Quck answer
Building an outdoor shower can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Choose a suitable location for your outdoor shower. Consider privacy, access to water and drainage.
2. Gather the necessary materials and tools, including pipes, fittings, a showerhead, and a base.
3. Install the base by digging a hole and filling it with gravel for drainage. Secure the base in place.
4. Connect the pipes and fittings to create the frame for your shower. Make sure they are secure and watertight.
5. Attach the showerhead and test for leaks. Adjust the water pressure if needed.
6. Add finishing touches such as a privacy screen, hooks for towels, and a non-slip surface.
7. Enjoy your new outdoor shower! It’s a great addition to any backyard or pool area.
Remember to follow local building codes and regulations, and always prioritize safety when working on any DIY project.
After a long day of engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or surfing, or simply lounging in the sun, there’s nothing quite as revitalizing as taking a refreshing shower outdoors. Building an outdoor shower may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually a relatively simple DIY project that can be completed in a weekend. As long as you don’t require extravagant features like tiling, you can easily set up and use your own outdoor shower.
Essentially, a basic outdoor shower consists of a showerhead, a water supply (such as a garden hose), and a sturdy base to stand on. If you live in an area where regulations regarding greywater runoff are not strict, you don’t even need to worry about drainage. In fact, you can reuse the water from your outdoor shower to irrigate your lawn or garden.
If you’re considering installing an outdoor shower for the purpose of cooling off and rinsing during the summer, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install one, along with some factors to consider before beginning the construction.
Selecting an Ideal Location for your Outdoor Shower
The location of your outdoor shower is key, and it depends on various factors, with privacy and proximity to the water supply being the most crucial. If you choose to connect your shower to a garden hose, you have the flexibility to place it almost anywhere in your yard. However, if the chosen spot is visible to your neighbors (and you prefer to maintain privacy), you can construct privacy screens as needed. Alternatively, you can opt for a location that is partially concealed by plants, fences, or other existing barriers to keep things simple. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the water faucet is within close proximity to avoid having to run a long hose across your yard.
It is advisable to choose a sunny spot for your outdoor shower, as the sun will aid in keeping the shower dry and make it more comfortable on colder days. Ideally, you should select a location that offers some natural shelter from the wind, such as a pre-existing alcove on the side of your house or near a large tree surrounded by bushes. The more natural shelter your chosen spot provides, the less effort you will need to invest in constructing an enclosure for your outdoor shower.
Helpful Tip
Keep in mind that if your shower is far from the water source, the water in the supply hose can become dangerously hot if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. This can result in scalding, even with cold-water showers. If you cannot route the hose through a shaded area, consider covering it with mulch or wood chips to keep it cool.
Incorporating Hot Water into your Outdoor Shower
While an icy cold shower may be invigorating on scorching summer days, most homeowners prefer the comfort of having both cold and hot water options for their outdoor shower. However, this does not necessarily mean you need to hire a professional plumber.
If your community allows soap-laden greywater to seep into the ground, you can easily build an outdoor shower with hot water. There are different options for getting hot water to the shower, such as a solar shower, a stand-alone propane-powered shower unit, or a gas or electric tankless water heater. These can even be supplied from an existing cold-water hose bib. However, if your community requires you to drain the shower into your waste system, it is best to consult a professional plumber.
To build an outdoor shower, you need to first plan the drainage. Check the local regulations regarding drainage and install a drain that connects to your home’s waste system if required. The shower base should have a drain strainer and be properly sloped to direct water into the drain. If your community doesn’t regulate greywater runoff, you can allow the water to seep into the garden after testing the soil percolation. If the water takes longer than five minutes to soak in, you can construct a French drain or a dry well.
The next step is to construct the shower base. If the shower is not located on well-draining ground or a deck, a stable and flat base is necessary for safety and comfort. The base should be at least 30 x 30 inches in dimensions, but it’s recommended to make it larger. Use concrete or another nonporous material if the shower has a drain, or choose cement pavers or wood/composite decking if the water needs to soak into the ground. Alternatively, you can purchase a freestanding shower with its own platform to skip this step.
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Paul Anderson for Hunker
Step 3: Construct the Shower Enclosure
If you plan to provide your outdoor shower with a barrier or privacy screen, now is the time to build it, particularly the back wall where you will mount the showerhead and valve. Use strong materials such as wood or rigid vinyl to construct the back wall, ensuring it can support the showerhead and any heating unit if you are installing a separate propane shower. If you are placing the outdoor shower in front of a fence or next to the house, you can mount the valve and showerhead on the siding or an existing fence post or slat.
The design of the enclosure is an opportunity to showcase your creative home improvement skills. It can be a wooden stall with a waterproof sealer on the inside to prevent mildew, an elaborate stall with siding on the outside and tile on the inside, or a simple barrier made from bamboo. Adding a door or shower curtain is optional, but recommended if you desire full privacy and protection from cold air.
Step 4: Install the Showerhead and Valve
If you are using a freestanding shower, this step is straightforward as you only need to place it on the ground in your desired location. However, if you do not plan to move it, it is recommended to stabilize it. Drive a 6-foot metal stake or length of rebar at least 2 feet into the ground using a mini sledgehammer, and secure the shower riser (the long pipe that connects to the showerhead) to it with cable ties.
If you are using a propane shower with a handheld showerhead, mount it at a height that allows you to stand under the showerhead when it is not being used as a handheld. Don’t forget to make arrangements for the propane tank.
When installing an outdoor shower valve and showerhead, use copper pipe clamps to secure them to the back wall. If you want to hide the riser, mount it on the opposite side of the wall and drill holes for the valve and shower arm.
Step 5: Connect the Water Supply
For a freestanding shower, connecting the water supply is as simple as attaching a garden hose to the shower and the other end to a hose bib. Turn on the water at the faucet and leave it on, allowing you to control the water flow from the shower. If you are using a solar shower, the heating reservoir needs to fill and be exposed to full sun for several hours to heat the water adequately for showering.
If you are installing a tankless water heater nearby to supply the shower, the water connection becomes a bit more complex but not impossible. First, connect the water heater outlets to the shower valve inlets using PEX tubing. Attach appropriate PEX connectors, such as 1/2-inch female pipe thread adapters or 1/2-inch female sweat adapters, to the outlets and inlets. Cut the PEX tubing to the required length using a tubing cutter, slide the ends onto the barbed connectors, and secure them with clamps using a crimping tool. The inlet on a tankless water heater is typically a male or female pipe thread, and you can connect a garden hose to it using a hose-thread-to-pipe-thread adapter.
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Pottery Barn
Preparing Your Outdoor Shower for Winter
Once the summer season comes to an end and the weather starts getting colder, it’s essential to properly winterize your outdoor shower to avoid any damage to the supply hoses, water heater, and shower fixtures.
Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply and Disconnect
If you have a freestanding shower connected to a garden hose, the simplest way to winterize it is by disconnecting the hose and storing both the hose and shower for the winter. However, if your shower is installed on a wall and connected to a water heater, you’ll need to drain the supply lines from the heater to the shower faucet, turn off the water supply hose bib, disconnect the hose, and leave the shower valves open.
It’s also important to remove the showerhead and valve cartridge from the faucet to prevent any residual moisture from freezing and damaging the casing.
Step 2: Dry and Protect the Outdoor Shower
To protect your outdoor shower from snow and ice, ensure that you thoroughly dry the inside of the shower enclosure. Then, close and latch the door or cover the opening with a tarp, making sure to secure it tightly to prevent it from blowing away. If you don’t have a shower stall, it’s still a good idea to cover the shower pipes.
Step 3: Store Properly and Prepare for Next Year
Store the showerhead and valve cartridge in a safe place for the winter. When you bring the shower back into use in the spring, reconnect the supply hose and run water through the water heater and shower to flush out any debris that may have accumulated during the winter. Finally, reinstall the cartridge and showerhead.
