Adding an Outdoor Shower – What you Need to Know

Spring has sprung and that means it’s time to start dreaming about summer vacation. We’re sure that no matter who you are, you’re probably really excited for summer this year. After an incredibly challenging year, we’re all excited to hit the beach and soak up some sun. If you’re planning on living the beach life then you may want to consider installing an outdoor shower! Whether you live on the beach 24/7 or you own a vacation home, now’s the time to consider building an outdoor shower. 

Benefits of an Outdoor Shower 

Installing an outdoor shower has some great benefits for you and your home. 

  • We’re all fans of the beach, but that doesn’t mean we want the beach INSIDE our homes. An outdoor shower can help keep the dirt and sand that you drag home from the beach out of your home. Rinsing off after a day at the beach will keep your home sparkling clean in the summer. 
  • It can be used to clean up outdoor furniture or pets. 
  • If you own a vacation home adding an outdoor shower is a great addition to your property because it adds to the vacation experience both for you and your guests.
  • Outdoor showers also help extend the amount of space you have to clean up, especially if you have several guests over at once.

Installation of an Outdoor Shower 

Now that you’ve heard some reasons why you should consider adding an outdoor shower to your home, let’s talk about what installation will look like. First thing  you’ll want to consider is the location of the shower. Are you looking to use it daily or just to rinse off dirt and sand from a trip to the beach? Depending on how often you plan on using it you’ll want to select a location that meets your privacy needs. You’ll need a level space that can withstand lots of water and heavy foot traffic. Some places to consider include: upper-deck, stone patio, gravel driveway, and your lawn. Remember that the place you chose also needs to have access to plumbing. 

Next you’ll need to determine how you want to add the plumbing for the shower. You can do the plumbing for the shower through a hose or through fixed pipes. These vary in complexity, so you will need to consider what works best for you and your situation. It’s important to consider permits and gray-water runoff requirements in your area as well. 

You’ll also need to consider drainage options for your outdoor shower. You may want to install the shower away from your home or at a pitch that directs water away from the house. This will allow the drainage situation to be much simpler because you can just let the water seep into your grass/garden. Of course there are other options for drainage including: a dry well, a fixed drain, or shower drainage pans. 

Installing an outdoor shower can be as complex or simple as you desire. If you’re just looking to install a simple outdoor shower that will be used just to rinse off some sand then you may be able to attempt the project yourself. If you want your outdoor shower to be as functional as a typical indoor shower then it’s best to call a professional. No matter what you decide it’s always good to remember to do your research before making any decisions or starting any builds. Norfolk Plumbing has years of experience and our team would be happy to help guide you through the process of installing an outdoor shower. If you have questions or if you’d like to set up an appointment with us then give us a call (757) 466-0644

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