Shower Waste Buying Guide

So, you’ve picked out your perfect shower and enclosure, but do you know which shower waste you’ll need? Find out all about shower traps and wastes in our expert guide.

When talking about showers, understandably, a lot of focus is placed on the shower head and strength of the system. But it shouldn’t be forgotten that shower traps play an equally important role in ensuring you have a hassle-free and relaxing experience each and every time.

But what does a shower trap do and why do you even need to worry about it? To give you some more background, we’ve put together this shower waste buying guide so you can understand more about the different types which are available, how they work and why they are so important.

What is a shower trap?

A shower waste (often also referred to as a "shower trap") connects to the underside of the shower tray beneath the floor of the shower and works to support the water flow. It is connected to the shower trap piping, which is similar to the trap found under the kitchen sink, where waste water from the taps above can drain out into external sewage systems.

If water is not able to drain effectively, it can create a pool of dirty water as you wash, while also potentially leading to leaks and other forms of damage in and around the shower area.

What are the different types of shower traps?

Generally, there are 2 types of shower waste devices available, with the differences mostly determined by the width of the tray and the speed the water is able to drain through the system (flow rate).

For example, the 90mm slimline shower tray waste (pictured below) is a contemporary design that comes with a chrome cover already attached to the waste system (not all products are sold this way) and allows for a flow rate of approximately 11.5 litres per minute.

Another example is the 50mm turbo flow shower tray waste (pictured further down the page) that is even slimmer, with a 50mm waste hole and also comes with a chrome-plated plastic cover already attached. This is able to release up to 54 litres of water per minute, leaving no standing water behind.

The flow rate will vary from product to product, and the strength of your shower system will dictate the flow rate needed to ensure water is drained effectively to avoid overflow.

How does a shower trap work?

As mentioned earlier in the article, the shower trap works in a similar way to the one found in the kitchen. The only difference may be the design, with an S shaped curve sometimes used for showers to support the vertical drainage of water.

Similar to a kitchen or even toilet trap, a shower trap always retains a certain amount of water to seal off any gases emitted by the sewer that could come into the bathroom.

When in use, shower water will flow into the drainage to create a vacuum, which can slow down the discharge of the water itself. This is why vents are factored into the design of drainage system, allowing air to continuously move along the flow of water.

In terms of the shower base itself, you will notice it is designed to slope downwards towards the drainage hole. This is to ensure water and soap naturally moves towards the drainage to avoid a build-up of soapy films that could lead to dangerous slips and falls.

How do you install a shower waste?

1. Remove the protective film that surrounds the waste hole on the new shower floor, clearing just enough to allow for the installation of the shower waste. Be sure to use your hands rather than a knife to avoid scratching the surface.
2. The shower waste will come with 2 washers—one to seal from above the shower tray and the other to seal from below.
3. Remove the washers and add a bead of sealant around the bottle trap, along with another around the diameter of the waste hole.
4. Replace the washers and place the bottle trap underneath the shower tray and screw the upper piece of the bottle trap into place and wipe away any sealant that may be left over.
5. The inner section of the shower waste should slot easily into place and you can then fit the shower trap into place.
6. Lastly, connect the fixing pipe to the outlet underneath, so this can be connected to the shower trap.

How do you keep shower drainage clear?

Over time the shower trap will collect hair, soap, grime and other debris that is washed off into the water flow.

If the drain becomes blocked you can try to remove the drainage components to clean them. Alternatively, you can use a plunger to unclog the drain.

Try to avoid use chemical-based drain cleaners as these are not generally kind to pipes, although an enzyme-based drainage cleaner could be a good alternative as these are far safer.

How to clean the shower waste

You should try to clean the shower trap every few months, which is straightforward job to do:

1. Remove the shower waste cover. Some systems are slot only, but if your system is secured with screws, be sure to use the appropriate screwdriver before attempting to remove any component.
2. You will notice there is a rubber seal that is in place to prevent smells coming into the shower from the drain.
3. Leaving the sealant in place, run this seal (without removing it from the section) under a warm tap to wash away any build-up.
4. Next, pull out the inner plastic cup from the shower drain. Remove any hair that might have become entangled before cleaning with a household detergent, warm water and a sponge or cloth.
5. You can then place both of these components back inside the drain securely ready for the shower to be used again.

Shop shower traps and wastes

Buying your complete shower enclosure at Victorian Plumbing couldn’t be easier. If you wish to purchase your shower waste separately, browse our full selection of plumbing accessories here.