I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

That's an interesting question.
I had a sewer stack freeze years ago, and when the toilet overflowed,
it caused $8,000 in damage to the kitchen below!

wrote:
Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

That's an interesting question.
I had a sewer stack freeze years ago, and when the toilet overflowed,
it caused $8,000 in damage to the kitchen below!
And laundry rooms.
My mother's toilet at her house stuck, the sewer line was partially
clogged outside. The floor wound up flooded and I don't know what it
cost the insurance company. I drilled a bunch of small holes in the
top of the cleanout cap so if it happens again it the water will flow
out onto the ground instead of on the floor. I did this years ago on
my rent houses. Much better to have the waste outside on the ground
than on the floor. Broken water lines, clogged pipes, overflows are a
matter of when not if.

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

Quote: nobody wrote on Sat, 21 June 2008 14:49
----------------------------------------------------
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce
----------------------------------------------------

It's probably a risk management issue. You could of course add the extra plumbing for such a drain but that is added cost and would only get used in the emergency situation. Plus it is not so aesthetically pleasing to have a drain in the middle of your bathroom in many cases. So folks live with the risk and hope for the best! I have seen more drains and catch pans used in laundry rooms and for hot water heaters.


--
Richard Thoms
President - Top Service Pros, Inc.
Connecting Homeowners and Local Service Professionals
http://www.TopServicePros.com

On 06/21/08 04:35 pm topservicepros wrote:

Quote: nobody wrote on Sat, 21 June 2008 14:49
----------------------------------------------------
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?


It's probably a risk management issue. You could of course add the
extra plumbing for such a drain but that is added cost and would only
get used in the emergency situation. Plus it is not so aesthetically
pleasing to have a drain in the middle of your bathroom in many cases.
So folks live with the risk and hope for the best! I have seen more
drains and catch pans used in laundry rooms and for hot water heaters.

The one in Australia wasn't in the middle of the floor. It was in the
corner closest to the bath and shower and farthest from the door. The
floor had a slight slope toward that point.

Perce

On 06/21/08 04:23 pm RBM wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

I think the authors of the two preceding responses (and perhaps their
insurance companies too) would disagree with you.

Perce

On Jun 21, 4:10 pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
On 06/21/08 04:23 pm RBM wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?
Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

I think the authors of the two preceding responses (and perhaps their
insurance companies too) would disagree with you.

Perce

I'll agree with him, we do have higher standards.
lou

On Jun 21, 5:08*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
On 06/21/08 04:35 pm topservicepros wrote:





Quote: nobody wrote on Sat, 21 June 2008 14:49
----------------------------------------------------
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?
It's probably a risk management issue. *You could of course add the
extra plumbing for such a drain but that is added cost and would only
get used in the emergency situation. *Plus it is not so aesthetically
pleasing to have a drain in the middle of your bathroom in many cases. *
So folks live with the risk and hope for the best! *I have seen more
drains and catch pans used in laundry rooms and for hot water heaters.

The one in Australia wasn't in the middle of the floor. It was in the
corner closest to the bath and shower and farthest from the door. The
floor had a slight slope toward that point.

Perce- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I'd say it's not done because it's an added cost and IMO, it's not
very practical or aesthetic. You wind up with a drain, which isn't
attractive somewhere. And unless it's in the middle of the floor, it
may have to be a good distance away from all the possible overflows,
eg sinks, tub, shower.... To get the geometry right so that the
floor will slope to some obscure corner drain ain't trivial. Plus,
you'd have to make sure the floor is watertight along the way, or some
water is still going to go where it shouldn't.

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

I don't know but I think we *should* have them. If it were up to me I'd
have floor drains in each room and suspend all furniture from chains so the
whole place could be hosed down.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"Abe" wrote in message
...
I don't know but I think we *should* have them. If it were up to me I'd
have floor drains in each room and suspend all furniture from chains so
the
whole place could be hosed down.
Reminds me of an episode of Home Improvement.

You're right. Tim Taylor though of these things.

some handicap bathrooms have no step into shower, shower drain is
lowest spot in bathroom. takes care of both issues

being 51 years old, i want one of those, in case i live long enough to
need it.

"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage of
the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the wall
above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent drafts
but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Not from what I've seen in "men's rooms"

"Bob F" wrote in message
...

"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through
the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to
prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Not from what I've seen in "men's rooms"


Oh yeah. And I just got back from the vacation of stinky restrooms of the
USA. Good to be back home.

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:23:23 GMT, "ythread" wrote:


"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?


"No one ever peeing on the floor" is an ideal. Like all other ideals,
it can be approached but never attained. In other words, the accident
rate can be lowered but it will never be zero.

Anyway, an overflowing toilet or leaky shower valve is likely to
supply much more liquid to the floor.

Also, with a drain, it'll wash away most of the pee.

On 06/21/08 08:16 pm Claude Hopper (11) 5. ? wrote:

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Because the traps would dry up and stink would come into the room or
rodents could crawl up them.

You didn't read my description of the Australian one, did you? No trap;
it didn't need one, because it wasn't connected to the sewer. No way for
things to crawl up it, because of the metal flap on the outer end.

Perce

"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through
the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to
prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both
countries, bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious
flooding in the case of overflows. ..

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

When I was in OZ last year, I was surprised to see these
drains in the floor. But none of the showers had doors,
just pull around curtains. Did not see a bathtub in any
house or motel.

My bathtubs and my sinks have overflow valves and there's
a plunger next to every toilet.

Also in the States, most county/city plumbing codes does
not allow waste water to be dumped on to the ground.

Dick

On Sat 21 Jun 2008 07:12:45p, Dave told us...


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows.
The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of
blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through
the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to
prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.




Where is your toilet located? In the kitchen? I assume you reserve the
bathroom for bathing.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Saturday, 06(VI)/21(XXI)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
URA Redneck if your bother-in-law is
also your uncle.
-------------------------------------------

"Dave" wrote in message
...

"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through
the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to
prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.

Good for u!!

wrote in message
...


Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

That's an interesting question.
I had a sewer stack freeze years ago, and when the toilet overflowed,
it caused $8,000 in damage to the kitchen below!

But if the sewer stack froze, would not have the drain on the floor be
blocked too?

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message

Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary


Now that is a laugh!


We have better toilets than most of Europe. We also don't have to squat
over a hole in the floor in public restrooms as I've seen in other parts of
the world. I've been to places that gave you a ration of toilet tissue when
you went in too and that is all you were expected to use.

Lou wrote:
On Jun 21, 4:10 pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
On 06/21/08 04:23 pm RBM wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.
Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?
Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary
I think the authors of the two preceding responses (and perhaps their
insurance companies too) would disagree with you.

Perce

I'll agree with him, we do have higher standards.
lou
Hi,
Ditto!

Dick Adams wrote:
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both
countries, bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious
flooding in the case of overflows. ..

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

When I was in OZ last year, I was surprised to see these
drains in the floor. But none of the showers had doors,
just pull around curtains. Did not see a bathtub in any
house or motel.

My bathtubs and my sinks have overflow valves and there's
a plunger next to every toilet.

Also in the States, most county/city plumbing codes does
not allow waste water to be dumped on to the ground.

Dick
Hi,
Sink has over flow? Not any more here. Specially in the hospitals.
They don't wnat dirty water coming back up.

"Dave" wrote in
:


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain
went straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower
story and had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water
to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.



Now you have my curiosity up. What room are your toilets in?

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Have traveled to lot of different European countries and also Africa. Floor
drains seem to be everywhere. Also note (as mentioned below) that many
countries have not yet discovered the "shower curtain". So you spray water
all over the floor and ergo the drain becomes handy/necessary. On my next
remodel I will be installing a ceramic tile floor with construction similar
to a built-up shower pan. Yes, it will have a drain. I love the idea of
just coming in with a mop, wiping the floor and hosing it clean.

Ivan Vegvary

dadiOH wrote:

... If it were up to me I'd have floor drains in each room and suspend
all furniture from chains so the whole place could be hosed down.

I stayed in a Venice hotel room a bit like that, with a ceramic floor and
a shower head sticking out of the wall high up in one corner of the room.
No tub or curtain, with a drain that went right out into the canal.

Nick

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Dave" wrote in
:


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain
went straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower
story and had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water
to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.



Now you have my curiosity up. What room are your toilets in?
Bathroom for washing, Toilet for the waste. Where else would you go?

"Dave" wrote in message
...

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Dave" wrote in
:


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain
went straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower
story and had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water
to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.



Now you have my curiosity up. What room are your toilets in?
Bathroom for washing, Toilet for the waste. Where else would you go?

p.s. Most oz houses have a separate room colloquially known as a dunny or wc
(water closet)

"Dick Adams" wrote
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both
countries, bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious
flooding in the case of overflows. ..

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Also in the States, most county/city plumbing codes does
not allow waste water to be dumped on to the ground.

Dick, you nailed it. USA safety codes do not allow 'grey water' dumping.
It has to go to a septic or sewer. So his actual design (flowing to the
ground outside) isnt legal here.

We do sometimes have floor drains, most often in public restrooms or gyms,
but they lead to the sewer lines.

Laws in OZ are not the same. They allow for grey water diferences. Such as
recycling the shower water to the toilet for flushing. It's based on their
lower fresh water amounts than we generally have so adaptions have been
made.

Now in Japan, you will have 2 rooms vice 1 like in the USA. One has a
toilet and may have a sink (often over the back of the toilet tank and
frequently with those no hot water tap). This drains right into the water
holding tank for flushing the toilet. This is called 'the toilet room'.

The other room is the bathing room or 'bathroom', often has laundry setups
in there separated by a glass door from the actual bathing portion. Will
have a sink, a tub (deeper than USA ones usually) and a hand held showering
device with a long cable.

You wash outside the tub enclosure first then hang the handle up and step in
the tub (after washing off and rinsing down into the floor drain). The
handheld showerhead may have a wall fixture with several heights (some of
which are child shower and some adult) but it will not be over the tub most
likely. Reason is, you wash before you get in there, not while in there'.
The fancy traps that catch hair etc, are in the floor drain and not in the
tub drain.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

Now that is a laugh!


We have better toilets than most of Europe. We also don't have to squat
over a hole in the floor in public restrooms as I've seen in other parts of
the world. I've been to places that gave you a ration of toilet tissue when
you went in too and that is all you were expected to use.



Hi,
Your ignorance! Sqatting is anatomically better form for bowl movement.
Ever saw an animal sitting down to phoo?
Consuming anything less is better for our planet.

on 6/21/2008 7:15 PM k said the following:
"Abe" wrote in message
...

I don't know but I think we *should* have them. If it were up to me I'd
have floor drains in each room and suspend all furniture from chains so
the
whole place could be hosed down.

Reminds me of an episode of Home Improvement.


You're right. Tim Taylor though of these things.

Urh,Urh,Urh,Urh.
With a Binford 132 HP pump.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Ivan Vegvary wrote:
"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries, bathroom
floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of overflows. The
bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the problem of blockage
of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went straight out through the
wall above the ceiling of the lower story and had an angled flap to prevent
drafts but allowed the water to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Have traveled to lot of different European countries and also Africa. Floor
drains seem to be everywhere. Also note (as mentioned below) that many
countries have not yet discovered the "shower curtain". So you spray water
all over the floor and ergo the drain becomes handy/necessary. On my next
remodel I will be installing a ceramic tile floor with construction similar
to a built-up shower pan. Yes, it will have a drain. I love the idea of
just coming in with a mop, wiping the floor and hosing it clean.

Ivan Vegvary


Yup,
During global hopping days, been to more than 100 different places on
all continents. All in all, we N. Americans live a life style of
excessive waste on every thing. It is not good. Time to start change.
The sooner the better.

I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.
Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

From a practical standpoint, it adds a lot of cost and complexity to the
construction of the bathroom.

We built a "european style" curbless shower in our master bathroom. I had
to plan for this during the framing stage so I could frame the shower floor
lower than the rest of the house floor. This also entailed adding
additional footings to support the transition in the floor structure.

Then we had to install the shower drain, and build a slope with mortar into
the floor so water would run towards the drain. After that came the
waterproofing membrane and tile.

We LOVE our large open bathroom. No shower doors or curtains, plenty of
room to move around, it's easy to clean and mop the entire floor down
without worring about leaks, and far fewer problems with mold and mildew
with the better air flow.

However, it's a lot more work to build than slapping down a sheet of
plywood, and sliding in a ready made tub/shower unit.

Anthony

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
news:66t7k.20826$kx.20063@pd7urf3no...
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

Now that is a laugh!


We have better toilets than most of Europe. We also don't have to squat
over a hole in the floor in public restrooms as I've seen in other parts
of the world. I've been to places that gave you a ration of toilet
tissue when you went in too and that is all you were expected to use.

Hi,
Your ignorance! Sqatting is anatomically better form for bowl movement.
Ever saw an animal sitting down to phoo?
Consuming anything less is better for our planet.

Somehow I think it's going to take more than using less tp to solve our
problems. Abundant tp should be a God given right.

HerHusband wrote:
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain went
straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower story and
had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water to escape.
Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

From a practical standpoint, it adds a lot of cost and complexity to the
construction of the bathroom.

We built a "european style" curbless shower in our master bathroom. I had
to plan for this during the framing stage so I could frame the shower floor
lower than the rest of the house floor. This also entailed adding
additional footings to support the transition in the floor structure.

Then we had to install the shower drain, and build a slope with mortar into
the floor so water would run towards the drain. After that came the
waterproofing membrane and tile.

We LOVE our large open bathroom. No shower doors or curtains, plenty of
room to move around, it's easy to clean and mop the entire floor down
without worring about leaks, and far fewer problems with mold and mildew
with the better air flow.

However, it's a lot more work to build than slapping down a sheet of
plywood, and sliding in a ready made tub/shower unit.

Anthony
Thats a common thing you see in Japanese bathrooms with relatively new
construction. They actually use a one piece unit that is fabricated
offsite. The first time I saw one I thought that is the way a bathroom
should be built because it is so practical and easy to maintain.

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message

Hi,
Your ignorance! Sqatting is anatomically better form for bowl movement.
Ever saw an animal sitting down to phoo?
Consuming anything less is better for our planet.

I find it difficult to squat over a hole in the floor and read the
newspaper, thank you.

As for consuming less, that is good, but I want to consume enough paper to
properly clean up after a bowl movement.

Since you are enlightened, do you have a toilet or do you just use the drain
pipe?

Tony Hwang wrote:
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
Americans do plumbing to a much higher standard, making such things
unnecessary

Now that is a laugh!


We have better toilets than most of Europe. We also don't have to
squat over a hole in the floor in public restrooms as I've seen in
other parts of the world. I've been to places that gave you a ration
of toilet tissue when you went in too and that is all you were
expected to use.


Hi,
Your ignorance! Sqatting is anatomically better form for bowl movement.
Ever saw an animal sitting down to phoo?
Consuming anything less is better for our planet.

Not all of us have the correct center of gravity, not to mention the
ankles and knees, to successfully squat. It is a learned skill, in any
case, unless you kept doing it from toddler age when squatting like a
monkey was a natural posture. Personally, I can squat for about 10
seconds, then my ankles and knees insist rather forcefully on a change
in posture. Very seldom would that be enough time to take care of
business. In the modern world, waiting until you HAVE to go is seldom
an option- you go when you have time and/or available facilities. (One
of Lydon Johnson's few memorable quotes- 'Never pass up a chance to go
to the bathroom')

If you actually care about this, I can recommend a text- 'The
Bathroom', by Alexander Kira.

--
aem sends...

On Sat 21 Jun 2008 11:29:15p, Dave told us...


"Dave" wrote in message
...

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Dave" wrote in
:


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
I have lived both in Australia and in Taiwan. In both countries,
bathroom floors had drains to avoid serious flooding in the case of
overflows. The bathroom floor drain in Australia even dealt with the
problem of blockage of the regular drains/sewers: the floor drain
went straight out through the wall above the ceiling of the lower
story and had an angled flap to prevent drafts but allowed the water
to escape.

Why have I never encountered such in US bathrooms?

Perce

Because we don't pee on the floor?

Here in Aus we tend to Pee in the toilet not in the bathroom.



Now you have my curiosity up. What room are your toilets in?
Bathroom for washing, Toilet for the waste. Where else would you go?

p.s. Most oz houses have a separate room colloquially known as a dunny
or wc (water closet)

Isn't there at least a wash basin in there too, to use after you've used
the toilet?



--
Wayne Boatwright
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Sunday, 06(VI)/22(XXII)/08(MMVIII)
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All the world's a stage and we're not
even making scale.
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