Greetings-
I starting a project where the home owner wants to install a steam generator in their small bathroom (kids bath) inside the shower stall. I have never installed one and I am wondering if there are things to look out for.
Thanks for your help.
JW
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Replies
Rain.
Seriously. Unless the ceiling is sloped, the steam will condense on it and turn the bathroom into a rain forest. If the bathroom walls are not tile, you have moisture problems there, too. You should also make sure that the walls have appropriate vopor barriers installed -- you'll build up a lot of vapor pressure with a steam generator.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks. I will give the client an umbrella with the company logo so that when he is sitting on the bowl his newspaper doesn't get wet.
Seriously though. The steam will be in the shower stall which will be tiled floor, walls and ceiling. It will also have a full height door. Will the tile be considered an adequate vapor barrier? There is a vent in the shower so hopefully this will alleviate some of the condesation and vapor issues.
JW
These things make a lot of steam. Steam rooms typically have sealed doors, almost airtight, whereas shower stalls to not. Shower stalls typically have space above the door to allow makeup air so the vent can work. Steam rooms don't have exhaust fans running and I doubt your client will want to spend the money for steam and then run the fan to suck it all outside. Kind of defeats the purpose. A lot of moisture is going to escape into the bathroom while the thing is running and then when the shower door is opened if the steam is still hanging around. While the tile in the shower will work fine for a vapor barrier in the shower, there will be a lot more moisture in the bathroom outside the shower when the steamer is running than in normal circumstances. My suggestion is, rather than put a steam generator in a shower, put a shower in a steam room. That will require a tighter door for the shower and some thought to moisture-proofing the bath for the excess steam that will undoubtedly escape. You might want to also consider the excess water getting sucked up the vent. Make SURE it's vented properly, to the outside, and well clear of exterior surfaces. You'll want to make sure the fan is not a cheapo that will rust out from the steam. Same for the ductwork. You WILL have water condensing inside it. Don't leave any potential for pooling of condensate. Not saying that you have to do all this if the client doesn't want it, just warn the client so he won't blame you if (when) he has problems later.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Mike thanks for the info. I now can explain to my clients the pros and cons and let them decide.
Thanks again
JW
A tiled shower has grout. Water eventually works its way through grout. In steam form, it is even easier for water to work its way through the grout. The result can be a great petri dish for mold.
If someone really wants a steam shower, it should be designed from the get go to be a steam shower.
Personally, I think anyone who wants steam would be better off with a sauna kit made of wood.