How to fix a tile into a linear drain – a guide!

A shower enclosure without a tray and a walk-in with a linear drain? This type of drain is being chosen increasingly often for bathrooms with such shower enclosures. Especially in bathrooms kept in a Scandinavian, minimalist style. Using a linear drain does, however, require skilful tiling to set the tiles at the correct angle. This will ensure optimal run-off of excess water. How do you bond a tile into a linear drain so that it does its job without any issues?

Linear drains in walk-in showers – characteristics

Why have walk-ins become so popular? For many reasons that interlock into a highly functional whole. Firstly, they suit small bathrooms, as they take up less space than standard shower enclosures. Secondly, they are strikingly beautiful in their simplicity. Thirdly, they are convenient, and it’s easy to step into them in the morning for a quick, refreshing shower.

Linear drains in this kind of shower are, in fact, a continuation of all the above. A linear drain works well in small bathrooms, looks exceptionally smart and is fully functional as well as safe. A fall of a few per cent relative to the rest of the floor is all that’s needed for water to drain away as quickly as it appears.

So where does the difficulty lie? In correct execution. Linear drain with a tile insert requires precision and experience to function properly. How should you lay tiles around a linear drain, and what should the fall be in the shower? More on that later in the article.

Linear drain installation

Many people wonder how to bond a tile into a linear drain so that the whole assembly is functional rather than a source of shower troubles. A tile-in linear drain requires an appropriate fall towards the shower waste to prevent water pooling.

Nowadays there are more and more ways to make installation easier for a solution that used to cause quite a few headaches. It is, however, worth asking what fall to a linear drain will be appropriate in a given location.

Tiles around a linear drain should be pitched towards the drainage by at least 2.5 per cent, i.e. 2.5 cm per metre of surface. This is the optimal threshold, ensuring very good water removal. It prevents standing water and helps keep the shower enclosure clean, so it also matters for hygiene. It also makes it easier to clean the bathroom floor within the shower area.

How should you lay tiles around a linear drain? Bonding can be done with silicone or a specialist ceramic tile adhesive. The former is not optimal, so it is recommended to use adhesive, which offers better performance and durability. You should also buy a dedicated linear drain with a tile-in cover strip, without grates or similar elements. In this case they are completely unnecessary.

Linear drain – tiling DIY or by a professional?

Tiles around a linear drain should be laid by someone who knows their trade. Have you got that experience? Do you know how to level tiles, set the correct angle and bond them? You’ll handle the job with ease! Lacking the experience and know-how? It’s better to leave it to a specialist, who will do everything so that the household is satisfied and the shower (and its linear drain) works flawlessly.

It’s undeniable that walk-in showers are among the most elegant on the market. They are simple and functional, exceptionally aesthetic, and they don’t take up much space, enhancing the look of the entire bathroom. Correctly installed linear drains will, in turn, make using this type of shower not only pleasant but also safe.

Finishing the drain is important so as not to create a situation where, instead of draining away, water accumulates in some part of the shower. When everything is carried out and done according to best practice, the walk-in shower in your bathroom will become a place for hygiene and relaxation.