The humble bathroom floor waste simplifies cleaning and prevents potential water damage during an overflow or leak. But additional piping adds to construction costs, and a bathroom floor waste isn’t always required by code. 

In this post, we’re covering when a floor waste is legally required, when it’s a nice-to-have, and when you could probably do without one. 

That way, you won’t waste your money on a waste you don’t need. 

What Is A Bathroom Floor Waste?

The bathroom floor waste is a drainage point that removes excess surface water. 

The waste makes day-to-day cleaning easier as you can hose down without worrying about mopping. It also acts as a crucial line of defence against water damage. Should a pipe fracture or someone forget to turn off a tap, a floor waste will prevent flooding in the bathroom and throughout the house. 

Do I Have To Install A Floor Waste In My Bathroom?

In Australia, bathroom floor waste requirements are governed under the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3500.2 2021). Whether you need one depends on the building class and the level of the dwelling.

In addition to these national requirements, State-level and Council-level rules may apply. Check with a licensed plumber or the relevant governing bodies before proceeding. 

When Is A Floor Waste Required By Law?

The NCC requires a floor waste in the bathrooms and laundries of Class 2, 3, or 4 buildings, located at any level above a sole-occupancy unit or public space. 

That means most apartments, hotel rooms, and multi-unit townhouses above the ground floor must install a bathroom waste. The rules are especially important when there is no built-in overflow for fixtures such as basins and bathtubs. 

When a bathroom floor waste is present, the floor must be built on a gradient sloping towards the drain, and the flooring must meet waterproofing standards. 

When Is A Floor Waste Not Required?

The NCC doesn’t require a bathroom floor waste outside the showering area in Class 1 buildings (freestanding homes), provided all fixtures have adequate overflow protection, and the flooring meets waterproofing standards. 

Bathrooms located on the ground floor of apartment blocks, hotels, and multi-unit townhouses (Classes 2, 3, and 4) may not require a bathroom floor waste if all fixtures have adequate overflow protection. 

When You Should Consider A Floor Waste Anyway

Even if you don’t legally require a floor waste, installing one mightn’t be such a bad idea. Many builders recommend them regardless of the rules. 

The floor waste speeds cleaning and provides an extra layer of protection against leaks and overflows, offering valuable peace of mind. 

Bathroom floor wastes also make sense when you’ve got young kids that splash around in the bath, or forgetful householders prone to leaving taps on. 

Furthermore, a floor waste is a smart idea, and sometimes mandatory, for bathrooms with a hobless (walk-in) or unenclosed shower. 

Types of Bathroom Floor Wastes

The bathroom floor waste comes in a range of shapes and styles, including tile inserts, square or circular grates, and rectangular linear or strip grates for walk-in showers. 

The leading brands providing bathroom floor wastes in Australia include Phoenix, Radiant Heating, Mier, and Fienza. All their bathroom floor wastes feature built-in odour control, with one-way silicone valves to block unwanted insects and sewer smells. 

Plumbers can select from a broad range of colours to match any bathroom design. Some of our most popular hues include brushed gold, champagne, matt black, urban brass, mirror polish, and tiger bronze. 

When comparing products, make sure the outlet size matches the diameter of the underfloor piping, which is most commonly 50mm, 80mm, or 100mm.

Find The Perfect Bathroom Floor Waste 

Boasting a wide selection of designs from leading brands, Bathroom Space is the go-to place to find the ideal bathroom floor waste. From circular grates to tile insets and rectangular strips, we sell the best bathroom floor wastes available in Australia at competitive prices. 

Shop bathroom floor wastes online or come and see us in our Underwood (Brisbane) showroom today.