Installing a shower cabin: how to assemble and connect with your own hands

Shower cabins confidently crowd out conventional bathtubs. There is a logical explanation for this: installing a shower cabin allows you to save free space. In addition, such designs have a lot of useful functions, for example, hydromassage, sauna effect and other options. At first glance, the assembly of a shower cabin is difficult, therefore, buyers hire outside specialists for installation. This is not true. Installing a shower is quite feasible in the home. In order to properly install a shower cabin with your own hands, the main thing is to follow the instructions and be guided by the attached scheme. Consider the main stages of installation.

Where to begin?

The assembly of the shower begins with the selection of equipment. All commercially available products can be divided into three categories. The models of each group differ in terms of comfort, functionality and cost. Accordingly, the installation of showers will also have its own characteristics. Consider each category.

• Economy These are elementary models that include a deep pan and mixer. Side windows and walls are often missing - they are replaced by curtains. Before installing such products, it is necessary to completely finish the repair in the bathroom, in particular, to finish the finish. Economy-class cabs do not have decorative elements, and attract customers with their low price.
• Middle class. Models from this category are distinguished by enhanced functionality. There are walls, a deep pan, glass and a roof. Most booths are equipped with a standard radio frequency, backlight, and hydromassage function. Note that absolutely all products have forced ventilation. Cabins can be installed without completing the wall cladding, but electronic filling will require installation of an electrical outlet.

• Premium There are steam room functions, various shower spout options, an electronic panel with touch control. Such products are difficult to install on their own - professionals must do this.

Criterias of choice

Installation of a shower involves compliance with certain requirements. For example, if the cabin will be mounted on the bathtub, permits are not required for work. It is more difficult when the cabin will complement the bath, being an additional point of water intake. In this case, the increased load on the water supply system can reduce the pressure of water in the apartments of other residents. Such works fall under the definition of redevelopment, and require prior approval.

We recommend checking the ratio of the dimensions of the shower to the free space of the bathroom. Here you need to take into account the height of the ceilings, and the side space: cabins are rarely installed close to the walls.

Pay attention to the operating pressure of the shower. This parameter should correspond to the water pressure in the water supply. For example, to use the steam room function or hydromassage, the pressure in the water supply system must exceed 1.5 bar.

Equipment

To assemble a shower cabin with your own hands, you need to check the scope of delivery. All elements must not have visible chips and damage, in addition, instructions in Russian must be attached to the product. Mid-range shower (this is the most popular product) comes in several boxes. Such elements must be present here:

• Deep pan. This part is sometimes equipped with a shower drain and a protective screen.
• Wireframe. Aluminum profile, which is needed to install the basic elements.
• Roof. Usually this part is already equipped with ventilation and backlight.
• Back wall. A control panel and mixer are usually installed here.
• Glass. Depending on the shape of the cabin, glass doors are rectangular or spherical. Please note that experts do not recommend removing glass elements and laying them on the floor. Glass may burst under its own weight.
• Fasteners and batteries. Each part is usually marked, so problems with the installation of equipment usually do not arise.

After checking every detail, you can begin the installation process.

Assembly order

How to install a shower cabin? Experts recommend a preliminary assembly. To do this, select the free space in the apartment, and mount all the elements without using sealant. The procedure will help to better present the entire structure, once again to verify the integrity of the parts to check for the presence of the necessary technological holes. After that, you can proceed to the final installation. We will divide the installation into several stages.

• Installation of a deep pan. This element is best installed on a flat surface, although small deviations can be leveled with adjustable legs. Ideally, if the drain hole is located above the sewer. If this does not happen, you can use a branch pipe and a flexible hose to connect the cab drain to the sewage system. Please note that sealant must be used for all butt joints.

• The walls. Please note that glass partitions are difficult to install on their own, given that there is usually little room for maneuver in a bathroom. Therefore, we recommend involving a friend in the installation or using the help of homework. To begin with, we assemble the aluminum frame. Side racks should be perfectly aligned, in addition, on some models they are mounted directly to the bathroom wall. To do this, drill holes, hammer dowels and fasten the structure with screws. Note that before thoroughly tightening the fasteners, a sealant is applied between the wall and the stand. When the frame is firmly fixed, side panels are installed.

• Doors This part of the structure is movable, so rollers will be required. Please note that the rollers must slide freely in the grooves, without any effort. To achieve this, we carry out the necessary adjustment. Typically, tips for installing and adjusting rollers are provided with instructions. Then we fix the handles and isolate all the existing seams. To do this, use sealant again.

Please note that the installation and connection of different models of showers may vary.

Connect the product

When installing a shower with your own hands, do not forget that you will need to connect not only to the sewage system, but also to the water supply and home electrical network. Connecting to a water supply system is not particularly difficult: flexible hoses are used here, which are installed in special connectors. The main thing is to achieve tightness of the joints. Here the sealant will not help anymore - a special sealant will be required. Usually, when connecting hoses to the water supply, they use flax or fum tape. After completion of work, it is recommended to check the booth by opening the water supply. If moisture escapes at the joints, you must correct the problem by replacing the seal or tightening the tube.

Just making sure that the shower cabin does not have leaks, you can connect to the mains. For the electronic filling of the shower cabin to work, you will need to install a separate outlet in the bathroom, which in turn connects to a separate automaton electrical panel. Please note that the machine must comply with the rated power consumption. For example, if the cabin consumes 5 kW, set the machine to 25 A. Do not forget about installation RCD (residual current device), which is installed in front of the machine.

Conclusion

Installing a shower with your own hands is not so difficult. However, do not forget about the safety of other people living in the apartment. Without certain skills and knowledge, you can independently assemble the structure and even connect the product to the water supply and sewage system. But all work related to the connection of electricity should be performed only by a qualified specialist.