DIY Installation of a New Shower Unit
A successful shower setup needs mindful planning and a great deal of work. In many cases, you will require to do 3 kinds of tasks: framing walls, installing the plumbing, and completing walls.
Preparation
Firstly, you need to decide on the type of shower that you wish to set up. It is important to determine whether the selected shower can handling certain systems and can regulate a safe level of water through the boiler. Many shower units nowadays are created to be versatile to various water pressures (such as kept warm water and cold mains).
It is also essential to take into consideration the water pressure and the planning of the piping and drainage for the shower
Various Kinds Of Shower Units
Push-on Mixer: The tube and spray parts of the push-on mixer shower unit can be connected to the bath tap as per your requirement, and the water temperature can be changed through the taps. Push-on mixers are low-cost and exceptionally simple to set up. Nevertheless, although the hose connection is basic, it is quickly dislodged. In addition, it is inconvenient to adjust the temperature level.
Bath/Shower Mixer: The tube and spray of this type of shower are integrated with a bath mixer tap, and the temperature can be adjusted through the bath taps. It is a really inexpensive option and no additional plumbing is involved. Nevertheless, the bath/shower mixers likewise experience troublesome temperature level control choices.
Handbook Mixer: The hose pipe and spray of a manual mixer shower unit belong of the wall system and the cold and hot water products are linked to a single valve The temperature and pressure of the water are controlled through either one or a range of knobs (in more costly showers). Although temperature control is a lot easier in manual mixer types, they are more pricey than the formerly pointed out mixers. They likewise need extra pipes of cold and hot supply of water pipes.
Thermostatic Mixer: The hose pipe and spray of this shower type belong of the wall system and the hot and cold water products are linked to a single valve here too. It is complete with a built-in stabiliser to self-adjust the water temperature level and to avoid it from becoming too hot. Among the biggest advantages of a thermostatic mixer shower type includes hassle-free temperature level control. However, it is the most expensive of the different mixer choices.
Power Shower: A power shower is a single system including a powerful electric pump that is capable of modifying both the water pressure and temperature. This kind of shower can be fitted if there is water supply from a cold water cistern and a warm water cylinder. A power shower makes the change of both pressure and temperature level easy. On the other hand, it disagrees for water warmed straight by the shower or where the water is provided by a combination boiler under mains pressure.
Electric Shower: An electric shower is plumbed into a mains cold water supply and it heats up the water electrically. It is very important to note that for this shower type to be set up, the mains pressure requires to be at least 0.7 kg/sq cm (10lb/sq in). The system click over here enables the temperature level and pressure to be changed through a knob. Designs with temperature level stabilisers are much better as they remain unaffected by other taps somewhere else in usage within the family. A major downside of electric showers is that the control knob just enables the choice of high temperatures at less pressure, or lower temperature levels at a greater pressure. This is troublesome in the winter when the spray is frequently weak and the mains water is chillier. However, this problem is tackled in some models which are available with a winter/summer setting.
Technique
Depending upon the kind of shower you wish to set up, the shower head must either be fitted in order to prevent its contact with the water in the bath below or the base tray, or it needs to have a check valve.
Before beginning, it is a good idea to mark the positions of the shower head and control, and to prepare the pipe-work included. Additionally, the drain system to remove the waste water will require to be prepared. Both positions of the cable path and the shower switch will likewise require to be considered if an instantaneous or electrical shower system is being set up.
Utilize the direction guide provided with the shower system to fit the shower control.
Prior to fitting the pipelines that will provide the water to the shower system, it is important to cut off the water supply. In order to safeguard the pipelines, they must be provided a waterproof covering and also fitted with isolating valves. The pipelines can then be buried into the wall and plastered over to neaten the overall look.
Fit the base tray, shower head, and fittings.
Connect the main shower control to the pipes that will be providing the water (This may require a female screw thread adapter).
Reconnect the water supply and test the pipelines for any leakages, as some may require tightening up.
If you are setting up an electrical shower, keep in mind to turn off the electrical power supply before making any electrical connections. When these connections have actually been made (there must be guidance within the instruction manual), the power supply can be changed back on.
Changing Water Pressure to Match Your Shower
The cold water reservoir can be lifted to a higher height (in some cases as low as 150mm (6inches)) by fitting a strong wooden support underneath it - possibly composed of struts and blockboards. If you select this option, the primary and distribution pipes will likewise have to be raised to meet the brand-new height of the reservoir.
Alternatively, a booster pump (a single pump or a dual/twin pump) can be fitted. Whichever type is picked, it needs to be linked into the power supply in order to run.
Piping and Drain
It is best to utilize 15mm size supply pipelines, and make the runs to the shower as short and straight as possible so as to preserve optimal pressure and reduce heat loss. Additionally, by minimising the use of elbows for pipe corners, you can decrease the resistance in the flow of the water system. You can accomplish this by bending the pipes instead.
A Lot Of Typical Mistakes
# Breaching or overlooking local code restrictions.
# Using pipes that are too little.
# Attaching copper to galvanized without using a brass or dielectric fitting in between the 2.
# Not utilizing tape or pipeline compound at threaded joints.
# Not leveling your components when installing them.
# Not installing an air space filling for components.
# Cutting supply stub outs too short to install the shutoff valves onto after the finished wall is in location.
# Not appropriately lining up tubing into fittings or stop valves. (Forcing the nut onto the compression ring at an angle when the tubing is at an angle will cause a leakage.).
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# When turning the water back on in your home, constantly run the outside hose pipe valve or flush your toilets to bleed dirt and air from the lines. This debris can cause issues in your sink faucets and other plumbing trim.