How to Install an Outdoor Gravity Shower

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A shower is a refreshing way to end the day. An indoor shower is not always available when you need a quick cleanup, so an outdoor gravity fed shower is a simple solution. It is especially nice for campers and hunters. There are many different shower kits available, and they all work along the same premise. Here's how to install a simple solar heated outdoor gravity shower.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

One automobile inner tube in good condition
Rubber sealing cement
Scissors or sharp knife
1/2-inch straight coupler hose barb fitting
Section of garden hose with the male connector in place
Small clamp
Standard screw driver
Hack saw
Hose valve
Garden hose spray nozzle

Step1

Check the inner tube to make sure it doesn't have any leaks before you decide to use it for your shower. Cut a ¼-inch slit a couple of inches from the outer edge of the tube. Apply a little water to your finger and clean around inside the slit and around the edge.

Step2

Cut the ½-inch straight coupler hose in half. This will leave a ridge on one side and the barb on the other end. Apply a generous amount of rubber sealing cement to the ridge and insert it into the ¼-inch hole. It'll be a tight fit, and this will leave the barb end of the coupler sticking out of the hole.

Step3

Pull the ridge of the coupler firmly until it makes a seal with the inside of the tube and allow the rubber cement to dry thoroughly.

Step4

Reinforce the seal by using some rubber cement sealer around the outside of the slit where the coupler emerges. Apply several thin layers and allow to dry thoroughly. You may have to roughen up the inner tube around the opening for the cement to adhere.

Step5

Place cut end of the garden hose over the barb end of the coupler and secure it with the hose clamp. Tighten the clamp down with a screwdriver. Attach the hose valve and the garden hose spray nozzle to the end of the hose.

Step6

Fill your inner tube with water through the hose and shut the valve off when it's full. It can also be submerged in the lake and allowed to fill with the valve open. After you have filled the tube and closed the valve, put it up on top of a camper or hang it from a tree until you are ready for your shower.

Tips & Warnings

Hang you container of water early in the morning so the sun will heat the water for you. It will heat even faster if placed on the roof of a vehicle.
Follow manufacturer's instructions on rubber cement drying time. You want to have a tight, waterproof seal when you are finished.
Avoid sharp objects with your shower to avoid puncturing it.