Outdoor showers are becoming more and more popular these days. They’re not only a luxurious addition to your home, but can be very practical too. Especially in the warmer summer months.

If you have a pool, spend a lot of time gardening or live close to the beach; an outdoor shower allows you to clean up before entering your home.  Just a quick rinse to get sand, dirt, chlorine off or even wash the dog will help prevent tracking dirt or carrying unpleasant smells with you inside the house.

Once you’ve made the decision to install an outdoor shower, carefully consider its location for an optimal experience. The wrong location can quickly make you regret the decision. Keep the shower away from shaded areas and make sure it gets direct sunlight. Not only will the sun enhance your shower experience but it will also help prevent scum from forming by keeping the walls and floor drier.

With regards to the plumbing side of things; outdoor showers can be plumbed with either a garden hose or with fixed pipes.

 To help you get started; here are three plumbing options to consider when it comes to outdoor showers:

Cold-Water Hose Plumbing: 

A quick and easy set up setup involves running a simple garden hose between a outdoor garden tap and a shower fixture but this will mean you will only get cold showers. This may be a good option if you’re using the shower only in the hot summer months or to rinse off your pet dog or sandy feet.

Hot and Cold Hose Plumbing: 

You can tap into your home’s hot water supply for an outdoor shower. The easiest way is to have a qualified plumber install a hot-water tap next to your existing garden tap. Then you can attach two hoses easily and quickly to the outdoor fixture. For more durability, consider stainless steel washing-machine hoses. Installation is pretty simple with this option and it’s less costly than permanent water lines. 

Fixed Plumbing Pipes: 

Hooking up to the permanent water lines in your home is another option. Pipes can be run a short distance up the side of the house and attached to a shower fixture that’s mounted on to a solid fixture of your house. Plumbing also can be installed to supply water to a shower positioned away from the house via pipes that exit the house and are buried underground. 

Required Draining

Outdoor showers don’t generally need complex drainage systems, especially if the shower is installed a distance from the house, or if the pitch of the land directs water away from the structure. 

Whatever your situation, we recommend consulting with a professional plumber about your outdoor shower drainage.

Here at OTJ we are able to help you with all your outdoor shower and drainage needs.