[JohnMon]

First off I'd like to let everyone know that I'm brand new to this forum. I have been reading for a while and have learned a lot from your posts. I am in my second year out on my own and focus mostly on softscaping but have dabbled into small hardscaping projects. My newest request is an outside shower. The homeowner has already contracted a plumber. My end would be the fence enclosure and 10 ft walkway leading to the shower. Inside of the shower will be a platform made of "TREX" decking. My question is what type of drainage would be required for something like this. I was planning on at least 1 ft of 1/2 inch stone. This would be under the entire enclosure. The grade flows away from the house and the homeowner has no water problems in his basement. There is potential to run an underground drainage pipe to the woods and over an embankment. The run would only be about 25ft. The homeowner would like to avoid this to save himself some $$. I understand that but also i don't want to skimp and have any drainage problems. If you have any questions or if i could make this more clear please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[Lanelle]

Welcome JohnMon!
It seems that the issue is will the runoff water disturb other landscape elements nearby?
Will there be erosion of mulch beds, flooded patios or water going into some other area with unpleasant consequences? Sorta seems odd to think that there will be soap suds running down through his yard - which might not suit the plants in the way. Talk with the plumber and get his input also. Good luck and post some photos of the project!

[agla]

These are very common in my area. We do have very wel drained soil in most areas which helps a lot.

You basically have five options.
1. drain into septic system (required in some communities - need plumber)
2. drain into drywell
3. pipe to daylight
4. gravel right at shower to absorb into the soil right there
5. let it run off

1.(septic) You should check to see whether this is required. It is the last thing you or the homeowner want to do, but sometimes it is the law (one town in my area requires this). It would have to be connected to the septic system of the house just like indoor plumbing.

2. Putting in a drain and piping it several feet away from the foundation before it is absorbed into the ground is a common thing to do. You can get a plastic drywell kit that is light and easy to install from a home center (flo-well). This gets the water away from the basement before it gets into the ground. That reduces the liklihood of water getting into the basement.

3. pipe to daylight. This gets it away frm the house, but it puts everything on the surface which may be illegal in your area. This would be the last thing that I would want to do (besides the septic system connection).

4. Digging out the area under the slats of the shower and filling it in with gravel works very well and is cheap and easy (I'd use 3/4" rather than 1/2"). The risk is that you are putting the water right next to the basement if the shower is attached to the house. Local conditions have a huge influence on whether or not you should do this. If there is very well drained soil (coarse sand) it is a good way to handle it.

5. runoff. You'll have soap, shampoo, and lots of water pouring out onto your landscape. There is a lot of potential for erosion and who wants suds on their landscape? Also, the path of least resistence could be right down the basement wall adding to the possibility of water in the basement.

The safest is the drywell at least 10' away from the basement (as long as the septic connection is not required). You would need to make a form, mix some quickcrete and pitch it to the drain. Then just slat right over it.

[JohnMon]

Thanks for all the input. I am only at the bidding process now so no pictures yet. I am attempting to speak with the plumber for his input. Also I have put a call into a friend in the septic business to find out what the local laws are concerning this project. I will update with more info and pictures as I get them. Any other concerns or advice I'm all ears. Thanks again

[synner]

Not sure if this will affect your project but we tried to install one in a backyard landscape last season. With our project because the site was on septic we had to take into account the pool cabana washroom and outdoor shower with respect to the capacity allowed for the septic system based on the plumbing inspection requirements. We decided to finish the cabana and axe the shower idea at this time.

[JohnMon]

Here are some pictures of the shower. Almost finished just a little bit of clean-up left. Let me know what you guys think. Don't hesitate to be critical. FYI I ended up piping the drainage to daylight. It was tough but i convinced the homeowner to pay a little more to have it done right. Thanks again for the advice.

[4seasons]

aren't you worried about the siding? looks like cedar, but it still does rot.
maybe put something on the floor because trex gets slippery.
hope they like it!

[Fine Edge]

I can see where they might want to at least put some type of sealer on the siding but ideally you would probably want to remove the siding , waterproof it and install a surface that would be totally waterproof.
Still, if they have budget issues, they now have a functional shower.

[NCSULandscaper]

looks like its hardy plank siding(cement fiber), if so i wouldnt have much concern

[bigvictu]

i think it liiks good, I wouldn't worry about the cedar siding letting in water or rotting, down here at the shore alot of outside showers are done just like you did.