How to make a summer shower in the country: step by step instructions
The summer cottage for many people is a place for summer holidays. Sometimes the amenities inside the buildings are not enough, and for the placement of plumbing, you have to use an open area. In the country, a bathroom is not as necessary as a shower, so a shower cabin will be enough. An outdoor shower for a summer residence can be bought in the form of a prefabricated design or made with your own hands. This item can be placed almost anywhere. The correct proportions, design principles and the sequence of work on the construction of a country shower are not difficult aspects, even a beginner can master them. In total there are 4 main types of summer shower for different needs. All of them are characterized by accessibility and simplicity, but they consume a lot of water and are not convenient for everyone. There are options with water heating and without it.
Summer shower in the country - a full building. Its design can be performed in several versions. The stand is one of the simplest, even a beginner can build such a shower. Ready-made designs are sold in stores at a low price, you just have to assemble it in the country. Another option is the panel. It is placed along a horizontal surface. It can be a fence or a wall of a house. The most common variety is the booth. It consists of 3 or 4 walls and is sometimes complemented by a dressing room. You can install a shower cabin almost anywhere on the site. According to the method of water supply, garden showers are of 2 types: with a barrel and plumbing. Conventionally, 4 types of showers can be distinguished: mobile, stationary, warm and universal. A warm shower implies warming for use in spring and autumn. Universal is a fairly large building, additionally with a dry closet.
Advantages and disadvantages
The country shower has many advantages. An important advantage is the low price of the finished structure. It is worth noting the relatively simple installation. Installing a summer shower is a convenient and advantageous option for those areas where the house does not have a bathroom and water supply. The design does not take up much space and fits perfectly into the situation in a small area. It is not difficult to clean the cabin of dirt and plaque. Shower materials are able to withstand the effects of cleaning agents and large temperature differences. The negative point is high water consumption. In this regard, a bath would be a more profitable option than a shower. You will have to regularly pour a significant amount of water into the tank.Nevertheless, in summer conditions it is much easier to make one shower, and not to install a whole plumbing system. There is another drawback - discomfort. Not everyone will be comfortable taking a shower outside a specially designed room.
Seat selection
The place to place the shower should be chosen carefully. It is selected taking into account the location of the sunny side: it is preferable that the shower is well lit by the sun, because in this way the water in the tank will heat up faster. Shaded areas under buildings and trees should also be avoided. They are guided by their own preferences: for installation, you can choose the garden part of the allotment or the area near the pool or house. The area under and near the cabin should be perfectly flat. Near it, there must be a place for water discharge. Otherwise, complex wiring is required. The shower cabin is ideally located near the main building. To choose the right place you will need to inspect the entire territory. It is necessary to take into account all the features of the construction and determine what the base for the cabin will be.
Size and design
Prior to the construction of the facility, you will need to draw a drawing. It is better to make the cabin roomy, at least 1.5 × 1.5 m. Its minimum permissible size is 1 × 1 m. It is necessary to provide a locker room, 1.5 × 0.6 m is enough for this. On the shower area, you will need to note the dimensions of the future designs, including width of a bar and boards. Pipes are installed in the corners. The upper part of the structure is easier to assemble on the ground, and then fasten to the side grilles. All axes must match. For the final design, strength and reliable fastening are important, you need to take into account the load of 150-200 liter capacity. Between the posts they make cuts. They should be placed in the thickness of the wall. For the floor, it is preferable to install a pallet, a large selection of which is available in household goods stores. It is placed on a raised sand and gravel platform.Slots are required in the floor for drainage. Given these nuances, the foundation should have a height of 20-30 cm. If there is no such foundation, the water will eventually deepen.
It must be borne in mind that a too small area for a building can provoke its destruction.
Material for construction
If you use polycarbonate - the shower will turn out practical and compact. This material is flexible and able to take any shape. The polycarbonate booth is easy to install and install almost anywhere. Thanks to this material, you can use any option for water supply, make a shower of any type. Special care for polycarbonate is not needed; it does not rot, does not give in to corrosion and is not “afraid” of moisture. A material such as brick is represented by a wide range. For laying the foundation and erecting walls, it is better to use corpulent. In general, the material is characterized by resistance to external influences, durability and high strength. Brick can be used for the construction of only one element - the shower tray. Another material important in construction, corrugated board, is used for laying roofs and walls. Its advantages are hardness, strength and attractive appearance.
How to equip a shower with a water supply
It is necessary to install a heating system. This does not guarantee the flow of water of the desired temperature, so there is a possible option in which another one will be attached to the channel to mix cold and hot water and obtain a temperature at which it is convenient to wash. If electric heating is used, grounding is made on both sides or near all corners. Inside the cabin, it is worth holding an adapter for the shower, so that it is more convenient for low people to wash. Still need a removable shower head. Not far from the shower cabin, but separately from it, a starter is placed that starts a tubular electric heater (TEN).A light bulb is required on the power supply to display the on state. Nearby should be a protective shutdown device in case of a malfunction in the heater. The terminals of the electric heater must be reliably protected from water or rain.
Do-it-yourself summer shower
This process includes the following steps:
Foundation pouring.
Assembly of the frame.
Tank installation.
Arrangement of a place for water flow.
Improvement of the building (ventilation, lighting, decoration, decor).
In order to build a shower cabin yourself, you need to find or buy tools and materials. You must be able to use them and know the appropriate rules for handling tools. At each stage of the work, a certain period of time is allotted, beyond which it is not recommended. It all starts with the preparation of the foundation. You will need to dig a hole, collect the supporting elements in the correct configuration and prepare a concrete mortar. Then a frame box is made. At this stage, the design will take shape. The mass of a standard water tank should create an adequate load for it - this must be taken into account in advance. The choice of a tank is also an important point, since the ease of use and what temperature the water will depend on it. The next step is to create a drain pit, septic tank and drainage. In some cases, the cabin needs to be equipped with artificial lighting and ventilation.
Necessary materials and tools
You will need to acquire a large number of devices. You will need tools such as a trowel, drill, hacksaw, cord to fix the level of the base. To take into account geometric parameters, it is necessary to have a hydraulic level. To prepare the concrete mortar, you need a small concrete mixer. However, other containers specially designed for these purposes can be used instead. To dig a pit, you need a shovel. To create narrow holes in the ground, you need drills.The work involves the use of a large number of tools. These are fasteners (including self-tapping screws), boards for placement of formwork, metal pipes and poles, crushed stone for use in concrete mix, sand, cement, wooden timber. Insulating materials will also be required. In some cases, reinforcing bars are required.
Preparing the foundation for the shower
There will be no heavy loads on the foundation of the shower cabin, so maximum precision is not needed. To build the foundation, it will take only 1 day. Its shape will be a small copy of the standard foundation, but without large elements. Depending on the properties of the soil on the plot of land, the type of foundation is selected: columnar, slab, tape, pile. Column and pile options are the most commonly used.
Most stages of the construction of such bases are exactly the same. The depth of the pit for immersion of the elements is usually 60 cm and may deviate from this indicator due to groundwater and soil strength. Formwork is made in all wells. 3-4 narrow reinforcing rods are placed in the pits. The bases of the posts are equipped with waterproofing, for example, with the help of roofing material. Next, a concrete mixture is prepared. Crushed stone is added to it. After reaching a certain strength, the formwork is removed, but in some situations it can be left.
If you perform everything geometrically correctly - you get a stable and durable design.
Drain pit / septic tank equipment
A pit under the shower is an effective and simple option. However, the arrangement of recesses with inclined pipes through which water will enter the drain pit is a more practical solution. The location of the pit is selected taking into account such nuances as the optimal size of the pipes used (should not be too long), the ideal distance between the pit and the shower (5-8 meters). Another important point - the volume of the pit, enough 0.5 cubic meters per person.Additionally, you need to take into account the frequency of use of the shower, bath.
There are several options for what a septic tank can be, but in any case it will be necessary to carry out earthwork. This is a simple but laborious process. First, a pit is prepared; excavator services will be relevant, so the speed of execution will increase significantly. In a pre-prepared hole, the bottom is leveled and compacted. Next, an amortization layer of sand is created. The rest of the work depends on the method of construction. The septic tank is able to prevent the spread of the smell of stagnant water. The septic tank and drainage should be near the drainage pit, because if water gets on these elements, such unpleasant consequences are possible:
destruction of the foundation;
soil deterioration;
bad smell.
Mounting the frame and its sheathing
Usually it is a convenient, easy-to-assemble design that can be installed anywhere. The frame is welded after concreting the foundation. For the frame box, you need a profile pipe with parameters of 30 × 30 mm. A height of about 200-210 cm is quite acceptable for this design. The width and length can be made, for example, within 120-140 cm. After welding the frame, its elements are sanded and painted. Almost any material is useful for construction work: film, slate, wood. Holes are best concreted. The frame must be stable enough to withstand the water tank. To create the skin, you can use, in particular, an inch board. It needs to be planed, impregnated with stain, antiseptic and decorative impregnation. Then, with the help of self-tapping screws, it joins the metal frame.
Selection and installation of the tank
This element is made of plastic, steel (including stainless, galvanized, carbon). The water temperature in plastic products changes more slowly - an important argument for choosing the first option.However, on sunny days, which are the majority in summer, the use of iron products has more positive aspects. In the design itself, there may also be a water heating system. The main operating principle for a heated shower is access to electricity and automatic heating. With a little cooling of the water, a special mechanism is triggered, and the water gains the necessary temperature, that is, it is possible to maintain a given indicator. When choosing a tank, pay attention to the weight of the product. When installing and moving the container should not be difficult. At the same time, the ability to withstand large amounts of water and strength are important. A few more criteria:
The form. There are a lot of round and square tanks on sale, but buying flat tanks may be the best solution. They are more stable and are installed even on a pitched roof.
Color. The darker the tank, the better. This will allow the water to warm up faster and to higher temperatures.
Lighting and ventilation
One of the easiest ways to provide one and the other is a small window at the top of the wall. However, in the dark, this option is useless. Lighting can be done with one's own hand. You will need a diode, a radiator for its placement, a toggle switch, a glass container in the form of an empty hemisphere with a hole for the switch. You will also need a battery and power supply. If electricity will be conducted inside, then you will need to be guided by the rules for laying electrical wires in rooms with high humidity. Ventilation of the room will primarily be carried out by a natural exhaust system. An ordinary fan can work on the wall. If the shower has free space in the lower part, for example, between the legs, then this is enough to maintain freshness in the cabin. Even in the wall, you can cut a small fragment to use it for temporary forced ventilation.
Decoration and decor
In addition to oilcloth, other cladding materials can also be used as cladding. A plexiglass and slate building will look good. These are durable and waterproof materials, but they do not retain heat well - they are not suitable for spring and autumn. Galvanized steel is durable, but appropriate for the warmest days of the summer season or for subtropical regions.
Plastic is a good material for showering, with resistance to water. But after low temperatures in winter and spring warming, it loses shape, becomes brittle. When decorating a country shower, you can implement almost any ideas. These are climbing plants on the walls, and ensembles of several hanging flower pots. Showers look more presentable with wicker shapes. The role of a water tank can be played by an old wine barrel.
Some more interesting decor options:
natural or artificial flowers;
multi-colored tiles;
colored glass.
Conclusion
Installing a shower in an open space will not cost a large amount. These designs are relatively quickly assembled and require a minimum number of additional devices. Regardless of whether the shower stall will be bought or created on its own, it is necessary to decide which option is best for a particular cottage. Be sure to take into account the individual parameters and advantages of different types of structures. If the cabin is done independently, then at first the scheme of the project is drawn. After that, they are determined with the materials. Then comes the step-by-step workflow. The foundation and frame are being prepared, and a container for storing water is selected. Then equip the territory. It should not be constantly wet or emit an unpleasant odor. At the end of the shower you need to finish and, if desired, decorate. Forced ventilation or artificial lighting may be required.
The summer cottage for many people is a place for summer holidays. Sometimes the amenities inside the buildings are not enough, and for the placement of plumbing, you have to use an open area. In the country, a bathroom is not as necessary as a shower, so a shower cabin will be enough. An outdoor shower for a summer residence can be bought in the form of a prefabricated design or made with your own hands. This item can be placed almost anywhere. The correct proportions, design principles and the sequence of work on the construction of a country shower are not difficult aspects, even a beginner can master them. In total there are 4 main types of summer shower for different needs. All of them are characterized by accessibility and simplicity, but they consume a lot of water and are not convenient for everyone. There are options with water heating and without it.
Content
Features
Summer shower in the country - a full building. Its design can be performed in several versions. The stand is one of the simplest, even a beginner can build such a shower. Ready-made designs are sold in stores at a low price, you just have to assemble it in the country. Another option is the panel. It is placed along a horizontal surface. It can be a fence or a wall of a house. The most common variety is the booth. It consists of 3 or 4 walls and is sometimes complemented by a dressing room. You can install a shower cabin almost anywhere on the site. According to the method of water supply, garden showers are of 2 types: with a barrel and plumbing. Conventionally, 4 types of showers can be distinguished: mobile, stationary, warm and universal. A warm shower implies warming for use in spring and autumn. Universal is a fairly large building, additionally with a dry closet.
Advantages and disadvantages
The country shower has many advantages. An important advantage is the low price of the finished structure. It is worth noting the relatively simple installation. Installing a summer shower is a convenient and advantageous option for those areas where the house does not have a bathroom and water supply. The design does not take up much space and fits perfectly into the situation in a small area. It is not difficult to clean the cabin of dirt and plaque. Shower materials are able to withstand the effects of cleaning agents and large temperature differences. The negative point is high water consumption. In this regard, a bath would be a more profitable option than a shower. You will have to regularly pour a significant amount of water into the tank.Nevertheless, in summer conditions it is much easier to make one shower, and not to install a whole plumbing system. There is another drawback - discomfort. Not everyone will be comfortable taking a shower outside a specially designed room.
Seat selection
The place to place the shower should be chosen carefully. It is selected taking into account the location of the sunny side: it is preferable that the shower is well lit by the sun, because in this way the water in the tank will heat up faster. Shaded areas under buildings and trees should also be avoided. They are guided by their own preferences: for installation, you can choose the garden part of the allotment or the area near the pool or house. The area under and near the cabin should be perfectly flat. Near it, there must be a place for water discharge. Otherwise, complex wiring is required. The shower cabin is ideally located near the main building. To choose the right place you will need to inspect the entire territory. It is necessary to take into account all the features of the construction and determine what the base for the cabin will be.
Size and design
Prior to the construction of the facility, you will need to draw a drawing. It is better to make the cabin roomy, at least 1.5 × 1.5 m. Its minimum permissible size is 1 × 1 m. It is necessary to provide a locker room, 1.5 × 0.6 m is enough for this. On the shower area, you will need to note the dimensions of the future designs, including width of a bar and boards. Pipes are installed in the corners. The upper part of the structure is easier to assemble on the ground, and then fasten to the side grilles. All axes must match. For the final design, strength and reliable fastening are important, you need to take into account the load of 150-200 liter capacity. Between the posts they make cuts. They should be placed in the thickness of the wall. For the floor, it is preferable to install a pallet, a large selection of which is available in household goods stores. It is placed on a raised sand and gravel platform.Slots are required in the floor for drainage. Given these nuances, the foundation should have a height of 20-30 cm. If there is no such foundation, the water will eventually deepen.
Material for construction
If you use polycarbonate - the shower will turn out practical and compact. This material is flexible and able to take any shape. The polycarbonate booth is easy to install and install almost anywhere. Thanks to this material, you can use any option for water supply, make a shower of any type. Special care for polycarbonate is not needed; it does not rot, does not give in to corrosion and is not “afraid” of moisture. A material such as brick is represented by a wide range. For laying the foundation and erecting walls, it is better to use corpulent. In general, the material is characterized by resistance to external influences, durability and high strength. Brick can be used for the construction of only one element - the shower tray. Another material important in construction, corrugated board, is used for laying roofs and walls. Its advantages are hardness, strength and attractive appearance.
How to equip a shower with a water supply
It is necessary to install a heating system. This does not guarantee the flow of water of the desired temperature, so there is a possible option in which another one will be attached to the channel to mix cold and hot water and obtain a temperature at which it is convenient to wash. If electric heating is used, grounding is made on both sides or near all corners. Inside the cabin, it is worth holding an adapter for the shower, so that it is more convenient for low people to wash. Still need a removable shower head. Not far from the shower cabin, but separately from it, a starter is placed that starts a tubular electric heater (TEN).A light bulb is required on the power supply to display the on state. Nearby should be a protective shutdown device in case of a malfunction in the heater. The terminals of the electric heater must be reliably protected from water or rain.
Do-it-yourself summer shower
This process includes the following steps:
In order to build a shower cabin yourself, you need to find or buy tools and materials. You must be able to use them and know the appropriate rules for handling tools. At each stage of the work, a certain period of time is allotted, beyond which it is not recommended. It all starts with the preparation of the foundation. You will need to dig a hole, collect the supporting elements in the correct configuration and prepare a concrete mortar. Then a frame box is made. At this stage, the design will take shape. The mass of a standard water tank should create an adequate load for it - this must be taken into account in advance. The choice of a tank is also an important point, since the ease of use and what temperature the water will depend on it. The next step is to create a drain pit, septic tank and drainage. In some cases, the cabin needs to be equipped with artificial lighting and ventilation.
Necessary materials and tools
You will need to acquire a large number of devices. You will need tools such as a trowel, drill, hacksaw, cord to fix the level of the base. To take into account geometric parameters, it is necessary to have a hydraulic level. To prepare the concrete mortar, you need a small concrete mixer. However, other containers specially designed for these purposes can be used instead. To dig a pit, you need a shovel. To create narrow holes in the ground, you need drills.The work involves the use of a large number of tools. These are fasteners (including self-tapping screws), boards for placement of formwork, metal pipes and poles, crushed stone for use in concrete mix, sand, cement, wooden timber. Insulating materials will also be required. In some cases, reinforcing bars are required.
Preparing the foundation for the shower
There will be no heavy loads on the foundation of the shower cabin, so maximum precision is not needed. To build the foundation, it will take only 1 day. Its shape will be a small copy of the standard foundation, but without large elements. Depending on the properties of the soil on the plot of land, the type of foundation is selected: columnar, slab, tape, pile. Column and pile options are the most commonly used.
Most stages of the construction of such bases are exactly the same. The depth of the pit for immersion of the elements is usually 60 cm and may deviate from this indicator due to groundwater and soil strength. Formwork is made in all wells. 3-4 narrow reinforcing rods are placed in the pits. The bases of the posts are equipped with waterproofing, for example, with the help of roofing material. Next, a concrete mixture is prepared. Crushed stone is added to it. After reaching a certain strength, the formwork is removed, but in some situations it can be left.
Drain pit / septic tank equipment
A pit under the shower is an effective and simple option. However, the arrangement of recesses with inclined pipes through which water will enter the drain pit is a more practical solution. The location of the pit is selected taking into account such nuances as the optimal size of the pipes used (should not be too long), the ideal distance between the pit and the shower (5-8 meters). Another important point - the volume of the pit, enough 0.5 cubic meters per person.Additionally, you need to take into account the frequency of use of the shower, bath.
There are several options for what a septic tank can be, but in any case it will be necessary to carry out earthwork. This is a simple but laborious process. First, a pit is prepared; excavator services will be relevant, so the speed of execution will increase significantly. In a pre-prepared hole, the bottom is leveled and compacted. Next, an amortization layer of sand is created. The rest of the work depends on the method of construction. The septic tank is able to prevent the spread of the smell of stagnant water.
The septic tank and drainage should be near the drainage pit, because if water gets on these elements, such unpleasant consequences are possible:
Mounting the frame and its sheathing
Usually it is a convenient, easy-to-assemble design that can be installed anywhere. The frame is welded after concreting the foundation. For the frame box, you need a profile pipe with parameters of 30 × 30 mm. A height of about 200-210 cm is quite acceptable for this design. The width and length can be made, for example, within 120-140 cm. After welding the frame, its elements are sanded and painted. Almost any material is useful for construction work: film, slate, wood. Holes are best concreted. The frame must be stable enough to withstand the water tank. To create the skin, you can use, in particular, an inch board. It needs to be planed, impregnated with stain, antiseptic and decorative impregnation. Then, with the help of self-tapping screws, it joins the metal frame.
Selection and installation of the tank
This element is made of plastic, steel (including stainless, galvanized, carbon). The water temperature in plastic products changes more slowly - an important argument for choosing the first option.However, on sunny days, which are the majority in summer, the use of iron products has more positive aspects. In the design itself, there may also be a water heating system. The main operating principle for a heated shower is access to electricity and automatic heating. With a little cooling of the water, a special mechanism is triggered, and the water gains the necessary temperature, that is, it is possible to maintain a given indicator. When choosing a tank, pay attention to the weight of the product. When installing and moving the container should not be difficult. At the same time, the ability to withstand large amounts of water and strength are important. A few more criteria:
Lighting and ventilation
One of the easiest ways to provide one and the other is a small window at the top of the wall. However, in the dark, this option is useless. Lighting can be done with one's own hand. You will need a diode, a radiator for its placement, a toggle switch, a glass container in the form of an empty hemisphere with a hole for the switch. You will also need a battery and power supply. If electricity will be conducted inside, then you will need to be guided by the rules for laying electrical wires in rooms with high humidity. Ventilation of the room will primarily be carried out by a natural exhaust system. An ordinary fan can work on the wall. If the shower has free space in the lower part, for example, between the legs, then this is enough to maintain freshness in the cabin. Even in the wall, you can cut a small fragment to use it for temporary forced ventilation.
Decoration and decor
In addition to oilcloth, other cladding materials can also be used as cladding. A plexiglass and slate building will look good. These are durable and waterproof materials, but they do not retain heat well - they are not suitable for spring and autumn. Galvanized steel is durable, but appropriate for the warmest days of the summer season or for subtropical regions.
Plastic is a good material for showering, with resistance to water. But after low temperatures in winter and spring warming, it loses shape, becomes brittle. When decorating a country shower, you can implement almost any ideas. These are climbing plants on the walls, and ensembles of several hanging flower pots. Showers look more presentable with wicker shapes. The role of a water tank can be played by an old wine barrel.
Some more interesting decor options:
Conclusion
Installing a shower in an open space will not cost a large amount. These designs are relatively quickly assembled and require a minimum number of additional devices. Regardless of whether the shower stall will be bought or created on its own, it is necessary to decide which option is best for a particular cottage. Be sure to take into account the individual parameters and advantages of different types of structures. If the cabin is done independently, then at first the scheme of the project is drawn. After that, they are determined with the materials. Then comes the step-by-step workflow. The foundation and frame are being prepared, and a container for storing water is selected. Then equip the territory. It should not be constantly wet or emit an unpleasant odor. At the end of the shower you need to finish and, if desired, decorate. Forced ventilation or artificial lighting may be required.