Floor drains in Saunas

[mathew stouffer]

Are floor drains required in saunas?

[Markus Keller]

Ron H where are you?
Don't know if they are required or not. I would think so. Most I've seen have a floor drain. The few I've seen without had major problems and I recommended full demolition.

[mathew stouffer]

It would make sense but I can't find anything.

[Fred Comb]

Are floor drains required in saunas?

No
Some saunas are wet and some dry. Water in the trap of a floor drain in a dry sauna would evaporate and may allow sewer gas to rise up into the sauna.

[Scott Patterson]

Are floor drains required in saunas?

I do not think they are. I have never seen a sauna with a water supply in the sauna itself. The ones I have seen will have a bucket and you use a long handle ladle to pour the water on the hot rocks. I guess a drain would be a nice feature but I do not see it as being necessary.

[Markus Keller]

One of the things you might want to mention in the report ...
Request Seller provide information regarding wall and tile base construction and the presence of a water barrier under tile and behind cedar such as a Schluter barrier system.
No floor drain, no place for excess condensation to go besides deteriorate grout joints, typically equals installation failure.