Are you getting ready to have a power shower installed in your home? Are you looking to do the job yourself instead of hiring the professionals? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you are in the right place.
We have compiled this excellent guide to doing the whole thing yourself – from figuring out the costs, to the actual installation of your new power shower.
Are you ready for the wash of your life? It’s time to get out the toolkit and start work on your dream shower.
How Much Does It Cost to Fit a Power Shower?
A lot of this depends on the path you choose. If you decide to go with a professional plumber, you could be looking at around £500 for a new installation in your bathroom.
For simply replacing an existing system, however, a plumber and the shower is more likely to cost around £300 instead.
It should be noted that the day rates for both plumbers and electricians are approximately £150 to £200, and then you factor in the cost of the shower unit on top of that.
New installations tend to cost more because both the plumbing and electrics within your home will need work, but it also depends on how much of it you are prepared to do yourself.
Can I Have a Power Shower in My Bathroom?
A typical power shower works in much the same way as a mixer shower in that it combines hot and cold water from the appropriate tanks to create the perfect temperature.
They also tend to come with a pump to increase pressure, which is why they are so suited to homes with low pressure.
As a result, they tend to work best with gravity fed systems. There are also electric versions of power showers available for you to buy, and these do not need access to both water tanks as they heat the cold water up within the unit.
Again, they work best with the gravity fed systems. While there are some mixer versions that can be compatible with a combi boiler, it is essential that you check with a professional or the manufacturer before you buy and installing a power shower.
Further Reading: Tips for Increasing Water Pressure
How long does it take to fit a power shower?
How long does it usually take to install, replace or repair a shower or shower pull cord? Electric shower normall will take 8 hours for a new installation. 2 hours to replace a shower unit , once parts have been organsised.
Preparation
There are a couple of things you need to do before you can install a new shower, and each of them is essential.
The first is checking the kilowatt rating as soon as possible. This will give you a rough idea of how much the shower will cost to run because it will tell you how much power it needs.
Therefore, you have time to look into options that are cost-effective or have lower power settings. You should also ensure the room is clear and free from clutter.
This gives you a good working space, but also ensures that nothing of value will get damaged during the installation process.
You should also have a qualified electrician booked to come and check the finished results. Even if you are doing it yourself, you need to be safe and make sure that everything is working correctly. Plus, they will be needed to make the final connection.
Materials Needed and Instructions
Now that you are prepared for the installation, you need a list of the materials required for you to get on with the job. We’ve gathered an excellent one for you below:
Once you have all of these items gathered up and are ready to go, you can follow each of these steps to installing a power shower:
#1 The first thing you need to do is switch off the fuse box. Once this is done, you can find a good position for your new electric shower unit.
When you have found the perfect place, take the front cover for the water heater, lean it against the wall, and trace the outline with a pencil. Make sure you clearly mark drill hole locations, pipe points, and cable points.
#2 Before you get down to drilling, take the electronic detector and scan the wall to ensure that you aren’t going to hit or interfere with anything. When that is all clear, you can begin drilling the fixing holes in the wall.
As a safety side note, the electrical cables from the water heater in the wall should be buried in the middle of the switch and unit either horizontally or vertically.
#3 Now, drill the holes for the pipes and cable. If you need to, use a reciprocal saw to get everything just right, and then use the wall bracket or sliding rail so that you can make the outline for the shower rail hole position.
Then, turn off the main stopcock and run the cold tap dry. You can then use an adjustable wrench to connect the copper piping to the rising main with the compressed tee fixing.
#4 For this step, cut a hole in the wall at the mains pipe so that the compressed fixing can be accommodated. Once this is done, put the new copper piping in the third arm on the tee and place a stop valve close to the tee so that you have easy access for any future repairs.
Turn the stop valve off, reconnect the cold-water supply, and then attach a flexible hose over the end of the copper pipe.
#5 You should then flush the new pipe so that you can check for leaks. Once finished, shut off the stop valve and link the copper pipe to the bottom of the heater unit. You should use an elbow pipe for this part, as well as a nut that can be sealed with an adjustable wrench.
You can then open the stop valve again to check the whole system for potential leaks. All you need now is for an electrician to come and ensure that everything is hooked up correctly to the electrics.
Just make sure the unit is attached securely to the wall, as well as any railings, and you are good to go.
Choosing a New Power Shower
When you do go to select the next power shower for your home, you have the difficult task of choosing one that is just right. You will have the option of an electric or water-based system, and each of them is explained in a little more detail below:
Power Shower Pipework Size
While there are varying sizes of power shower pipes out there, only one of them achieves the best results. A 22mm set of pipework is the ideal size, and alongside a 2-3 bar shower pump, you are sure to be enjoying the best shower of your life as soon as you turn it on.
Also Read: How to Fit a Power Shower
To Conclude
Hopefully, this little guide has been able to help you gain the confidence to take on your DIY project. Alongside the steps to fitting your power shower, there is a plethora of handy information and tips so that you get the project just right.
Of course, we always advise that you seek out professional help if you feel stuck, concerned, or even a little unsure during the process. After all, having an incorrectly installed power shower would be an absolute nightmare.
What did you think of our power shower installation guide? Did it help you to achieve success, or are there areas you felt were lacking? We love hearing from you, so make sure to leave us a message in the comment section below.
