steam shower - steam generator recommendations

[JuanSigned]

I'm doing a complete gut and remodel of my master bathroom. The shower will include a steam shower. I've googled and googled and haven't found much in the way of discussion. Some of brands offer quick steam, others offer 2 heating elements and they all have optional "fancy" control units. There's just not a lot of chatter from folks that have steam showers to help me decide if maybe I'm over looking some feature that might make it worth the extra $$$'s. Are they all the same or is there something I should be looking for?

The other concern I have it putting an electronic control right in the shower. I just know over time (years) it is going to go bad. I'll be putting the control wire in a conduit so it will be easier to replace when it fails. The engineer in me would have put the fancy electronics outside the shower and just a bulb thermostat inside with the water, soap, calcium deposits and steam. (But everyone seems to do it the same way, so maybe it's ok)

Opinions / suggestions for brand and features would be highly welcomed.

[johnfrwhipple]

Here in Vancouver I have worked with "Relax - A - Mist", "Mr. Steam" , "ThermaSol" and "Roma" steamer units. Of the four I like how quite and fast the "ThermaSol" unit is the most. I would say the "Relax - A - Mist" is the cheapest unit of the lot but does offer up a goos steam shower experience. The ThermaSol warranty and self cleaning features outstanding.

There are very little codes in regards to Steam Showers so when your planning your project understand that these units can most times just be dropped next to the steamer and hooked up. I would advise you to follow the commercial guidelines and opt for extra safety and piece of mind. Consider placement and service of the unit in your bathrooms lay out.

Good Luck.

Come back and let us know what you decided and why..

JW

[johnfrwhipple]

Here is a wonderful project we did in Yaletown, Vancouver.

Hooking up the ROMA Steam unit was fairly straight forward but getting it working was a huge pain in the ass. We had to have both the electrician and plumber onsite at the same time to do fine adjustments and in the end it did not work right.

Turns out you need a separate filter or cartridge depending on the water in your city. Not so great when your client wants to use the steamer and your waiting. Not to mention the extra charges from the plumber to re and re the old one!

[jadnashua]

I bought an electric towel warmer made by the Mr Steam company. Had an issue with it after 5-years, and they bent over backwards to help out and resolve the issue. Based on that, I'd seriously consider them if I needed a product they made.

There are some quite specific guidelines on building a successful, long-lasting steam shower. The TCNA handbook lists and describes in detail various tested, approved methods. You owe it to yourself to check this out and abide by their guidelines. Doesn't matter which method you choose, but attention to detail is far more critical with a steam shower than with probably any other shower you could put together.

[johnfrwhipple]

Here in Vancouver there is just about "Zero" code when it comes to steam shower construction. I was in my local city hall last week and had a brief meeting with my plumbing inspector to review the basics.

Pretty much as long as the water lines and electrical are done right you can pop a steamer in place and destroy your home if you wish... Crazt that there is no codes in place.

Out in West Vancouver I have some new clients where this is just the case. The tile setting crew banged on some 1/4" hardi Board over 1/2" Agua Board and installed some Travertine with Mastic!

This is a very fast way to build a steamer. The Steam Shower is large - big enough for the family of five who lives there. It was supposed to be a place for the family to unwind after a day on the slopes. Now it is a non-functioning shower. It's molding. They can't use it as a steamer or the tiles will start popping off...

There are a hundred different variables in constructing a Steam Shower. Research. Study. Ask Questions and go from there.

Post a link or send an email. There are lots of men right here that can help with your build...

JW

[polonyc]

I would recommend Thermasol. Based on simple 2 things: constant steam (very relaxing) and the Lifetime warranty. So far we didn't have any issues but when we needed some suggestions during installation they were super helpful. Also, I saw that you have engineering background - you will appreciate the construction of the unit. Best of all hands down. Look at their steamhead (pretty cool, still do not understand how it works We had some other brands before an I really like the steam experiences with this unit.

[johnfrwhipple]

Can you post some pictures of your Stream Generator? The Thermasol.

We installed a ThermaSol in False Creek and I was blown away at the quality of this steam unit.

Here is a look.

[JuanSigned]

Well, in hopes of creating some information out there here's what I bought - a Mr. Steam. Why? In trying to do my due diligence I found very few comments about any brand of steamer. There are a few "review" sites pumping one brand or another, but I have a hard time trusting their reviews when they are selling what they are reviewing. Sites like these don't have much chatter. (and this one has none that you can find cause the search function is broken ) At the very least I know people come to the internet to complain when something doesn't work, so I take that lack of comments as a good thing. What I did instead was read the online installation and repair manuals trying to find something that would tip the scale one way or the other. The results of that were not too productive, seems steam generators are basically glorified steam kettles. They all have pretty much the same features.

So, what's left? In the end I liked the way Mr Steams' steam port looked, the size and wall mount-ability for my application. And, the local supply house was selling them for the same price as the on-line outfits. (that way I can help out the local guy and have it in my hands quicker than having it shipped.) All in all not very good reasons for buying something that cost $,$$$ but its the best I could come up with.

I'll post a review when its up and steaming.

[johnfrwhipple]

Careful you follow the unit selection process very carefully. One thing to consider is the self purging requirements. The ThermaSol steamers self purge through the steam head so this little feature will not only keep the unit running extremely well but cut done your service bill from a plumber who does have to come out twice a year for many steam shower generators.

Good luck.

Please share the progress pictures as you go.

JW

[JuanSigned]

Here's the update and video of the steamer install.

[johnfrwhipple]

Currently in Vancouver the best product for steam shower construction is Nobel TS. It out preforms Kerdi and all the liquid membranes in performance.

Remember that steam showers generate steam and heat. Heat causes expansion. Non-modified thinset does not handle this very well. You are much better off with the Nobel TS membrane and modified thin-set than a Kerdi steam shower and non-modified thin set.

Here is a little info on this point;



John Whipple
By Any Design Ltd.

[johnfrwhipple]

Using a sheet membrane or liquid membrane to waterproof a steam shower

I have been digging deeper into Steam Shower Construction and came across this Data Sheet from Custom Building Products. http://www.custombuildingproducts.co...m%20Shower.pdf


TCNA SR614 or TCNA SR615

TCNA Technical Services - Steam Rooms http://www.tileusa.com/steamroom_faq.htm


JW

[Jbangi]

Fantastic website. I have been working on a new steam shower installation in the basement of my home. It's pretty difficult to find any good information out there on what exactly goes into making a lasting steam shower. Here's what I have so far:

1. The basement ceiling would only allow approximately a 6 foot steam shower installation so the 2"/ ft slope of the ceiling would have made the entryway rather short. The basement floor consisted of approximately 2-3 inch thick concrete over gravel. I lowered the floor of the steam room and entryway by 11" and tapped into a nearby sewer line. I had some room under the stairwell and decided to put in a small 1/2 bath there as well. The pipes have all been run and I'll post some pictures when I get them.

2. I had some questions regarding the waterproofing of the steam shower. Once I put down the cement backer board, I was planning on using Noble TS as the pan liner with either Red Guard or Noble TS on the walls and ceiling. Red Guard seems like it would be easier to use and a bit cheaper. Is there any reason why this wouldn't work? I haven't seen anyone come out and say that Noble TS can be used as a pan liner, but most of the pictures of their installs show it being used on the floor. Any difference between Red Guard and Noble TS?

I'll get some pictures posted in the next few days, I would greatly appreciate any advice on this project.

Thanks,
John

[johnfrwhipple]

You need to be careful the procedure you follow with a steam shower build. You would ideally have all your membrane topical. If for example you use Noble Seal TS only as the pan liner and you then top that with cement board and then redguard you do not have a continous waterproofing seal. If you want to work with Red Guard then use it for the entire project. Custom doesn't make a drain flashing that I know of.

Working with Noble Seal TS and keeping all the walls and ceilings in the same project is a better option. Noble Seal TS comes in 5' rolls and you might be tempted to install it in huge sheets. Let that idea come and go and install your steam shower vapour proofing in smaller pieces with more overlaps. This will in the end make for a better install.

Concrete board can be hard to work with and lately we have been using Green EBoard and we just love it. The board cuts so easy and is allowed in a steam shower if a topical membrane like Noble Seal TS is used. Not Red Guard. Not Hydro Ban. Not Aqua D. Membranes like Wedi, Jaegger, Kerdi, Dal Seal TS and Noble Seal TS only.

John will you be installing this membrane yourself? Doing ceilings is a Bitch and Noble recommends their product behind the concrete board. Green EBoard recommend the membrane overtop of their board. Careful you get this right.

You will find that regardless if you use cement board or Green EBoard that you need to be quick placing the sheets in. To give yourself more time first clean your backer board and then scratch coat it with a premium modified thinset mortar. Let this dry overnight and the next day you will find that you have a longer working time with your thinset before it starts to kick.

Good luck.

Have you looked into which steam you will be using? The steam units from ThermaSol are outstanding and the best I've seen. Not to mention lifetime warranty and a self cleaning feature that will save you thousands of dollars in plumber's bills over the coming decade.

[johnfrwhipple]

So we have finished our second ThermaSol Steam shower installation and my love affair with these units is only grown stronger. The unit is so quick to fire up and so quite. The sound and light kit that came with the Ultimate package rocks and my client is thrilled.

She found that 109F was the perfect temperature for her. I think she took three steams alone yesterday!

Here is a peak at my latest steamer. The apartment is in Vancouver and is a steel stud and concrete building. We used Green EBoard as a backer board and wrapped the entire steamer with Noble Seal TS (Perm rating of 0.05). This steamer will see a lot of action since the client suffers from Lyme Disease and detox'ing is part of her treatment.

I'm glad I was called in to help prepare this shower for tile and design the waterproofing system. I installed a linear drain on the back wall so that a second stool would not rock on the shower floor and so my clients footing would be a sound as possible.

Here it is;