If you have need of an outdoor shower enclosure in the back-yard of your home and are wondering how to get started then you will most likely need to tap into the experience and knowledge of a qualified builder. By engaging a builder who already has a wealth of experience at constructing enclosures, you should be able to avoid a range of different problems relating to local building regulations, drainage issues and what would be the most suitable materials to use during construction. Most builders will also have their own sub-contractors such as a plumber, tiler and electrician who can conveniently be called upon to complete specialized work during the construction phase if necessary.

Selecting the Best Builder
Narrow the field of prospective builders you may think are suitable down to 2 or 3 candidates, then request a written quote on how much the job will cost to complete. If electrical, plumbing and tiling work is required then separate quotations may also need to be obtained. Ask your preferred builder for references from previous customers so you can carry out your own enquiries to verify if they were pleased with work completed by the candidate. Ascertain if the builder can provide some before and after photos of work they have completed as some builders especially make an effort to do this for future clients who may want to use their services.

Contracts and Agreements
Some builders may also provide a building contract that sets out the terms and conditions of the work to be carried out. As this is a legally binding contract that you may need to sign your acceptance, it is advisable for you to examine any small print closely to ensure you fully understand what has been stated. For example, ascertain if the contract mentions cost increases and whether you will need to pay for any increase in the cost of construction materials. If you have any doubts or concerns with regard to terms and conditions then you may need to consider running it past a solicitor or legal counsel.

Reputation
Another good technique that can be used to find out whether a builder has a good reputation is to ask friends and others if they have anything positive or negative to say about the builder you intend to engage. Word of mouth can be a very valuable resource to utilize particularly if the advice is provided by people you know and trust.

To ensure your outdoor shower enclosure is kept in first-class condition so it can provide you with long lasting pleasure and enjoyment, it can be a good idea to have an effective inspection and maintenance plan. By looking after your external shower structure it will look clean, well maintained and blend in with the landscape and other outside external features.

If the outdoor shower enclosure has remained unused over the cold winter months and needs to be readied for summer use then it should be given a good spring clean and inspected inside and out before being used. The first step in any maintenance plan is to check whether anything has been broken or damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced.

Small jobs such as tightening loose screws on towel rails or replacing a light bulb can be quickly attended to. However, other work such as filling nail holes in timber walls and patching cracked wooden panels will require the proper materials and equipment. If wood putty is used as a patching agent it should be left to dry and then sanded to create a smooth finish ready for painting.

Inspect the roof for any signs of surface rust (if it is made of iron or metal) which should be scrubbed off with a wire brush, wiped clean and then coated with metal primer. After the primer has dried a coat of good quality metal paint should then be applied. Also have a look inside the guttering and if there are any dead leaves and grime that has accumulated wear gloves to scoop it out then wash it clean with a garden hose.

Examine the enclosure paint work and if a repaint or re-staining is necessary make sure the paint or stain to be used is the same color that was used previously. If the wooden exterior surface is showing serious signs of paint flaking and needs a new paint job, then it may be necessary to employ a painting contractor unless you can undertake or arrange to do the work yourself.

Finally, when all repairs and maintenance work has been completed the inside of the outdoor shower enclosure such as the walls, floor, ceiling, shower fixtures, tiles and all surfaces will need to be thoroughly scrubbed, cleaned and wiped down with a good quality cleaning detergent.

Many countries today have firm health and safety laws to protect people in industries where dangerous contaminants, fuels, explosives, chemicals and other dangerous goods are manufactured. Protective clothing including gloves, helmets and face masks are required to be worn by employees in these types of industries. In large warehouses and factories portable outdoor shower enclosures are often installed by companies so workers protective wear and equipment can be showered with special cleansers and detergents to clean toxic contaminants and chemicals they may have come into contact with.

One of the more important uses the versatile portable outdoor shower enclosure also has is as an emergency shower enclosure at the scene of a fire emergency or disaster situation. Because these enclosures are made from easy to handle material that is fitted to a lightweight metal frame they can be quickly erected by emergency teams at the scene of an emergency. Being portable they can also be moved around without any problem by rescue teams and Fire Services in situations where they are needed. For example, at the scene of an accident where a truck has rolled and there has been a fuel or chemical spillage a portable outdoor shower enclosure would become an extremely handy piece of equipment to immediately shower off traces of dangerous contaminants from clothing and where it has come into contact with the skin.

The versatile portable shower enclosure is also now widely used at crime scenes by many Law and Drug Enforcement Agencies where chemicals and illegal substances have been found. In these situations an enclosure can be quickly erected and used to quickly wash off any dangerous toxic and chemical residues from officers who may have been contaminated with residues they may have come into contact with.

Other attractive features of portable shower enclosures are they are mostly made from tough PVC (polyvinylchloride) material are relatively light, simple to put up, and can be stored or easily carried in the boot of a vehicle.

Outdoor shower enclosures can be a very useful and practical addition to your home if you live close to the sea, especially when children, visitors and friends arrive home covered in sand and seawater after a day spent on the beach. The accessibility of an outdoor shower offers you the chance to freshen up and wash the sand from your body before you head inside for a cool glass of lemonade.

There are two basic types of outdoor shower enclosures as follows –

Portable Stand Alone Outdoor Shower Enclosure

The majority of these portable outdoor shower enclosures are made from lightweight PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material. They are durable and weather-proof making them ideal for outside use during camping and hiking expeditions. They are also popular with hikers because they are light, easy to transport, assemble and can be quickly taken down.

Generally, they are much less expensive than stationary models and great if you want to use an outdoor shower after working all day in the garden or temporarily installed in a camping ground while you are away with the family on your annual holiday.

For example on a nice hot summer day you have a large party of people visiting and they use your pool or you have a group of children playing in your pool, an outdoor shower would be ideal for them to wash off that chlorine after an afternoon of fun in your swimming pool.

If you are wondering what you need to do or how to install your new portable outdoor shower, simply follow the information provided in the instruction guide provided by the supplier then attach a hose from a handy water supply to the shower system already fitted to the inside of the enclosure and its all ready to go.

Fixed Stationary Outdoor Shower

These outdoor shower enclosures are commonly found at holiday resorts, hot springs or installed by swimming pools in backyard shower areas. A permanent shower will cost you a lot more mainly due to installation costs, plumbing, drainage and the expense of building materials. Most fixed outdoor shower enclosures have a concrete floor slightly sloped to ensure the used water runs away.

Depending on how much use your outdoor shower will have may have a bearing on whether a proper certified drainage system needs to be installed. For example, if the shower will have very little use, a simple soak hole dug into the ground and filled with rocks or stones may be all that is required.

To keep costs down, many outdoor shower enclosures are usually built close to the house to avoid costly plumbing and piping from the water source. They are also usually constructed usually of waterproofed wood around a defined area.

The actual size and cost can vary greatly and will depend on what materials are used and whether the homeowner wants additional fittings installed. For example, this can be anything from a nice slatted seat fitted inside the cubicle or a matching roof fitted with tiles or thatch.

You can also have a choice of doors fitted such as hinged or bat-wing doors that can be locked from the inside for privacy and to protect anyone using the shower enclosure from prying eyes.

Many people on camping expeditions who need to wash or bathe after a long day walking in the sun would try to camp near a stream or river. With the innovative introduction by manufacturers of well made portable outdoor shower enclosures, campers these days can have the luxury of a warm shower eliminating the need for them to stop and bathe in a river.

In the past, people who went trekking, hiking or camping obtained equipment they needed from a General Hardware Store or retailer that specialized in supplying tents, sleeping bags and such like. Today campers have the benefit of going online and ordering what they want to make their camping experience more comfortable and enjoyable without leaving the home. With modern advances in technology manufacturers and suppliers of camping equipment can now outfit consumers with a wide range of superior outdoor gadgets, clothing, utensils and camping shower enclosures.
Camping shower enclosures are made of top quality materials in a wide range of different styles with some designs being used as a toilet tent, dressing room or as a private shower enclosure. These portable shower enclosures can also be erected quickly and are generally made of durable fabrics that are weatherproof and UV resistant.

To provide heated water for portable showers water can be heated in solar bags that depending on the bag size can carry between 2 to 5 gallons. After the water has heated (again the time will depend on the amount of water) the solar bag can be hung from a hook inside the shower enclosure ready for use. The temperature is controlled by a water temperature gauge and an on and off fixture to save water. To allow water to drain off many of these modern portable enclosures now have self draining floors.

Because some of the high quality camping shower enclosures are roomier they are as can be expected are much more expensive. These portable shower enclosures have superior features such as full length nylon zip entrances for privacy, extra storage space and mesh ceilings that are designed to allow maximum ventilation.

If you are thinking of installing an outdoor shower enclosure in your back yard then you will need to first of all decide on the size and type of timber you want. For example if you want a basic wood structure made from pine without a roof or door then erecting this type of outdoor shower enclosure outdoors will be a lot easier and cost effective. Alternatively, a well constructed enclosure built from cedar wood would look very classy next to an old style rustic colored home by a beach.

These days homeowners who live by a beach or want a stylish wooden outdoor shower enclosure built next to a swimming pool can have one of these structures built to their requirements and specifications. Before erecting one of these enclosures the first step is to decide where to place the structure in the back yard. For example, if the enclosure requires heated water and electrical fittings then it would not need to be built close to the house as this would keep the cost of installing underground water pipes and electrical wiring.

In some situations, to avoid installing pipes underground, water from a tap fixed to the outside of the house can be used by passing it through the garden hose into a shower fitting installed inside the enclosure.

Installing a wooden shower enclosure to the dimensions and design you require will require the expertise of a tradesman as he will have the skills to complete the job properly and knowledge of local bylaws and the building consent process if the structure requires a building permit. By engaging a tradesman you will also be in a position to supervise progress and have the enclosure built with the wood and the design of your choice.

Prior to erecting the shower enclosure, a flat base for the floor made from a square concrete slab (hand mixed) or 6 or 8 large square concrete tiles will need to be put down. A drainage system may also need to be installed by a registered drain layer. However, if the shower enclosure has very little use a soak pit in the ground filled with stones or rocks would be an option to gather and soak in any run off water from the enclosure.

This article provides tips and advice for homeowners on the advantages and disadvantages of erecting a wooden outdoor shower enclosure in the backyard.

If you are wondering what the difference is between a fixed, stand alone or stationary outdoor shower enclosure the answer is ‘no difference’. This is because they all have the same purpose or role which is to provide shower facilities outside the home. In many cases this type of enclosure is installed in an outside flat area close to the home so plumbing and drainage costs can be kept to a minimum.

If you have an outside pool then installing an outdoor shower enclosure will be a very good option for family members to use to freshen up or wash chlorine off after a swim. It can also come in handy if you only have the one bathroom and your home is overflowing with visitors and house guests.

If you are a DIY handyperson and are handy with a hammer, then building your own shower enclosure will give you a great deal of satisfaction.

There are several steps you will need to think about before you begin building your outdoor shower enclosure.. For example a suitable flat site for the enclosure preferably near your pool (if you have one) or close to the water main pipes needs to be found and the dimensions and measurements worked out.

All the building materials you will need such as treated timber posts, weatherproof ply or other suitable wooden material for the walls and bags of cement/builders mix for laying the floor will also need to be sourced and bought. If necessary a concrete mixer will need to be hired and to ensure the necessary PVC pipes are fitted correctly and plumbing work is carried out professionally, a plumber should be engaged.

For added privacy a lockable hinged door can be installed and to keep the rain out a flat tilted roof covered with corrugated iron or color steel could also be added. If there is sufficient room a small slat bench or seat can be included and used to place clothing, towels and other items on while you shower.

Installing a basic outdoor shower enclosure is not that complicated. In fact it can be as simple as using your garden hose draped over the branch of a tree with a shower type nozzle in your backyard. All you need to do is turn the tap on and stand under the water.

Although this type of shower certainly allows the user to connect with nature and to have a refreshing shower particularly on a hot summer day, one of the disadvantages in having a backyard shower like this is they are not enclosed to provide privacy and the running water from a garden hose is not heated.

Today there is no need to shower outside in the garden with cold tap water because there are now available outdoor solar showers that can be easily constructed for use in all types of outdoor situations. These units allow users to have a refreshing shower in warm water heated by the sun’s rays through a U shaped shower ring. They can be custom made to requirements and because they are made of maintenance free PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material these enclosures have very good long lasting properties.

The portable outdoor shower enclosure is much lighter and therefore more compact than fixed type enclosures and can therefore be easily assembled and taken down as required. Also because they offer privacy they can be used as a portable toilet and are often used as a changing room to change into and out of wet swimwear.

These model enclosures are ideal for camping expeditions or if you live near a beach because they can be easily taken down and transported when required.

A portable outdoor shower enclosure is ideal for the home, particularly if you will only need to use it for part of the year during the hot summer months or on the annual camping trek once a year.