I got rid of that power sucking and maintenance nightmare. Now the wife wants a outdoor shower. I would like to get some ideas from BTimers about installation. Here are some of the details, wishes and wants:
Shower will be located on existing PT deck approx 8.5′ in the air. There is a poured concrete walk way under the deck. I was thinking of a rustic type look for the shower with a tile or stone and copper pan. I would like to connect the waste line to a couple of 55 gal. drums to use waste water for watering plants yard etc. I am also thinking some type of solar heat for the water since the shower will only be used on occasions. Shower will be disconnected in the worst winter months.
Has anyone else completed a project similar to this??
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Replies
how about a garden hose and one of those green plastic things.
Yep,
That's what I wanted to put out back, but the wife... well you know!!
funnyjust loking at the new JLCMoen has a new hose bib that use both hot and cold and it the valve is like a shower mixer valve.frost free bib
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
I think the cheap way for a solar shower is one of those black bags made for such. Maybe you could use a big black trashcan, with a toilet float assembly to maintain the water level, and a spring valve and lanyard fromnthe bottom.
Forrest
My BIL has a couple of 50 gal rubber drums. He said they have two large pipe threaded spots that I hope I can adapt to the piping. I was thinking of painting one black and mounting over top of the shower. Do I need a float or can this be pressurized with the existing water?
I like the idea of the spring valve and laynard !!
I wouldn't try pressurizing the drums 50-90 psi over the area of the skin of the drum is a huge amount of force - likely to split pretty quick.
Forrest
I agree. You'll never get to 90 psi. They will break much lower than that.
"With every mistake we must surely be learning"
a couple of 50 gal rubber drums. He said they have two large pipe threaded spots that I hope I can adapt to the piping. I was thinking of painting one black and mounting over top of the shower. Do I need a float or can this be pressurized with the existing water?
I have had something like this for 28 years - two black drums plumbed together and secured up high with a flooding type shower head below - not pressurized, just gravity flow -
works well enough that I have never addressed the weak points; namely:
1. stratification works opposite what is desired in that the least warm water is what is drawn first - this is mostly a problem of spring and fall, when days are short and nights are long and cool -
and I can't think of any others - possibly the aestetics leave a bit to be desired -
I have considered mounting one barrel above the other so that you could plumb to draw off the top of the bottom barrel for warmer water or some kinda stirring mechanism to eliminate the stratification -
I've also considered enclosing one barrel in a glazed, insulated box to gain some more hot -
really, tho, for 3-4 months during the summer, it is just great and so simple that I've never messed with the design -
"there's enough for everyone"
Thanks to every single one of you.
David, I think you are right! My kids come up from the lake and need to get the sand off and clean up before they come inside. I might go ahead with the glazing idea. Might extend the season a little longer.
Drain pan? not a bad idea using the washer drain pan available cheap!!
I think I might plumb for hot water while I am doing the work, but hide from the wife until she complains about cold water!!! Electric bill is thru the roof as is!!
One quick thought. I wonder if a dip tube would work? Like in a hot water heater. Pulls the water off the top.The tank would need to be under pressure for that to work.. I do worry I would blow out the tank under pressure. Might try to find steel tank and paint that black. If I use house pressure would I need to mount tank on top?
I do worry I would blow out the tank under pressure. Might try to find steel tank and paint that black. If I use house pressure would I need to mount tank on top?
ya - it would be a mistake to put '55 gallon' drums under house pressure - maybe get a water heater tank? discard the sheet metal, paint black? get a coin operated timer if the water isn't hot enough -
you do have to be careful if you draw off the top, there is a possibility of scalding temps -
"there's enough for everyone"
Put a backflow preventer in--you don't want your bacteria garden (barrel) supplying your potable water with cryptosporidia, etc.DCG Your Neighbor's Contractor LLC
"A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something."--Marcus Aurelius
Anyone have ideas about some type of cheap shower pan or what ever? I don't want the water falling straight threw the deck because there is a walk way below it and with soap, it will probably make a mess. However this being outdoors open roof and all, what would be the best approach??
Get a hard plastic shower pan (meant for adding tiles). Put it under a "grill" made of redwood. Plumb the drain over and away from the walkway into your grey water barrels.
EDIT: spelling
Edited 7/3/2006 2:38 pm ET by PatchogPhil
Washing Machine pans have a drain connector moulded in place. About 3'x3'. Cheap.Troy Sprout
"D@mn... forgot the screws."
Didn't we go all through this about a year ago for Luka?
Should we not ask him how that worked out (unless involves HD charges <g>)?
What does your wife look like?
Good. I agree with the clear glass walls of the shower enclosure so she can enjoy the outdoor view.
~Peter
I was just walking thru Cabala's camping section last weekend ... they had an "instant hot water" deal for camp sites. It was right next to the Sun Shower on the shelf ...
didn't check to see how it worked ... looked like it hooked to a garden hose.
bet their website has it.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa