9 Things Not To Do When Installing Outdoor Shower Heads

Installing an outdoor shower head will provide you and your family with increased versatility during the warmer months of the year. A great place to wash off before going inside or cleaning equipment off, there are a wide range of things you can do with an outdoor shower head. However, before you can enjoy the luxury of having an outdoor shower head, you have to know how to properly install them.

With that in mind, below are 9 things not to do when installing outdoor shower heads:

Do Not Process Without Previous Plumbing Experience

Simply put, installing an outdoor shower and shower head requires some plumbing experience. While relatively low cost and requiring only half a day to complete, the skill level required is relatively high when compared to other outdoor do-it-yourself tasks. Ask yourself, ‘have a replaced shower heads in the interior of my home before?’ Are you familiar with what the installation process might include? Read up on the process before beginning and save yourself a great deal of hassle down the road.

Do Not Leave The Water Line On When Replacing Outdoor Shower Heads

This is a simple mistake that many first time outdoor shower owners make. Without turning off the water shut off valve first, you may end up opening the line and flooding the area around you. The pressure can build up, causing the outdoor shower head to push itself out of your hands. In the amount of time it will take you to locate the turn off valve, you may have already done serious flooding damage to the area besides or adjacent to your home. Instead of grabbing the mop, take a moment to ensure that the line is closed first and enjoy not getting wet.

Do Not Attempt To Replace The Shower Head If There Is A Chance of Freezing Weather

When there is a chance of freezing weather occuring, you have two risks to consider. The first is that the water freezing in the pipes and in the shower head will render it useless. In addition, the expanding water will put pressure on the interior components of your new outdoor shower head, resulting in greater ware and tare that will reduce the life of the product. The second thing you will need to think of is the sun. Even when the temperatures go down, the radiating affect of the sun can make the metal expand, creating a less than solid seal where water can seep in and out from, causing even more damage. Save yourself the hassle and plan for a full day and night above freezing temperatures before you begin.

Do Not Go Into The Project Without Knowing What Permits If Any Are Required

Do you know that outdoor showers sometimes require permits? Did you know that replacing the showerhead on an outdoor shower can theoretically waive your homeowners insurance and put you at risk for there not being a payout if water related damages occur. Replacing your outdoor shower head is the perfect time to make sure that your outdoor shower in general is up to code and that your insurance provider is fully aware that you have it and that you intend to use it. While the vast majority of homeowners insurance companies will not care, there are some that may use you having an unreported outdoor shower as a reason not to pay. Replacing the outdoor shower head can be seen as intent to use.

Do Not Relocate The Water Shut Off Valve Outside The House

What frequently happens with home repair is that we try to fix one thing, only to realize that it in fact requires more than one fix. This can be true for outdoor showers. Because we rarely use them and are infrequently concerned about their functionality as long as they work, replacing the outdoor shower heads may have you considering other improvements. No matter what, do not relocate the water shut off valve outside the house. It may seem like a pain to have to enter the house to turn it on and off. However, the benefit of doing this is that there is no chance that the valve can freeze open or shut.

Do Not Assume The Drainage System Will Be The Same

When replacing the outdoor shower head, understand that the splash system may be completely different. Do not replace the outdoor shower head without considering what the new drainage system will have to look like. While a minor thing to consider, it could mean hundreds or thousands of dollars of additional work depending on the quality of your outdoor shower and the space around it.

Do Not Try To Rush Construction And Shower Head Replacement

As mentioned in suggestion #1, outdoor showers can be complicated. When replacing an outdoor showerhead, take your time. Do not try to do it in under an hour and make sure you follow all instructions given. Is the showerhead designed to work outside? Does it void the warranty if used outside? Know these things before starting the process.

Do Not Skip On Properly Sealing The Showerhead

Less so with indoor showerheads, your outdoor showerheads should include additional sealing. While this makes taking off and putting on showerheads more challenging, it will help you to ensure that the shower works for a longer period of time.

Do Not Go With Cheap Outdoor Shower Head Models

If you are looking for shower heads specifically marketed for outdoor use, then understand that with cost comes quality. If you purchase a cheep product, expect it to wear down and stop working sooner than a more expensive model.

While there may be a million things you should not do, doing the right thing is amazingly straightforward. Carefully review the outdoor showerhead before you purchase it, wait for a warmer day, shut off the water valve, make sure you have the right tools, and remove the existing showerhead. Doing any kind of repair work to the outlet of the pipe, you can then insert the new outdoor shower head and after it has been fully sealed enjoy its use!

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