Stormtech offers three important tips for selecting the right drainage during the execution of any building project.
Drainage is an important aspect of any building project and serves to ensure safe, efficient and effective removal of waste water from the property. However, despite the fundamental importance of drainage to essential building functions, drainage systems are not specified and selected until well into the construction process, or even occasionally overlooked entirely, leading to problems during installation and after delivery of the project.
Expert tips for selecting the right drainage for your building project
1. Unique Design Concerns: Traditional vs. Linear
Incorporating bathroom drainage into an existing room layout requires careful planning. Traditional bathroom setups feature a single, fixed-position primary drainage trap, which typically houses the central floor waste outlet (or overflow gully) for the entire bathroom. All other waste outlets from the bathroom’s showers, basins or bathtubs are connected to this centralised drainage point forming the bathroom’s interconnected pipe system. Many bathrooms are plumbed with separate traps for each fixture, allowing for more flexibility in the drainage layout, and making it more suitable for lineal systems.
While traditional floor waste systems require 4-way grading of floors, and a separate hob to contain water flow, linear grates can be located anywhere within the bathroom/shower area, requiring a simple 2-way floor grading towards the channel.
2. Waterproofing Requirements
Australian Standards AS-3740 (Waterproofing of wet areas within residential buildings) require builders and designers to comply with strict waterproofing regulations to ensure interior spaces are protected from unwanted water incursions.
The choice of surface material (tile, timber, stone or vinyl) will significantly impact the bathroom’s waterproofing requirements and requisite application of water-resistant membranes. Similarly, the building substrate material (wood or concrete) will ultimately determine the type of water stop required for full BCA compliance.
3. Exposure to the Elements
Properties located in marine environments require extra protection for their drainage systems against corrosion. Electro polishing is one of the most effective solutions for protecting grates from harsh or corrosive environments, passivating rust-sensitive iron concentrations in stainless steel grates most prone to oxidation.
Stormtech has been driving drainage innovations for home and commercial building industries for over a quarter of a century. Specialising in linear drainage solutions, Stormtech can be consulted on product selection and compliance for building projects.
