The way to Make a Shower Using a 55-Gallon Drum
Whether assembled in your own back yard or built for camp or off-grid usage, building an outdoor shower using a metallic or plastic 55-gallon drum can be an affordable and convenient way to remain clean. Materials required are readily accessible but require basic construction skills and tools to construct a safe, long-lasting and useful outdoor shower. Using a very simple design enables you to construct it yourself.
Drum Selection and Planning
Using the best quality plastic or metal 55-gallon drum in the ideal condition will ensure the longevity of your outdoor shower. You can buy new drums from a variety of local and online sources, and you could be able to locate used drums through online classified advertising for your area. One-piece, or closed-head drums, will work best since they come with threaded openings known as bungholes, which make attaching the pipes connections easier. Clean the drum thoroughly indoors, especially if it has been previously utilized. Paint the outside with flat black paint to maximize heat transfer from the sun into the water inside the drum to get a warmer shower.
Assemble the Platform
Build the platform from steel or wood to hold the cylinder at least 7 feet above the shower floor. Make sure you make the platform hardy enough to hold the drum securely as a water-filled 55-gallon drum weighs over 400 pounds. If needed, it is possible to construct a floor from a variety of materials, such as concrete, wood or gravel. Enclose the bathtub for privacy by adding wood, plastic, cloth or steel panels secured to the platform frame.
Install the Plumbing
Install the drum horizontally. Position among the bungholes at the bottom and attach a fitting that matches the dimensions of the bunghole. Use another bunghole for ventilation. From the fitting, install a piece of pipe of adequate length to install a valve that will be utilized to turn the shower on and off. Now you can install your shower head. Minimize turns and curves in the pipes line to maximize water pressure.
Filling the Drum
The way you fill your drum will be dependent on your access to water. If readily available, it is possible to fill the barrel using a garden hose. For camp or even off-grid places, you may add water from smaller containers brought into the site or filled from natural sources. It is possible to integrate a ladder to the construction of the platform to access the drum or utilize a portable ladder. To add water readily from a garden hose without needing to utilize a ladder, then the drum can be plumbed so a hose can be attached from the ground. For much better price effectiveness, rainwater can be captured and transferred or redirected to the drum.