Bathroom Sink, Tub and French Drains Installation Tips

How to Install bathroom sink drain, Bathtub drains and French Drains? Get drain installation directions for sink, shower, bathtub and French drain – do it yourself. Free tips to help you to install shower drain, install french drain, install sink drain step by step.

Drains inside and outside the home are some of the most beneficial appliances you can install as a home owner. Some are necessary, such as shower and bath drains. Others can improve the aesthetic appearance of your home and yard. Knowing how to install them is valuable knowledge that can increase the worth of your home.

Drains

Common household drains include bath drains, sink drains, and shower drains, all of which are necessary in the home. Outdoor drains such as French drains can become necessary as well.

Outdoor Drains

For those who live at lower elevations than others, French drains may be a wise project to assume. Many times, the higher elevation of the property of a neighbor can cause for excess water to accumulate in parts of your lawn. When it rains, the water from higher elevations can flow into your yard, making deep puddles that can flood and drown your plant life or garden. French drains simply provide passage in which the water can flow. Trenches are dug in the problem area of the lawn and filled with gravel and piping to capture the excess water. They can even be covered with artificial turf to make them less noticeable.

While many people are beginning to install piping in the trenches to aid water flow, this is not necessary. The typical French drain is filled only with gravel, but you may choose to install a pipe as well depending on the severity of the flooding.

Indoor Drains

All sinks and bathing areas in a home will require a drain that is in proper working order. A shower drain can be the first drain that worsens in condition and is the most important to repair and replace. Shower drains can be pop up or traditional, and each is relatively simple to install.

Drain Installation

Corrosion, rust, and clogging can lead to the gradual deterioration of the drainage in your home. Because sink and shower drains are exposed to more than just water, their condition has a tendency to worsen as time goes on. To install sink drain or shower drains, one must make sure to purchase parts that will not wear and tear easily. French drains, on the other hand, are usually installed only once and do not require the continual maintenance that is customary with household drains.

Install Shower Drain

Most shower drains are traditional, such as plunger drains. They are called trip lever drains, because there is a lever usually located at or beneath the faucet that stops water. Others do not have trip levers, such as pop up drains. Whichever you choose, you will want to be sure that they are of the correct size. Most will simply need to be screwed on to the existing p-bend.

If you are installing a new p-bend, you may need to remove the existing shower floor in order to expose the pipe. Once you have gained access to the bend, you may remove it with a common household wrench and screwdriver. After installing drain, be sure that all gaps are tightly sealed. Gaps that are not completely sealed can lead to leaks that will damage the area around the drain.

Install French Drain

French drain installation is a simple project that does not always require the help of a professional. With the correct supplies, this is a project that can be completed by one person in a very short amount of time. Depending on the size of the area that you want to drain, the job can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

The first step is to dig a trench that is approximately one foot deep and six inches wide. The length should be as long as the area that is being flooded. Use a small shovel or spade to achieve this. If you will be installing a pipe, you should fill the trench one inch deep with washed gravel. Otherwise, fill it to the top, leaving one inch clear for turf. Clean gravel is most appropriate since this will ensure the easy flow of water throughout the drain.

If you choose to install a pipe and/or turf, you will need to make sure to purchase enough to cover the length of the entire trench. Place the pipe over the one inch of gravel. The drain pipe’s upper end should run toward the surface so that you may access it for unclogging if necessary.