How to Install a Steam Shower

A steam shower is a luxurious addition to any bathroom, but you might be surprised to learn that you can actually do much of the installation yourself. Our how-to guide will walk you through everything from prepping the space to finishing the walls around the shower unit, so keep reading!

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. [1] A steam shower unit is designed much like a refrigerator in that it is a sealed unit and you slide it into place and it requires no silicone seams.
  2. Ensure that the room containing the steam shower unit is built from mold resistant drywall, and provides necessary ventilation in order to prevent buildup of moisture in the room. Excess moisture can grow molds, mildews, and other structural damages. A single exhaust fan is sufficient for almost all residential steam shower installations. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Ensure that the electrical supply for the steam shower unit is GFCI protected, due to the proximity of electricity and water in the unit. The size of the line will depend mostly on the size of your steam generator. Typical sizes of steam generators range from 3000 Watt to 6000 Watt. These would require 240 Volt, 40 Amp line, or 30 Amp for smaller steam generators. Electrician services may be needed in this step, in order to prevent electric shocks.
  4. Typical assembly time for a two person steam shower unit should be 2-4 hours for two people. [3]
  5. Steam shower units will require a hot water supply and a cold water supply to feed the shower heads and jets as well as the steam generator. The steam generator uses cold water to generate steam. These connections will be 1/2" flexible line connections in most cases. These flexible connections allow you to slide the steam shower to access the components and also for servicing. [4]
  6. Steam shower units have a 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) flexible hose connection for a drain. This simplifies the drain connection as the existing location of your drain can be used so long as it is within the footprint of your steam shower unit.
  7. Typically seven to ten legs can be individually adjusted to provide a stable and level base.
  8. Any construction material that you use to finish around the steam shower must be mold resistant and suitable for wet conditions.
    9. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I need a water heater when installing a steam bath tub?
    Community Answer
    Either your tub has a steam generator built in or, yes, you need a specialized steam generator for the bath (a water heater will not create steam). Make sure the door to the bath is air tight, and the attached room is very water resilient. Install a fan that pushes fresh air into the steam room from the attached room or outside source, and provide an exit vent low to the exterior of the structure. It will vent the cool, moist air, but leave as much steam and heat high as possible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    What size should the water heater be for the shower?
    Community Answer
    A steam generator is needed, not a water heater. The size is determined by the cubic footage of the steam room multiplied by a multiplier for the room's wall materials. There is also a multiplier if a wall is an exterior wall. Figure out your cubic footage (length x width x height) and then add half again to that figure (300+150 = 450 ft3). For example, my 300 ft3 room needs a 450 ft3 generator, which is about a 10kW generator. Your manufacturer can best recommend the unit you'll need for your space.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Where can l get a manual for the j-2006 steam shower?
    Community Answer
    The manufacturer of that shower is long gone (2009). I had no luck locating a manual for it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • When installing items like door handles, orient the pieces of the handle so that the set screws and fasteners that hold the handles together are on the outside of the steam shower as opposed to inside the steam shower.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Fix a Shower Diverter
      How to
      Replace a Shower Valve
      How to
      Remove a Shower Head
      How to
      Change Out Single & Double Shower Knobs
      How to
      Fix a Leaky Shower Faucet by Yourself
      Tiling a Shower: Prep, Installation, and Finishing Touches
      How to
      Replace a Shower Head Like a Pro
      How to
      Install a Shower Curtain
      How to
      Hang a Shower Curtain Rod
      How to
      Remove a Shower Drain
      How to
      Unclog a Shower Drain
      How to
      Build Your Own Shower Pan, From Start to Finish
      How to
      Install a Curved Shower Rod
      What Causes a Gargling Toilet during a Shower & How to Fix It
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about tiles and tile installation, check out our in-depth interview with Schannon Yodice .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-bathtub/
      2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/21016616/installing-a-bathroom-vent-fan
      3. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/steam-shower-how-it-works
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/steam-shower-how-it-works
      5. http://www.divapor.com/guides/steam-shower-installation.php - Steam shower installation guide and the official steam showers buyers guide - http://www.divapor.com/steam-shower-buyers-guide.php

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 78,603 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kenneth Oas

        Jan 18, 2018

        "Nice and simple methods to plan and avoid mold growth and plumbing and electrical hookups."
        Rated this article:
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement