Steam Showers and Baths - Simply Soothing

What size room do you recommend for a two person steam room? or a 4 person steam room? can you give me an idea of material costs and generator for a room that size with exterior contols (approximate electrical & plumbing costs). I understand there are alot of accessories. I just want lighting and steam fitting in room.
Thanks

Do the people like each other?

Two-person shower:
Yes = 4' x 5'
No = 6' x 5'

Four-person shower:
Yes = 5' x 7'
No = 6' x 8'

Do these home steam generators top out at a factory set temperature. Also any thing special for grout types (make up)
Thanks

I am sure there are safety limits on all of them. Follow the instructions in *all* of my articles about grout and how to grout to produce grout that is unaffected by steam.

Re: steamshowers, Is it as effective to use a roll/trowel on waterproofer-fracture inhibitor over the cement backer as opposed to the vapor barrier behind it?

Thanks for the quick response ,guess what i meant to say was my wife is unsure wether it will be hot enough. We've all been in steamrooms that are'nt as hot as we would like.

Pete,
It depends on the perm rating of the product once it is cured.

Max,
The sizing of the steam generator is critical! They must be a near exact match to the size of the steam room. The manufacturer usually has written guidelines.

Grat site!
I want to turn an existing shower into a steam room. The roof is sloped. I can tile the ceiling but how do I ensure that the existing tile area is steam proof? without taking it all out and re-doing it?
thanks

Sarah,
You can't..... You simply must have a top-quality vapor barrier behind the tile.

1) I plan on installing a ceiling mounted kohler rain tile (K-8030). Do you think steam from a steam bath can enter the wall through the holes or traim of the faucet (or temp control valves / other faucets / unions / openings on the wall)? If you think it could enter into the wall cavity, what do you recommend as a sollution?

2) Is it possible to install a vent in a steam bath?

Aaron,
A minimal amount might get past the gaskets. It is possible to install a vent in a steam room. It will reduce the steam to be sure.

I'm planning a workout room/spa in my basement. Could I enclose a corner whirlpool bath like the Jacuzzi Espree 6060 inside a steam room so the bath and steam room would all be in the same enclosure?

Patrick,

Anything is possible, but the question is will it harm the tub and WILL the steam unit be able to handle the extra cubic feet of space. You MUST ask this question of the mfr of the steam-generation machine.

I just came into a steam room project that already has the cement board nailed to the studs with no moisture barrier behind it. What can I do now other than pulling all of the cement board down.

Jason,
You can walk off the job and not do any more work. You can cover the backerboard with tile and be sued SUCCESSFULLY in a few years since you now have created a written record that you knew better. You can do lots of things......but I hope you do the right thing and put a high-quality vapor barrier on the walls and ceiling off this steam room!

My plumber wants to install the steam unit in a closet on first floor for a steam shower in the master bath on the second floor (they not exactly lined up vertically). Is it feasible to have steam move up a story to the shower? He says this will make for less piping (for the overflow drain and waterlines). But will this compromise the performance of the unit?
Thanks,
Mary Beth

Mary Beth,
You MUST read the instructions that come with the unit. There are PRECISE instructions as to where the steam unit must be placed.

We are installing granite shower walls for our steam shower. Is it safe to put granite ceiling as well ?

We have cement board. Can we just finish with dry wall and oil paint for the ceiling. Is it mandatory to put tile for the ceiling.

Arti,
You can put granite on the ceiling. You MUST not install drywall or paint. They will both fail in short order.

I am interested in putting a steam room in my basement. I am clear on all of the procedures except one. Does the steam room ned a drain? And does the drain need a pump (since it is in my basement)? Also, how hard is installing a pump?

Doug,
Yes the steam room needs a drain. You should have a floor drain in the basement and if so talk to your local plumbing inspector about all you need to do to legally drain the steam room.

I don't want the drops from the ceiling falling on me when I steam. Is there a rule I can use to determine how much "drop" I need to have in the framing to allow most of the water to run toward a wall and roll down there instead?

Neta,
To be safe, use a slope of 2 inches per foot.

I am building an 8 foot long combo shower and steem room. Five of the feet will be a new glass ceiling and three will be an exsting ceiling that is flat. As the bench for sitting will be under the glass, i expect the flat ceiling portion will not be so trubelsome as it is at the far end of the room but how much lift should the glass be to give me the best runoff from the glass ceiling.

Thanks for your help.

Barry,
Try 4 inches of rise per foot of run.

Hello, Do you know of a website which showcases different custom steam showers? I am interested to see different configurations of steam shower set-ups. In particular, custom built seating, etc. I have a very small space and a standard bench isn't practical. I don't want a pre-fab modular unit; I will custom-build the space using glass tiles. Do you have recommendation for website or coffee table book? Thank you!

Samantha,
I would just Google it........

I have heard that you should not use anything in a shower like marble or granite, as it will absorb moisture, and will tend to have mold and mildew problems. Is that true, and does the same apply to a steam shower?

Mike,
That is not true...... Both of those stone products will do well in showers. To stop and eliminate Mold and Mildew in showers, read all of my Mold columns.

Great Info: I have removed an existing bathtub and will be installing a custom shower installation w/ a steam unit. By design, the door opens to the main part of the bathroom and a half wall will be part of a pocketed toilet room with ventilation fan and above the half wall will be some sort of glass. My question is, should I put a louvered door above the door, the glass wall or not bother. Also is a std vapor type light adequate for the enclosure?

Thanks for the great comments. MM

Mack,
You need to go read ALL of my Bathroom Fan Ventilation columns. They are in the Ventilation category. All of the answers are there.

Does the steamer for the shower need any maintenance? Some building supply companies say I need an automatic flush while others do not ? Do we need a pan under the unit since it will be installed in a closet adjacent to the wall next to the shower? Pleaser advise?

Can you recommend any websites which show custom steam showers-rooms? I want to custom-build a steam shower with mosaic tiles but would love to see examples of what other people have created. (In particular, seating....) Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks.

Arnie,
Read the owner's manual.

hi there were trying to install our new steam shower room in we've done the plumbing the electrics but we've hit a brick wall.once the cold water valve is put on we can only get cold water to the steam room, bathroom sink, & bath plus kitchen which is just off the bathroom.please have you any ideas to solve our dilhema it seems shameful to have this wonderful piece of equipment that we can only look at kind regards jim

Jim,
It is time to call one of those awesome UK plumbers I have heard so much about. Something is seriously wrong.

Can you install an exhaust fan withing the steam room? Where should it be located.

Lisa,
You can do it, but I would never operate it while the steam unit is working...... You can put it in the ceiling and turn it on when you are finished getting steamed.

checkout this all-enclosed steam shower system

ETL approved



www.CoralSeaSpas.com

I am building a new house and the plans are set for a 4x5 master shower, but I would like to make it a steam shower. What do I need to get and what do I need to tell the plumber to incorporate this into the plans? Thank you.

hi,sarah,actually,you do not need to change your existing shower room.Our product can help you.
complete steam shower room.


Email: peter@alanbro.com.cn
MSN: tub-peter@live.cn
Skype:nono-skype1
Tel: 86-20-86884490 ext.:805
Fax: 86-20-86884492

Can standard recessed shower lights be used in a steam shower?

I purchased a steam generator and selected a unit for a slightly larger room than I am building, as various different materials absorb heat differently - I'm still in the material selection phase. Do you see any issue with have a unit that is ultimately larger than necessary based on the mfr's sizing criteria? Also, how many steam nozzles/outlets is recommended?
thanks.

Hi Tim, can I use the same lighting unit used in a shower stall in a steam shower?

Hi Tim, I understand that the shower liner is place along the floor and stapled up onto the studs and then the backerboard is placed over it and nailed or screwed to the studs. I would like to know when you are building a custom seat, how do you place the shower liner? Is it placed on the shower floor and stapled up onto the base seat (as seen in the picture on your website)?

I Built a steam bath /shower and built it to the specks. Tha ceiling is slopped the proper amount. It is heavily insulated nd tiled. The owner saws that water conensates the drips from the intersections on the tile grout. We cut out the grout and made the joints smoother but it still drips. Any thoughts?

My shower is already tiled. So all I have to do is install the steam unit correct?
thanks

ok

Any special guidance on tiling the ceiling? Should I simply do it the same as the walls? Do I need to have braces to hold the tiles in place until the mortar sets?

Awesome article. I have a prefab fiberglass shower enclosure currently in place. If I tile above it and over it on the roof of the shower area, will this suffice?

Hello all,

I am planning to cover my steam bath with marble tile (shower base, walls, ceiling) ... what do you recommend?

or lemmme ask this "What is the best stone to be used in steam bath? and what is the best tile size & thickness to be installed? I mean 10 cm X 10 cm or larger?

Thanks

Which way do you slope the tile ceiling? Do you slope it towards the back? That means it will drip on you when sitting in steam, but if you slope it towards the front, it will hit the shower controls. Help? And it is ok to have a ceramic tile ceiling in a steam room?

I plan on having 2 walls put up (joining the 2 other walls) to make a steam room. The sauna place told me I could simply lay down a piece of linoleum over the wood floor and that would keep the floor safe. Is this right? The sauna is a kit that must be put together inside the walls I'm having built.
Thank You,
Pat

Is there an adhesive or mortar that will set quickly for ceramic ceiling tiles? If I use regular mortar mix, how much time will it need to completely hold the tile (12x12)?

Hi:

I'm considering a steam shower and whirlpool tub remodel but am having difficulty in ascertaining the best rated brands. Most of these models appear to be manufactured in the far est -- and what with the latest quality issues for all kinds of products I am somewhat uneasy in selecting one - any recommendations on how/where to locate real information regarding the quality and reliability of these products?

Thanks
Gene

I have built 2 x steam rooms but no one is able to supply a self closing sealed door any ideas

Have a shower that is 48 x 60 x 88" high.. walls and celling are all stone. one wall is to the outside of the house.I want to know what size unit to put in.what size unit should I look for?thank you

I want to add an self enclosed steam shower (Aquaeutics 685b) into a 4x4 area. The back and left side walls are sheet rocked. What preparation will I need and will it look okay having glass against a wall for one side and back? Any suggestions?

How high is the steam piece supposed to be from the floor? We have a steam shower and the floor has cracked underneath where the steam comes out. I am concerned that it wasn't placed correctly. If so, is there anything that can be done now, deflectors or something?

i have a small window were i want to turn an existing shower to a steam room, will this be a problem?

Great site! I'd like to build a steam room in the unfinished mechanical portion of my basement. Two walls would be the existing cinderblock walls of the basement. The basement has a cement floor and a french drain w/ sump pump. I would need to build the cieling and 2 walls. Do I need to worry as much about the vapor barrier in this scenario, or can I put the tile right on top of the cement floor and cinderblock walls? For the walls I build, do I need to insulate them? or is the cement board and tile sufficient for the short amount of time the steam room is in operation?

Thanks!
Nathan

Remodeling a bathroom to turn a shower into a steam shower. Have an intact waterproof pan in place already. Am planning on using Schluter Kerdi membrane over the tile backer board walls to insure a waterproof, vapor proof enclosure. My question lies in whether to adhere the Kerdi to the PVC pan before my mud bed is installed or bring it down over the top of the mud bed before laying the tile. Thanks

We are looking at buying a foreclosure that that has a steam shower in the master bath. Is there a way to check the stability of the shower? It looks like the tile on the floor needs to be replaced, but we cant tell if the shower is just dirty from being vacant or if it has issues? Any suggestions?
thank you.

I'm interested in installing a steam generator in my bathroom shower. What provisions are necessary other than electrical and plumbing supply to the steamer? If I locate the steamer, as an example, underneath the shower seat, do I need to provide a conduit for wired connection to the contollers (located near shower controls)?

I am building a custom steam room and i want the whole thing to be tile with some decorative tiles as a border within the built-in seating area. The decorative tiles are brushed nickel finish. Are these tiles safe to use and is it possible that they will get hot from the steam?

I am finishing a my basement and want to incorporate a steam room into the bathroom with tub, sink, shower head and toilet. I know what I need to do to create the room. My problem is that I will need to cover a gas valve in the ceiling of the basement. I will find out the codes for my city, but if I need access to the gas valve, can I have a trap door to it or is that not possible?

Thanks, Mike

Bob, can the shower be built either on inside wall or outside wall, is one better than the other? Assuming it is ok the leftover steam is vented to the attic as a normal bathroom fan is?

I am planning a steam shower or sauna shower, most likely steam as it seems to be more affordable. Is there any way to build a cedar lined shower? would it last? I think the look and affect of the cedar in a shower/steam room would be fantastic.

How do I go about putting the 6 mil barrier on the ceiling and walls without using more than one piece? In other words how do I put the ceiling barrier and the wall barrier together so no water gets between the two?

is it counterproductive to put waterproofing on the face of cement board AND install vapor barrier behind cement board?

We are going to install an Ariel Platinum steam shower whirlpool tub in our bath. I was wondering does the walls need to have all tile or would sheet rock work on some portions of the wall.? Thank you.

has anyone bought a steam shower all in one??? anyone bought one from http://steamshowerinstallation.co.uk/

i was wondering if anyone had any experience of the ''pre-built'' ones that seem to be everywhere now?? me and the wife was looking at getting one from HERE http://steamshowerinstallation.co.uk
just wondered if anyone had anythjing to say on them

in the process of completing my steam / shower room. it is eight by eight by eight w/domed ceiling. they were telling me (kohler sales rep) to also install a shower in the steam room. ended up with a kohler shower head on facing wall, with two steam heads for the two mr. steam quick steam generators, and four kohler body sprays. the left wall has a kohler hand held flip head shower on the adjustable rail with three body sprays on that wall. the shower heads are thermostaticly controlled independantly, with five volume control valves for shower heads and body sprays, for custom shower experience for one person or two persons. the back wall (exterior wall) has a two foot by four foot glass block window.

awaiting custom steam door to arrive this week. all was expertly constructed by S & M builders of Lebannon, Virginia. all parts are kohler and/or mr. steam products.

by law steam rooms are not allowed to exceed one hundred twenty degrees, be it commercial or residential. mr. steam literature recommends acclaimation to steam bathing by starting at one hundred ten degrees for ten minute periods.

the hand held flip head shower was suggested by the kohler sales rep for accomodation in the event that either husband/wife or other loved one requires special care in the event of an injury or medical condition.

expectation is for many years of enjoyment.

I want to build a steam room in my unfinished basement. I already have the water line in the area of the basement in which I would like it installed. I would like it to be about an 8 by 10 foot steam room with tile seating, etc.

Any idea of the approximate cost?

Thanks.

I've installed a quality steam generator in a 5'x6' room - all with the help of lic. contractors... How can I soften the water-hammering due to the fast-solenoid on the water line? I've installed an inline water hammer arrestor between the valve and the steam unit, and connected with braided SST flex lines. It's still loud... thanks.

What is the best type of tile to use in a steam shower? I heard some absorb more heat that others.