Even if we prefer taking a bath, most of us have access to a shower in our home, and the majority of us utilize it on a daily basis.
Some people may be familiar with the basic operation of a shower and how to address common problems.
For those who don’t know, these are some of the most frequent components used in shower construction.
What’s more, are you familiar with the fundamentals of shower plumbing installation? When it comes to showering, the shower valve is a critical component.
Although water comes from the showerhead, the shower valve is in charge of regulating the water’s pressure and temperature.
You can easily differ a shower that gets scorchingly hot when someone uses the toilet and one that stays comfortably warm while someone else uses the water by checking the temperature of your shower valve.
Surges in water temperature can be hazardous, resulting in unexpected trips and accidents. So, if you want to avoid these surges and keep the temperature as consistent as possible, you’ll need the appropriate shower valve!
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of the shower and some important knowledge about what’s going on beyond the simple operation of the shower.
Key Structure Of A Shower
The base, the drain, the valves, the pipework, and the outlets are the primary components that make up a shower.
Within each of the components is a network of tiny components that are connected to one another and work together to transport water from the ground to the skin.
In this tutorial, we will walk you through the inner functionalities of a shower so that you can have a better understanding of its components and possibly be motivated to save time and money by performing repairs on your own.
Basics Of Shower
A shower is essentially a relatively simple piece of equipment that is designed to hold water as well as one or two people and then discharge the used water into the municipal sewage system.
Obviously, those fundamentals have given rise to an infinite number of opportunities since their discovery. There is a wide variety of showers available, each with its own type, size, form, color scheme, and arrangement.
Both built-in and prefabricated options are available for showers. Built-in showers are typically small chambers that have a door made of glass that either slides open or swings open and walls made of tile, stone, or another water-resistant material.
The floor can be a one-piece unit composed of plastic or some other sort of solid-surfacing material; however, the floor is most typically tile with a pan that is hot-mopped and flashed using procedures that are comparable to those used on flat roofs.
Prefabricated showers can be purchased in a broad variety of colors and designs, and are often crafted from acrylic that has been reinforced with fiberglass.
Some are manufactured as single, one-piece modules that be installed during construction, while others are manufactured as modular components comprising of a base and three walls.
Both types of units can be installed. Installing a shower can be done in either of the three ways: as a single unit, as part of a modular set, or as a built-in unit that is specifically designed for the space.
Pressure-Balanced Shower
One lever on the valve with pressure balance serves as both the on/off switch and as the only controller of the water’s temperature; the volume of water cannot be altered in any way by the temperature setting.
When the valve is turned on, it stays in the fully open position. You won’t be able to lessen the amount of water that comes out of the faucet, but you can easily regulate the pressure by using a shower head that has a dial.
Thermostatic Shower
You will normally have access to two levers or controls while working with a thermostatic system. The water’s temperature is controlled by a thermostatic valve, which is operated by one lever.
The volume of water and the ability to turn the water on and off is operated by a second lever. This technology gives you the ability to make a one-time adjustment to the temperature so that it will always be just the way you like it when you get into the shower.
You are also able to change the amount of water that is pouring out, although the maximum rate remains at 2.0 gallons per minute.
In comparison to the pressure balance valve, this valve is more difficult to manufacture and consequently more expensive.
Parts Of Shower Explained
The vast majority of us make use of showers on multiple occasions per week, but have you ever wondered what happens behind the linoleum, fiberglass, or tile wall?
The design of a shower incorporates a number of components that serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. These are the following:
Shower Base
There are a few distinct floor structures that can be utilized in a shower. Whether the shower is integrated into the structure of the bathroom during construction or purchased separately as a prefabricated modular unit determines the arrangement.
A “prefab” shower is one that is constructed off-site, then moved to the location where it will be installed as its own independent unit.
In most cases, these are fabricated using plastic, acrylic, fiberglass, or a combination of the two materials. Either a deep basin similar to a solid base or a bathtub makes up the bottom portion of a shower.
The latter variety is distinguished by its lower profile in relation to the ground and by the presence of a lip, both of which work together to reduce the amount of splashing that occurs.
For the sake of aesthetic appeal, the configuration of a built-in shower and its materials may be designed to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the bathroom.
The foundation of a modular shower provides support for the surrounding walls and assists in insulating the floor from potential harm caused by water.
Because this is the area of the shower that most people see, it should generally represent tasteful design choices even when the other components of the shower don’t have to.
Drain System
The shower drain’s primary function is to connect to piping that removes liquid waste from the bathroom. It also gets rid of the excess so that the bathroom doesn’t get flooded.
Point and linear drains are the two most common forms of drains. With a gradual slope on all sides, a point drain sits in the middle of the shower floor.
It is more practical to use a point drain, which is compatible with the majority of showers. A linear drain has a bigger surface area, but it is costlier and more difficult to maintain.
Long and rectangular in shape, these are the most common. Adding a modern linear drain to your shower gives you a wider range of design options, especially when it comes to tile.
Hair and other objects that shouldn’t be in the plumbing are caught in a trap underneath the drain. Drain lines that lead to the sewage system are connected to the trap when the water goes through the hole in the floor.
A visible fixture remains on top of the drain in the floor or shower base. With a wide range of hardware options, you can select the drain and cover that best complements your bathroom’s decor.
Pipes
In order to get a steady flow of water from the source of supply to the faucet, the water has to travel through a number of pipes.
This adventure starts at the mainline, which serves as a private source of water, and continues into the house, where it travels via the drainage system before arriving in the shower.
After entering the bathroom, there are two pipes where the water supply is delivered: one delivers hot water, and the other delivers cold water.
In order to discern between them, these are color-coded — typically red for hot and blue for cold. Where the showerhead is connected to the wall, the pipes run behind the drywall.
Additionally, there are vent pipes that extend upward and let off sewer gases as they go. This assists in maintaining a consistent water pressure throughout the system and preventing the pipes from bursting.
Valve
Manual control of water flow through a valve is referred to as a valve. When taking a shower, this is the part we hold in our hands to switch the water on or off.
The diverter valve is used in showers that serve as bathtubs. An overhead shower can be activated by pressing this button.
Instead of a torrential flow from the tub faucet, water is diverted upwards and pushed out of the shower this way. The diverter valve can be replaced by a little lever on the top of some bathtub faucets.
Modern showers have the advantage of letting you fine-tune the ratio of cold and hot water in the stream. The anti-scald pressure-balancing valve is often located behind the shower lever.
To avoid a burst of freezing or overly hot water, this safety mechanism monitors the temperature of the water and makes adjustments as the shower runs.
Shower water temperature can suddenly fluctuate if a sink needs to be replaced with cold water from the supply. This feature is especially beneficial in these situations.
For more precise control of both temperature and water pressure, thermostatic valves are an upgrade above standard ones.
The emergency shutoff valve is the secondary valve in a shower system. This is only accessible in single-family homes, as it is located on the water meter.
Most bathrooms have a closer valve hidden behind an access panel, which is usually out of sight.
Water Outlets
Two water outlets are available when a bathtub is included in a shower. First, there’s the one at approximately knee height.
Over the basin, it discharges a bigger volume of water to fill a tub at once. The shower head is the other available outlet, and it is the cherry on top of a well-designed shower arrangement.
It is the most familiar part of the water’s journey from the source to the skin. It is possible to change the hardware so that you can have a comfortable shower regardless of the water pressure.
A shower arm links a shower head to the lines of the water supply. This portion may be detachable or flexible in some showers, allowing for a more comfortable bathing experience.
The showerhead and faucet, like the base, are both useful and aesthetic. Changing the showerhead to one that is more comfortable for you is entirely up to you.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the hardware for both sections and their extension pipework.
Water Meter
A water meter is an essential component of a shower system, despite the fact that it is located outside.
At this location, the primary flow of supply is measured in order to compute the monthly expenditures associated with water use.
There is an additional shutoff valve located on the side of the water supply meter in case there is an emergency.
Final Verdict
Hope the guide helped you in understanding the parts of a shower. You will get to ask about every part of the same before you make your purchase.
Being equipped with knowledge is very important for any purchase and as showers are mechanical stuff, a little more information never hurts.
