Install outdoor shower - need plumber and carpenter

[flyingdog]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time and I think I'm finally going to do it. I have a general idea of what I want, which can be seen here - I won't be using cedar. If anyone has recommendations on who would be interested in the carpentry and/or plumbing work please let me know. The location is on the outer side of where the laundry room is so I think it relatively easy to tap into hot/cold/sewer. I live in St. Mary's county. Do I need a permit? Gack, that thought makes me shutter... Thanks for any recommendations or input!

 

[dan0623_2000]

Good luck on finding a plumber to run a hot water line outside the house. I checked on this a few years ago and was told it was against the code for a license plumber to run a hot water line putside the house. He would tap into the current hot water line and run the piping to an outside wall but stopp ther. Also it is actually illegal to let shower water just run off anywhere. Any type of waste water is suppose to run into the public sewer lines or your private septic tank. Just trying to be informative.

 

[flyingdog]

Good luck on finding a plumber to run a hot water line outside the house. I checked on this a few years ago and was told it was against the code for a license plumber to run a hot water line putside the house. He would tap into the current hot water line and run the piping to an outside wall but stopp ther. Also it is actually illegal to let shower water just run off anywhere. Any type of waste water is suppose to run into the public sewer lines or your private septic tank. Just trying to be informative.

Thanks for your input. Is there a code that doesn't allow hot water to run outside the house? The source pipe is just inside the laundry room which is on the other side of the outside wall. I would have a shutoff valve installed to cut off during the winter.

As for the drain you'll see the plans include a drain through the residential sewer line which is also located near the planned structure.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

Could you have a plumber install a frost free spigot for the cold and hot water lines. This way, there's no code issue, and the lines can be shut off in the winter.

Then just mount the shover valve and all to the exterior wall with flex water lines going to the spigots?

You can also building a dry riverbed with a teak or plastic board "walkway" over it. Then obvuiopusly drain the water to where ever you wish.

 

[flyingdog]

Could you have a plumber install a frost free spigot for the cold and hot water lines. This way, there's no code issue, and the lines can be shut off in the winter.

Then just mount the shover valve and all to the exterior wall with flex water lines going to the spigots?

You can also building a dry riverbed with a teak or plastic board "walkway" over it. Then obvuiopusly drain the water to where ever you wish.

Yes on the frost free lines. I'm interested in this dry riverbed idea - but don't know enough about it. I still think it might be fairly easy to tie into the current sewer line based on location - but I'm no plumber. Thanks for your input.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

Yes on the frost free lines. I'm interested in this dry riverbed idea - but don't know enough about it. I still think it might be fairly easy to tie into the current sewer line based on location - but I'm no plumber. Thanks for your input.

Sure thing, and sorry for the typos.

Tying into your main drain is an option, but you'll really only be putting soapy water in it. This is called greywater, and you can either make your own greywater drywell drain system, setup a basic irrigation system, or a number of other options. (Not sure what can be permitted down here for greywater systems)

This may help:
http://sfwater.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=55

http://greywateraction.org/content/about-greywater-reuse

The dry riverbed is basically a pit with a rubber liner (like making a pond), but filled with stone. There's never any "pooling" water when you install a drain from the dry riverbed to whatever type of water disposal system you choose.

Keep in mind things like leaves, those little helicopter thingys, and other small plant matter when building one, as they can "fill" the drainage gaps in the stone if not upkept (of course, this can happen if you choose to install a typical shower drian). They do look very nice and natural though.

Here's an example of a dry riverbed. Now imagine a wooden structure over top of it and some large, leafy bushes around the shower.
View attachment 102495

Now you've got me interested in one, and I'm scoping out my house for a place to put one.