How to build a country shower: design options, components, results. Construction of a foundation for a country shower and tips Drawing of the foundation for a country shower with your own hands

Owners of summer cottages are trying to supply water to the house and provide basic amenities. You can build a summer shower at your dacha with your own hands, either temporary or permanent - the type of future structure is selected depending on individual needs.


Before you build a shower in your dacha with your own hands, you need to competently carry out the design, determine the location of the future structure, and select materials. The room should be uncrowded, as comfortable and convenient for use as possible.

Selecting a location

In order to ensure rapid drainage of water, it is optimal to install the shower on a flat or slightly elevated area. You should not choose a site located in a deep depression or in a hole.

To avoid water stagnation, choose the right place to build a summer shower

The optimal location for a country shower would be an open area, well lit by the sun, located at some distance from other buildings. In this case, the barrel will naturally heat up under the sun, providing warm water. This condition can be neglected only if it is planned to build a shower stall with heated water.

At the same time, the site where construction will be carried out should not be too far from the house - after water procedures, it is advisable to get from the shower to a warm room as quickly as possible.

Size calculation

When building a country shower, the following parameters are used as standard:

  1. height - 200–300 cm;
  2. length - 190 cm;
  3. width - 140 cm.

An example of drawing up a drawing of a summer shower

The indicated dimensions are very convenient because, taking into account the thickness of the walls, the building will ultimately have an area of ​​200x150 cm - this is a completely waste-free option when using boards of standard sizes. As a result, 100x100 cm will be allocated for the shower stall, and 600x400 cm for the changing room.

Required tools and materials

You will need the following tools:

  • roulette;
  • corner;
  • level;
  • hammer.

In addition, you need to stock up on nails and a ball of twine. Separately, you need to purchase a tank, as well as pipes, a couple of taps and a shower divider. Suitable building materials for building a cabin are brick, iron or plastic sheets, wooden boards, and pipes for building a frame.

Tools needed to build a shower in the country

For the foundation pouring and construction of brickwork, a certain amount of cement, sand and concrete will be required, and for the final finishing - insulation materials, paint, plaster, hooks for clothes, shelves for bathroom accessories and other accessories.

Options for shower designs for a summer residence

The simplest option for a summer residence is a compact portable shower, which is suitable for one-time water treatments, has a standard volume of 20 liters and is designed to supply water for 10 minutes. The operating principle boils down to filling the reservoir with water and then heating it in the sun, after which the portable shower is mounted to a height of 2 meters and is ready for use.

Portable shower

An open shower also has a simple design, the installation process of which boils down to the following steps:

  1. attaching a branch water pipe to the wall;
  2. connecting a pipe and a watering can using a hose;
  3. fixing the watering can holder;
  4. installing a screen.

A common option for a summer cottage is the so-called change house with a shower, the design of which involves the presence of a solid modular container or a collapsible frame block.

Options for a stationary summer shower for a summer residence

Installation of this structure is quite simple - the territory is marked, the top ball of soil is removed and leveled, a cushion of sand and gravel is created, on top of which boards are laid. A block assembled on site or a ready-made structure is installed on the soil prepared in this way.

Of course, the most durable shower will be a stationary shower, but its construction will require more effort and time.

Preparing the base

It is much easier to erect a frame structure than a permanent structure - depending on the type of structure chosen, the stages of preparing the site for construction will differ.

For a temporary structure, it is enough to simply remove 10-15 cm of the top layer of soil from the site to level it, and then fill it with sand.

For a country shower, you will need to lay a foundation, the depth of which is determined by the materials used for its construction. For example, for a brick shower, a foundation with a depth of up to 30 cm will be sufficient.

Foundation for the construction of a capital summer shower

The foundation is laid in the following sequence:

  • pegs are driven into the outer corners of the future shower;
  • a cord is stretched around the perimeter;
  • a place for pipes is prepared (a log or branch wrapped in roofing material is laid);
  • concrete solution is poured.

Advice! The formwork equipment will allow you to extend the life of the shower - it is recommended to increase the level of the entire foundation by 10 cm, raising it above the ground using boards reinforced with stakes and spacers.

Drain pit equipment

The pit volume is usually more than 2 cubic meters. m, while its walls must be strengthened in order to avoid possible scree. The drain is located a few meters from the shower, but not under the building itself or near its walls - this will lead to the destruction of the foundation in the future, as well as the appearance of unwanted odors.

Example of equipment for a drainage pit for a summer shower

The drain must be laid with a waterproof layer - roofing felt, hydroglass insulation, PVC film or concrete screed (reinforced with metal mesh) is used.

Attention! A common mistake is to use clay as an insulating material, which erodes and soon clogs the drainage ditch.

Installation of a frame for a temporary shower stall

If brickwork is done for a permanent structure, then a frame is usually installed for a temporary structure: metal or wood. In the latter case, the wood should be treated with special impregnations that will protect it from insects and moisture, preventing the formation of fungus and mold.

Wooden frame for summer shower

  1. Markings are made - a rectangle is marked directly on the ground, the sides of which correspond to the dimensions of the future country shower.
  2. Wooden beams are installed, the width of which reaches up to 10 cm.
  3. Bandaging is carried out - starting from the top, the structure is securely fastened with bolts, after which the beams that form the basis of the shower walls are connected.
  4. Walls are installed, for the construction of which you can use either boards, slate or plastic panels.
  5. The pipes are being laid out - the water supply is installed so that the pipe outlet under the shower hose is higher than the level of the head (this will provide the necessary pressure for water movement). The drainage is discharged into a sump tank or into a specially equipped septic tank.
  6. The tank is installed - a threaded outlet is made, a tap with the appropriate nozzle is installed, after which the barrel is lifted up and secured.

A plastic container, which can be purchased at a specialized store, or another barrel available on the farm, is suitable as a tank for a country shower. It is desirable that it be flat and proportionate to the area of ​​the building, so that the weight is evenly distributed over the supporting structure. Its volume is selected at the rate of 40 liters per family member, but the barrel should not be too heavy - its maximum volume is no more than 200 liters!

Solar water heating tank

Advice! So that the owner of the dacha does not have to carry water to the tank himself every time, it is possible to equip it with automatic filling.

Lighting and ventilation of a country shower

When doing the wiring yourself, it is important to follow all electrical installation rules and adhere to safety precautions. Separately, due to high humidity, care should be taken to insulate the wiring.

Window for summer shower ventilation

Internal shower decoration should be made of moisture-resistant materials: plastic panels, pieces of linoleum, oilcloth, etc. If wood is used, then each individual board is covered with hot drying oil.

The concrete floor is usually covered with gratings made of plastic or wood, and rubber mats are laid on top. It is quite convenient to equip a small changing room directly in the shower. To prevent water from getting into it, the floors in it are slightly raised by a couple of centimeters - this can be easily achieved by additionally installing a tray.

Internal structure of a summer shower

As for the exterior decoration, similar materials that have already been used to decorate the country house and other buildings on the site will look harmonious.

To use the shower not only in summer, but also in colder seasons, it is recommended to insulate it with polystyrene foam, which is placed in the interior space and covered with PVC film on top. The walls are usually painted or plastered, covered with clapboard or siding.

How to build a summer shower in the country: video

Types of summer shower: photo





Foundation for a summer shower

Setting up a summer shower in your dacha is not difficult. And this place is very popular among summer residents who get the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing shower on hot days. If the structure is constructed correctly, the shower guarantees ease of use and durability of the structure.

The foundation for a garden shower must meet minimum technical requirements in order to withstand constant exposure to water. Before building the base, you should decide on the location where the shower will be located. This is determined by several criteria:

  1. Approach to the shower.
  2. Water supply and drainage organization.
  3. No interference from neighboring buildings.

A particularly popular design is one in which water is heated by the sun’s rays and poured into the tank using an outlet hose.

It is not difficult to build a foundation for a shower. To do this, a person will need the following list of tools:

  1. Shovel and other tools for digging a pit.
  2. Concrete mixer or special container for preparing the solution.
  3. Hydraulic level for monitoring geometric parameters.
  4. Cord for securing the foundation level.
  5. Hacksaw.
  6. Drill.
  7. Trowel.

The materials for a summer shower will require:

  1. Wooden beam.
  2. Cement.
  3. Sand.
  4. Crushed stone.
  5. Metal poles and pipes.
  6. Boards for installing formwork.
  7. Fastening elements.

The foundation for a country shower will not experience serious loads, so its construction does not require much effort or precision. In its standard form, the foundation for a shower is built in 1 day and a minimum time is allowed for the mixture to harden.

Types of foundations for showers in the country

When constructing a summer shower, various types of foundations are used. In most cases, they represent smaller versions of standard structures, from which additional elements have been removed to guarantee the strength of large structures.

Types of foundations for a summer shower

The foundation for a summer shower can be,. The choice of a specific type depends on the wishes of the owner and the technical characteristics of the soil at the shower installation site.

How to make a foundation for a summer shower with your own hands

Anyone can build a foundation for a summer shower with their own hands. To do this, you need to have a basic understanding of the construction process and knowledge of earthworks.

Depending on the type of foundation chosen, the order of work on the site differs.

DIY pile foundation for a summer shower

A pile foundation looks like the optimal solution. This is due to the following advantages of this type of foundation:

  • Stability of a structure on piles.
  • Fast completion of construction work.
  • Adjustment of shower height at no additional cost.
  • Saving on materials and construction.

Once the location of the shower and its dimensions are known, the base should be marked. The rectangle is secured with pillars. The optimal diameter of piles is 100 mm with a length of 1.5 to 2 meters. In the corners of the future shower, wells are drilled a little more than 1 meter deep and pipes are placed in them. Moreover, they need to be immersed in the ground in such a way that the top edge protrudes 20-30 cm above the ground surface.

The piles are concreted. A special stud is concreted at the top of the column, onto which the shower itself is subsequently mounted.

The pillars are tied with a wooden beam, which is prepared for installation on a stud. The assembled structure is fixed using self-tapping screws. The lower trim ends with the bars connecting to each other.

After installing the frame racks, the upper frame of the future shower is secured. Using a level, the verticality of the structure is controlled at all stages of work. For additional strength, the racks are reinforced with braces. Subsequently, a shower stall is erected and water supply is organized.

A do-it-yourself pile foundation for a shower is the optimal solution for most situations.

Do-it-yourself columnar foundation for a summer shower

In many ways similar to pile. Most of the stages of work are completely identical. The depth of the holes into which the pillars will subsequently be immersed is on average 60 cm and can vary depending on the availability of groundwater and the strength characteristics of the soil. In each well, formwork with individual dimensions is created. The formwork must be leveled to the building level. For additional strength, 3-4 rods of small cross-section reinforcement are inserted into the pits, which are fastened with tying wire. Waterproofing the base of the pillars is carried out using a piece of roofing felt, which is placed at the bottom. Crushed stone is added to the concrete mixture.

After reaching the required level of strength, the formwork is removed, and in some situations it can be left in place.

The foundation for a summer shower can be built with your own hands in the shortest possible time. If the pillars are placed correctly from a geometric point of view, the outdoor shower will have high strength, stability and performance characteristics.

DIY strip foundation for a summer shower

The foundation for an outdoor shower can also be in the form of a classic strip base. The depth of the monolith strip being formed should not be more than 30 cm, but not less. This value is considered optimal to ensure the strength of the foundation.

This type of foundation is characterized by increased cost and energy consumption. It is rarely resorted to, mainly when constructing a large shower stall or when integrating it into an existing structure.

To maintain the geometric dimensions and configuration of the summer shower, a thorough and detailed breakdown of the future foundation is carried out, with the turning points secured with pillars or simple fittings. Compliance with the form is a guarantee of the quality of the structure. It is important to accurately measure each side and check this by checking the diagonals of the rectangle.

After breaking it down, they pull the cord between the posts and proceed to digging a trench with access to the established depth. Formwork is installed along the edges of the trench. The trench is filled with prepared concrete mixture. After the concrete has hardened, its horizontalness is controlled using a hydraulic level.

The foundation for a shower in the country, built with your own hands, is a durable and strong structure. Seasonal use and moderate loads can be easily tolerated by any type of foundation, provided it is created in compliance with technical standards and parameters.

Shower drainage

Already at the stage of designing and constructing the foundation for a summer shower in the country, you should accurately determine the method of draining dirty water. This determines the design of the base and the placement of the required drain holes.

A simple and common solution for a summer shower is the organization of drainage. At a short distance from the summer shower, you need to make a hole several buckets deep. After this, connect the pit and shower with a sewer pipe. Cover the hole with crushed stone. After washing, the water will go into the crushed stone and further into the ground. The drainage is easily decorated and remains invisible, while reliably performing its functions.

The construction of a summer shower is a smaller copy of the construction of a large household premises. Therefore, at all stages of work, it is important to follow universal work rules.

An outdoor shower is one of the most significant buildings on a suburban area. How to equip a shower in your country house with your own hands, building a reliable and durable structure with a minimum of financial investments? Guided by the advice of the master, you can easily cope with the task.


In hot months, the presence of a summer shower is one of the conditions for a comfortable stay in a suburban area. A shower gives you the opportunity to refresh yourself after a hard day, relieving accumulated fatigue and recharging yourself with energy for new tasks.

Summer shower with a simple layout in a summer cottage

There is nothing difficult about building a shower in the country with your own hands. You just need to sketch out a drawing and decide on the dimensions of the future structure, prepare the necessary materials and allocate some free time.

Outdoor shower design

There are many options for arranging a summer shower. This can be a simple structure made of a wooden frame with a small tank on the roof and a curtain to protect from the wind and prying eyes. Or a full-fledged cabin with strong walls and a roof that can withstand a heavy barrel filled with water.

Summer shower design options

But in any case, the summer shower should be comfortable and spacious. When thinking over the dimensions of the future shower stall, keep in mind that it is necessary to provide a place protected from splashes of water for storing bath accessories and hanging clothes. This will require from 40 to 60 cm of room area.
According to the experience of craftsmen who have already built a shower at the dacha with their own hands, for comfortable water procedures a sufficient room measuring 160x100 cm or 190x140 cm and a height of 2.5-5 meters is sufficient.

Tip: A small drawing or simple drawing will help you correctly calculate the required volume of building materials, preventing unnecessary expenses.

Choosing a site on the site

The design of a summer shower assumes that the water will be heated from solar heat. Therefore, it is better to select a well-lit area for installing a shower stall, where the sun's rays will actively warm up the water tank throughout the day.

The best place to build a shower would be a sunny place.

When choosing a location, it is worth considering the convenience of water supply, ensuring, if possible, automatic filling of the tank.
It would also be reasonable to worry about water drainage in advance by placing the structure on a natural hill, or making a small embankment so that after washing it flows into a septic tank or septic tank.

Preparing the base

When constructing a lightweight frame structure, it is not at all necessary to lay a foundation, but when building a stationary summer shower, this stage of work cannot be skipped.
To carry out the work you will need:

  • Roulette and level;
  • Pegs and cord;
  • Bayonet shovel;
  • Garden drill;
  • Pieces of roofing felt;
  • Metal mesh;
  • Crushed stone and sand;
  • Cement mortar.

Preparing the base for a summer shower

The dimensions of the foundation depend on the building materials from which the building will be built. To build a shower from cinder block or brick for a slab foundation, you will need to dig a pit about 15 cm deep.
The work is carried out in several stages. Having decided on the location of the summer shower, prepare the site:

  1. Using a tape measure, pegs and string, mark out the area of ​​the required size.
  2. In the designated area, a layer of turf 15 cm deep is removed.
  3. Level the base of the pit.
  4. The bottom of the pit is lined with a “cushion” of sand and filled with mortar, creating a flat surface.

Tip: If you plan to use a wooden or metal frame as the shower floor, before pouring the base you need to prepare a place for the racks by installing sticks of the required diameter vertically wrapped with roofing felt.

Laying the foundation

When screeding a floor, it is better to use a level and guides, because only a horizontal surface can become a reliable basis for the entire structure. At this stage of construction, it is also worth taking care of arranging a drain, making a gutter reinforced with a metal mesh in parallel with the concrete screed.

Foundation for the construction of a capital summer shower

By using a columnar or pile foundation for a frame outdoor shower, you will not have to dig a foundation pit. It is enough just to make holes about 1 meter deep at the site where the support pillars are installed using a garden drill.
It is necessary to insert metal posts into them, the height of which is 1.2 m, and D = 90 mm, so that the posts rise above the ground surface by 20 cm. Columns made of hollow pipes are filled with cement mortar diluted with crushed stone and sand in a ratio of 1:5 :3 and wait until it acquires the necessary strength.

Important: To extend the service life of metal poles, the ends buried in the ground must be pre-treated with used machine oil.

Drain arrangement

It is better to place a septic tank for a summer shower not under the shower stall, but at a short distance from it. This will prevent it from being flooded with large volumes of water, thereby preventing the destruction of the foundation and soil.

To equip it, dig a hole about 2 meters deep, decorating the walls with brick or cinder block masonry. Some craftsmen use car tires for this purpose, laying them on top of each other in the form of a well. A gutter for draining water is connected to the finished septic tank and covered with a shield made of wooden boards.

Option for arranging a drain for a summer shower

It is better to decorate the walls of the gutter for water drainage with waterproof material: roofing felt, hydroglass insulation or ordinary PVC film. It is placed on a slope so that the flow is directed towards the drainage tank.
A metal or enamel tray is installed in the shower stall itself, which can be purchased at any specialized store without much hassle. Water will flow from it directly into the gutter.

Advice: You can partially solve the issue of soil drainage by planting moisture-loving perennials near the shower stall, such as bathhouse, buzulnik, hazel grouse, iris, and loosestrife.

Construction of the frame

An outdoor shower made of beams or boards is one of the most popular options for a structure needed in the household. For the construction of the structure, it is better to use coniferous species, the main advantage of which is:

  • High density;
  • Moisture resistance;
  • High level of resinity;
  • Ability to withstand heavy loads.

Shower frame made of beams

To construct the frame, 100x100 mm beams are used. First, the lower frame is assembled, fixing it by bolting to support pillars or screw piles. When installing, it is better to use long bolts with complete alignment of the axes.

Having installed the wooden supports vertically, perform the top trim. To give the structure additional stability, the side frames are secured with spacers.
Planed coniferous wood is excellent for cladding. It has a presentable appearance and fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.

Important: To extend the life of wood, it is advisable to treat it with an antiseptic and moisture-repellent composition, or simply coat it with 1-2 layers of varnish for exterior use.

Construction of the walls of a wooden summer shower

Special seals will help ensure a tight fit of the door. The door to the booth also needs to be painted or sealed.
For interior decoration of the booth, you can use plastic panels, oilcloth or linoleum. Photos with interesting design options can be seen on the Internet.

Installation of the barrel

When choosing a barrel of the required volume, they are usually guided by the formula that up to 40 liters of water is enough for one person. To set up a summer shower for a family of three or four people, it is enough to install a barrel with a volume of 200 liters. If you choose between a plastic and metal container, it is worth noting that plastic is lighter in weight, but metal (painted dark) heats up faster.

Various water supply schemes with natural heating

A little trick: To ensure faster heating of water, the outer surface of the roof under the barrel can be lined with reflective material such as galvanizing or foil.
The container is placed on the roof and secured with straps. All that remains is to select the desired water supply scheme to the cabin:

  • cut two holes for filling with water and connecting a faucet with a diffuser, fill the container and enjoy water treatments.
  • pedal circuit is similar to the first one, but water is supplied using a pedal and not a valve as in the first case.

The second option is more complex, but at the same time very economical because water enters the shower in doses and at the right time, which is very convenient. Both options with natural water heating. It is also possible to connect electric water heating. The presence of an electric heating element in a barrel entails the abandonment of a barrel made of simple plastic (it is better to use metal) and the inclusion of another container in the circuit for supplying cold water.

Scheme of arrangement of a tank for a summer shower

Cold water will save a lot of electricity because washing only with heated water is not very practical or convenient, because there is no way to adjust the water supply temperature. You will also need a mixer or some kind of circuit with two taps and the need for an electricity supply. Although electricity is desirable anyway, it is necessary to illuminate the shower.

Construction of a shower in the country: video

Naturally heated shower: video

Summer shower at the dacha: photo







In a country house, it makes sense to install a shower on the same side of the house where the toilet will be located, then there will be no problems with sewerage wiring and water pipes. If the water supply has good pressure or you plan to use a pump to supply water, then the shower room can be located on the second floor of the building. When the water is supplied by gravity, it is better to have a shower on the ground floor.

Where to arrange a summer shower in the country? Choosing a place

If you want to build a summer shower outdoors, then you need to choose a place for it. If the water in the shower tank is heated only by the sun, then the place for the garden shower can only be on the sunny side, which is protected from the wind.

It is necessary to choose a location taking into account the possibility of supplying clean water, installing a concrete well for wastewater, and draining wastewater. Convenient water supply involves placing the shower next to the well, so as not to pull the hose or pipe far.

If you do not intend to supply water to the septic tank, then the flowing water should be discharged to the drain. This must be done because once it seeps into the ground, it will inevitably end up in the aquifer that feeds the well. It is also undesirable to place the shower near the border of the site.

An outdoor shower with additional heating is installed as far as possible from the residential building.

Making a shower project

Decide on the size of the future building. A container of water that needs to be raised to a height of 2.5 m will provide good jet pressure. The cabin should be comfortable. If the booth measures 2 x 1.5 m, then inside you can place a shelf for soap, gel and shampoos, and a clothes hanger.

The interior space of the booth must have dimensions of at least 1 x 1 m. When washing, a person must be able to raise his arms up and bend freely without bumping into the walls of the booth.

The cabin itself must have two compartments: the shower compartment itself and the dressing room at least 60 cm wide. Therefore, the internal space of the cabin for a summer shower should have dimensions of 160 x 100 cm. But it is better to build a structure with dimensions of 190 x 140 cm. You also need to add the thickness of the walls and get 200 x 150 cm. Such construction is an excellent waste-free option for standard board sizes.

Setting up the foundation for a summer shower

Having determined the dimensions, draw a rectangle on the ground with dimensions of 170 x 110 cm, or 190 x 140 cm. The height of the shower can be 2.5 - 3 m. In order for the shower to be stable, you need to create a large support area.

It is advisable to build a pile or columnar foundation. Such a foundation is simple to construct, but it will support the shower under wind and other loads; for example, a 200 liter tank weighs 200 kg.

The material for the foundation can be metal pillars, asbestos-cement or metal pipes with a diameter of 9 - 10 cm and a length of 1.5 - 2 m. Four wells with a depth of 1 - 1.5 m should be made in the ground in the corners of the future shower. Pipes or pillars should be inserted into them in such a way that they rise above the soil by 30 - 50 cm. After this, hewn timber with a diameter of 10 x 10 cm is placed at the corners of the foundation from the pillars.

Next, the pillars are tied with it in the form of a closed strapping, starting from the top. This type of foundation is called a rigid frame. It is more convenient to assemble such a frame on the ground, and then secure it with long bolts. All axes of the structure must coincide.

Under a summer shower, you can lay a strip foundation 30 cm deep without constructing a monolithic concrete platform. Be sure to check the equality of the diagonals of the foundation using a thick fishing line or rope. Then you need to dig a trench 30 cm wide and the same depth.

The foundation should be filled with concrete mortar. It is prepared from one part of cement, three parts of clean sand and five parts of fine crushed stone of 5 - 20 mm each. The sand is sifted before mixing. Next, the solution is poured into the dug trench. When completely hardened, check the horizontalness of the foundation. If you get any unevenness, they can be easily leveled with cement-sand mortar.

If your shower will have heated water, then you need to pour a concrete platform under the foundation or lay out a platform of bricks in the form of a rectangle. It is important to concrete the site with a slope towards the sewer pipe, and put a wooden grate on top.