Hello,

I need some help installing a floor drain. However, the situation is not such a simple one.

The first picture (below) shows the job site. What makes this situation unique is that it is not a tiled or otherwise waterproof floor, nor does the owner plan to do so in the near future; in fact the main purpose of the drain is to be positioned directly underneath the spout of the 25-gallon Cecilware hot water urn to catch any spills (or if some moron turns on the spout without holding a coffee cup underneath it). Rather, the current floor is just wood (and I am not entirely sure how thick it is, although I can find out, if necessary). On the plus side, I have access to the floor from above as well as below - beneath the floor is a more-or-less unfinished basement.

The drain I purchased is a PlumBest D50-001, which I chose (perhaps foolishly) because the label on it advertised it as a "shower/floor drain". I believe it is what Tom usually refers to as a "flange-type shower drain". I found this semi-useful page (http://www.plumbest.com/ce9.php) on the manufacturer's website, which lists a bunch of specs for that particular series of model numbers, but no installation instructions/tips.

So simply put, my question is: how do I install the drain in the floor? What I'm trying to accomplish is to cut a hole in the wood the exact size of the strainer, and install the drain so that the strainer is flush with the floor. Is this possible at all? Will I have to exchange this for a different kind of drain? Or this a lost case altogether?

Thanks,
Moishe

Moshie,

That shower strainer just ain't going to work. Besides,it's the wrong shape for the purpose you intend it for. I poked around the internet and found one that I think may may work better. Zurn has a rectangular drain with a 2" outlet that will accommodate a 2" "P" trap. Click on http://www.zurn.com/pages/catalog.asp?ProductGroupID=77&OperationID=14&page=6#p2067
And scroll to the bottom of the page and check out Z-573 Gutter drain.
This type of drain will give you more area underthe coffee urn to control spills then a round type drain. Good luck, Tom

What about using an overflow pan such as that for a washing machine instead of a drain. Since you are not sloping the floor towards the drain, and a spill might come from an unpredictable direction off the table, a pan would probably offer more security as well as being temporary in case the system is moved or discontinued.

What about using an overflow pan such as that for a washing machine instead of a drain. Since you are not sloping the floor towards the drain, and a spill might come from an unpredictable direction off the table, a pan would probably offer more security as well as being temporary in case the system is moved or discontinued.


I can see a problem with setting a large wash machine overflow pan on the floor that you have to stand in before you can pour a cup of coffee. Awkward to say the least. Cheers, tom

Hmmmmmm... I can't seem to find a lot of places selling that online... funny...

Besides, I'd rather buy locally from Lowe's or Home Depot (quicker than waiting for shipping, plus I can return it if necessary). Should I just go to Lowe's/HD and look for a "gutter drain" from any manufacturer, if they have one?

Thanks,
Moishe

Moishe,
You're looking for a special application floor drain. I doubt very much if Home Depot even knows what a gutter drain is, let alone carry one. You're not going to find anything any better. It took me damm near a hour of searching the web to come up with that. Buy from Zern or search the net for yourself. Regards, Tom

Okay, thanks.