Channel Drain With Integral Weep Path
A channel drain assembly includes a channel drain and a grate. The channel drain includes a body having at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, a flange extending about a periphery of the body, and a drain pipe. The grate is positionable within the body and includes at least one side wall and a top wall that has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. When the grate is positioned within the body a first flow path and a second flow path are formed that provide a path for fluid to flow into the channel drain and out the drain pipe. The first flow path is formed across the plurality of apertures, while the second flow path is formed between the at least one side wall of the grate and at least one sidewall of the body.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to channel drains, and, more specifically, to a channel drain having an integral weep path and a method of installing a channel drain having an integral weep path.
2. Related Art
Floor drains, including channel drains generally, are well known in the art. Floor drains could be installed through the flooring of a room to allow water to flow along the floor and exit through the drain. In some instances the floor could include a separate housing that the floor drain is installed through, e.g., a bathtub or a residential shower enclosure, while in other embodiments the floor drain could be installed directly in the floor with a tile or ceramic layer flush with the drain. Regardless, in both instances a sub-drain must be installed along with the floor drain, creating a weep path for excess fluid to flow along and to an exit pipe.
The floor drain assembly 10 of the prior art requires a sub-drain to be installed separate from, and in addition to, a channel drain. Accordingly, what would be desirable, but has not yet been provided, is a system and method of installing a floor drain that addresses the foregoing limitations of existing floor drains.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a channel drain assembly including a channel drain and a grate. The channel drain includes a body having at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, a flange extending about a periphery of the body, and a drain pipe. The grate is positionable within the body and includes at least one side wall and a top wall that has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. When the grate is positioned within the body a first flow path and a second flow path are formed that provide a path for fluid to flow into the channel drain and out the drain pipe. The first flow path is formed across the plurality of apertures, while the second flow path is formed between the at least one side wall of the grate and at least one sidewall of the body.
In one embodiment, the drain pipe extends from the bottom wall of the channel drain body. In another embodiment, the channel drain also includes a basin extending from the bottom wall of the body, and the drain pipe extends from a side of the basin.
The present invention further relates to a method of installing a channel drain assembly. A channel drain is provided that has a body, a flange extending about a periphery of the body, and a drain pipe. A grate is also provided that is positionable within the body and includes at least one side wall and a top wall, the top wall having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A location for installation of the drain pipe is determined and a subfloor is installed at the installation location. A backerboard is then installed on top of the subfloor. A hole dimensioned slightly larger than the dimensions of the channel drain body is cut through the subfloor and the backboard. The channel drain body is then placed into the hole such that the flange rests on the backerboard. Next, a hole dimensioned to match the dimensions of the channel drain body is cut from a waterproof membrane. Adhesive is applied to the flange, and the waterproof membrane is placed over the channel drain with the waterproof membrane hole positioned over the channel drain body. The waterproof membrane is then secured to the flange. The grate is then positioned within the body and tile is installed on the waterproof membrane about the grate.
In another aspect, a tile plug template that is positionable within the channel drain body may be provided. The hole through the subfloor and the backerboard, and the hole through the waterproof membrane could be dimensioned and cut with the tile plug template. In still another aspect, the tile plug template could be positioned within the channel drain body prior to placing the waterproof membrane over the channel drain with the waterproof membrane hole positioned over the channel drain body, and removed after securing the waterproof membrane to the flange.
The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to a channel drain having an integral weep path.
Additionally, the stand-offs 114 may elevate the grate 110 so that the top wall 113 is substantially co-planar with the floor tile 124. Furthermore, the floor tile 124 and the waterproof membrane 120 are installed at a slight incline so that fluid will flow into the first flow path 116 and the weep path 118, respectively, instead of pooling.
The drain body 104 could be constructed in various shapes. For example, the drain body 104 could be rectangular, as illustrated in
A bead of silicone caulking is applied to the underside of the membrane flange 106, and the channel drain 102 is then installed such that the drain body 104 is inserted into the hole 132 and the membrane flange 106 rests on and are bonded to the backerboard 128. An installer then cuts a piece of waterproof membrane 120 to a desired size and removes a portion at the center of the waterproof membrane 120 according to the cardboard tile plug template 134. This removed portion is sized to match the length and width of the drain body 104. An adhesive 136 is applied to the membrane flange 106. The cardboard tile plug 134 is then placed in the drain body 104 and the waterproof membrane 120 is placed over the channel drain 102, such that the cardboard tile plug 134 is positioned within the removed portion of the waterproof membrane 120. The waterproof membrane 120 is then pressed down and bonded with the membrane flange 106 by the adhesive 136. The waterproof membrane 120 could also be installed according to a manufacturer's instructions.
The tile adhesive 122, e.g., thinset mortar, is then applied to the waterproof membrane 120. Once the tile adhesive 122 is completely applied, the floor tiles 124 are installed on the tile adhesive 122. The floor tiles 124 may also be installed with grout 126 applied between the floor tiles 124. Subsequently, the tile plug 135 is then removed and the grate sidewalls 112 is placed into the channel drain 102 and could be bonded to the floor tiles 124 by grout 126.
Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. What is desired to be protected is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A channel drain assembly, comprising:
- a channel drain including a body having at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, a flange extending about a periphery of the body, and a drain pipe; and
- a grate positionable within the body and including at least one side wall, a top wall, and a plurality of stand-offs extending from the at least one side wall of the grate, the top wall having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough;
- wherein when the grate is positioned within the body a first flow path and a second flow path are formed that provide a path for fluid to flow into the channel drain and out the drain pipe, the first flow path being formed across the plurality of apertures, the second flow path being formed between the at least one side wall of the grate and the at least one sidewall of the channel drain body, and
- wherein when the grate is positioned within the body, the stand-offs extend below the flange and raise the at least one sidewall of the grate above the bottom wall of the channel drain.
2. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the drain pipe extends from the bottom wall of the body.
3. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, further comprising a basin extending from the bottom wall of the body,
- wherein the drain pipe extends from a side wall of the basin.
4. (canceled)
5. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel drain body and grate are rectangular in shape.
6. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel drain body and grate are circular in shape.
7. A method of installing a channel drain assembly, comprising:
- providing a channel drain including a body, a flange extending about a periphery of the body, and a drain pipe;
- providing a grate positionable within the body and including at least one side wall and a top wall, the top wall having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough;
- determining a location for installation;
- installing a subfloor at the installation location;
- installing a backerboard on top of the subfloor;
- cutting a hole through the subfloor and the backboard, the hole dimensioned slightly larger than the dimensions of the channel drain body;
- placing the channel drain body into the hole such that the flange rests on the backerboard;
- cutting a hole from a waterproof membrane, the hole dimensioned to match the dimensions of the channel drain body;
- applying adhesive to the flange;
- placing the waterproof membrane over the channel drain with the waterproof membrane hole positioned over the channel drain body;
- securing the waterproof membrane to the flange;
- positioning the grate within the body; and
- installing tile on the waterproof membrane and about the grate.
8. The method of installing a channel drain assembly of claim 7, further comprising bonding the grate and the tile with grout.
9. The method of installing a channel drain assembly of claim 7, further comprising providing a tile plug template that is positionable within the channel drain body.
10. The method of installing a channel drain assembly of claim 9, wherein the hole through the subfloor and the backerboard is dimensioned and cut with the tile plug template.
11. The method of installing a channel drain assembly of claim 9, wherein the hole through the waterproof membrane is dimensioned and cut with the tile plug template.
12. The method of installing a channel drain assembly of claim 7, wherein the tile plug template is positioned within the channel drain body prior to the step of placing the waterproof membrane over the channel drain with the waterproof membrane hole positioned over the channel drain body, and removed after the step of securing the waterproof membrane to the flange.
13. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the stand-offs are configured to raise the top wall of the grate above the flange of the channel drain.
14. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the stand-offs are configured to raise the top wall of the grate so that the top wall is substantially co-planar with a floor tile when the chain drain assembly has been installed.
15. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange of the channel drain extends from the body of the channel drain at an angle so as to direct fluid into the body.
16. The channel drain assembly of claim 1, further comprising a waterproof membrane positioned above and extending from the flange of the channel drain.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Inventors: Lawrence B. Brodey (South Orange, NJ), Christopher Pike (Princeton, NJ)
Application Number: 13/908,032
International Classification: E03F 5/04 (20060101);