What is a Shower Waste Tray?
Shower waste trays (sometimes referred to as shower traps) are an efficient and necessary addition to modern shower and wetroom enclosures.
Designed to be connected to the underside of a shower tray beneath the floor, these devices connect to the shower trap piping to form an essential part of the plumbing – encouraging more efficient water flow, as well as allowing wastewater to be carried out of the shower.
If drainage does not occur correctly and effectively, dirty and unhygienic water can build up while you wash. It may also lead to leaks and more serious forms of damage. However, proper installation of the device and understanding of the device can help avoid any nasty surprises in your shower drain. From high-quality sealant to ensuring the proper amount of slope, there are numerous steps and bits of information that will leave you with an efficient shower waste tray.
Shower Waste Tray Installation
It is often the smallest and most unassuming parts of household areas which can make the biggest difference, and this is no different. The installation process for a shower waste tray can be very simple, but it is important that every step is done properly to so that correct function is maintained.
Below you’ll find the step-by-step process for how to properly fit a shower waste tray.
1. Remove the Cover
On the shower floor, you will find a drain cover and waste hole that needs to be lifted off and put to one side, allowing you access to the area where the tray will be installed. Make sure you clear enough space around the area to allow for easier installation.
2. Remove Washers
This step will include working with a bottle trap, which is a cylindrical shape fitting that serves the critical function of stopping sewer gases from entering the home, while also ensuring waste water and materials can pass through.
The shower waste typically comes with two washers, one which allows you to seal it from above the shower tray and the other which can be sealed from below.
These washers need to be fixed with sealant, which should be applied around the bottle trap and along any other area around the diameter of the waste hole.
3. Replace the Washers
Once the sealant has been applied to the correct areas and everything is in place to be fitted, replace the washers and place the bottle trap underneath the shower tray. Next, the upper part of the bottle trap needs to be screwed or tightened in place.
There is often extra sealant that has been pushed away from the fixing, but do not panic, this is normal and should just be wiped away to ensure there is no excess left over.
4. Fit the Inner Section
The process is almost over at this point, but there are couple of small steps still left to go. At this stage the inner section of the shower waste tray should be smoothly slotted into place, allowing for the shower trap to then also be fitted.
5. Connect the Fixing Pipe
You’ve made it to the final step, all that is left to do now connect the fixing pipe to the outlet underneath, ensuring all fittings are tightly connected so that water can flow smoothly and without obstruction. This final step will also allow the waste tray fixing pipe to be connected to the shower trap.
Shower Tray Waste Positioning & Common Things to Look For
There are a number of checks that should be done both during the process and after the installation, after all, the most important thing is that the device itself is located in the correct area and works properly.
Shower Waste Tray Positioning and Gradient
It may seem like a trivial thing that most people should know, but wetroom and shower horror stories do occur where the drain and waste tray positioning is wrong – leading to leaks, pools of water and improper shower fittings.
It is an essential factor that the gradient of any wetroom or shower flooring allows for proper drainage. Ensuring there is enough of a slope going towards the location where the waste tray not only allows for water flow to be directed towards the correct area, but also means there is a consistent flow of water so that the tray can do its job effectively.
This gradient is typically around 2-4%, which amounts to around a downward slope of ¼ or ½ inch for every 12 inches of distance from enclosure to drain. The shower waste tray usually be found at the bottom of the slope, so water running towards the drain will be caught easily. Not only will this small detail ensure better efficiency for the shower drain, but also prevents pooling of water so that the shower space remains comfortable and hygienic.
Sealant
Proper sealant is a pivotal aspect that allow fixings to be fitted correctly, so that any components stay firmly in place and are watertight when the shower is put into use. This also relates to other components that are fitted around the shower waste tray, such as tiles.
It must be ensured that any sealant used is done smoothly so that all areas are flat and allow the shower area to work effectively. This includes any tiles that are around the tray, which must be laid flat and fitted watertight on the surface so that water can run off them and not cause water damage.
Importantly, any excess sealant should also be wiped away and the area cleaned so that from both an aesthetic and efficiency standpoint, the shower is smooth and working properly.
In Need of a Professional Fitter for Your Shower Waste Tray?
It is recommended that a professional completes the installation so that all plumbing and fittings are done effectively and with expert knowledge. As the UK’s leading wetroom specialist, CCL Wetrooms would be happy to help you with any planning, design and installation process in your bathroom or wetroom, ensuring your space is expertly fitted and working efficiently. Contact us today.
