Guide to Building an Outdoor Shower

admin June 2, 2021 0 Comments

Outdoor Showers

An outdoor shower is a perfect combination for your yard. It can serve a variety of functions especially during hot days when you have an activity such as gardening, cleaning, exercising, etc. It allows you to have easy access to your shower room without needing to go inside your house when you’re all dirty from the outside.

An Outdoor shower provides a quick transition from your strenuous activity in the garden into a relaxing and fresh mood.

Another advantage of outdoor showers is that it helps clean your home by keeping dirt, grass, and other elements away. Due to this, many are now installing ones in their yards. Though it can be a fun activity to make especially during the summer, it still requires you to have basic plumbing and construction skills.

So, if you’re wondering where to start, then this guide will help you to build an outdoor shower. 

 

Secure a Permit

Before starting your project, make sure that you have secured a permit in your local municipality. This is because you’ll have to deal with plumbing and most municipality codes will require you to have one as they are the ones that manage it. 

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Also, some local municipalities regulate your shower drainage. In some communities, they allow it to be drained through wooden deck boards into a gravel drain bed. Meanwhile, for areas that do not allow or approve for it to drain to the ground or storm drainage systems, homeowners must then connect it to their home’s waste system by using a sloped shower pan with built-up lips so that it will flow properly. 

 

Safety

Make sure to turn off circuit breakers at your electrical service panel to prevent any accidents and electrocution when you’re working on this project. Wear proper safety equipment such as eye goggles and gloves.

 

When to Build it

Though it is up to you when you want to start building your outdoor shower, it is recommended for you to start it in warmer months. Also, Building this project does involve an extensive amount of outdoor time so be patient when working on it.

 

Materials and Tools

  • Stud finder
  • Posthole digger
  • Shovel
  • Bubble level
  • Electric miter saw or circular saw
  • Speed Square
  • Circular saw
  • Cordless drill, drill bits, and driver bits
  • Six-foot step ladder
  • Tape measure
  • Manual jab saw
  • Showerhead assembly
  • Silicone-based caulk
  • 18 western red cedar fence boards, 5/8-inch by 5 1/2-inch by 6-foot
  • Boxes of 1-inch and 2-inch construction screws
  • 4 double shear face mount joist hangers, 2-inch by 4-inch
  • 2 push-fit 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch plumbing tees
  • 2 pieces of 1/2-inch PEX pipe, each 8 feet long
  • 10 bags of 0.8 cubic foot 7/8-inch drainage rock
  • 4 four-by-fours, each 8 feet long
  • 8 bags of quick-set concrete
  • 8 pressure-treated two-by-fours, each 8 feet long
  • Single handle shower faucet

 

Steps and Instructions

Before anything else, decide on which part of your yard you’d like to place your outdoor shower. Using cold showers is okay but hot showers offer much more relaxation especially during the cold season. For those who opt for hot showers, it’s convenient to build it on the side of the house so that you’ll have easy access to the hot water pipes.

  1. Locate the water supply lines that are close to the area that you wish to build your outdoor shower. Remove the drywall that covers the water lines and make sure to turn the water valve first before doing it. However, if the lines are already exposed, it is not necessary to remove the drywall. 
  2. Expose the water lines by cutting out a section of drywall by using a manual jab saw to expose a sufficient area of the pipe.
  3. Next, while the water supply is still closed, cut into the water lines by fitting a push-fit 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch into each line. 
  4. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, assemble the shower handle and then insert PEX pipe up to the shower handle. Connect both the shower handle and faucet.
  5. Next, set up a wall to create privacy in your shower area. 
  6. Create the drainage area by digging an area at the center of the four-post. Once done,  start building your shower floor. 
  7. Lastly, install the Stringers on your privacy wall and finish it by placing boards.