What’s the Deal with Outdoor Showers?
There was a time when you could say “outdoor shower” and all anyone would think of are those icy cold faucets at the beach or pool where you could rinse the salt or chlorine water off of you. Not anymore. These days, both comfort seekers and nature lovers are having lavish showers built outside of the bathroom. Outdoor showers can have their drawbacks, but ultimately are a great way for homeowners to elevate their shower time to a spa-like experience.
Inviting the Sights and Sounds of Nature
Showering outside can be an invigorating experience. The calming sounds of chirping birds or crickets can create a peaceful showering environment. Whether it’s blue skies, the setting sun, or the sparkly stars overhead, some would say there is something exhilarating about baring all beneath an open sky.
But not every day is a sunny day. Outdoor showers aren’t such a good option when storm clouds roll in. And while a brisk cool air can awaken the senses, if the homeowner lives in a place where the weather is liable to drop below freezing, they might want to reconsider.
Another reason to set up a shower outside is a more practical one: space. Hosting a ton of friends or family can be plenty of fun, but it doesn’t take long for the wait for the bathroom to get longer and longer. With an outdoor shower, indoor bathrooms are freed up for their other uses.
While there are tons of great reasons to take your showers outside, there are still several reasons for a homeowner to consider keeping the shower behind closed doors. For starters, there is the obvious: if there are nosy neighbors or a general lack of privacy, taking your daily shower in your backyard might not be a good idea.
Those calming birds and crickets I mentioned? They can quickly become menaces if they try and make a home in your outdoor shower. Maintaining the cleanliness of an outdoor shower can be just as much if not more work when you factor in all the elements of nature.
Not Just a Sprinkler
The spa-like outdoor showers that are popular amongst homeowners are just as established and well-constructed as indoor showers. These facilities are often attached to the outside of the home, although showers are sometimes installed further away in a more secluded area. Either way, an outdoor shower is going to require some extra plumbing.
Hot and cold outdoor faucets can be a less permanent and potentially less expensive option, but fixed pipes will allow for the most polished, luxurious, and spa-like effect. The plumbing will not be so unlike indoor showers. However, in locations where the weather is sure to drop below freezing, be sure to install an easily accessed shutoff valve and to run the pipes on a slope. Also, be sure to instruct the homeowner in how and when to cut the water and drain the pipes, or perhaps offer to come back out just before winter.
Of course, every shower needs a drain. Check your local building codes to see what the requirements are for disposing of gray water. In some places, you can get away with simply draining the water into the ground. In others, however, you’ll have to lay pipes that redirect the water back into the sewer. Regardless of how the pipes are laid, be sure weather-proof fixtures and materials are selected.
To create an extra space that adds an element of luxury to a home, consider adding an outdoor shower. They probably won’t ever be the norm, but they are a fun feature for the adventurous homeowner to add on. With the right considerations and a little extra plumbing, any homeowner can have their showers in the great outdoors.
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