DIY Home Improvement Guide

Shower Installation Ideas

Installing a shower requires some careful planning and preparation, and the two most important factors are the water pressure and the pipe work. Water pressure comes from the tank, and many homes suffer from low pressure due to the height of the storage tank. You can increase the water pressure by raising the tank height. In many cases this only needs to be elevated by 200 millimetres or so. Remember that you will also need to lengthen the pipes that feed the tank and supply the water to the shower itself.

Raising the tank height creates more pressure due to gravity, and thus provides extra pressure. If this is not a viable solution then you could fit a booster pump. These come in either a single or dual pump and will need to be installed by a qualified electrician, unless you are one yourself. Many hardware stores will sell these pumps, or you can go online to stores like argos, who specialise in this area. A single booster pump should be fitted between the shower controls and the spray. The dual pumps should be fitted to the supply piping to create an even pressure before the water reaches the mixer. For even greater pressure you can buy bended fittings or bend the pipe work yourself, but be very careful not to kink the pipes if you do this.

Next up you need to decide which type of shower to go for. Mixer showers are those that combine hot and cold water from the same outlet. To control the temperature you simply turn the dial. Push on mixer showers can be fitted to bath taps and are basically a rubber hose that can attached when showering. They are controlled by the bath taps. The only downside is that the taps will be harder to reach when showering. The most expensive units are the thermostatically controlled mixers that can also regulate pressure and temperature. These are the power showers that are becoming very popular these days. There is a wide range of styles and designs available from many places like additions direct or any local diy store. Just remember to look at the installation guide and the recommended pressure for the unit before you buy it. If you follow these simple rules you should have little trouble installing your new shower.