8 tips for arranging a summer shower at your dacha with your own hands

The fast pace of life and constant lack of time greatly affect a person’s lifestyle. Trying to save your time as much as possible, you have to carefully distribute it. In such a busy schedule, even hygiene procedures become as short and quick as possible. So, if previously they could take a bath for literally hours, now more and more people make do with taking a shower. And if the bathroom in your apartment has a particularly large area, then you can install both of these plumbing devices in it for maximum comfort. If you are interested in how to install a shower, our article will definitely be useful to you.

DIY shower stall

Where to begin?

If you have thought about building a summer shower at your dacha, then you already have a rough idea of what it will look like and what you need to purchase. In addition to the design itself, very important parameters are:

Choosing a location;
Shower size;
Water tank volume;
The nature of the construction is temporary or permanent.

Many people try to choose the most secluded corner behind the house or in the shade of trees in order to hide such an intimate structure from prying eyes. This is precisely the main mistake! By building a shower among the trees, you will be subject to constant attacks from insects that love moisture and coolness, and will deprive yourself of the possibility of natural heating of the water in the tank. Therefore, the site for the future structure should be in an open, well-lit area and under no circumstances be in a hole or lowland. Even if you plan to use a heated tank, it is more rational to refuse to use electricity in order to save money on hot days. The building itself should not be located at a short distance from the house. When taking a shower late in the evening, you need to get home as quickly as possible so as not to get sick.

As for the size of the future building and the volume of the water tank. The recommended height of future walls is 200-300 cm. It is necessary to build on the height of the tallest family member, who should not rest his head on the shower head. The width and length of the shower space is calculated depending on whether the building will have a dry changing room or be limited to only a wet area. The option with a changing room is, of course, more convenient; your clothes will be protected from getting wet, and you will have the opportunity to change clothes comfortably. This way, your shower will consist of two sections separated by a partition. An area of 220x120 cm is quite enough for these two zones, even taking into account the cladding.

How does the procedure for obtaining a new BTI technical passport take place?

It is important to make changes to the BTI documents. To do this you will need:

Call an inspector to your home.
Obtain reports of hidden work, if any. For example, the installation of a new scheme and waterproofing of floors. Filled out and certified by the construction organization.
Obtain certificates of completed reconstruction from the inspector.
Take the certificates of completed work and acceptance certified by the parties to the Housing Inspectorate.
Call a BTI technician to your apartment for measurements.
Receive a new technical passport of the BTI with a redone bathroom layout in the documents.

We equip the foundation and ensure the outflow of water

The basis of any structure, of course, is a reliable foundation. In the case of a summer shower, the foundation must not only protect the structure from being washed away by groundwater and subsequent subsidence, but also be able to quickly drain used water in large quantities. The construction of any foundation begins with markings. It is necessary to draw an outline in the selected location. For example, the size of the shower will be 120x120 cm - a person of any size will be comfortable in such a space. You need to drive pegs into the corners of the rectangle, pull the cord around the perimeter and check the dimensions using a tape measure.

This marking is universal and is performed before the construction of any type of shower.
Now let's look at the types of foundations for various buildings.

Foundation for a simple temporary shower

For temporary construction, it is enough to remove the top layer of soil 15-20 cm deep within the outlined rectangle and level the area. Now you need to make a pillow that will help drain the water. To do this, prepare a mixture of crushed stone and sand. You can simply fill the hole halfway with sand and add a layer of crushed stone on top. Small stones will allow soap scum to settle on their surface. Additional filtration with a sand layer will avoid rapid mulling. This design can also be placed near the garden without harm to the plants. Wooden pallets are usually laid on top of such a base, which serve as the floor in the summer shower. To prevent rapid rotting of wooden materials that will often come into contact with water, it is recommended to place pallets or boards knocked together at a height of 15-20 cm above ground level. For formwork you can use old bricks or paving slabs. They are laid out around the perimeter of the base, leveled and compacted using a mallet.

Wood can be used for finishing walls or floors only after appropriate treatment to make it moisture resistant. The most effective method is impregnation with hot oil and subsequent opening with drying oil or varnish. Arranging such a foundation will allow you to use a summer shower for more than one season.

Foundation for capital construction

If the shower will be used frequently and not by one or two people, you need to think about constructing a permanent building. The most expensive method would be a brick construction. But it is easiest to heat it in the cool season. To do this, it is enough to insulate the walls with foam plastic. The best option would be a frame building made of metal or wooden beams. Particular attention should be paid to establishing a reliable foundation. In this case, it is necessary to pour concrete foundation .

According to the markings, you need to dig a hole about 30-35 cm deep. You need to make mortgages around the perimeter of the rectangle. For these purposes, you can use old iron pipes. The larger their diameter, the stronger the structure will be. In the places where the pipes are located, using a drill, a hole up to 30 cm deep is made, into which pipes or wooden beams are driven. If you use wood, you need to protect its surface by wrapping it in roofing felt or treating it with hot bitumen. After this, the cement-sand mixture is poured. Wooden mortgages can be made not only in the corners, but also along the entire perimeter of the base. To do this, use logs of sufficient width, which can ensure further installation of the floor. The base must be level. This will help prevent water from accumulating in sloped areas. Filling is carried out using floor screed technology. Use special construction beacons and rules.

The disadvantage of a poured foundation is that you can begin arranging the interior space only after it has completely dried. For brick buildings, you can use a solid reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 170-300 mm as the base. This will significantly reduce construction time.

Arrangement of water drainage

Any capital building needs high-quality water drainage.

Best suited for waste collection septic tank, which must be placed next to the shower stall, but in no case under it. If you decide to save space on your site and still place the septic tank under the shower, after a short period of time you will begin to feel a sharp, unpleasant odor inside the building. In addition, there is a risk of soil collapse around the septic tank and, as a result, destruction of the foundation. The recommended distance from the shower stall is 1-2 meters. A drain pipe is removed from the shower tray or a drain ditch is drawn into a septic tank, which must have a sump and drainage tank. A pit is dug for the receiving chamber. It must be sealed. This could be a tin barrel or concrete rings. It is recommended to cover the container with a lid to prevent rain or groundwater from filling it. There is a leaky drainage container nearby. It should be installed on a bed of sand and gravel. These two compartments are connected to each other by pipes.
Another option for collecting waste water is cesspool. To equip it, you need to dig up about 2m3 of earth. This is the optimal volume that will ensure long-term use. A drainage cushion of sand and gravel is made at the bottom of the pit, and the walls must be strengthened and made waterproof. You can line them with bricks, use ready-made concrete rings, or you can reinforce the hole with old rubber tires. When setting up a drainage hole, do not forget that it needs to be pumped out. In this regard, it must be located in a place where unhindered access for special equipment will be ensured. In addition, the pit must have a distance from the residential building of at least 3-4 meters, as characteristic odors may form.
For simpler types of shower that will not be used with great intensity, it is enough to equip drainage well. It will be located directly under the shower stall. A hole is dug, 2 meters deep, a layer of crushed stone is poured at the bottom, and then a plastic pipe with perforation is inserted. Such a well is filled with material that will act as a filter. It can be gravel, crushed stone, old broken bricks, slag. The well is filled to the very top, then covered with a layer of geotextile and covered with soil. A wooden pallet is already installed on top of the formwork, which has slots for water infiltration. This is the most affordable, but no less effective method that will ensure the necessary outflow of water.

What unpleasant incidents are possible when preparing documents?

Illegal redevelopment can become a source of unpleasant incidents if later you decide to formalize it. So, for example, if the waterproofing of floors has been replaced, the coating will have to be opened to confirm compliance with technical regulations.

Despite the fact that, according to clause 18, the development of a project is not required in all cases, you will nevertheless be required to provide it. After submitting the project, the apartment will be visited by the Housing Inspectorate acceptance committee. Members of the commission must report the completed redevelopment, but only if the owner of the apartment has not violated legislative norms and building codes through repairs.

The entire legislative system for processing documents for redevelopment is aimed at the safety of residents and preserving the rights of all residents of an apartment building, in order to eliminate the possibility of accidents, leaks, collapses, and destruction. That is why the work performed must comply with construction and sanitary standards.

Tips for choosing a water tank

The simplest way to ensure a water supply is to install a plastic tank or an old iron barrel on the roof of the shower, paint it black to increase the rate at which the water heats up from the sun's rays, and connect a hose to it to supply water to the tank. A water supply hose is required, especially if the tank volume is 100 liters or more. The disadvantage of naturally heated tanks is that their use is problematic in the cool season. Therefore, many people prefer heated tanks . There are three types of such systems:

A metal tank with a heating element located inside. The advantage of this design is the presence of a pump that provides a constant supply of water. The heating element constantly maintains the set temperature and does not allow the water to cool. This way you will have access to hot water at any time. The disadvantage is obvious - if there is no running water at the dacha, such a tank is useless.
Tank made of galvanized steel, which is designed for low showers. It has a flat shape and a short built-in shower head. Its volume is 100 and 200 liters. This tank operates like a boiler and requires a constant water supply.
A simpler version is a heated plastic tank. It has a compact shape and low weight, which greatly facilitates its installation. The system does not require a constant supply of water, which is both a plus and a minus at the same time. Because it turns out that the heating element in this design must turn off after heating.

Installation of the selected tank can be done in two ways - placing the tank directly on the roof of the cabin or on a special frame. The second case is rational to use if the volume of the tank is impressive, and the building may not support its weight. It is enough to make a frame from old iron pipes over the shower roof or from wooden beams. This method of placement will help to avoid significant heat loss and speed up the heating time of water.

Technological requirements for pallet installation

One of the important stages in installing a corner shower stall is installing its tray.

In terms of ease of installation, acrylic, ceramic, and steel models come first. Already installing a concrete bottom lined with ceramic tiles will require skills in construction and repair. To install a marble or cast iron bottom, it is better to invite craftsmen. Problems with proper installation arise due to their heavy weight.

The simplest ways to organize a summer shower

It happens that a summer cottage is visited very rarely, and then not for work, but more for relaxation. In this case, the shower can be a simple design that you can even bring with you.

Portable shower. This design looks like a large heating pad and is made of the same material. After filling the container with water, it is twisted with a special nozzle, at the end of which there is a mini watering can. There is a loop at the opposite end, which is convenient for hanging the container on a tree or hook. By placing the container in a well-lit place, the water will heat up very quickly. The volume of such a “shower” is 10-15 liters. This entails restrictions regarding the duration of water procedures and the number of people who can use it. But this is a very convenient and inexpensive option for one person.
Shower stand is an iron pipe on legs, which is equipped with a shower head and a hole for connecting a hose. This rack is convenient because it can be placed in any convenient place and, if necessary, brought into the utility room for storage. disadvantage is the lack of a water tank. That is, if there is no warm water on the site and normal pressure in the system, you will have to take a cold shower.
Using a shower system. The shower column is a metal rod to which the overhead shower and mixer are attached. In order not to bother with arranging a special room for its placement, many attach the shower system directly to the wall of the house or outbuilding. To do this, water is drained from the wall. The wall of the building is protected from moisture. You can cover it with tiles, siding or other materials that are available. For convenience, you can separate the space with a curtain, and place a wooden pallet or rubber mat on the floor.

Let us remind you that this is an option for rare use. For the time when you are not at the dacha, the system can be removed and the output can be closed with a special plug.

All of the above types of showers are good because they do not require a foundation or drainage. But the drawback is obvious - the possibility of their use depends entirely on weather conditions.

Take care of safety - moisture insulation

Proper damp proofing not only protects your bathroom from moisture seeping under the tiles, but also your subfloor from flooding. This is an extremely important step when installing a shower without a tray.

Today, the floor is usually laid with a traditional sealing layer (roofing felt, bitumen coating) or a film of synthetic resins, the so-called liquid foil, which is a less labor-intensive and quick solution. Apply to a dry concrete surface with a brush or spatula. We apply layers one after another until we reach a thickness of two millimeters.

The edge of the linear drain must be protected with a special polypropylene flange. Other areas that are particularly prone to flooding, such as the edges of walls and floors, and where pipes exit the wall, can be protected with special sealing tape. Before laying the tiles, it is also worth protecting the wall from splashes with sealant or tapes.

Do-it-yourself summer shower made of wood

To build a wooden building you will need:

Related timber;
Fastening elements;
Rubber hose;
Shower head or shower set;
Crushed stone.

Construction begins with the construction of a pit for water drainage. It is necessary to remove the top layer of soil 30-40 cm deep and fill it with crushed stone. This way, the soil under the shower stall will quickly absorb water, and the soap residue will remain on the rubble. Now you need to make formwork to protect the wood from rotting. Cinder blocks or bricks are placed in a level at the corners of the pit. The height of the formwork must be at least 15 cm.

Now we move on to the construction of the frame. You should start from the foundation. It requires boards 15 cm wide and at least 3 cm thick. The size of the base must correspond to the size of the pit. To fasten boards together, it is better to use threaded connections. Over time, the joints will not weaken even under significant weight, unlike ordinary nails, which can “slip” out of the mounting hole. 4 beams with a cross section of 7×10 cm are attached to the base.

The frame is ligated using side and two transverse jumpers, which are inserted into the grooves. The same jumpers will strengthen the frame from above, which will ensure stability after attaching a heavy water tank to the roof. At your discretion, you can add a few more jumpers if you think that the design is unreliable.

For
wall cladding, you can use thinner wooden planks, lining, false beams, blockhouse and other timber.
The main thing is to leave small gaps between the parts, 3-4 mm thick. This is necessary so that the planks can freely expand when wet, without deforming each other, and also shrink freely after drying. Remember that all wooden parts that will be exposed to constant exposure to water must be carefully primed and varnished. You can soak them in drying oil or hot oil. It is especially important to prime the surface before painting. There is a special antifungal antiseptic impregnation. You can start painting after the primer has completely dried. When the shower is completely ready, you can hang the tank. You can simply lay it on the cross beams and secure it with straps. If the tank is homemade, do not forget to cut a hole in the bottom for the watering can and a hole for the hose in the top. For convenience, several shelves for shampoos, soaps, etc. can be provided inside the cabin. and a couple of hooks for towels and clothes. Such a shower can be built in a weekend, and if the necessary materials were already on site, then the costs will be minimal. The service life of a wooden shower depends entirely on how well you treated the wood and protected it from moisture before construction. Therefore, this point deserves special attention.

Laying tiles

There are two main points to consider when choosing the right tiles. Installing a drain hole for a shower stall without a tray requires a slope of 2%. To achieve this, large tiles must be trimmed , which can affect the visual effect. Smaller tiles already have a greater ability to cover a profiled floor. Mosaic tiles completely hide the drain and can be a great solution.

In the case of a linear drain, the tiles should protrude approximately 2 mm. In addition, it is worth remembering that the shower tiles should not slip. Non-slip plates are usually designated by the symbol R9 to R13. This type of tile should be installed not only under the shower, but also over the entire floor surface. To highlight the bathing area, use decorative elements or tiles of a different shade.

Choosing the right adhesive and solution is also important. Both products must have waterproof properties. For cabins without a tray, the best choice is epoxy resin solution It is flexible, does not crumble and provides 100% effective protection against moisture. Unfortunately, this is a more expensive product.

Shower cabin made of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is commonly used to create greenhouses. Therefore, many people associate this material with the greenhouse effect, and, consequently, with inconvenience. This opinion is wrong. To create showers, there is a special, opaque type of polycarbonate. The most durable building will be one made of metal profiles. Working with them is no more difficult than with wooden beams. A profile pipe with a cross-section of 40×20 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm is suitable for constructing a frame. You will also need a steel angle 50x50 mm. The number of profiles is determined depending on the area of the future shower. The only thing worth considering when cutting is that the racks should be 10-15 cm larger than the expected height of the shower. This is necessary so that you can concrete them and not lose height. The work plan will look like this:

The frame assembly must be performed on a flat surface. Two side drains and two overlapping crossbars are laid on the ground. The level checks their straightness. The parts are connected to each other using welding. The second wall is assembled in the same way.
After welding, finished structures must be installed vertically at the required distance from each other and connected to each other by two transverse profiles. Maintain a 90 degree angle between the walls. The crossbars only need to be fastened on one side; the door will be welded on the other.
After the frame is assembled, a hole of the required size is dug. The top layer of soil 10-15 cm deep is removed, leveled and a concrete screed is poured. Once the screed has been poured and leveled, it is necessary to install the assembled frame on top so that the posts, which were initially longer, are immersed in the concrete. The level checks the verticality of the installed structure and adjusts it if necessary. If the length of the legs exceeds the height of the concrete screed, it is necessary to drive them into the ground until they are completely immersed.
To collect water, you can install a special steel pan or provide drainage ditches during concreting.
For this design, it is better to use flat-shaped plastic water tanks. They are easy to install and, moreover, they eliminate the need for arranging the roof.
Separately, you need to weld the door frame and weld the hinges to the frame. It is more convenient to immediately sheathe the door separately from the walls.
When covering the walls, attach the polycarbonate directly to the profiles using self-tapping screws.

The color range of polycarbonate, which is used for lining shower enclosures, is very diverse. Therefore, the design can turn out to be very attractive. Caring for this material is very easy, and in the evening it will protect you from the cool wind.

Corner models

Despite the simplicity of its design, the corner is selected according to the material from which the pallet and cabin are made, and according to its shape. Selected according to installation angle. You can purchase the two components of the model (tray and cabin) not as a set, but separately. The assortment of construction stores allows you to make a choice so that they are later combined into a single structure. The main thing is to choose them exactly in size.

Pallets are made from various materials:

of steel;
made of cast iron;
made of ceramics;
from marble;
made of acrylic.

Acrylic models remain in demand. They are not heavy, if treated with care they will last for many years, and are affordable to the average buyer. Manufacturers produce them in the shape of a rectangle, square, semicircle.

Accurate measurements of the installation location will allow you to choose a cabin so that the doors do not hit the walls of the room when you open them. The doors are made of glass with frosted or transparent texture. There are colored booths. All this makes the shower enclosure a decoration of the bathroom. The fittings of the design add style to the design of the corner.

Country shower made of corrugated sheets

Another good material for covering a summer shower is corrugated sheeting. This material is characterized by high strength and durability combined with lightness. It is windproof. And when its walls warm up throughout the day, it will be comfortable to shower in. Both wooden beams and metal profiles can be used as a frame. Metal is, of course, more durable. Therefore, if you still need to purchase materials, give preference to it.

Making the frame is similar to the examples from points 5 and 6. The only difference is that you need to add more cross bars. This is necessary to securely fix the sheets and impart rigidity to the structure, since the corrugated sheet itself is considered a soft material. Fasten the sheets using self-tapping screws. Be sure to use spacers to avoid damaging the sheet. You can cut corrugated sheets with metal scissors or using a grinder and a toothed disc. It is not advisable to use other circles. During cutting, the polymer coating, which protects the coating from corrosion, may burn through. The roof is also covered with corrugated sheeting, and the tank is located under it. The gap between the walls and the tank will provide natural ventilation in the cabin and prevent the formation of mold and unpleasant odors. An unheated tank can be placed on top of the frame. Then there is no need to build a roof.