The majority of stainless steel grates/drains come from China, where the minimum quality to be used in wet areas is 316 (according to Australian standards), there’s a huge amount of 304 stainless drains and linear grates getting around which can start to rust within as early as a month.

Stainless steel has iron in it and rust is an oxide of iron that is formed when iron reacts with oxygen gas in the presence of moisture or water. After a time of exposure to these conditions for some time, steel corrodes. So, if you have a stainless product that is constantly in the presence of water (especially near the coast) it will eventually rust.

Aluminium metal is a very active metal that oxidises very quickly. While this would be a weakness for most metals, this quality is actually the key to its ability to resist corrosion. When oxygen is present in the atmosphere or in the environment (in the air, soil, or water), aluminium reacts very quickly to form aluminium oxide. This aluminium oxide layer is chemically bound to the surface and it seals the core aluminium body from any further reaction.

So basically, the more that aluminium is oxidised the better (hence the anodising process we use).

The anodising process protects the aluminium from corroding as it adds three layers of protection to the product that is why Lauxes offer a lifetime rustproof guarantee.

Yes, it is Certified under the Australian Standard ATS Lauxes Grates products are certified under the WaterMark Scheme.

Lauxes Grates have received a number of enquiries relating to WaterMark Technical Specification “WMTS-040:2018 Waste pipe connection outlets and gratings, separate or integral” and the extent to which the specification will affect our products. This new specification released last year limits the materials that may be used to plastics and certain steel products, despite the availability of other safe and affordable materials such as aluminium. It is our opinion that this was a serious oversight in the 2018 review process.

Lauxes Grates and other parties have already initiated a review with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to have this specification amended. A draft specification, which permits use of certain cast iron, galvanised steel and of course aluminium has been released by the ABCB and is in the process of receiving feedback and comment. It is fully expected that the specification will be amended, however there is a process which the ABCB must follow before the change can be effected.

Lauxes Grates products remain certified under WMTS-40:2016 pending rectification of the specification. Lauxes Grates’ products are compliant with the 2016 specification. See Watermark Certification (validity 23 August 2019 – 22 August 2024).

Lauxes Grates remains committed to safe and affordable grating products and excellent client service.

The fall of the tiled area should fall towards the drain, the flow of the water will continue to push the water down the waste. As the water is turned off there’s a syphon like effect of the water pulling itself down the waste, leaving a maximum of 0.5mm of water in bottom of the tray, which is far less than what gets spilt on the floor when hopping out of shower.

No, the grate has a lifetime rustproof guarantee.

Yes, the grates can easily be but joined together and secured with clear silicone. Position the top grate over the joint for a more continuous look.

What is commonly misunderstood is how water drains through the plumbed drain. Water in your bathroom or wet area will slowly seep through grout and screed and will travel under the tiles, over the membrane and into the drain.

In saying this, most water will actually drain through the grate, approximately 95%. The remaining 5% will drain via the process mentioned above.

Simply put, if you are installing shower grate for one shower head you will only need a 40mm pop waste and for a double shower (two shower heads) you will need a 50mm pop waste or larger.

We recommend using a compound mitre saw fitted with a multi-material cutting blade 80 tooth or more. We also recommend using a bi-metal hole saw to drill the hole for the waste outlet.

We recommend using a high strength bonding silicone in a non-acetic or polyurethane.

We recommend using a piece of timber cut to the same size as the grate. This will help decrease the risk in concrete spillage on your grate. Some mixes are quite acidic and could potentially be damaging to your grate.