Plastic barrels for shower

After a hot day at the dacha, you want to wash off the dust under a stream of warm water in a summer shower. One of the most important elements of a shower in the country is a barrel. Durability and ease of construction depend on its size, shape and material.

For a comfortable shower in the country, certain conditions are necessary. First of all, you should take care of a good tank. Such containers must be large enough. But even choosing a large-sized tank, do not forget that the water cannot quickly and strongly heat up from the sun, so you will have to additionally heat it up by adding hot water or embedding a heating element in the barrel.

Usually a shower for a summer residence consists of the following elements:

• frame;
• fencing in the form of walls;
• pallet;
• barrels or water tank.

The containers for the shower can have specially provided platforms for cutting in and out of them, installing a shower head and a heating element. A wide water inlet is usually located at the top, which makes it possible to pour water into the tank directly from the bucket, as well as using a hose from the pump.

There are tanks for heated and unheated summer showers. For regions with hot climates, an unheated plastic container is suitable. But in other cases, it is advisable to choose a barrel with a heater. Their advantages are that:

• when using them, there is no need for separate heating and hot water filling;
• no need to wait for a hot day and hope that the water in the tank heats up to a comfortable temperature;
• even in cold weather, the liquid can be heated to the desired temperature.

In addition to obvious advantages, heated containers also have the following disadvantages:

• in cold and windy weather, the tank gives off heat faster, which leads to an increase in electricity consumption;
• there is a need to install thermal insulation, which requires additional investments;
• requires the presence of an electrical network or the use of expensive solar panels.

When building a shower and installing a water tank, you need to decide on the size of the shower barrel and its shape. There are similar products of various shapes - from rectangular models in the form of a parallelepiped, as well as ordinary tanks, to containers with a flat bottom and a rounded top. It is worth paying attention to flat models in the shape of a square, which will serve not only as a shower tank, but also act as the very roof for the shower. When choosing a barrel, it should be remembered that the water in it will warm up much worse than in containers of a different configuration. The blue and black color of the products allows the water to heat up faster under the rays of the sun.

The most popular sizes of shower containers are 65, 100, 200 and even 300 liters. For a family of 3-4 people, it is better to choose a capacity of 200 liters. When choosing a product with a volume of 300 liters, it must be borne in mind that it is installed only on a sufficiently strong base that can withstand such a weight.

Having decided on the shape and size of the tank, you should choose the material for the container.Usually plastic and metal are used for these purposes. Plastic shower containers are a very convenient, inexpensive and affordable material. Models of different shapes and volumes are created from plastic. The advantages of such a container include the following.

• This material does not corrode.
• Withstands temperature extremes. Only strong blows or very severe frosts can destroy such a product.
• Such a container weighs a little, which makes it possible for self-assembly and removal if necessary.
• The service life of the products is 30-50 years.
• Low price.

Metal products can be made of carbon black steel, galvanized iron and stainless steel. Carbon steel or "black" steel is more commonly used in the production of flat containers. The disadvantage of such products is that they quickly begin to rust and require additional staining. Galvanized steel models are also popular, but they have a similar disadvantage.

During operation, various problems with the tank may arise. Many do not know what to do if the container is leaking, and how to seal the resulting hole. There is the simplest, "old-fashioned" way that allows you to quickly repair a leaked vessel.

• A place with corrosion is peeled off with a stiff metal brush.
• Removes rust, dust and dirt.
• Degrease.
• A little tar is melted and applied in a thick layer, applying a piece of fiberglass. It is necessary to make a layer of tar on both sides in the tank. Instead of tar, bituminous mastic is suitable. In this case, the blowtorch is not used.

To prolong the service life, it is necessary to regularly wash the tanks and clean them. In order for the container to last longer, water should be drained from it for the winter. It is advisable to paint products made of black carbon steel regularly, as they are susceptible to corrosion.

There are several ways to build an outdoor shower. The most durable are permanent shower houses with walls made of polycarbonate or other suitable materials. To make a shower yourself in the country, you must:

• choose a project;
• make a drawing and indicate on it the size of the site itself and the construction parameters;
• find a suitable place for future construction;
• make markup;
• prepare the necessary tools and materials;
• lay out the foundation.

Then it is advisable to run sewer pipes and make a drain. After that, the construction of the summer shower is installed. At the final stage, the barrel is installed and the water supply is connected.

When installing the container on the shower, be sure to secure it, otherwise the barrel may simply fall off the surface. It is advisable to place the building itself in an open, unshaded place. Thanks to this, the water in barrels on hot sunny days will be heated independently without using heating devices.

If the container is installed vertically, when installing the tank on the roof, support for it should be provided in advance. For this, a small fence made of boards is suitable, into which the container is installed and fixed. With horizontal fastening, it is important that the container simply does not roll away, so it is fixed with ordinary bricks. If the roof is flat, the tank is fixed on it with braces. In this case, strong cables are used, ropes that are attached at the corners to posts or anchors.

Installing containers and securing them is not a laborious task that requires special skills and knowledge.

• When using a flat-shaped tank, it is enough to simply lay the container on the ceiling and align the branch pipe with the roof opening. If there are side lugs, they are connected using strong wire with rings on the roof or wall. It is important that the beams are strong enough to support the weight of a tank that is completely filled to the brim with water.
• Plastic canisters or Eurocubes are secured with narrow metal strips. For this, the workpieces are bent in the shape of a container and fixed with nails to the roof.

When using a plastic tank, be sure to strengthen its adhesion to the support. In this case, it is wiser to tie it to the structure, otherwise the empty barrel may fly off with a strong gust of wind.

The installation of a valve for a metal tank and for a plastic container is carried out in a similar manner. The watering can is attached to a specially provided threaded hole located in the bottom of the container. A watering can is selected depending on the pitch of the thread and on the diameter of the branch. A faucet with a watering can can be metal or plastic, while the length of such a device is different. To embed a tap into a closed container, you need the following.

• Decide on the place where the watering can with a tap will be attached.
• Then a hole should be drilled according to the selected parameters and the edges should be cleaned.
• Degrease the surface.
• On the inside, screw on a nut with a gasket. For additional fastening under the gasket, coat with sealant.
• Perform similar actions from the outside.

For plastic shower barrels, see the video below.