Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I install QuARTz Shower Drains?
- What is the outlet capacity of the shower channel?
- What is water intake of the grates?
- Where in the shower floor should the shower channel be positioned?
- How do I clean my Quartz shower channel?
- What type of stainless steel are channels and grates made from?
- What is an electro-polished finish?
- What is an oil-rubbed bronze finish?
- Which body type should I use?
- How do the LED lights work?
ACO provide a number of section details to assist in the installation process depending upon body type chosen and type of flooring – click here to review options.
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For all grate designs the constraining factor is the outlet. The grate width of the Quartz by ACO grates of 3.25" offers good capture to help ensure wet/dry barriers can be created. Narrower linear drains are more susceptible to bypass (where water flows across the grate into the dry area).
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All shower channels have a central 2” diameter outlet, this is the same as any other shower drain in the USA. It provides a capacity of approximately 7GPM (0.6 liters
per second) which is sufficient to deal with most shower heads. If a higher flow rate is required, multiple units or outlets can be used.
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There are 4 main choices that are mainly a visual preference or may be determined by the position of the plumbing.
1. Against the wall – this allows for the floor to slope gently towards the wall and actually slightly increases the flow capacity as a small head of water can be created. (Not recommended where liquid membranes are used.)
2. At the threshold – as the floor will slope towards the threshold a smaller slope is necessary.
3. In the center – often used if existing plumbing cannot be moved. Floor each side slopes towards the drain.
4. A fourth option is where multiple units are used either as the shower is a walk through design with one unit at the entrance and exit or if a higher capacity is needed whereby units are positioned against each side wall.
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Standard household cleaners or soap is all that is required. A soft cloth can be used to dry and buff the surface.
Electro-polished versions only - Scratches in the grate may have their appearance lessened by gently rubbing in the direction of the grate texture(along the length) with a slightly abrasive synthetic scourer – NEVER use iron/steel wool as this will damage the grate finish.
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Both the channel body and grate are made from Grade 304 austentic stainless steel.
Unlike all other stainless steels, austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic and therefore do not attract magnetic particles which can encourage bacterial growth and corrosion.
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Electropolishing produces a uniform, high luster with an extremely smooth finish – ideal for aesthetic applications.
It is achieved by an electro-chemical process that is essentially the reverse of electroplating.
Components are immersed in a bath of electrolyte containing phosphoric acid where the component becomes the anode of a direct current electrical circuit. The process is characterized by ‘selective attack’ whereby upstanding surface roughnesses are dissolved and yield a progressively smooth, brighter surface.
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The Oil Rubbed Bronze finish is a chemical process that darkens the surface to simulate an aged bronze color. There is a wide variety of color differences between different suppliers of bathroom fixtures with this finish and not all oil rubbed bronze finishes match. To ensure that the finish is right for you, ACO offer material color samples which should be ordered in advance.
Quartz by ACO components with this finish have a plain grade 304 stainless steel base with the oil-rubbed bronze finish applied overtop to ANSI/BHMA A156.18-2006 722 Dark oxidized bronze oil rubbed.
Common finish codes for oil rubbed bronze are 10B, US10B, 613 and OB.
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ACO offer 2 body types:
The plain body is intended for use with wooden floor constructions where a flexible CPE membrane is to be used – the 2” outlet then connects into our flanged coupler that clamps the membrane in place and allows any seepage to drain away correctly. The plumbing pipe can then be solvent welded to the tail of the coupler.
The flanged body is intended for concrete slab floors where a painted or liquid membrane is used – the flange allows the membrane to be painted onto the channel body and the ‘weep drain’allows any moisture collected on the membrane to drain into the outlet pipe.
For further information and drawings click here.
The lights are rechargeable low voltage batteries that attach to the underside of the grate (except Tile). When the shower water starts to run the water completes the electrical circuit turning the lights on; when the shower water stops running the circuit is broken and the lights turn off. Each full charge should last approximately 3 months based on 15 minutes of operation per day.