Installing a shower on a narrowboat is a popular choice. There are additional considerations to take in to account when installing a shower on a narrow boat, particularly when thinking about the shower surround and the waste water. This needs to be considered if you are buying a sailaway canal boat or re-fitting your current narrowboat. A leaking shower can cause a multitude of damage and often it is not apparent until many months later! If you are re-designing your canal boat, you may have the option to change the size and style of shower enclosure. Ensure you have planned for ample space by using our DIY canal design plans.

Tiles can be fixed to timber bulkheads with good quality silicon and grouted with flexible grout. This gives a higher degree of impact resistance and movement than traditional cement based tile adhesives.

Shower waste systems are lower than the hull outlet, being below the waterline. Therefore waste water has to be pumped from the waste outlet up and out of the skin fitting. Low profile waste outlets are available so as not to foul the bilges. Self priming, non clogging, high lift diaphragm pumps are used as one of the simplest and reliable ways of lifting the waste.

Other methods include a sump box which works by sensing water level and automatically turning on to pump water.

Knowing that shower waste is particularly harsh on pumps, pipework and fittings as soap and hair build up can cause problems. When fitting out make sure there are no jagged edges to pipes etc that could cause hair to catch and build up to an obstruction.

Whatever method you use, be sure you can access the low profile waste, pump and pipework for future maintenance and replacement.