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IP217 · Jun 9, 2009, 08:15 AM

I currently have an unfinished bathroom in my basement consisting of a working toilet and basically a shower head and two nozzles coming out of the wall. There is a floor drain right below the shower head and nozzles (It was basically used to shower off coal/steel dust before you walk upstairs to the house). Is it possible to fit a shower unit directly over that drain? It seems centered on the floor directly below where I would put the shower.

I would basically just be putting walls to the current head and water nozzles. What problems would I run into? I would also eventually like to put a sink down there as well. What should I plan for?

Thanks in advance,

IP

ballengerb1 · Jun 9, 2009, 08:23 AM

Yes you can place a shower over the floor drain creating and indirect shower drain. I have done this in the past installing Swanstone acrylic shower pans. I did use a short piece of 2" PVC to loosely connect the shower pans sump with the drain but the PVC was only hr connected to the pan and simply dumps into the floor drain and inch or two below the floor surface.

Milo Dolezal · Jun 9, 2009, 08:36 AM

I agree with Tom. You will have hard time fitting shower pan directly over existing drain. Shower pans have fixed drain locations and you would have to line it up exactly which is probably impossible. Use of shower unit with indirect drain is your best option.

Tom suggested Swanstone product which I am familiar with and used before. But in recent years, there is new manufacturer called Ariel that makes absolutelly great products for unbelievable price. Their units include everything, including TV, phone, rain shower head, body sprays, light and much, much more. My customers are very happy with Ariel product. They can be installed as Tom suggests. Here is a link for you to see...

Steam Showers Inc. - Steam Shower, Steam Rooms, Bathroom Vanities And Whirlpool Bath Tubs

ballengerb1 · Jun 9, 2009, 08:41 AM

Milo, I had some difficulty finding a shower pan in that link but will keep trying. I do Swanstone's a lot but they aren't cheap running around $350 for a 32x60 pan.
Thanks,
Bob

Milo Dolezal · Jun 9, 2009, 08:48 AM

Bob, poster asked " ..to fit a shower unit..." over the drain. Shower unit consists of a pan, finished walls, and some kind of shower enclosure. Therefore, complete "shower unit"... Therefore, I responded with recommendation for entire shower unit - not only for a shower pan. Indeed, Ariel doesn't offer shower pans only

ballengerb1 · Jun 9, 2009, 09:13 AM

Gotcha, I was just picturing it different in my mind's eye.

IP217 · Jun 9, 2009, 09:26 AM

So just to make sure I'm understanding, I can indirectly drain a shower unit to the floor drain with no problems? Im a complete novice and I see a lot of posts about problems venting and having special trap systems. I can install the unit/head/nozzles by myself, but I'm concerned about the floor drain itself. Is there anyway I can check to make sure it's suitable?

And to follow up on my second question, what do you guys think will be the easiest solution to adding a sink as well?

ballengerb1 · Jun 9, 2009, 09:42 AM

That drain is already vented and the indirect drain allows air into and out of the new connection, no problems. You should make sure the existing floor drain is in great working condition first. Get several buckets of water ready and pour them into the floor drain one by one. If this drains with no gurgling or bubble then you should be good to go.

speedball1 · Jun 10, 2009, 07:14 AM

Another option, and one that will save you big bucks, is to configure the shower the way we had our basement shower in the house I grew up in.
We had a set up just like yours. We used the floor drain itself for a shower bas and installed a circular shower certain, (see image).
Just thought I would give you a more hassle free and less expensive option.
Good luck, Tom