October 11Oct 11 After a career setback over the summer, I needed a project so built myself an outdoor shower. it works really well. Id like to still be able to use it over the winter when I truly hate myself, but I'm trying to think of ways of winter proofing it. The hot and cold feed are in 25mm walk thick insulation outside, and 10mm thick through the unheated single garage. My concern is around the valve mechanism and how insulate it, per pictures below? I have isolation valves inside the house, and intend to fit drain valves on the hot and cold pipes below shower AND at the lowest pipe exiting the shower valve at the bottom. Just welcome any other suggestions! Edited October 11Oct 11 by Andeh
October 13Oct 13 Your drain plan is the important bit. Insulation slows freezing but will not stop a hard frost if water sits in the valve overnight, so being able to isolate indoors and empty everything downhill of those valves is the reliable winter route. For the valve body itself, a removable insulated box works better than wrapping alone. A simple plywood or plastic enclosure lined with foil faced PIR or dense foam, with a hinged or lift off front so you can still use the controls, does the job. Tape or foam the pipe entries. Leave a small drip gap at the bottom so any condensation can escape rather than sitting on the valve. The 10mm through the garage is thin for an unheated space. I would up that to match the outside (25mm or more), and lag any fittings and elbows properly, not just the straight runs. If you want occasional use without draining every time, a frost thermostat trace heater on the valve and the last few metres of pipe, under the lagging, is the usual belt and braces approach. Still keep the drains though.
October 14Oct 14 On 11/10/2026 at 08:43, Andeh said: Will try and post up more pics when I find a way to shrink them below 2mb! We should have that issue resolved. Let me check.
October 14Oct 14 On 11/10/2026 at 08:42, Andeh said: I have isolation valves inside the house, and intend to fit drain valves on the hot and cold pipes below shower AND at the lowest pipe exiting the shower valve at the bottom. Just welcome any other suggestions! It’s going to end up in tears, just accept that in freezing temps you’re actually never going to use this in reality Drain down and mothball for the arse of winter is best here imho.
October 14Oct 14 If your water supply pipes are highly insulated, including the benefit of being underground, then they are unlikely to freeze. My outdoor pipes (4) all survived the winter. One froze at the tap but that was due to 1m of exposed pipe and a brass tap. Depends on how cold and for how long of course. BUT I'm not guaranteeing it for you!
3 hours ago3 hr I would go along with JpManning on this one. The drain down matters more than the wrapping, because insulation on its own will only buy you time in a proper cold snap. The bit I would watch is the valve body itself, as it can still hold water after the pipes have drained, so open the shower valve as well when you drain it and leave it open. A removable insulated box over the valve is a good shout, just make sure you can get it off quickly to check for a weep in spring before you put it back into regular use.
Just now1 min Author Thanks all, I've gone with the drain down approach! :( Using it during the day after a long slog in the garden, is very therapeutic I must admit... But I don't think there's a better option!
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