In connection with different weather conditions, each gardener is considering the possibility of arranging a heated shower in the country. To do this, you need to not only decide on the place, but also think through to the smallest details its base, the design of the tank itself, the features of wall decoration and know the rules for operating the structure.
Mobile shower
If the summer cottage is visited by the owners periodically, there is no need to install a stationary shower. In such a situation, an excellent solution, in addition, will be a budget mobile shower, which is easy to transport. Outwardly, it resembles a rubber mat with two hoses, inside which there is a foot pump.
The design is driven by legs. This requires any container of water. You can use such a shower in any part of the territory, but in this case, water must be poured into the tank already heated, since the structure is without heating. To heat the water in the tank, it can be put in the sun. After some time, the water will be warm and you can wash comfortably.
Where better to put a shower in the country?
You can install a stationary shower for a heated villa in any part of the garden. There are no mandatory requirements, but most still choose a place behind the cottage or at the end of the plot. It is preferable to put the booth in the place where direct sunlight falls on it - this way a certain temperature regime will be maintained in it throughout the day. Those summer residents who prefer to save, especially on materials for construction, attach the structure to an existing building.
To equip a separate building, it is better to choose a place closer to the house. This will allow electrical wiring to the tank and make it with constant heating.
The basis for a shower in the country
Arrangement of a summer shower with heating in the country begins with the preparation of the base for the design. By the size of the shower house, a depression is made in the ground (up to 0.5 m), this hole is filled up with sand (up to 15 cm) and crushed stone. If you rarely use a shower, then the base remains the same, the water will not stagnate.
If you need a large drain (if a lot of people regularly wash in the shower), the base can be concreted using metal pipes as a frame, or an acrylic pallet can be made.
Arrangement of a drain pit
If a large number of people use a heated shower in the country in the summer, the drainage floor will not be able to absorb large amounts of water. In this case, it is worth equipping a cesspool for drains. Its depth should be at least 2 m. It should be located at a distance of 3 m from the shower and not very close to the house. Material for arranging a cesspool is better to take inexpensive, old tires from a car are perfect for this. The rubble layer here should be at least 60 cm.
Be sure to have ventilation in the drain pit, that is, to the lid that closes the recess, a pipe is attached through which air will pass. Thus, the liquid in the pit will not stagnate.
How to choose a water tank?
Tanks of a garden shower with heating for a summer residence can be various both in a form, and on a material. The volume of capacity directly depends on how many people will wash. On average, a 100 liter tank is enough to wash a family of 4 people.
In order to always have warm water in the tank, it is additionally equipped with heating elements or special taps that are connected to the mains. In order for the tank to perform the heating function better, it is possible to build a polycarbonate roof on top of the tank, which will retain heat longer.
In addition to a water tank, a drain pipe is placed in a heated outdoor shower in the country house and a threshold is set up to separate the locker room and the washing place itself. In the so-called locker room you can store towels and bath accessories, it can be separated by a curtain from the shower.
Varieties of tanks
All water tanks for a country shower can be divided depending on the material of manufacture:
- Metal. Such tanks for shower with heating to the country have a rectangular shape, with a volume of 100 to 200 liters. They are distinguished by strength, durability, stand in the low price category, but are easily amenable to rust, even with additional processing by special means.
- Made of galvanized steel. To make the container, the same steel is used, only zinc is applied to the top layer. This, in turn, additionally protects the metal from corrosion. From such a material, the container can be of any shape: round, oval or rectangular. Volume from 40 to 200 liters. The advantages of a container made of such a material are its long service life, the ability to install a water heater that will keep a certain temperature in the tank.
- Stainless steel. Such a container is not at all susceptible to corrosion, therefore it has reliability, strength, service life reaches 20 years, the weight of the structure is light regardless of size, but the cost is high.
- Plastic. A plastic summer shower for a heated summer cottage is an excellent and budget option. Models made of this material are easy to maintain, resistant to sunlight, service life is up to 40 years, are not affected by temperature extremes (from -30 ° C to +60 ° C), light weight, which is convenient for transportation and this design is not susceptible to corrosion at all.
Tank Installation Features
A container of water is placed on special support columns directly above the shower. Depending on the design, water can be filled into the tank manually, using a pump or water supply.
It is best to bring water into the shower tank for a cottage with heated metal pipes. The pressure is controlled by a valve. It is important to choose a design that is economical and safe, as well as easy to use.
Shower stall
Heated shower cubicle - a great solution for a summer residence. In addition, in this design, in order to save electricity, you can always turn off the heating function if necessary.
Shower cabins can be purchased either ready-made or made independently if you have skills and special tools.
Varieties of finished showers for summer cottages:
- Open options (a stand-alone stationary structure, usually placed in the place where there is most sunlight, the manufacturing material can be very different, but requires additional care and cleaning during operation).
- Closed models. A rectangular or square structure that closes and has a roof, so it’s easy to wash in such a shower even during rain, the pallet is usually made of wood.
- A wooden shower for a heated summer house is a stationary installation that keeps a certain temperature inside for a long time. It can be different in size with an additional place inside for changing clothes, if space allows. It is considered environmentally friendly, beautiful design that only decorates the summer cottage, but requires more care than plastic counterparts.
- Combined designs. They can accommodate both a shower and a toilet. Usually, such an installation is made of wood, but other manufacturing materials are possible, it requires a large space, but since there is heating, you can use it both in summer and in winter.
Material for the walls of the shower in the country
Walls for a country shower can be sheathed with different materials, but experts advise making a choice in favor of moisture-resistant options. It can be a budget model in the form of a film or tarpaulin, a more expensive option from wood, plexiglass, metal profile or polycarbonate.
Any of the selected materials is attached directly to the frame for self-tapping screws. The sheathing from the film is considered to be short-lived, as it can last only a season. Wood paneling has an aesthetically beautiful appearance, but requires special care, in addition, this is an expensive option.
The best solution for lining is polycarbonate. Even a beginner can sheathe a shower with such material, in addition, this material has a different color scheme. The advantages of the material include durability, ease of care and practicality.
The main stages of construction
If you build your own heated showers in the country, you need to properly plan the process and do everything in stages.
- Choosing a place (it is better to put a stationary or portable structure where there is a lot of sunlight, even if it is heated, so the heat will stay longer).
- Drain and foundation (the width and depth of the drain, as well as the foundation of the entire structure, depends on the number of people who will use the shower and how often it works).
- The frame and its sheathing (an important nuance, here it is necessary to pay attention to the sheathing material, its practicality, strength, reliability and durability).
- Installation and connection of the tank (the capacity depends on the number of people who will use the shower in the country, but here you need to connect the heated tank correctly, in some cases it is better to use the services of professionals).
- Arrangement of the cabin (additional decoration of the structure itself so that it acquires a more aesthetic appearance both inside and outside)
Recommendations for choosing a ready-made shower for a summer residence
Before choosing a finished design, you must pay attention to the following mandatory characteristics of the installation:
- profitability (optimal ratio of price and quality);
- environmental friendliness (the emphasis is on environmentally friendly materials that meet all standards and do not harm human health);
- fire resistance (with electric heating of the shower it is important that all contacts and connections are insulated, reliable and comply with all fire safety standards);
- dimensions (a shower in size should be such that at least one person feels comfortable and free in it during the bathing process);
- appearance (shower cubicle should correspond to the design of the summer cottage, and not stand out against its background).
In addition to the required characteristics, you need to pay attention to additional functions. For example, the cottage shower with heating "Sadko" has an indicator that is responsible for the level of filling the tank with water, temperature controllers, separate containers for filling and draining the liquid. In addition, it is worth choosing the heater that is equipped with a timer, that is, the heating function is turned off after a certain time, which significantly saves energy consumption.
Tena can be located below or in the center, it all depends on personal preferences and ease of use. The price also depends on the availability of additional space for undressing in the structure itself. To prevent mold and mildew in the shower, there should be a small window or mesh elements in the walls through which sunlight will penetrate.
Useful tips for arrangement and operation
When arranging any heated shower, it is important to follow all safety standards and rules, as this is a place with high humidity, therefore all connections must be insulated and not in contact with water.
- If the shower has an iron tray, it is better to replace it with a plastic counterpart.
- We should also pay attention to thermal insulation (the shower should always be warm, even in the cold season). For this, polystyrene foam is used, with which the walls of the structure are sheathed.
- The heated shower should not have too thick walls and a door that does not close properly. Thus, fungus and mold will spread much faster in the room.
- When the heating device is on, it is better not to use a shower because of personal safety.
- A heated shower for a summer residence is practically not repaired, therefore, in order to extend its service life, it is important to use it correctly and to clean the premises in time with special means.