Setting up a new shower system 64019

Setting Up a New Shower Unit

An effective shower installation requires cautious planning and a great deal of work. In most cases, you will require to do 3 types of tasks: framing walls, installing the plumbing, and completing walls.

Preparation

Firstly, you should decide on the kind of shower that you wish to set up. It is very important to ascertain whether the chosen shower can managing specific systems and can regulate a safe level of water through the boiler. A lot of shower units nowadays are designed to be versatile to various water pressures (such as saved hot water and cold mains).

It is likewise essential to take into account the water pressure and the preparation of the piping and drainage for the shower

Different Types of Shower Units

Push-on Mixer: The hose pipe and spray parts of the push-on mixer shower system can be connected to the bath tap according to your requirement, and the water temperature level can be changed via the taps. Push-on mixers are cheap and exceptionally easy to set up. Nevertheless, although the hose pipe connection is basic, it is easily removed. Furthermore, it is bothersome to adjust the temperature level.

Bath/ Shower Mixer: The hose and spray of this kind of shower are integrated with a bath mixer tap, and the temperature can be adjusted through the bath taps. It is a really low-cost choice and no additional pipes is included. Nevertheless, the bath/shower mixers likewise suffer from troublesome temperature level control alternatives.

Manual Mixer: The hose and spray of a manual mixer shower unit belong of the wall unit and the cold and hot water products are linked to a single valve The temperature and pressure of the water are managed through either one or a range of knobs (in more pricey showers). Although temperature control is a lot easier in manual mixer types, they are more expensive than the formerly discussed mixers. They likewise need additional plumbing of hot and cold supply of water pipes.

Thermostatic Mixer: The hose pipe and spray of this shower type belong of the wall unit and the hot and cold water supplies are linked to a single valve here too. It is total with an integrated stabiliser to self-adjust the water temperature and to prevent leading plumbing company it from ending up being too hot. Among the greatest benefits of a thermostatic mixer shower type includes practical temperature level control. However, it is the most pricey of the various mixer options.

Power Shower: A power shower is a single unit consisting of a powerful electrical pump that can modifying both the water pressure and temperature. This kind of shower can be fitted if there is supply of water from a cold water tank and a hot water cylinder. A power shower makes the adjustment of both pressure and temperature easy. On the other hand, it disagrees for water heated up directly by the shower or where the water is provided by a mix boiler under mains pressure.

Electric Shower: An electrical shower is plumbed into a mains cold water supply and it warms the water electrically. It is essential to keep in mind that for this shower type to be installed, the mains pressure requires to be at least 0.7 kg/sq cm (10lb/sq in). The unit allows the temperature and pressure to be changed via a knob. Designs with temperature stabilisers are better as they stay untouched by other taps in other places in use within the home. A significant disadvantage of electrical showers is that the control knob only enables the alternative of heats at less pressure, or lower temperature levels at a greater pressure. This is problematic in the winter when the spray is typically weak and the mains water is cooler. However, this issue is taken on in some designs which are available with a winter/summer setting.

Method

Depending on the kind of shower you want to install, the shower head must either be suited order to prevent its contact with the water in the bath listed below or the base tray, or it needs to have a check valve.

Before starting, it is recommended to mark the positions of the shower head and control, and to plan the pipe-work involved. Additionally, the drain system to remove the drainage will need to be prepared. Both positions of the cable television path and the shower switch will likewise need to be considered if an immediate or electrical shower system is being installed.

Use the direction guide provided with the shower system to fit the shower control.

Before fitting the pipes that will provide the water to the shower system, it is important to cut off the supply of water. In order to safeguard the pipes, they need to be provided a waterproof covering and also fitted with separating valves. The pipes 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 pipelines that will be supplying the water (This might require a female screw thread adapter).

Reconnect the supply of water and test the pipes for any leakages, as some might require tightening.

If you are setting up an electrical shower, keep in mind to switch off the electrical power supply before making any electrical connections. Once these connections have been made (there ought to be assistance within the user's manual), the power supply can be changed back on.

Adjusting Water Pressure to Fit Your Shower

The cold water tank can be lifted to a greater height (in some cases as low as 150mm (6inches)) by fitting a strong wood support underneath it-- potentially made up of struts and blockboards. If you select this alternative, the main and distribution pipelines will also need to be raised to fulfill the 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 must be connected into the power supply in order to operate.

Piping and Drainage

It is best to use 15mm size supply pipes, and make the runs to the shower as short and straight as possible so as to maintain maximum pressure and reduce heat loss. In addition, by minimising making use of elbows for pipeline corners, you can decrease the resistance in the flow of the water system. You can attain this by flexing the pipelines instead.

Most Common Mistakes

# Breaking or disregarding local code restrictions.

# Using pipelines that are too small.

# Attaching copper to galvanized without utilizing a brass or dielectric fitting between the two.

# Not utilizing tape or pipe substance at threaded joints.

# Not leveling your fixtures when installing them.

# Not setting up an air gap filling for fixtures.

# Cutting supply stub outs too brief to set up the shutoff valves onto after the finished wall remains in place.

# Not correctly aligning tubing into fittings or stop valves. (Forcing the nut onto the compression ring at an angle when the tubing is at an angle will trigger a leakage.)

# When turning the water back on in your house, constantly run the outdoors 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.