Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    sjnowak's Avatar
    sjnowak Posts: 80, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Sep 30, 2010, 07:03 PM
    Shower controls
    Is there some kind of switch I can put on my shower so it only runs a certain amount of time then turns off and won't start again for a while, I am trying to limit the length of showers the 3 women in my house take so I don't burn out my septic system, they all like to take long long hot showers, and to tell them they shouldn't just gets you a deer in the headlight look as if to say what do you mean I can't take extremely long hot showers.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #2

    Sep 30, 2010, 07:53 PM

    It would be very very unusual for excessive showers to over load a septic. Shower water passes right through the top of the septic out into the junction box and field tiles. There it soaks in and also evaporates a little. I would not worry. Maybe mess with their heads a bit and lower your water heater temp to a very low setting. They will not like a luke warm shower. Its hard to control 3 ladyies, they know where you live.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    Sep 30, 2010, 09:03 PM

    ... or install super-low-flow shower heads. They have 1 gln/m flow... They are true water saving heads. See the pic...
    Attached Images
     
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    Oct 1, 2010, 04:24 AM

    Hi all...

    Sjnowak, I agree with these guys... turning the temp. down to 120F at the heater and installing a low flow shower head is probably the best option, but if you are still determined to install a shower timer check out the article links below:

    Best Way - Can You Put a Timer on Your Shower? | eHow.com

    How to Save Water with a Shower Timer | eHow.com

    Here is a link to the shower manager... I've read that these fail sometimes:

    Shower Manager - Shower Timer - Stops Long Showering

    Here's a link to shower timer:

    Shower Timer // Aquaflow Distributors // Home

    This one looks best but requires an electrician to install.

    There is a couple options... I'm sure that they make more.

    Good luck with the women in your house after installing one of these!! :D

    Mark

    PS: DO NOT turn your water heating source below 115F as this can promote growth of bacteria. Here is one article on this fact: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...eater-safe.php



    .
    Attached Images
      
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #5

    Oct 1, 2010, 08:05 AM
    When my kids would run the shower too long I would go to the basement and cut the water supply to the heater off. That way they only got cold water. Worked every time!
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #6

    Oct 1, 2010, 12:39 PM

    ... or use a sign - just like the one I saw in my hotel bathroom in La Paz during my trim to Bolivia... Of course, hot water ran longer than 3 minutes - but for first few days we complied and took showers under the posted time limit :D
    Attached Images
     

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Installing delta shower controls [ 2 Answers ]

Remodleing shower, installing new delta control, copper supply lines are only 1/2 inch. Is this a problem

Shower controls [ 1 Answers ]

We're tearing out and rebuilding a shower stall. I'm getting overwhelmed looking at plumbing fixtures (I want a showerhead, handheld shower, couple of body sprays) because I don't fundamentally understand how the plumbing works... mixing valves, single-control valves, all of that. I can't sensibly...

Shower stall need height of controls and shower head [ 1 Answers ]

Hi Am building a shower and require the height of the taps and the shower head

Leak from shower controls [ 5 Answers ]

I finally got the shower control off so that I can try and stop the water from pouring out of the hot and cold controls. I was expecting to see more then just a stem, and I am not quite sure what the cause of the problem is. Perhaps I need to try and unscrew the stem and replace it? ...


View more questions Search