A great bathroom calls for a reliable drainage system. However, designing it can often feel overwhelming. For it to work, you need to consider several factors, such as the layout of your bathroom, costs and benefits, and the type of drainage materials to use. So, you may feel tempted to hire someone to do it for you and get it over with. Doing so, however, may cost a lot of money, most especially if you have a unique bathroom layout.
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To help you out, we’ve outlined some of the critical things you need to consider when designing your own bathroom drainage system.
Primary Vs. Secondary Sewer Connections
Bathroom drainage systems are usually split into two sections. Primary sewer connections are those that drain water directly to your central sewage system. They are the pipes hidden under your bathroom floor. On the other hand, secondary sewer connections are the drains that collect wastewaters from your bathroom fixtures like showers, sinks, and bathtubs.
You need to understand the interactions between these two sections. Doing so will guide you on deciding stuff like the size of your pipes and the type of materials you will use. It can also help you find ways to minimize costs without sacrificing efficiency.
Two Types Of Bathroom Drainage
There are two types of bathroom drainages you can choose for your bathroom. The first one would be traditional bathroom drains, while the second one would be linear drains. Traditional bathroom drains are the typical square or circle-shaped drains that you see in most houses. On the other hand, linear drains are newer technologies that use longer drain bases.
Both systems have pros and cons. Traditional drains are cheaper as they require less material. They, however, catch fewer gallons of water per minute, which may cause ponding or water pools. Linear drains, on the other hand, offer a more modern look and faster draining. They, however, often cost more. Some homeowners also report worse scumming with linear drains.
Fortunately, nothing limits you from using both drain types. For example, you can use linear drains for your shower. You can then use traditional drains for the other parts of your bathroom. With this combination, you can take advantage of the benefits of both drain types at the same time.
Ground Topography Of Your Lot
Your drainage system extends way beyond what you see inside your bathroom. For this reason, you should also consider inconspicuous factors such as the shape and features of your land.
The general design of your drainage should mimic the natural water morphology of your property. Doing so will allow you to take advantage of the shape of your property, reducing excavation costs. Furthermore, following natural depressions on your land will help you avoid backflows and water build-up in your system.
Possible Underground Structures
If you are building a home in a city, or a pre-used lot, there is a chance that underground structures in it. These underground structures may include underground electricity cables, oil pipelines, gas lines, and communication cables. Unfortunately, you do not have the option to move service lines like these ones. So, your only option is to adjust your design based on them.
Failing to detect a single one of these lines will force you to go back to your drawing board; thus, wasting your precious time. This is why we recommend getting the help of a professional underground detection services. Professionals use high-tech equipment such as sonar devices to scan your lot as deeply as possible.
Waterproofing Your Bathroom
The perfect drainage system is worthless if water can find other ways to leak through your bathroom floor. If your upper floor bathrooms have inadequate waterproofing, you can expect water to collect in the crevices of your home. Even worse, these leaks may facilitate the growth of harmful molds, and, in some cases, compromise your home’s structure.
When designing your bathroom drainage system, always consider different methods to waterproof each section. Doing this step is essential as the primary and secondary sections of your drainage system may require varying degrees of waterproofing.
Getting the help of professional waterproofing companies can help you make sure that your drainage system works flawlessly. Permardry Waterproofing has been providing top-notch waterproofing services to properties in Seattle since 1996. Our decades of service have made us experts in dealing with various waterproofing and drainage issues. Contact us by click on this link now!