Installing a steam shower is easy to do, no matter what model you might be working with or additions you’ve chosen to include in your design. That said, simple mistakes can mean trouble down the line. Here’s a few quick tips on how to install a steam shower in your home.
Setting up the base
Every steam shower requires a base which needs to be levelled in order to ensure the unit’s fully stable. When a base is level, water will drain as you intend it to and there shouldn’t be any problems. The front of a steam shower is usually your door. This is the first wall you will want to connect to your base. A lot of these systems tend to have self-tapping screws and bolts.
Connecting the walls of your shower
Just like you want to ensure the base is level, every wall of your shower should be connected, installed, and screwed or bolted in. Once the first wall is connected to the base, next comes the other walls. Assemble the rest of the walls and connect them to the bottom. Ensure they’re securely fastened into place before moving on.
Always read the instructions
Unless you’re a professional steam shower installation expert working only with your one model again and again, read the instructions. You may be tempted not to but always read the instructions. These directions are necessary. Every maker may have their own unit installation procedures. Just because you’ve done an install on another model doesn’t mean this will be identical. For example, in some steam showers, a layer a silicone is applied to all sides to seal corners. Comparatively, other models have rubber seals. Always check the directions – bottom line.
Set up the top after the walls
After you have your walls in place, set up the top of the unit in position. If the walls aren’t affixed like you hoped they would be, having the top in place should bring everything together. Sturdiness, strength, and stability in any steam shower comes from the connective strength of structural components in the form of the walls, top, and base. If sealant is used, ensure all nuts, mounting bolts, and colored wires are tightened and fastened to where they should be.
Do you need plumbing in place for a steam shower?
If plumbing is already in place with your steam shower unit, installing it will be much, much easier. Unfortunately, if the plumbing isn’t there, you may have to make some changes. Flexible hoses and water lines are serious business. You will need hookups on the wall where the unit’s being installed. There should be a drain beneath the unit as well. Needless to say, you may need to complete some big renovations to get the room to what you need it to be.
A specialized electrical circuit dedicated to the steam shower only
Ideally, the steam shower should have its own electrical circuit. If this isn’t possible, the bathroom should at the very least be working off its own circuit. Ensure the ground fault circuit interrupter works like it should. If the ground fault circuit interrupter’s not functioning like it should, you may need to make some changes to the wiring to prevent electric shocks. While doing this, check to make sure your room is ventilated properly which will help to minimize the possibility of mold, mildew, or architecture damage.