Converting A Shower Into A Steam Room

A steam room can be a great place in your home to relax. Steam is also good for your skin because it helps to remove excess oil and dirt. You can enjoy these benefits in your home by converting a standard shower into a steam room.

Step 1: Select the Location

Determine where you will be installing the steam unit. You will need to provide plumbing and dedicated electrical to this location. The most effective location is on the outside of the wall which contains the shower head. This will save the work of running a primary water line. Select a location where you will install the control panel.

Step 2: Install Plumbing

Turn off the water to the bathroom. Use 3/4-inch PVC pipe and the appropriate PVC connectors to run a water line to the location you selected for your steam unit. Use the closest plumbing available to tie into. Run plumbing from the location where you will be installing the steam unit to just below the shower head.

Step 3: Run the Electrical Wiring

Cut power to the breaker panel using the main breaker. Run a 10 by 3 electrical wire from the breaker panel to the location you selected for your steam unit.  Run 12 by 3 electrical wiring from the steam unit to the control panel location.

Step 4: Installing the Steam Unit

Install the bracket which was included with the steam unit. Connect the wires to the steam unit. The black should be neutral, white hot and the exposed copper wire is the ground. Connect the plumbing provided for the steam unit to the steam unit. Make sure the line Attach the steam unit. Make sure the line which connects to an active water line is connected to the input on the steam unit. Installation instructions can vary somewhat depending on the model you have purchased so it is important to consult with the manual to verify proper installation.

Step 5: Install the Steam Nozzle

Install the steam nozzle just below the shower head. Tie it into the water line you ran from the steam unit. Most models mount directly to the wall so you will need to use an L connector on the PVC pipe to gain access to the piping. This is simply attached to the line running up the wall from the steam unit and it should stick slightly out of the wall.

Step 6: Install the Control Panel

Connect the control panel bracket to the wall. Connect the electrical wiring to the control panel. Remember, white is hot, black is neutral and exposed copper is ground.

Step 7: Install the Shower Door

Install the vented shower door placing the top of the door in the top track and swinging the bottom of the door in until it is resting in the bottom track.

Step 8: Install the Breaker

Connect the wires from the 10-by-3 run to your breaker panel into a new breaker and snap the breaker into an open location on your breaker panel. Turn the power on to the breaker panel and turn on the new breaker.

Step 9: Seal up

Seal up any locations which have been cut open for installation using caulk. This will prevent water from getting behind the wall.