There are a lot of reasons to install a shower or sink outside your home. If you live at the beach, an outdoor shower is almost a requirement or if you have an outdoor kitchen, a sink would make it that much better. Installing the plumbing for these fixtures is not much different from installing it inside the house but it might be a good idea to have a plumber come install them for you.

Outside Fixtures and How They Are Different

There are a lot of fixtures available that will work outside but when you start looking at shower heads and sets, sink fixtures, or any other fixture you may be used outside your home, keep in mind that they will be out in the weather all year long. The fixtures need to have a durable finish or it won't be long before they look terrible. Chrome stands up pretty well and is pretty durable through just about any weather conditions. The fixtures themselves are not all that different from what is in your home so unless you have a special purpose in mind for the fixture, you can use just about any utility style fixture.

Outside Sinks, Shower Stalls, and Other Products

When you start looking at installing a sink or shower outside, you might want to look at ABS plastic, fiberglass, or enameled Items. Metal can rust and even stainless steel can stain if it is not cleaned regularly. A fiberglass shower pan and stall is easy to find and you can get them pretty cheap. If you are installing a sink outside, you can get large utility sinks that are made from plastic and are very durable as well. The sinks are deep enough for a kitchen, a wash area, or a gardening sink. They are priced pretty reasonably and can make your outdoor living much easier.

Keeping Outside Pipes From Freezing

Plumbing outside the house is not all that different from what is inside your home unless you live in a cold climate. If you have a concern about pipes freezing, you can insulate the pipes and add a heated wrap to the pipes to keep them warm. Another option would be to install a shut off inside the house that will allow you to turn that water to the fixtures off in the colder months. Once the valve is closed, just turn the fixture on and let the water drain out of them. You can leave the fixture open all winter to allow any water in there room to expand out as well. You can bury outside lines so they can not be seen or are not in the way as well.

Contact a company like Knights Plumbing & Drain for more information and assistance.