how do you calculate the slope of a shower

Full Answer

What is a good slope for a shower floor?

Shower Floor Slope. One exception to a minimum elevation change of 1/2 inch per 12 horizontal inches is when someone with limited mobility will be using the shower. If this is the case, the shower floor should have a slope no greater than 2 percent, or 1/4 inch vertical drop per 12 horizontal inches.

How do you find the slope of a slope?

We can define a slope (m) as a measure of how steep a line is. We sometimes call it gradient. Formula to calculate slope. We get slope by dividing the diffference of coordinates on the vertical axis (y) by the difference of the coordinates on the horizontal axis (x).

Why is the slope of a shower base important?

Recommended Slope of a Shower Base. Good drainage in a shower is key to preventing problems with standing water while the shower is in use and reducing moisture levels in the shower when the water source is turned off. Constant moisture on the shower floor, which becomes a problem where slope is inadequate, can lead to issues with mold and mildew.

What is a pre slope in a shower stall?

In a stall shower, the plumbing code requires the floor to be sloped one quarter (1/4) of an inch per foot in order to carry the water effectively to the drain. This slope, according to the TCNA Handbook is called “sloped fill” or commonly known as the pre-slope. This sloped material is installed under the pan liner (waterproofing membrane).

What is the proper slope for a shower floor?

And, the “pitch” (the slope angle you're aiming for so that water will quickly run downhill to the drain from all parts of the shower floor) needs to be at least 1/8-in per linear foot of run (or, to really ensure no drainage dead spots, 1/4-in per foot of run).

How do you find the slope on a walk in shower floor?

Measure from the drain opening to the furthest wall, then round up to the nearest foot. Calculate the slope by multiplying the measurement by 1/4 inch. For instance, if the drain opening measures 2-foot 8-inches from the furthest wall, then the shower floor should slope 3/4 inch from that wall to the drain.

How much fall should a shower have?

The recommended ratio of fall within showers is between 1:60 and 1:80. However, the ratios may not be achieved due to: (a) The size of the tiles used – falls become more difficult to achieve with larger tiles. (b) The area of the flool to be drained.

What is the minimum slope of a finished shower floor?

To efficiently drain, the recommended minimum slope for a shower floor is about 4 percent, or a 1/2 inch drop per every 12 inches from the shower walls to the drain. In traditional tile shower construction, this slope is established in the mortar pre-pan.

How do you find the slope on a wet room floor?

A wet room that doesn't drain properly is cold, damp, impractical for use, and frustrating to clean. Solution for incorrect floor slopes: Floor slopes within the wet room shower system should contain an even gradient of 1.5% to 2% towards the drain area.

What is the slope for a curbless shower?

1/4” per footSlope of the shower floor The International Plumbing Code (IPC) requires a slope of 1/4” per foot (IPC 417.5. 2 Shower Lining) for shower floors, which is echoed in the TCNA Handbook shower receptor methods.

How do you calculate fall?

FALL = GRADIENT X DISTANCE For example, calculate the fall in a 50 metre section of foul water pipework if the gradient is to be 1 in 80. A gradient of 1 in 80 is converted to a number instead of a ratio.

What is the recommended minimum slope to fall for a wet room?

Creating a gradient in a wet room is one of the three most important components of wet room construction, and is vital in order to guide water down the drain efficiently. The minimum recommended fall is 12mm, and the slope needs to be formed into the floor itself.

How much slope should a shower curb have?

The curb or lip around the bottom of the shower should to be slanted inward at a 5-degree (approx. 3/16" to 1/4") "pitch" or slope so water flows in toward the drain. (A level curb would cause the water to stand, while a curb angled away from the drain would cause water to leak onto the bathroom floor.)

Is a shower pre-slope necessary?

A pre-slope is necessary because once water has reached there, it needs to be directed to the drain area. If underneath your liner is flat – without any slope to the drain – this will cause water build-up, eventually causing mildew.

How do you slope a shower floor for a linear drain?

All wet (shower) areas must have a sloped floor towards the outlet at ¼” per foot (consult local codes for your area). Traditionally this is a 4-way slope towards the center of the wet area significantly limiting design options and tile size choice.

What do you put under shower base?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

Why is it important to have a slope in a shower?

More slope, after all, means better drainage, reduced puddling, lower risk of water leaks to floors below, and an easier time keeping the floor outside of the shower free of water without additional sloping and drains on the main bathroom floor.

Is plumbing code sufficient for floor slope?

The common misconception is that plumbing codes are sufficient for floor slope, but in fact, the stricter ADA requirements always come out on top when requirements disagree.

What is the minimum slope for water flow?

For efficient drainage, paved surfaces should have a minimum 1-percent slope. Turf or landscaped areas should have a minimum slope of 2 percent.

What is the minimum slope for concrete?

Set forms so that the concrete slab surface slopes a minimum of two percent, or 1/4 inch per foot, to provide adequate drainage.

How do you slope a drain?

According to plumbing code, drain pipe has to be sloped a minimum of 1/4-inch per foot and a maximum of three inches per foot or vertical. A slope of less than 1/4-inch per foot will cause constant drain clogs and a slope of more than three inches will allow the water to drain without the solids.

Can I put a floor drain in my garage?

A garage can be a messy place, and keeping it clean is much less complicated if you can simply wash down the floor and allow the water to run into a floor drain. While it is best to install the drain during the building of the garage, you can also retrofit an existing garage, although it is considerably more difficult.

How do you make a concrete slope?

To create the slope of the ramp, build the sides of the form with pieces of plywood cut at an angle along the top. The key to shaping the concrete into a slope is to use a stiff mixture; if the concrete is too wet, it will slump down to the bottom of the ramp, seeking its own level.

What is acceptable floor slope?

The “Residential Construction Performance Guidelines for Professional Builders and Remodelers”, Third Edition, by the National Association of Home Builders allows that a floor should not slope more than 1/2" in 20 feet. And, they further state that measurements should be made across the room, not in a small area.

How do you prepare a concrete floor for tile?

Start by sweeping your concrete floor to get rid of all dust and debris. Then clean with a wet mop of plain water. Use a few tablespoons of a degreasing cleaner in warm water and scrub the concrete with a scrub brush. Finally, rinse thoroughly.

How much slope is needed for a shower?

In a stall shower, the plumbing code requires the floor to be sloped one quarter (1/4) of an inch per foot in order to carry the water effectively to the drain.

Where does the slope of a shower floor come from?

Before we begin, please understand that in a conventional mortar bed shower floor, the slope of the floor comes from the sloped fill or pre-slope which is under the shower pan membrane. The mortar bed on top of the membrane is exactly the same thickness along the walls as it is at the drain.

How wide is a shower curb?

All surfaces in a shower must be sloped toward the drain, so each of the curbs needs to be sloped. Realize that the curb, normally being about 5” wide, only needs to be sloped 1/8” from outside to inside. This easily meets the required ¼” in 12” slope to drain. Edward Onessimo asks,

How high does grout go on a stone?

Depending on the thickness of the pebbles, normally, the grout would extend up about 1/3 of the height of the stone. With mosaic tiles (pebbles would be similar to mosaic tiles which are mounted in a sheet) the grout does help in securing the tile, but it is not intended to be “up and over” the pebbles.

Who is responsible for installing pre slope?

Informing the builder (in writing) of the plumber’s error would do two things. The builder is now responsible to force the plumber to install the pre-slope per the requirement or pay the tile installer to do it. Beyond that, it is the responsibility of the plumbing code enforcement officer to ensure that the pre-slope is part of the shower assembly.

Is a shower a good part of a bathroom?

Showers can be a beautiful part of the bathroom especially when the tile is part of the finished product. The beauty, though, will not be long-lasting if the installation standards and best practices for tile installation are not followed.

Is a shower wet?

Not only that, showers are intensely and inherently wet. As we've mentioned in a previous article, showers are harsh environments that are not very forgiving when the installation has been poorly constructed by misguided "tile placers" (you can't call them installers due to their lack of quality work).

Plumbing Codes vs. Ada Standards

We Abide by The Ada Shower Floor Slope Code

Additional Shower Floor Slope Considerations