Summer is coming, and that means that it’s almost time to open your pool. And whether you use it for swimming or just rinsing off after your yard chores, an outdoor shower can be a delightful luxury. However, if you don’t take care of it, it can turn into a grimy disaster that no one wants to use. Following our maintenance tips for outdoor showers will maintain that resort-like feel to your backyard.

Treat it Like Family

The best way to maintain your outdoor shower is to treat it as well as you do your inside shower. That means giving it the same care as an indoor room.

Keep it dry

Let your outdoor shower air out after use to prevent mold and mildew from building up. Standing water can also damage wood finishes. If possible, open any doors or curtains to allow sunlight to provide fast drying and some sanitizing UV rays.

Keep it clean

You should clean your outdoor shower as often as your indoor fixture – perhaps even more often if it’s doing heavy-duty from muddy kids and gardeners.

Protect the drain

Because an outdoor shower may be subject to wind-blown debris, make sure you protect the drain with a suitable screen. When off-season, use a broom or leaf blower to remove anything that might clog the drain.

Weatherproofing

Don’t forget that the pipes can freeze on your outdoor shower, so it’s critical to make sure you insulate any exposed piping. You’ll also need to drain any standing water in the pipes to prevent damage.

Keep up with code

Make sure that your outdoor shower complies with local and national building and plumbing codes.

Protect the finishes

Even though treated wood used in hardscape is pretty durable, you’ll still need to stain and seal it occasionally to preserve its good looks. Don’t put this off too long, or sun exposure and heat may damage the finishes permanently.

Make it pretty

Even if your original plan was to have a utilitarian setup to sluice off the family dog, there’s no reason not to bring your indoor style outside for some fresh air. You can install inexpensive upgrades that add value and charm to your outdoor shower.

Consider adding little touches like a rain shower head, mood lighting, a high-end shower mat, or storage shelves.

Adding and Preserving Value

An outdoor shower can add a lot of value to your home, but only if you take care of it. It needs to be a feature, not a burden. So, make sure you keep it maintained as well as any indoor shower.

Make an appointment today with the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We provide renovations and repairs for all your Nashville plumbing needs.