Handyman tips-how to install a shower
Having a shower is both luxurious and environmentally friendly at the same time because it helps to save water and is good for the environment. Because of the design of most shower cubicles these days, the shower enclosure can be fitted in most small spaces. To begin installing a shower cubicle a basic understanding of plumbing and electrical installation and safety is a requisite.
There are five main steps to fitting a shower and you will need a helper to assist you in fitting the shower. The main steps would involve: extending the water supply to feed the shower, extending the waste supply for the new shower enclosure, mounting the shower tray onto a custom made plinth or wooden frame ,installation of the frame and doors.
Some fundamental requirements of fitting a shower also are: the shower head must be at least 1.5 meters below the level of the water tank to provide sufficient water pressure for a descent flow. The shower must also have its own water supply from the cold water cistern.
The pipe work will need to be run under the floorboards or along the walls, in either case the pipes will need to be supported under the floor or along the walls by a series of pipe clips to stop water hammer caused by the pressure of the water against loose pipe fittings.
STEPS
1.The first step would be to extend the water supply to where you want it to fed the shower, this can be achieved by careful measurement. Tap into the cold water cistern and make a connection to supply the shower, the hot water supply is then taken from an existing supply line, cut into the pipe and insert a T section to make a new supply to the shower. If the connections are made under the floorboards then make sure that all the connections are tightened properly because if there is a leak under the floor latter on it will be undetected until it is too late.
2.Installing the shower tray: Turn the shower tray so that you can fit the trap, the best type to use on a shower tray is a P trap. Screw the trap onto the shower tray and measure the distance between the bottom of the P trap and the top of the shower tray adding about 40mm to the bottom of the P trap where it will sit on the floor so that you have enough clearance from the floor. The plinth or frame of the shower tray can be made from rough cut sawn timber which is treated. Screw the corners of the frame together-allow for a removable panel to gain access to the trap then screw the whole frame onto the floor to make sure that it is steady and rigid. With your helper ,lift the shower tray onto the frame.
3. Extending the waste supply: Use a hole cutter attached to a drill bit and make a hole through the wall about the same diameter as the plastic waste pipe. Attach the waste pipe to the P trap using compression or push fit connections. Push the waste pipe through the wall and fill any hole or gap around the pipe with a cement mix. make you connections on the outside of the wall either into an existing drain or a hopper head.
4.Fitting the doors: Drill holes for the metal frames of the shower doors, use a spirit level to make sure that they are level. Screw all the sides together using the parts supplied. to make sure you have a truly watertight cubicle ,apply sealant to all the sides and bottom of the shower cubicle. Tile the inside of the shower cubicle.
5.Connection:drill holes to fit the shower thermostat control onto the wall, connect the water supply pipes to the thermostatic control, tighten all connections and test the shower