of the shower area and/or bathroom floor.

• Generally a cheaper initial product cost
• Usually not appropriate for level threshold applications
• Requires traditional tiled threshold step / hob to contain water
• Tiling can be complex, typically requiring careful 4-way grading of the floor
• Increased tile wastage due to diagonal cutting and lipping requirements to AS3958
• Higher flooring cost due to extra time required to produce a 3D floor plan

Linear drains

A linear grate and channel can be located anywhere within the shower area and requires simple 2D grading of the floor towards the channel.

• Usually a higher initial product cost, but reduced tiling cost due to decreased installation time
• Level threshold can be created for easy wheelchair/disabled access
• Can be used to separate wet from dry areas
• Can be used with any type of tiled shower configuration
• Tiling is simplified with minimal cuts required and less wastage
• Easy to use with any tile size and material