Square vs. Flat Drains: Which is the Better Choice for Your Bathroom?

Renovating a bathroom is an important process, and attention to detail is crucial. One such detail is the installation of the floor drain. Should you choose a cross-shaped drain or a flat drain?

Is a cross-shaped drain better than a flat drain?

1. If you choose a cross-shaped drain for installation, it is relatively less prone to clogging, and the water flow is faster, which reduces the risk of backflow. Therefore, it is recommended to select the cross-shaped layout. However, this type of drain requires skilled installation; first, the tiles need to be cut to ensure a flat surface.

2. The tiles surrounding the drain should be cut into a T-shape and slightly sloped. This ensures that the center is lower, and the edges are higher, allowing the water to flow toward the central drain.

3. Finally, install the drain to ensure smooth drainage.

4. Many people opt for flat drains primarily because they find the cross-shaped design unattractive. However, if a flat drain is not installed with the correct slope, it can lead to issues such as slow drainage or clogging if there’s a high volume of water, resulting in water pooling in the bathroom.

Common types of floor drains

1. T-shaped drains are self-sealing drains that use gravity and magnetism to control the opening and closing for drainage. Their advantage lies in their smooth inner wall structure, which reduces the risk of clogging. Items like hair can be quickly drained away. However, due to the presence of magnets, metallic objects can get stuck, leading to potential clogs, making them more suitable for installation in kitchens.

2. There are also circulation drains, which open and close based on the weight of the water. They have a fast drainage speed but exhibit decreasing elasticity over time, resulting in a shorter lifespan.

3. Additionally, there are deep water seal drains, which feature odor prevention mechanisms, good drainage performance, and are generally inexpensive, helping to prevent pests from entering through the sewer.

In summary：when installing a drain in a kitchen or bathroom, careful consideration is needed. Generally, a cross-shaped design is recommended over a flat one for better drainage performance.