Linear Drain Guide
Whether it is a barrier threshold (curb), or barrier free (curbless/zero threshold) installation, Infinity Drain has provided general guidelines below to assist in determining the correct product choice for your project.
Site Conditions
Whether it is a renovation or new construction, choosing where to locate a linear drain is contingent on the waste line location, which may be predetermined or already installed. Moving a waste line may be possible, depending on site conditions. Infinity Drain’s Site Sizeable (S) Series provides flexibility during the installation process by allowing the outlet to be placed anywhere along the channel run. Always consult with a licensed professional.Locating Linear Drains
A linear drain allows for the use of larger format floor tile and the ability to pitch the floor in one direction. This offers an advantage from the traditional center drain installation, where the floor must slope in four directions in order to properly drain the water.
Center Drain
Slope to middle, must use small materials.
Linear Drain
Slope in one direction, use any size materials.Type of Install
-
Fig 1: Wall-to-Wall
-
Fig 2: NOT Wall-to-Wall
-
Fig 3: Against a Wall
-
Fig 4: Threshold Install
-
Fig 5: Threshold Install
-
Fig 6: Center Pitch Install
Wall-to-Wall
One way to ensure proper drainage is to install the linear drain from wall-to-wall. The challenge of this installation is that it requires an exact dimension. Infinity Drain offers a solution to this issue with the Site Sizeable (S) Series, which allows for ”site sizing” the length of the drain by cutting the grate and channel to the exact finished wall- to-wall dimension. Infinity Drain’s FX, FF, & FT series can be custom fabricated for the exact desired length and outlet location.
Against a Wall
Infinity Drain’s Fixed Flange (FF, bottom outlet and Side Outlet FT, horizontal or side outlet) Series are designed for flush against the wall installations. These series are intended for use with liquid or fabric type waterproofing to tie into the wall board. They are available with a center outlet location and in set lengths of 24”, 32”, 36”, 42”, 48”, and 60.” Custom sizes and outlet locations are available.
The (S) Site Sizeable and Fixed (FX) Series require a traditional clamping drain body for PVC Liner, Chloroloy, Lead Pan, Copper, Fiberglass, and Hot Mop type waterproofing. The diameter of the clamp down drain body creates a challenge for flush against the wall installations. If using these series Infinity Drain recommends three options to help properly achieve against the wall installations:
1. Install a strip of flooring material between the drain and wall.
2. Build out the back wall with a double layer of wall board.
3. Use the FF or FT series for exact against the wall installation.
Curb or Curbless
Deciding between a barrier threshold (curb) or barrier free (curbless) installation is critical when a linear drain is being considered. Please consult a licensed professional when determining which installation is possible. Please see Barrier Free on next page for more information.
Threshold Installation
For threshold installs, we recommend the drain run exactly wall-to-wall to block any water from leaving the shower or wet area. We do not recommend thinner or tile-in type drains for threshold installations due to the lack of channel width needed to sufficiently catch the water.
Barrier Free Installation
Installing a shower drain without a curb, barrier, or threshold creates a seamless look with easy accessibility to the wet area. To achieve an ideal installation, floor heights should be equal between the shower area (wet area), outside the shower (dry area), and next room. Specific conditions will determine what is involved. The FF and FT offer the lowest overall heights (1 1/16” and 1 3/16”).
In addition, we offer a product (ST 65) to allow channel to recess into subfloor an additional 3⁄4” leaving total height at 5/16”. The dry side of the shower should have a slight pitch towards the linear system to ensure proper drainage. The entire wet and dry floor area should be waterproofed. It is recommended the wet area is a minimum of 42" in width to contain water from splashing off the shower user. Infinity Drain recommends working with a licensed professional who is familiar with local codes and installation requirements.
Center Pitch Installation
A center pitch installation places the drain in the middle of the wet area. The floor is pitched in four directions towards the drain. The type of waterproofing used is either the traditional method with a clamp down floor drain, like Infinity Drain’s TD Series or a liquid/fabric sheet membrane with a Bonded Flange drain body, like Infinity Drain’s TDB Series.
Flow Rates
Variables to Consider
There are many variables that influence flow rates and how drains perform. Our listed GPM (gallons per minute) on Infinity Drain products are based on having a ”head of water” that is traveling a 1⁄2” high. Different head heights will change flow rate. Without calculating a specific install, use our flow rate as a general guideline. The following variables below should be considered when choosing and locating a linear drain.- What is flow rate of the shower valve? (i.e. how much water is being drained?)
- Are there multiple shower valves?
- What is the water pressure or PSI of the site location?
- How many water features? (i.e. showerheads, hand shower, body sprays, etc.?)
- Will the fixtures operate at the local plumbing code’s legal gallons per minute?
- Will the flow restrictors be removed from the fixtures?
The answers to the above questions fall into the equation of determining the proper type of drain, outlets necessary, and location of the drain. These variables can vary drastically from installation to installation, and because of this, it is difficult to have an absolute flow rate. Most US residential installations use a 2” waste line, which has an average capacity of 9 GPM at 1⁄2” head of water, assuming proper venting. Adding additional 2” outlets and tying them to a 3” waste line will significantly increase the flow rate to 21 GPM. Infinity Drain’s 3” outlet products have an average capacity of 21 GPM.
Outlets
Infinity Drain products are intended for both indoor and outdoor use. For indoor installations, we recommend an outlet every 30”. For example, on a 60” length drain, if the outlet is centered, it is considered to have 30” on either side. In the same example, if the outlet is offset 5” to one side, we would recommend a secondary outlet, especially for a threshold installation. Our 72”, 80”, and 96” kits come standard with two outlet assemblies. Site Sizeable (S) Series can add additional outlet components to the kit. We can custom fabricate the FX, FF, and FT linear drain series with multiple outlets. Outdoor installations: Outlet frequency is dependent on drain application and geographic location. Please contact us with questions regarding your specific installation.Waterproofing
The type of waterproofing can help determine which linear drain series (S, FX, FF, FT) to specify. If using a traditional type of waterproofing, the professional will typically build a shower pan (wet waterproofed area) with PVC, Vinyl, Lead, Hot Mop, Copper or Fiberglass material. Infinity Drain’s S, FX, and TD Series are recommended. If using a modern type of waterproofing such as liquid or a fabric install, the professional can more easily waterproof over a greater floor area to build a barrier free or zero threshold installation. Infinity Drain’s FF, FT, and TDB Series are recommended for this type of waterproofing.Common Methods Using a Clamp Down Floor Drain
PVC Membrane/Vinyl Liner (Polyvinyl Chloride)
A plastic sheet available at most plumbing suppliers and sold in rolls of 4’, 5’ and 6’. The membrane is layered between mortar beds and the corners are folded to create the shower pan liner. If the shower pan area is larger than the roll dimension, it must be seamed or joined together. Tile cannot bond directly to this type of waterproofing.
Lead Pan/Copper Pan
A metal sheet that is formed to create the shower pan area. The membrane is layered between mortar beds and the corners are folded to create the shower pan liner. If the shower pan area is larger than the sheet dimension, the lead material must be welded together. This install is more common in metropolitan areas where code may require a metal pan. Tile cannot bond directly waterproofing.
CPE Membrane (Chlorinated Polyethylene)
A rubber sheet available at most plumbing suppliers and sold in rolls 4’, 5’ and 6’. The membrane is layered between mortar beds and corners are folded to create the shower pan liner. If the shower pan area is larger than the roll dimension, it must be seamed or joined together. Tile cannot bond directly to waterproofing. CPE Membrane is also branded as Chloraloy™ by Noble.
Hot Mop (Tar)
Heated liquid tar is applied or ”mopped” on the shower area to create the shower pan and is similar to waterproofing a roof with tar. This installation is most common in California. Similar to fiberglass waterproofing.Common Methods Using a Bonded Flange
Liquid
Roll or paint-on liquid membrane that can be applied on floors, walls, and ceilings and bonds directly to the drain flange. The total install time is shorter than traditional waterproofing methods and typically saves 2 to 3 days. Infinity Drain recommends and offers Hydroban™ waterproofing by Laticrete™. Hydroban™ is a self-curing product that is ready for flood testing in 2 to 5 hours. Tile can bond directly to waterproofing.