Is it better to install a floor drain on the balcony or not? Under what circumstances should a floor drain be installed on the balcony?

We all know that floor drains are an important part of decoration. Almost all people will install floor drains in their homes, especially in places where water is used, such as kitchens, bathrooms, etc., to avoid flooding. So should we install floor drains on the balcony? Let's take a closer look!

Should I install a floor drain on the balcony?

Whether or not to install a floor drain on the balcony depends on the functional area of ​​the balcony.

Living balcony

If there are two balconies in the house, one of them is planned as a laundry balcony, and the other can be used as a living balcony. The living balcony is normally connected to the living room or bedroom, and windows are made to seal the balcony to prevent wind and rain from invading. Such a balcony is used as an indoor space and can be built into a rest reading area, tea making area, etc. There is no need to leave a floor drain on such a balcony. If there is no sealed window and it is used as a leisure area for growing flowers and small landscapes, then a floor drain should be made so that the water leaking from watering the flowers and the rainwater drifting in during rainy days have a place to drain.

Laundry balcony

The laundry balcony must have a floor drain so that the water dripping from hanging clothes, the rainwater that drifts in, and the water from washing the balcony floor can be drained away.

Summary: When the balcony is enclosed and used as an indoor space, a floor drain is not necessary. However, if it is used for washing and drying clothes or growing flowers and plants, a floor drain is a must.

Which balcony needs to be equipped with a floor drain

Regardless of whether the balcony is designed with running water during decoration, a floor drain needs to be installed as long as the balcony is likely to come into contact with water. Even if the balcony is not designed with a water source and is used as a leisure balcony, a floor drain needs to be installed as long as the balcony floor is paved with tiles.

If the balcony is open, then a floor drain is necessary to prevent rainwater from flowing into the room or to drain water when cleaning the balcony; at the same time, if you grow flowers and grass, place a washing machine, or hang clothes on the balcony, then a floor drain must be installed, because whether it is planting flowers or washing clothes, water will be used, so drainage is definitely necessary.

What kind of balcony does not need a floor drain

If the balcony is enclosed and expanded to indoor space for use as a study, tatami or other functional areas, then you can consider not installing a floor drain in this case, because the balcony is no longer used as a balcony, but as other functional areas that do not involve water. Installing a floor drain at this time is unnecessary and will affect the overall appearance.

Things to note when installing floor drain on balcony

If there is a laundry sink or a washing machine or a mop pool on the balcony, then you should pay attention to the backflow problem when installing the floor drain on the balcony. You should not allow water to flow back out of the floor drain when using the washing machine or laundry sink. It is recommended to make a U-shape when constructing the sewer pipe, which can effectively prevent water from flowing back through the floor drain.

Normally, the balcony floor is sunken and usually lower than the floor of other locations in the room, but sometimes the height difference is very small. It is difficult to control the slope of the sewer pipe during construction, so you must pay attention to this.

If the balcony floor drain is installed in the original floor drain position, then a variety of models can be used. If the floor drain is installed in a changed position later, usually only a shallow base floor drain can be used. When purchasing the floor drain, be sure to ask the master clearly to avoid buying the wrong one and affecting the construction.