The Benefits of Installing Your Shower at Home

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Installing a shower at home can be an exciting project. You get to show off your building skills to visitors and give yourself a nice place to freshen up every day. Installing your own shower saves you money, too. You don’t need to hire professionals for this job—just some basic carpentry skills, time and the right tools will get the job done. If you’re planning on installing your own shower, here are some of the benefits you’ll find from doing so: Installing your own shower is challenging but not impossible, especially if you have previous carpentry experience. It all starts with creating a plan and knowing what materials you need beforehand. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about installing your own shower so that you can tackle this project with confidence.

Know the Basics of Shower Installation

Installing a shower may seem like a fairly easy, straightforward project, but it’s important to understand that each part of the process has to be done correctly and to code. You don’t want to cut corners or do things incorrectly, or you could end up damaging your walls or the pipes or causing leaks. For example, before you install the shower, you have to ensure that the hot and cold water lines are properly placed and that they’re routed to the right places. You also have to make sure that the drain lines are routed away from the house so they don’t cause any flooding.

DIY vs Professional Shower Installs

If you’re new to home improvement, it may seem like an odd idea to install your own shower when you can easily hire a professional for less money. But if you know exactly what you’re doing, installing your own shower can save you money. If you’re planning on installing your own shower, you should do it during a remodel when you’re already ripping out walls and re-routing plumbing. This way, you’ll already be in the middle of the project, and you won’t have to hire a second contractor to finish the job.

Pick the Right Materials and Equipment

Installing a shower can be a bit tricky if you aren’t familiar with construction and plumbing. But before you start, make sure you have all of the right materials and equipment on hand. Here are some basic materials and equipment you need. - Marking pencils - A good set of marking pencils will help you mark out studs and other important features like electrical boxes so that you know where to run your plumbing and wires. - Measuring tape - A good measuring tape will help you measure and level everything correctly. - Stud finder - A stud finder is a device that helps you locate studs in the wall so that you know where to put your plumbing. - Electrical tester - An electrical tester is a tool that helps you locate wires and make sure they are properly installed. - Utility knife - A utility knife is a handy tool for cutting almost anything, from drywall to flooring. - Level - A level is a tool that helps you make sure walls are straight and level. - C-clamps - C-clamps are small clamps that help you temporarily hold things together so that you can work freely. - Framing square - A framing square is a tool used to mark and measure right angles. - Plumbers tape - Plumbers tape is used to tape off the pipes so that you know where they go.

Install the Shower Pan

Once the framing is done and you know where the plumbing runs, it’s time to install the shower pan. This is the bottom of the shower where the water will drain and will often be made of fiberglass. - Place the pan on top of the framing and make sure the plumbing runs underneath it. - Secure the pan with screws or nails so that it is held in place. - After the pan is in place, use plumbers tape to cover the plumbing so that it is clearly marked and you know exactly where it goes. - After everything is taped off, use a sealant to cover any gaps or holes in the pan that may let water seep through.

Lay the Shower Floor

After your shower pan is in place, the next step is to lay the shower floor. You can use tile, concrete, or a pre-made flooring system like a prefabricated sheet. - When laying tile, you need to make sure that the floor is level before installing the tile. - Concrete tends to be more level and less complicated to install, but it can take more time to dry. - Prefab flooring systems are a bit more expensive but are easier and faster to install.

Install the Shying Walls

The walls and finishing touches can be installed once the floor is in place, and all of the plumbing is routed properly. - Make sure the walls are level and plumb and that the studs are properly secured. - Install the sheathing or siding that will be seen on the outside of the wall. - Install the drywall or other wall covering on the inside. - If you’re using tile, make sure to wait until the concrete is completely dry before installing the tile on the floor.

Conclusion

Installing a shower isn’t a job for the faint of heart, but if you plan the project properly, you can successfully install one without hiring a contractor. Make sure to have all of the right materials and equipment on hand, and follow a clear plan of attack. You can successfully install a shower in your own home and save a lot of money in the process.