Installing Home Steam Showers and Steam Rooms

Installing a home steam room or steam shower can seem like an overwhelming task at first glance.  The average do-it-yourself can install most steam showers with a little help from a licensed electrician or plumber.   Although there are many steam shower units on the market today.  The basic concept is the same in all of them and their installations are similar.

The first step in installing a steam bath or steam shower is to level the base.  This is either a massage bathtub or a shower stand.  It is important that the base is steady so the shower is secure and the water drains properly.  After the base is leveled the first wall is connected to the base which is typically the front of the steam shower or the doors.  This is screwed with self tapping screws or bolted to the base.  After this is secured the side walls are attached.  It is important to read your installation instructions because many models require you to use silicone to seal the corners of the steam shower.  Some models use rubber seals as an alternative for silicone sealant.  After the side walls of the steam shower are attached the top of the shower enclosure is attached.  At this point this is when the shower becomes sturdy.  Tighten all the surrounding bolts and top bolts after apply the required sealant.  Connect all color coordinated wires to their corresponding wires.

If you’re remodeling an already existing bathroom the plumbing is already installed and with little modification is ready for use.  Almost every steam shower today comes with both flexible water lines and a flexible drain hose, as long as the water lines are on the wall where the steam shower is being installed and the drain is underneath the base the shower can be installed without any modification to your plumbing.    If your project is new construction using PEX plumbing is a cheaper alternative to tradition copper piping.  It is also much easier to work with which saves time.

The steam room needs to have its own dedicated circuit and larger units with Jacuzzi bathtubs may also need an additional circuit.  The steam shower circuits must be a GFCI (ground-fault-circuit-interrupter), this ensures user safety against electrical shock.  It is also important to check your GFCI circuit regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Many manufacturers directions fail to talk about ventilating the overhead ceiling fan.   This is important because the steam being vented from the shower creates excess moisture which can cause damage to your home.   This ventilation fan should be vented similar to your clothing dryer to an outside source this will prevent the buildup of mold and mildew in your bathroom.

It is important to run the shower for at least 5 minutes before using.  Switch through all the shower functions to make sure all the pipes have been cleaned of residual chemicals from manufacturing.  I have heard accounts of people getting hives because they didn’t flush the hoses of the steam shower unit properly before using it.

Modular steam showers are a perfect solution for your bathroom remodeling project they come in many styles ranging from traditional shower enclosures to contemporary showers.  They are easy to install and can raise the value of your home, making it a worthwhile investment that you can enjoy for years to come.