Setting Up a New Shower Unit
A successful shower installation requires mindful planning and a great deal of work. For the most part, you will require to do 3 types of tasks: framing walls, setting up the plumbing, and completing walls.
Preparation
Firstly, you need to pick the kind of shower that you wish to install. It is important to ascertain whether the picked shower can 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 various water pressures (such as stored hot water and cold mains).
It is also crucial to take into consideration the water pressure and the preparation of the piping and drainage for the shower
Different Types of Shower Units
Push-on Mixer: The tube 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 very basic to set up. Nevertheless, although the pipe connection is easy, 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 an extremely inexpensive choice and no extra plumbing is included. Nevertheless, the bath/shower mixers also suffer from inconvenient temperature control options.
Manual Mixer: The pipe and spray of a manual mixer shower system belong of the wall unit and the cold and hot water supplies 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 expensive showers). Although temperature control is a lot easier in manual mixer types, they are more expensive than the formerly pointed out mixers. They likewise require extra pipes of cold and hot supply of water pipes.
Thermostatic Mixer: The hose and spray of this shower type belong of the wall system and the hot and cold water materials are connected to a single valve here too. It is complete with an integrated stabiliser to self-adjust the water temperature and to avoid it from ending up being too hot. Among the most significant advantages of a thermostatic mixer shower type consists of practical temperature level control. However, it is the most costly of the various 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 level. 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 modification of both pressure and temperature easy. On the other hand, it is unsuitable 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 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 system permits the temperature and pressure to be changed by means of a knob. Designs with temperature level stabilisers are much better as they stay untouched by other taps elsewhere in use within the family. A significant disadvantage of electric showers is that the control knob only permits the choice of heats at less pressure, or lower temperatures at a higher pressure. This is troublesome in the winter season when the spray is frequently weak https://newsdeskblog.com/new-plumbing-technology-in-your-home/ and the mains water is chillier. However, this issue is tackled in some designs which are available with a winter/summer setting.
Method
Depending on the type of shower you wish to set up, the shower head should either be fitted in order to prevent 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 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 eliminate the waste water will require to be prepared. Both positions of the cable television route and the shower switch will likewise require to be considered if an immediate or electric shower unit is being installed.
Use the guideline 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 essential to cut off the water supply. In order to protect the pipes, they need to be provided a waterproof covering and also fitted with isolating valves. The pipes can then be buried into the wall and plastered over to neaten the total look.
Fit the base tray, shower head, and fittings.
Connect the main shower control to the pipes that will be supplying the water (This may need a female screw thread adapter).
Reconnect the supply of water and test the pipelines for any leakages, as some might need tightening.
If you are installing an electrical shower, keep in mind to switch off the electricity supply before making any electrical connections. Once these connections have actually been made (there ought to be assistance within the user's manual), the power supply can be switched back on.
Adjusting Water Pressure to Fit Your Shower
The cold water tank can be raised to a higher height (sometimes as little as 150mm (6inches)) by fitting a strong wooden assistance beneath it-- possibly composed of struts and blockboards. If you choose this alternative, the main and distribution pipelines will also have to be raised to satisfy 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 chosen, it must be linked into the power supply in order to operate.
Piping and Drainage
It is best to use 15mm diameter supply pipelines, and make the go to the shower as short and straight as possible so as to maintain optimal pressure and reduce heat loss. Additionally, by minimising the use of elbows for pipeline corners, you can reduce the resistance in the flow of the water system. You can accomplish this by flexing the pipelines instead.
Most Common Mistakes
# Breaching or ignoring regional code restrictions.
# Using pipes that are too small.
# Connecting copper to galvanized without utilizing a brass or dielectric fitting in between the two.
# Not using tape or pipeline substance at threaded joints.
# Not leveling your fixtures when setting up them.
# Not setting up an air space filling for fixtures.
# Cutting supply stub outs too brief to install the shutoff valves onto after the finished wall is in place.
# Not appropriately aligning 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 home, always run the outdoors hose 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.