Floor-level shower trays: the ideal option for creating comfortable spaces and gaining visual spaciousness. A choice that focuses on the functionality of the bathroom with the need to enhance the beauty of its design.
Showers with no architectural boundaries, providing a minimalist design reduced to the essentials. A bathroom with a walk-in shower is an infinite journey into modern design.
Nova shower tray installed at ground level
We tell you about the advantages of walk-in showers, and how to overcome any possible technical drawbacks in their planning and installation.
Floor-level showers (or walk-in showers) are synonymous with comfort, safety and spaciousness. Originally used in the baths of Ancient Rome, they provide a host of advantages, both aesthetic and functional, by reducing bathroom elements to a minimum.
The extra-flat shower trays are the most efficient alternative when it comes to creating a walk-in shower.
- Bathrooms become easier to clean and maintain.
- The floor is continuous, so this elimination of architectural barriers offers a level of safety unmatched by other systems.
- They facilitate open spaces and clear environments of their clutter. The visual range they provide gives the bathroom a minimalist and purified image.
- No building work is required and they are cheaper than normal shower trays.
- At mcbath, extra-flat shower trays are available in a multitude of formats, textures or colours, even custom-made to order for maximum adaptability.
Walk-in shower trays: possible drawbacks and how to avoid them
However, despite their many advantages, we must take into account certain technical peculiarities when designing and installing floor-level shower trays.
- The shower should not be left fully open, even if solutions are used to make it look that way. Incorporating a tempered glass sheet in one part of the shower will help to close the space off and prevent water from escaping.
- Its design must take into account the location of the taps, such as the hand shower and the sprinkler, and in order to avoid leaks, the path the water takes.
- Our shower trays are designed with the exact inclination needed to evacuate water. However, depending on the design of the bathroom and shower itself, it may be worthwhile adding a slight slope towards the drain, as long as the characteristics of the project and the floor allow it and it is advised by our technician. It is recommended that the average gradient of this slope is about 6 or 7 mm.
Preventing water from leaking out of the shower tray
Although we cannot guarantee that there will be absolutely no splashing, as we do not control how vigorous each user's daily showering is, we come up with different ideas to prevent water from running out of the shower:
- Our trays are designed to hold a good amount of water and prevent overflows. Although they may look like extra-flat trays (which they are), in the design process we always take into account being able to accommodate the amount of water required for optimum performance.
- They are likewise designed for use with high flow rate valves. Correct installation of the tray and valve is vital. That's why our shower trays not only meet the highest quality standards, but are also so easy to install.
- In addition, our shower trays are highly slip-resistant, which makes the shower a safe environment. So no matter how vigorous the user is in the shower, he or she is unlikely to slip.
- Last but not least, a suitable shower enclosure is the ideal solution for a vigorous shower. That's why our trays — thanks to their slopes, flanges and other features — are compatible with the very best shower enclosure designs.
It is very important to have professionals who provide us with the right advice and impeccable installation, as well as following ideas to prevent water from leaking out of the shower that we have just discussed. It is also important to ensure safe installation with clean and leak-free water evacuation.
The main reasons why water may overflow and run out of a shower at floor level are usually:
Correct measurements of the shower enclosure to prevent water from leaking out
Minimalist partitions are trending. That is, those with the lightest possible appearance in terms of profiles, bearings and other elements.
In this respect, a fixed shower enclosure is often a good solution for modern bathrooms. In addition to being the minimum that it is possible to install as a screen.
It is important to take into account the width we have to play with. A fixed shower tray, to avoid possible splashes and to prevent water coming out from underneath, must have a minimum size of 90cm-100cm for 120cm shower trays.
Beyond the dimensions, optimal installation of the screen is essential. Otherwise, there may be gaps between the silicone and the bulkhead that cause water leakage.
Standing water in the shower tray
On occasion, the valve does not have the capacity to absorb all the water due to blockages which cause water to accumulate and possibly run out of the shower tray.
Incorrect level for water to flow through
Another reason for water leaking out of the extra-flat shower tray is its poor installation.
In the last section we tell you how to install a floor-level shower tray effectively to avoid problems with water leaks.
Nova shower tray installed at ground level
How to fit a floor-level shower tray
- STEP 1: Turn off the main water supply
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Water should be shut off to prevent leaks.
- STEP 2: Handle equipment with care
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When installing a shower tray flush with the floor, it is essential to avoid any damage to the shower tray.
- STEP 3: Measure the surface where the shower tray is to be installed
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It is essential to know how much space the shower tray and screen will take up. It is necessary to make sure that the installation is going to be carried out with a product that is suitable for the available space.
- STEP 4: Drainage
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It is important to mark the location of the drain on the surface where the floor-level shower tray is to be installed.
- STEP 5: Place the shower tray drain flush with the floor so that it will fit
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For floor-level installation of showers, make sure the drainage area is positioned at the right height, and check that the pipe is to have a 2% drop to the drain.
- STEP 6: Level the floor
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Once step 5 is complete, prepare a levelled mortar or cement bed to prevent warping or water loss.
- STEP 7: Check for water leaks
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The shower tray should be installed and the floor should be checked to ensure that it is level and that there are no water leaks.
- STEP 8: Connecting the drain
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Fit the valve ring and tighten with screws.
- STEP 9: Covering the wall with a shower panel
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Shower panels allow us to extend the finish of the shower tray onto the wall, providing continuity and design to the shower.