Did you know that there are as many as 1.6 million Americans without indoor plumbing? Issues with your plumbing and home’s water can disrupt your daily life and hygiene. Sometimes using a temporary shower in basement areas or outdoors becomes a necessity.
If you’ve been curious about such an issue, we’re here to help. Read on for a brief guide on using a temporary shower in your basement and its perks.
At a Glance
Temporary showers are a great way to maintain hygiene. It is especially true when your standard shower isn’t working. They’re excellent for emergencies, as they can run without utilities. It also makes them great for outdoor use.
Temporary showers are best in the basement due to privacy and a sturdier, flatter ground. Plus, most basements have concrete floors. So you won’t have to worry about ruining your floors with water damage.
Why Use a Temporary Shower?
There are many reasons that you may have to use a temporary shower. One of the most common is that your home’s water isn’t flowing properly.
Likely, this could be because the home is still under construction. Many homeowners who build properties move into their homes before construction is complete. Often, this is due to needing somewhere to live imminently and can lead to risks.
Another is that something has knocked your home’s water out. There could be ongoing construction, or a natural disaster has disrupted the area. Snap freezes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can lead to the disruption of utilities.
In less severe options, your main shower might be having renovations! For example, if your primary shower is unusable, you want to use a provisional shower. Retiling your bathroom and other such renovations can leave your bathroom unusable.
Whatever the reason your shower isn’t usable, it’s no reason not to follow hygiene. A provisional shower is vital if you aren’t able to use your primary shower.
Benefits of a Temporary Shower
What are the primary benefits of using a temporary shower? And why should you install one in your basement? Also, what are some cons to know before you begin setting up your shower? Here’s a brief overview of the central perks and drawbacks:
Pros
The main benefit of a provisional shower is you can continue bathing. This is a relief during moments of strife, such as losing utilities to natural disasters. Yet, that isn’t to say a provisional shower is only usable during adverse events!
Temporary showers also tend to use less water in most cases. They also come in various forms and sizes, making it easy to make them fit your needs.
Also, provisional showers are portable, meaning you can put the shower wherever. You can have it in the basement for a while. But if you need to move the shower, doing so is easy. You can even use many models outdoors, making them great if you want to go camping!
Finally, temporary showers are often much cheaper. A standard shower and the area around it can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. But, most temporary showers are only a few hundred dollars, and even that is flexible!
By using less water, they also help to keep your water bills and utilities down. Because of this, many will use a temporary shower even if they have a permanent shower!
Cons
That isn’t to say that everything about a temporary shower is perfect, though. For starters, being provisional also makes them more fragile. Many are made of fabric or plastic, which can easily be torn or damaged.
They’re also not as handicapped-friendly as a standard shower is. While a standard shower can have a bar, installing this in a provisional shower is difficult. Stools and benches must also be smaller to fit with size constraints.
While they use less water, they often don’t have a drainage system. Because of this, you’ll need a way to stop water from going everywhere. Also, temporary showers tend to be messy!
Third, they’re less customizable than a standard shower often is. A permanent shower might allow you to customize tiles, showerheads, and more. Unfortunately, temporary showers don’t have such luxuries.
Why the Basement?
If you’re using a provisional shower, why the basement? There are several reasons why a basement is an excellent place for a shower.
For starters, a basement typically has harder, flatter flooring. You can’t put a temporary shower near carpet or wood flooring, as the water can cause damage, mold, and mildew. Most basements have concrete or stone flooring that won’t be as damaged by spilled water.
Second, basements also provide excellent privacy, which other rooms might not. Third, they also are easier to get water to as far as indoor areas go, with many basements having easy access to a hose.
Finally, basements are also more spacious than many other rooms. Garages are usually as big, but they’re often warmer (or colder) and less private than basements. So you’ll want the spare room, especially if your shower doesn’t contain all its water!
Frequently Asked Questions
With everything we’ve discussed, a few more questions remain. So here are some frequent questions about buying a temporary shower.
Where to Buy a Temporary Shower
Most hardware stores sell portable showers. You can also usually find them at superstores without too much trouble.
Plenty of online retailers will sell you a pre-made provisional shower or something you can use to make your own! With a bit of browsing, you can find something that fits your needs perfectly.
Can I Make a DYI Temporary Shower?
Yes! Making a provisional shower yourself puts you more in control of the cost. It will also help you customize the shower more in line with what you want.
You can also buy a pre-built provisional shower and customize it from there. For example, replacing curtains or placing the shower over a personalized area can help with the quality of the product. It’s a great way to improve the temporary shower without building one from scratch.
How Long Does a Temporary Shower Last?
Temporary showers are sturdy, but it’s difficult to predict how long they will last. Different materials and quality of construction will heavily impact the shower’s durability.
Be gentle with the shower and try not to strain it. Frequently-used showers will also naturally deteriorate quicker.
With regular use, a provisional shower should last ten years or more. Just make sure you take care of it.
How Much Water Does a Temporary Shower Use?
How much water a provisional shower uses comes down to personal preference. On average, a shower uses about five gallons of water. But, you can easily make a shower use much more or less.
If you’re manually refilling your shower, limiting your showers to less water can reduce the work. If you’re content with using more than five gallons to enjoy your shower more, then there’s no harm.
Omit, how much water a shower uses—temporary or permanent—depends on the person showering.
Rinsing Off
Regardless of why you need a temporary shower, it is convenient and easy to use.
Having it in your basement means you can take a relaxing shower. And it will not ruin your floors with water damage. No matter how long you plan to use a temporary shower, keeping up with your hygiene is crucial!
For more do-it-yourself tips, please browse the rest of our informative website! Of course, you can also contact us to learn more!
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