Do You Need A Drain For The Outdoor Shower? [Different Types Of Drainage]

Outdoor shower drains are one of the first things, come to mind when you think about installing a new outdoor shower. You should consider a few things before purchasing an expensive outdoor shower drain in place of a simple drain.

Outdoor shower drains are used to prevent water overflows in outdoor showers. They prevent water overflow by absorbing excess water over time. This helps the drain to stay cleaner longer and helps to avoid mildew.

Now you maybe wondering what kind of types of outdoor shower drainage you can use. I’ll discuss them on the next part.

Types Of Outdoor Shower Drainage

There are numerous types of outdoor shower drainage; choose what will be easier for you to install in your outdoor space.

Shower Pan

A shower pan is a specially designed pan for lining up the floor of a shower room. It collects water from the floor and directs it into drain pipes. Shower pans are effective in ensuring the drainage of shower wastewater effectively. There are various materials and designs available in shower pan with different capabilities and durability. Most of the shower pans are fiberglass, stainless steel, copper, or rubber-lined.

Connecting Shower Drainage To Main Drainage

The process of installing shower pipes to the main drainage is very straightforward. But knowing your city’s regulations regarding wastewater is important while proceeding with such drainage arrangements. Also, make sure that accessing your house’s main drainage system is cost-effective.

Dry Well Drainage

Dry wells are a pit in the ground filled with gravel. The wastewater from the shower filters into the ground; through the small holes in the gravel. The pit is typically 4 feet deep and 16 inches in radius.

French Drain Technique

Create your French drain system and have an efficient way to drain the wastewater from your outdoor shower. The French drain is a drainage technique that is built underground, and it removes excess water from your lawn or outdoor shower areas. It can prevent groundwater from seeping into your home and causing mold, mildew, and even structural damage.

To make a French drain, you will need to dig a trench that slopes to the direction where you want your water to drain away. Determining the best depth and length of the trench is the important thing. Generally, a french drain is built with a slope of 1 inch for every 8ft. in length.

What Size Pipe Is Used For Shower Drain?

A shower drain with a 2-inch pipe lets water drain out at a faster pace. And thus, keeps the area dry and algae-free. Installing 2 -inch pipe over 11/2 inch pipe is a better option.

Can You Use An Inch And A Half-Pipe For A Shower Drain?

You can use an inch and half-pipe for a shower drain, but it is always better to choose a 2-inch pipe for the easy flow of wastewater through the drain.

What Kind Of Pipe Do You Use For An Outdoor Shower?

For durability, we always strongly recommend a stainless steel outdoor shower. It will stand the elements better than other metals. Stainless steel is suitable for all environments, including coastal regions.

Do Outdoor Showers Need A Shower Base?

Yes, it is vital to have a shower base in an outdoor shower area for your comfort. It is crucial to ensure a shower base is in place to give you a firm and steady structure. The shower base keeps the mess outside and is much more comfortable to use. 

The surface should be water-resistant, permeable for drainage, and stable for standing on. The shower base can be anything, like the existing decking that includes your wooden deck area, concrete outdoor spaces, etc. or you can build it separately with pebbles, wood, or gravel.

What Kind Of Wood Do You Use For A Shower Floor?

Teak and Cedar are the most popular choices in wooden shower floors. Teak and Cedar offer superior moisture resistance due to their natural oils. They also resist mold and mildew better than most other woods. The teak and cedarwood shower floors mimic the look of expensive hardwood flooring.

How Do You Build An Enclosed Outdoor Shower?

For your privacy, you can enclose your outdoor shower. There are various ways to enclose outdoor showers. The simplest way is to cover it with shower curtains. However, you can also build a wooden chamber or a plastic chamber with enough ventilation.

There are many outdoor shower chamber ideas available online. You can adapt them and make the outdoors look more beautiful and stunning. 

Where Should I Put My Outdoor Shower?

As every designer and landscaper will tell you, putting your shower on the side of the house is generally preferable since it provides easy access to hot and cold water lines. It reduces the cost of materials needed for plumbing and makes it easier to position fixtures.

What Size Should An Outdoor Shower Be?

If you’re building a shower structure for outdoor use, follow these minimum dimensions for an average-size enclosure. The cubicle should be at least 3 feet by 3 feet or 4 feet by 4 feet, but the bigger, the better.

Conclusion

If you are planning about installing the new shower, then you might have heard that installing a drain can be beneficial in many ways. There are so many different types of drainage systems that you can install for your outdoor showers.

A cost-effective yet simple technique for outdoor showers can help you, instead of going for a complex and expensive one.