Installing a brand-new shower system 36178

Setting Up a New Shower Unit

A successful shower setup needs careful preparation and a lot of work. In many cases, you will need to do three types of jobs: framing walls, setting up the plumbing, and ending up walls.

Preparation

Firstly, you must choose the type of shower that you wish to set up. It is essential to establish whether the selected shower is capable of managing particular systems and can manage a safe level of water through the boiler. The majority of shower systems nowadays are created to be versatile to different water pressures (such as stored hot water and cold mains).

It is also crucial to take into account the water pressure and the planning of the piping and drain for the shower

Different Kinds of Shower Units

Push-on Mixer: The pipe and spray parts of the push-on mixer shower system can be linked to the bath tap based on your requirement, and the water temperature can be changed via the taps. Push-on mixers are inexpensive and exceptionally easy to set up. Nevertheless, although the pipe connection is easy, it is quickly dislodged. In addition, it is inconvenient to change the temperature level.

Bath/ Shower Mixer: The pipe and spray of this type of shower are combined with a bath mixer tap, and the temperature can be adjusted through the bath taps. It is a really inexpensive option and no extra plumbing is involved. Nevertheless, the bath/shower mixers likewise suffer from inconvenient temperature 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 controlled through either one or a range of knobs (in more expensive showers). Although temperature control is a lot easier in manual mixer types, they are more expensive than the formerly mentioned mixers. They likewise require additional plumbing of cold and hot water supply pipes.

Thermostatic Mixer: The tube and spray of this shower type are a part of the wall unit and the cold and hot water products are connected to a single valve here too. It is complete with a built-in stabiliser to self-adjust the water temperature and to avoid it from ending up being too hot. One of the most significant benefits of a thermostatic mixer shower type consists of hassle-free temperature control. Nevertheless, it is the most costly of the different mixer choices.

Power Shower: A power shower is a single system including a powerful electric pump that can modifying both the water pressure and temperature. This type of shower can be fitted if there is water system from a cold water cistern and a hot water cylinder. A power shower makes the modification of both pressure and temperature easy. On the other hand, it disagrees for water warmed straight by the shower or where the water is provided by a mix boiler under mains pressure.

Electric Shower: An electric shower is plumbed into a mains cold water supply and it heats the water electrically. It is essential 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 unit recommended best plumbing company enables the temperature level and pressure to be changed through a knob. Designs with temperature stabilisers are better as they remain unaffected by other taps somewhere else in usage within the family. A significant downside of electric showers is that the control knob only permits the option of heats at less pressure, or lower temperature levels at a greater pressure. This is troublesome in the winter when the spray is typically weak and the mains water is cooler. Nevertheless, this issue is tackled in some models which are available with a winter/summer setting.

Method

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

Before beginning, it is recommended to mark the positions of the shower head and control, and to prepare the pipe-work involved. In addition, the drain system to eliminate the waste water will require to be prepared. Both positions of the cable path and the shower switch will also require to be thought about if an immediate or electrical shower unit is being installed.

Use the guideline guide offered with the shower system to fit the shower control.

Before fitting the pipelines that will supply the water to the shower system, it is necessary to cut off the water supply. In order to safeguard the pipes, they should be given a water resistant covering and likewise 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 pipelines that will be providing the water (This may need 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 installing an electrical shower, remember to turn off the electrical energy supply before making any electrical connections. When these connections have been made (there need to be guidance within the user's manual), the power supply can be switched back on.

Adjusting Water Pressure to Match Your Shower

The cold water tank can be raised to a higher height (in some cases as little as 150mm (6inches)) by fitting a strong wood assistance below it-- potentially made up of struts and blockboards. If you choose this choice, the primary and distribution pipes will also need to be raised to meet the new height of the reservoir.

Alternatively, a booster pump (a single pump or a dual/twin pump) can be fitted. Whichever type is selected, it needs to 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 brief and straight as possible so regarding maintain optimal pressure and reduce heat loss. In addition, by reducing using elbows for pipeline corners, you can reduce the resistance in the flow of the water system. You can achieve this by bending the pipelines instead.

Most Common Mistakes

# Breaking or overlooking regional code restrictions.

# Using pipes that are too small.

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

# Not utilizing tape or pipe compound at threaded joints.

# Not leveling your fixtures when installing them.

# Not setting up an air space filling for fixtures.

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

# Not appropriately lining up tubing into fittings or stop valves. (Requiring the nut onto the compression ring at an angle when the tubing is at an angle will cause a leak.)

# When turning the water back on in your house, always run the outside pipe valve or flush your toilets to bleed dirt and air from the lines. This particles can cause problems in your sink faucets and other plumbing trim.