Our answers to questions you might have asked.

Question:
Where does the name ebbe come from?

Answer:
The name ebbe comes from the word “ebb” as used in the terms “ebb and flow” and “ebb tide”. It means receding water. It is pronounced the same “ebb” with a long “e” sound at the end.

Question:
What are Ebbe Square Drains?

Answer:
Ebbe Square Drains are not complete shower drains. They are what you might call a drain upgrade.  An ebbe E4400 Drain body (below right) replaces the upper round threaded inlet portion (below left) of a common three part shower drain. 

Question:
What features of Ebbe Square Drains make them the best choice for ceramic tiled showers?

Question:
Why don’t plumbers install Ebbe Square Drains when tiled showers are specified in new homes?

“Ebbe Square Drains” is a new product line and is just now being introduced for the first time (fall/winter of 2006). They are presently marketed to the tile industry and have been welcomed immediately by tile contractors, homeowners, designers and who have seen them for the first time. An enormous task of educating the majority of General Contractors, Architects, Designers, and Tile Contractors about the benefits of using our drains is still ahead of us. Some old habits will need to change. We would like to see the day when Ebbe Square Drains are always considered when tiled showers are planned. Much of this education will be done by word of mouth from tile contractors, dealers, and distributors who have worked with and appreciate our product. Soon word will spread and a growing demand for Ebbe Square Drains will be created.

Question:
I have seen other square drains in plumbing catalogs for several years. I have never seen them used on a residential jobsite. Why?

Answer:
Other square drains have been out there for years but are seldom specified for residential use. Plumbing distributors don’t stock them. They regard them as special order items. For one reason or another they have definitely not become commonly accepted by plumbers or made readily available by plumbing distributors. I suggest that their lack of acceptance in housing is due to a few shortcomings in design, price, limited finishes, quality, size, and marketing approach. The main reason however, is the fact that plumbing contractors have been making the decision about what drains to install in residential tiled showers for decades. They have had an interest in keeping their job simple and choices limited. Until now they have not shown an interest in installing drains specially suited for tiled showers. Most would rather stock and install one drain type that “will work” for every situation whether the final finish is to be tile, cultured marble, or another material. This means that the drains they install are the standard round variety. The only finish available is stainless. For the plumber, providing custom drains to compliment tiled showers could require a special visit to the jobsite for just that purpose. You must realize that plumbers plan to make only three visits to a residential jobsite. The first two visits are made early in the building process. First to do the below grade rough-in. During the second visit after which comes soon after framing, water lines and drains are installed. A final visit is made near the very end of construction to install sinks and faucets etc. At this stage all tile work, and counter tops are completed.

Question:
Do you believe that Ebbe Square Drains will succeed where others have not, delivering a better drain product for tiled showers?

Answer:
Yes! We feel that there are three keys that a specialty drain for tiled showers must have to achieve wide market acceptance.

First, it must be properly designed to suit the needs of its primary markets, the home owner and the tile contractor. Square drains are the only shape that makes logical sense for tile. Tile contractors want them! They also must be drains that a tile contractor can install without crossing over the line that leads to assuming any liability for plumbing. I have to qualify that statement somewhat. In most areas of the country the tile contractor assumes responsibility for constructing adequate waterproofing, drainage and weep control within a tiled shower. His job, as it relates to shower construction has everything to do with water control and nothing to do with plumbing. These abilities fall within the accepted knowledge base and skill set of the tile contractor. Cutting and gluing pipe and fittings, building proper venting and drainage etc. is not! Tile contractors don’t do plumbing!

Second, drains must be made available with standardized interchangeable drain connections. This is because the upper and lower components of these types of drains need to be marketed separately. The lower portion that the plumber installs should be sold through distribution to plumbers. The drain head needs to be made available through a network of tile distributors and dealers to tile contractors rather than to plumbers.

Third, and finally the drain needs to be offered as a design decision to the home owner. Master bathrooms and kitchens are two areas of today’s homes where owners are eager to invest in upgrades. As witnessed by a growing selection of steam showers, body sprays, hand controls and multiple shower heads, showers are fast becoming the most upgraded and utilized area within a typical master bathroom. Sophisticated designer finishes are replacing chrome as the finish of choice and now comprise a majority of the market. The trend toward choices other than basic chrome is rapidly expanding. Shower drains must now be included in that offering.

A properly built tiled shower can easily last over 30 years. It doesn’t make sense to install a low quality floor drain here. A properly designed drain should be durable, attractive, upgradeable and maintainable. Ebbe Square Drains are!

Important!! Plumbers do not install this product!

If an Ebbe Square Drain is to be installed into your new tiled shower, it will have to be the tile contractor that installs it.

Question:
Ebbe square drains are designed to thread into the female threads of standard shower drain fittings. Do they fit all brands of drains or are there some exceptions?

Answer:
Yes, there are some exceptions. They don’t fit all drain fittings but they do match up with over 90% of the 3 piece shower drains sold today. All the major brands of ABS and PVC 3 piece shower drains on the market match up with ebbe square drains without the need foe an adapter. These include Jones Stevens (Plumbest), Pasco, Plastic Oddities, IPS Water-tite, and Sioux Chief. Adaptors are available for a few other non standard brands.

Two piece cast iron drains with round stamped strainers are the most common shower drain used in California. Our E204 H- Mop adapter used with the ebbe E4400 Body changes these drains into three piece ebbe Square Drains. See more information about this on the installation page.