Accessible bathroom with Curbless shower

[PC7060]

Hi all,

Been several months since I've posted but I've been keeping up with threads and looking for more information on the liner drains (USG Durock Infinity Drain and Schluter Kerdi-Line).

I'm finalizing the design for an addition with an accessible bathroom with a 60" x 60" recessed section of the floor to accommodate a Curb-less shower (see below). The framing notes currently call out for a 2" recess which extends out past the shower area by a foot or so which will slope back towards the shower.



I reviewed the USG Durock Infinity Drain Shower Pan specification and noted the thickness of the pan is 2" for all size floors with a estimated drop of 1" to the drain (not shown on the drawings) which is less than the 2" drop required by Virginia Plumbing Code.

I'm considering increasing the drop of the recessed area to 3" and installing a mud bed with 3% slope (3/8" per foot) to get 1.75" drop over 55". I will also extend the water proofing up over the Ditra to make up the last 1/4" of the required drop. This would result in a mud bed of around 1" around the drain.

Question 1: Anyone happen to know the installed height of the USG Infinity and Schluter Kerdi-Line drains?

Question 2: Any alternate recommendation for a linear drains rated for surface applied water proofing?

[workhurts]

The kerdi linear drains have PDFs of their cad files online. You should be able to figure out exactly how deep they sit.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Schluter Kerdi-LINE drains page filled with links galore.

Schluter floor drains link with quick drawing and ton of info.

[PC7060]

Thanks for the link to the Schulter doc, Tool Guy. Schluter definitely leads the game when it comes to detailed technical product information.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

They are a good company, yes. But the real leader is Noble Company. They have been the pioneer with linear drains from the start. They made quite an impressive splash years ago when they introduced super awesome linear drains to work as a system with their sheet membrane NobleSeal TS. Every other manufacturer then rushed to follow them into this territory. Take a look here.

[ss3964spd]

PC,

I might be mistaken, but I believe that 2" drop the code refers to is applies only when a curb is being used. Without going back and re-reading it I recall it saying the top of the drain needs to be a minimum of 2" below the curb.

You'll have no curb, so it doesn't apply. I'll have no curb either.

[PC7060]

Hey Dan!

I've provided the code section you referenced below and you are right, it does specify drop only in terms of the optional curb, so I guess it's up to the inspector as to what they require for curbless. I seem to remember you had your shower inspected by the Fairfax County code-enforcement folks; did the issue of the curb come up?

Originally Posted by 2015 IRC P2709.1 Construction

Where a shower receptor has a finished curb threshold, it shall be not less than 1 inch (25mm) below the sides and back of the receptor. . The curb shall be not less than 2 inches (51 mm) and not more than 9 inches (229 mm) deep when measured from the top of the curb to the top of the drain.

[ss3964spd]

PC, the key bit from the Virginia Residential Code, Chapter 27, section 2709.1, is this: "Where a shower receptor has a finished curb threshold, it shall be not less than 1 inch...."

Here's the link, which I found on the FFX Co website: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/VR...mbing-fixtures

I've not yet had the final plumbing inspection done yet. But when they came out for the rough in and concealment inspections I did mention "curbless" and they didn't bat an eye.

[Kman]

Yo, PC!!!

[ss3964spd]

Ha! you edited while I was posting!!!

[PC7060]

Bubba, thanks for the info on the Noble drains, I'll check it out.

[PC7060]

Hey Kevin! How r thing goin? I've finally finished restoring the original section of my old house and have moved onto the long awaited additions which include two large bathrooms.

Dan - yep, I initially posted the 2009 text in error which still required the curb. All that talk about the receptor is confusing but I believe it refers to the height of the curb relative to the height of the waterproofing layer up the wall. Trying to prevent water from overflowing into the walls versus the floor where you'll notice it. Hopefully you'll then shut off the shower before going off to yell at the kids!

[cx]

Good to see you back, PC.

That curb above drain thing is far from intuitive in my view and I recall when one of the tile industry technical committees tried to get some clarification from the plumbing industry there was none. The plumbing inspectors do seem to think that if there is no curb, there is no requirement, but the very same inspectors agree that if there is a curb it must be 2" above the drain height. And they were not willing to discuss it further.

Just how they might rationalize that dichotomy is well beyond my ability to discern.

But that's just: My opinion; worth price charged.

[PC7060]

Originally Posted by CX

Just how they might rationalize that dichotomy is well beyond my ability to discern.

Concur; inspectors always seem to worried about setting a precedence.

Could probably use the foam pan with a 2” drop but the slope toward the knee wall next to the toilet would be problematic. I’ll stick with the mud base at 3% slope. Mud will make it easy to slope the area around the toilet towards the shower doors.

[cx]

When I drop portions of a concrete SOG I generally do either 3 1/2 inches or 5 1/2 inches just for the convenience of using standard dimension lumber for the forms and it makes bending the field re-bar to fit the drop more manageable.

It also ensures that no matter what you decide to do with the shower receptor, you'll have sufficient room for an adequate mud bed.

In your case we'd drop it 3 1/2" for a zero curb and no step-down entry.

My opinion; worth price charged.