Having your own outdoor shower adds a great
amenity to your house. Think of it as your own private resort water
feature. Outdoor showers make a convenient place to rinse off after a
swim in the pool or a day of hard work in the yard.
If you are willing to do most of the work yourself, an outdoor shower
is quite affordable, and with a little planning, can usually be
completed in a weekend.If you are nervous about cutting pipes and plumbing work, hire a licensed plumber to run the water lines. He should be able to finish the task in about two hours. And, it may be worth it to jump-start your project.
Materials List:
- Copper pipe
- Copper elbows
- Tubing cutter
- Hacksaw
- Pipe hangers
- Mixing (or control) valve
- Shower arm with 45 bend
- Shower head
- Solder & flux
- Propane torch
- Emery cloth
- Wire brush
- Pliers or channel locks
- Pipe wrench
- Green board
- Stucco patch
- 1'x 4' boards
- Mortar pan
- Masonry screws
- Hammer
- Level
- Square
- Tape measure
- Circular saw
- Shovel
- Ready mix concrete
- Trowel and float
Quick Tips to Make Your Project go Smoothly:
- Take rough measurements for materials needed.
- Assemble your materials and fixtures.
- Choose shower fixtures that will survive outdoors.
- Decide on tile, accessories and landscape elements.
- Outline your plan of construction before starting.
1. Locate your water supply lines:
- To get started, find the closest source of hot and cold water.
2. Install the new water lines:
- Turn off the water to the supply lines you will be extending.
- With a tube cutter or hacksaw, cut the hot and cold water supply lines.
- Install "T" fittings and solder the joints.
- Measure and install the new water supply lines to the location of your outdoor shower.
- Plan your new shower location to fall between two wall studs. Installing these lines under the floor joists will give you the easiest path.
- Install pipe hangers every six (6) feet to prevent the pipes from vibrating.
3. Open up the exterior wall:
- Locate an area between two studs on the exterior wall and remove the exterior surface material where you have chosen to install the shower plumbing.
- A circular saw with a concrete cutting blade should cut through stucco, wood siding and nails.
- Once removed, clean up the debris.
4. Install the new shower fixtures:
- Measure and layout where the new pipes, mixing valve and shower arm will fit.
- The mixing valve should be positioned 48-degrees above the ground and the shower arm 72 to 78-degrees above the ground.
- Nail a 1'x 4' wood cross brace between the studs to secure the mixing valve and a second cross brace higher up for the shower arm.
- Cut and install the rest of the pipe and elbows, mount the valve and shower arm.
- Check for leaks. Now you are ready to close up the exterior wall.
5. Close up the exterior wall:
- Measure the green board and cut to fit the opening.
- Drill out holes for the mixing valve and shower arm.
- Tack nail and screw the green board (or cement board) to close up the wall.
- Check your local building codes for the nailing schedule. Most building codes will require the screws in the green board to be 1/2" from all edges and on 8" centers along the studs.
- If the exterior wall was stucco, apply the first coat of stucco (brown coat) to the green board.
- Leave enough depth for the second coat, which will be the finish coat, to be flush with the existing wall.
- When the second coat dries, paint the wall and install the finish shower fixtures. This is also the time to consider adding tile, stone or another decorative feature to the new shower wall. Glass tile makes a great addition to pool areas and adds a pleasing contemporary look.
6. Add a decorative pad:
- If your location is not on a cement deck or hard surface, you may want to pour a small concrete slab to stand on while showering. If that's needed, frame out the sides with 1'x4' boards, stake in place, and set the grade to move water away from the exterior wall.
- Pour concrete into the form and trowel until smooth.
- Let the concrete cure overnight then remove the wood forms.
- Think about doing something creative to the concrete. There are decorative stamps available for a cobblestone look and many other patterns. Tile would also be a good choice. If using tile, select one that has a matte or non-slip surface. Remember it will be wet when used.