You might like the idea of a customized shower. Water massages you from every angle, giving you a luxurious spa-like experience every time you get clean. It's a dream come true for shower lovers: a luxurious shower in your master bathroom. Before you begin to layout your plans, you need to consider a few things.
Average showers use approximately two gallons per minute. Custom showers use much more. This creates a host of problems that you will need to consider before you start. Do a rough estimate of the number of showerheads and sprays you need. A custom shower will typically have a rain head mounted to the ceiling, regular massage heads, and a hand shower across the door, as well as a series of bodysprays on either end. Consider 2.5 gallons per hour for each showerhead. Even the most basic set-up can produce between 10 and 12.5 Gallons per minute.
What does this mean? It means that your pipes must be capable of supplying the water. You should check if your pipes are 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch. This is the first problem, as half-inch pipes often aren't able to provide enough water to run multiple showerheads. Even the simplest setup requires more water than a full-flow showerhead. It's not easy to replace your pipes (and it might be something you have to do depending on where your showerheads are located), but it's something you don't want to regret doing once you're halfway through the project or when you turn on your shower for the first time.
You also need to ensure that you have enough water pressure so that your showerheads can run at maximum speed. Check the water pressure in your system with a plumber. It is recommended that your pressure be at least 50 pounds per square inch (PSI). If it is less than 45 psi, a secondary water booster pump will be installed. You should also be aware that water pressure can fluctuate with seasonal water levels if your water comes from a well. This is especially true if the shower has a high tax.
If you are able to get water to your shower, the next hurdle is heat. This is an important point that many people forget to take into account. It's easy to forget about how much water is being sprayed at you while you are enjoying a relaxing shower. A shower with three sprays per side (either a handheld or regular showerhead), and an overhead rain shower head will use approximately 20 gallons per minute. This could cause serious cramping in your shower. To be able to take a long shower, you will need a 75-100 gallon or larger tank. A tankless electric water heater is a better option. It takes up less space and provides a nearly infinite supply of hot water. It is important to make sure that the tank you choose can hold the required volume. Also, keep in mind that the heater might be a bit colder during winter when the incoming water supply is lower.
The third hurdle is: The third hurdle? This is a minor change. You will need two two-inch shower drains or a linear drain of 3 inches to prevent your shower from flooding. However, as long as it's done correctly, it's not difficult. However, your home's septic tank will not handle the large volume of water that a custom-sized shower can produce, especially if it is used for any length of duration or at any frequency.
The final thing you need to consider is installation. The true custom shower must be built from the ground up. Plumbing runs through five sides of the enclosure and the door. This means you will need to plan for a lengthy and arduous construction process. Installing a shower panel over a pre-made or custom shower system will make it a bit easier. However, you will still need to complete the framework. Although it can be smaller, the spray area is limited to one wall. This limits its customization and reach. Shower panels can't be adjusted to adjust the height or angle of the sprays. You will need to purchase the components individually and place the plumbing exactly where you want it to be able to customize the shower design to meet the needs of your users.
Maybe you should think about how much a 30-odd gallons per minute shower will cost to your water bill. You're probably like me if you've read the above. Although it won't save water, you can make your custom shower dreams a reality by learning the pitfalls involved in setting one up.
