Having a drain in an outdoor shower is highly recommended for several reasons. A drain allows water to properly flow away from the shower area, preventing puddles or soggy conditions. It also directs wastewater away from the foundation of a home or structure, reducing the risk of water damage. Additionally, a drain connects the shower to the home’s plumbing system or a septic tank, providing an exit point for soap and other residues that you don’t want collecting on the ground. Let’s explore the benefits of including a drain in more detail.
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Improved Drainage
The primary purpose of a shower drain is to facilitate drainage. Without a drain, water will simply pool at the base of the shower as it runs off your body and the walls. This standing water can become a nuisance as well as a slipping hazard. A proper drain will channel all the wastewater away from the immediate shower area, preventing puddles or swampy conditions.
For drainage to work correctly, the shower pad or flooring needs to be slightly sloped towards the drain. This allows gravity to pull the water in the right direction. You may need to create a slope of 1/4 inch per foot. This doesn’t have to extend across the entire floor, just around the drain location. The drain itself should have a grate or cover to prevent debris from clogging the plumbing lines.
Types of Drains
There are a few different types of drains commonly used for outdoor showers:
- Deck drains – Installed level with the flooring and topped with a grate. The drain pipe runs under the shower floor.
- Trench drains – Narrow channels installed perpendicular to the slope of the floor. Water runs into the trench and down the drain pipe.
- PVC pipe drains – A vertical PVC pipe extends below the shower floor. It often has small holes around the base to collect water.
Deck drains tend to work very well for outdoor showers. Trench drains are another good option if you want drainage across a wider area. PVC pipe drains are more DIY-friendly for basic installations.
Directs Water Away from Home’s Foundation
One of the worst things you can do is allow water from your outdoor shower to pool near your home’s foundation. This can lead to all sorts of structural issues and water damage over time. A proper drain setup will collect all the wastewater and transport it at least several feet away from the home before dispersing into the ground.
Your drain pipe can tie into a main sewer/septic line, which typically runs well away from the house before connecting with the septic tank or sewer system. Or you can have the drain water empty into a drywell, essentially a pit filled with gravel. The gravel helps disperse the water over a large area as it slowly filters into the surrounding soil. A French drain is similar but utilizes a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel.
If you have to drain the water closer to home, such as out the side of a raised deck, make sure it’s not eroding the soil or sloping back toward your foundation. Extend the drain pipe as far as feasibly possible.
Drainage Options Based on Shower Location
Here are some common drainage solutions based on where your outdoor shower is located:
- Free-standing shower – Drywell or French drain system several feet away.
- Shower attached to deck – Drain pipe running under deck before draining away from house.
- Shower against home’s wall – Drain tied directly into main plumbing waste line if accessible.
- Shower not near home – More flexibility for drainage as long as it’s dispersing water over a wide area.
Connects Shower to Main Plumbing
An outdoor shower drain allows you to easily connect the shower to the main wastewater plumbing in your home. Typically, an outdoor shower will tie into the main plumbing waste line somewhere along its path out to the septic tank or sewer system.
Connecting to the home’s plumbing provides a direct exit point for the graywater coming from the shower. This water can contain dirt, soap residue, skin cells, and other debris you don’t want collecting on the ground beneath the shower. A proper drain whisks it all away through the underground plumbing.
In order for this to work, the shower drain line needs to connect to the home’s waste line downstream of the p-trap under sinks and such. It cannot tie in upstream of the p-trap or it would break the trap seal. Proper plumbing codes must be followed to avoid sewer gas or other issues.
Drainage Options Without Plumbing Connection
If connecting to your home’s plumbing isn’t feasible, here are some alternative drainage options:
- Drain to a drywell or infiltration pit filled with gravel.
- Drain to an area protected with landscaping rocks and gravel.
- Drain to a rain garden or vegetated area.
- Drain to a storage tank that can be pumped occasionally.
The key is still draining the water well away from any structures and allowing it to disperse over a wide area. Some sort of filtration through gravel and soil is ideal.
Prevents Unpleasant Buildup Below Shower
One of the worst consequences of not having a proper drain for your outdoor shower is the buildup that can occur below the shower area. All the soap scum, dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris has to go somewhere. Without a drain to wash it away, it will accumulate on the ground under your shower.
This can quickly become an unsightly and muddy mess. The residue can be slippery and track back into your home. Decomposing organic matter may attract unwanted pests. Essentially, it turns the ground beneath your shower into a bog of nastiness.
A good drain setup prevents this by quickly whisking water and debris away from the immediate shower area. It also connects to a wastewater disposal path, whether that’s the septic/sewer system or an alternative such as a drywell. This provides an exit for the graywater and everything mixed in with it.
Keeping Your Shower Drain Clean
To prevent your shower drain from becoming clogged, follow these tips:
- Use a grate cover to keep large debris out of the drain.
- Use a hair catcher if needed.
- Avoid letting soap scum build up on the shower floor.
- Pour 1 cup baking soda + 1 cup vinegar down the drain monthly.
- Use a drain snake/auger if clogs occur.
Allows Use of Low-Profile Shower Pan
Having a drain in your outdoor shower also allows the use of a low-profile shower pan. This type of pan sits nearly flush with the floor, with just enough slope to direct water toward the drain. It has a very minimal lip or barrier to step over.
This is contrasted with the standard curbed shower pan, which has 3-6 inch walls around it to help contain the water. It requires stepping up and over the pan to enter the shower. A low-profile pan with a drain provides a simpler, more accessible entry.
Low-profile shower pans are also less obtrusive visually. They don’t create an obvious “tub” in the middle of a deck or patio space. The subtle design can blend right into the surroundings. Just note the shower flooring material needs to slope toward the drain for proper drainage.
Low-Profile Pan Considerations
- Typically made of tile, concrete, or stone over a waterproof liner.
- Sloped floor required for drainage toward the drain.
- Works best if entire shower floor is water-resistant.
- Not as effective at containing water as a curbed pan.
Allows Handheld Showerhead Use
Having a drain in your outdoor shower also makes it practical to use a handheld showerhead. When you have the freedom to move the showerhead around, water will inevitably end up spraying outside the immediate shower area.
With a curbed shower pan but no drain, this stray water would simply pool next to your feet. By including a drain system, the water can drain off no matter where the showerhead is positioned. This makes handheld operation much more convenient.
A versatile handheld showerhead also makes it easier to bathe pets, rinse gear, wash large items, or give young children a bath outdoors. The flexible sprayer extends your shower’s functionality and versatility.
Handheld Showerhead Tips
- Use a slide-bar mount so you can adjust the height.
- Look for a self-draining model to prevent buildup.
- Choose a metal hose for durability and maneuverability.
- Add a backflow preventer for code compliance.
- Install a Y-connector if also using a fixed showerhead.
Allows Complete Drainage Between Uses
A shower drain isn’t just useful while you’re actively using the shower. It also helps improve conditions between shower uses by allowing the area to completely drain.
Without a drain, water can pool in any low spots or depressions in the shower pan. This provides a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. It also leaves behind slippery spots that can be a safety issue.
By including a drain, all the water will evacuate after each use. This eliminates standing water and helps keep the shower clean and dry until next time. Any debris will wash down the drain as well.
Proper drainage between uses also helps prevent mold and mildew growth in the shower. Keeping the shower dry and well-ventilated is key to preventing this.
Tips for Preventing Standing Water
- Ensure the shower pad/flooring slopes toward the drain.
- Use a level to check for any low spots during installation.
- Make sure the drain is positioned at the shower’s lowest point.
- Inspect and clean the drain grate regularly.
- Consider installing a fan to improve ventilation.
Conclusion
Installing a proper drain in an outdoor shower provides a wide range of benefits. It improves drainage, directs water away from the home’s foundation, allows connection to plumbing, prevents messy buildup, enables low-profile shower pans and handheld showerheads, and allows complete drainage between uses. Going drainless can lead to swampy conditions, water damage risks, and a grimy shower environment.
The ideal outdoor shower drain setup ties into the home’s plumbing waste lines or a septic system. But alternative options like drywells or infiltration pits also work if a plumbing connection isn’t feasible. Just make sure the drain is sloped and positioned to quickly carry away graywater.
A good shower drainage system lasts for the lifetime of the shower with minimal maintenance. Proper installation is key, as is preventing clogs by keeping debris out of the drain. With a good drain in place, you can enjoy your outdoor shower knowing water and residue won’t be collecting at your feet.