Floor-level shower drain with underfloor heating

Hello Yvonne

What concerns us the most is the issue with the sealing. Since we have the open kitchen under the bathroom.
Our heating technicians had a special consideration for us since we also heat with low-temperature underfloor heating, they also installed the heating coils in the shower, which is what they mainly do.

Therefore, our question

Regards and thanks for the answers

Underfloor heating can and should also be installed in the area of the walk-in shower. To achieve a higher temperature in the bathroom, the heating pipes are laid closer together. The installer should have a heating load calculation for each room, which shows the length of the underfloor heating pipe to be installed in each room. Additionally, there are thermostats.

Silicone joints are not watertight in the sense of being waterproof. They serve solely to bridge gaps between tiles, etc., and to compensate for the different expansion behavior of various materials if necessary.

The watertightness of the floor and walls (in the shower area) is achieved solely through the waterproofing, e.g., Sakret FDS. This must be applied carefully. The required dry layer thickness must be achieved and it is advisable to check it. Sealing tapes in/at the corners as well as floor drains must be properly integrated. All of this is stated in the installation and processing instructions of the manufacturers and various technical datasheets, which tilers and installers MUST know.

We also have a tiled shower (actually even 2) as well as corresponding underfloor heating. Since we heat with geothermal energy, the underfloor heating also makes sense. Regarding the warmth, I can say that it is pleasantly warm in the bathroom. Especially the warmth felt through the feet feels good. We have only set the thermostats in the bathrooms to 20 or 22 degrees. Structurally, as a layperson, I cannot say much about it. We had everything done by professional companies. However, one note should definitely be considered. Cement screed must be used for the screed. If damage should ever occur and water reaches the screed, gypsum screed could swell. You can imagine the impact on tiles, etc. To my knowledge, this does not happen with cement screed. By the way, I can confirm what wrote: The water in the shower dries relatively quickly again with underfloor heating. I was and still am partly amazed by this. (Regardless of underfloor heating, one should wipe off the water after showering - faster drying, fewer stains) ? Generally still the question: Isn’t this thread in the wrong section (building financing)?

How do you actually clean the drain of such a shower? So far, I only know shower trays where I can put a sieve in the drain because of hair, etc. How does that work with such a channel?

We had everything done by specialist companies

I did too. When measuring the dry layer thickness, the required value of 2 mm was not met. The sealing did not have the crack-bridging capability. Rework was necessary.

Not everywhere that says specialist company actually has a specialist company involved. Monitoring the construction progress is essential, especially at such important points as sealing.

Cement screed must be applied under the screed. Should damage occur and water reach the screed, gypsum screed could swell. One can imagine the impact on tiles, etc. To my knowledge, this does not happen with cement screed.

I agree. Cement screed is the better choice in wet rooms.

Not everywhere that says specialist company actually is a specialist company. Inspection during construction progress is essential, especially at important points like sealing.

I agree with you. But if you
1. have no knowledge of the subject and
2. are working from 6:45 AM to 7:45 PM

you can’t check everything.
However, we had a (from our point of view) very good and careful site manager who kept a close eye on such things. In addition, a TÜV inspector came five times to approve the various construction phases.
I hope that everything went smoothly.