Shower in Garage a good idea?

[TimDaToolMan]

I plan on installing a shower in a garage when I get a place of my own.

When I get done working on cars, I'm usually covered in grease and oil.

Then when I go inside, I get grease on door handles, light switches, etc.

Now most people probably just was there hands and hop in the shower, but now you drug your oily clothes into the house. Maybe your wife doesn't like the fact you reek of Gasoline, Diesel, or other fluids.

So I was wondering if a shower in a garage is a good idea. Not only that, but a small cabinet for clothing, and even a washer/dryer.

That way all the dirt, grease etc, STAYS in the Garage.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I think it is a GREAT idea. I also have a urinal in my garage, but I guess if nobody's watching...a shower could double as a urinal.

 

[RVDan]

As long as you remember to bring your clean clothes with you ahead of time.

I'd like a bathroom in the garage. Might as well put a shower in if you have the space.

How about a separate clothes changing area, with a seating area, fridge, and microwave. Maybe a couch that folds into a bed...

 

[TimDaToolMan]

. but I guess if nobody's watching...a shower could double as a urinal.

I'm sure all of guys do that!

 

[larry4406]

Absolutely! I have a full bathroom - shower, vanity, toilet, and urinal. As was stated, need to remember to bring a clean set of close before work. I have also toyed with idea of adding a small stacked washer dryer.

 

[Lippyp]

Somewhere to wash your hands and a set of coveralls that you can take off and hang on a hook in the garage or if you're posh put in a locke,r takes up a lot less room and less cash than a shower.

 

[teledude66]

I'm sure all of guys do that!

Some urinals have that lil bar of soap in them...

 

[bams50]

Now most people probably just wash their hands and hop in the shower, but now you drug your oily clothes into the house.

Great idea. But I would never give drugs to oily clothes. No telling how they'll react.

 

[Big-Foot]

I guess if you have money and space to burn - knock yourself out!

Me - I use this stuff called Go-Jo, it's a waterless hand cleaner. And if I get so filthy that I should not be anywhere in the house but the mud-room, that's where I strip down to my skivvies and take a shower in the house.

 

[oldmerc]

Garage space is to valuable to waste on such things

 

[GTO]

Garage space is to valuable to waste on such things

This^^^^^^^
Just keep dirty clothing in garage,change,wash your hands and go inside.
Keep it simple.

 

[Nascar4401]

Save that space for a stripper pole......just sayin.

 

[1941Willyscoupe]

A few guys I know have them in their shops.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I wouldn't waste the space

 

[Modifieddriver]

I'm getting ready to build a shop myself. Bathroom yes. Shower no.

I have three buddies with nice work shops, all with shower bath rooms. Not a single shower gets used. And they look like **** because they aren't used. One became a magazine storage area.

A BIG utility sink is a better addition to a shop than a shower.

 

[Falcon67]

Considering some of the chemicals we use out there, it could also be a safety thing.

 

[84944Redline]

I love the idea of a shower in the garage. Had I built my house, I would have definitely done it. I was at least able to install a urinal, which I use all the time. Heck, I even go out to the garage to use it when I'm watching TV inside!

Like anything, it's the details that matter. Are you planning a separately enclosed room for this shower and such? I wanted just a corner shower so it wouldn't take up much space. And how much shop space do you currently have? You'll have to determine whether or not the space you'll lose to a shower/urinal/toilet/sink or whatever you decide is justifiable or not.

Having a mud room right off the garage as you enter the house is the ideal way to go. That way you've got all the amenities you originally mentioned in one space and it doesn't take away from your shop. Plus, it can easily do double duty when you have lots of house guests...more comfortably than sending them to the "garage".

Just make sure you're committed to cleaning it if you put it in the garage. The wifey may look at that as your domain that you need to take care of. I'm a clean freak, so not a concern for me...but I know plenty of guys who only take time to clean their tools and cars!

 

[chassell]

I picked up a used 32 x 32 for $65 on craigslist. Already had faucets in it. Cost of running hot/cold and drain lines was minimal when doing construction anyway. Once when water heater in house went out, wife and I took our morning shower out there.

 

[Eslader]

As long as you remember to bring your clean clothes with you ahead of time.

I'd like a bathroom in the garage. Might as well put a shower in if you have the space.

How about a separate clothes changing area, with a seating area, fridge, and microwave. Maybe a couch that folds into a bed...

Some of us call that "the house."

 

[Voi]

I was once in a large shop that had a wet room. By wet room I mean he didn't have a dedicated shower stall but just had a shower head coming out of the wall and the floor sloped down to a central drain. So the entire bathroom was a shower.

I think he had some sort of moisture resistant skim coat over concrete board in the entire room. He said it was more than water resistant enough for the occasional shower and looked nicer than FRP. I don't remember how he did the junction between the floor and the wall but I think it was tiled.

I thought it was a neat way to have a shower without taking up the space for a dedicated enclosure. If I couldn't have a mud room this would be a nice second choice.

 

[James E]

I have a large room above my garage that has a full bath. I haven't used the shower yet but since that space doubles as a workout room, I look forward to being able to spray off after working or working out.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd have wired the bath up for one of those small washer/dryer combo units. I hate washing my detailing towels and Dickies in the house.

 

[davidlee]

When I built my shop it was plumbed up for a shower but at the last minute I changed my mind and cut and capped the drain line. I truely can say that I never have missed it. I do have a laundry sink, toilet and hot water and all three get used frequently.

 

[akdiesel]

I have one in my shop. It is a full bathroom but it was built that way by the previous owner. It has come in handy for things though. I hang my wet snowmachine gear in there as well as cleaning my water filter housing. They have place in more than just showering.

 

[Kev442]

I have a stairway from my garage to the basement. I had an area plumbed for a bathroom in the basement. Haven't installed the bath yet in 16 years. Just walk into the mudroom, strip down to skivvies and wash my hair in the utility tub if it's really bad.
I do have a separate washer/dryer in the basement. That's been much more useful for washing dirty clothes and rags. I've even thrown floor mats in there on occasion.

 

[wedge40]

I spent a while thinking about my garage/barn. Its about 100' from the house. I have more then enough room, so size wasn't an issue. That being said I'm building my barn with a utility room (washer/dryer) and a complete bathroom (toilet, sink, shower). I just think it's a good idea. Besides if push comes to shove, someone could sleep out there.

Wedge

 

[6skott]

Especially if it has a detachable handheld shower apparatus, a shower stall or combo tub in the garage is good for washing the shop canine/manager if need be...

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

When I was finishing the inside of my shop I scoured craigslist for a used shower stall. I ended up finding an entire bathroom worth of fixtures for free. It turned out great. As far as for using it, Honestly, not so much. It is great when we have company or when I get really dirty but it just isn't utilized as much as I thought it would be. Had I the option to do it over again I would still put it out there none the less.

Here is a picture or two and one before picture...

 

[Bib Overalls]

I have a cold water sink and toilet in my detached shop. If I had hot water and a shower my wife would move all my stuff out there. As it is, I only come into the house to eat, shower, work the computer, and sleep.

 

[Krash Kadillak]

I have a cold water sink and toilet in my detached shop. If I had hot water and a shower my wife would move all my stuff out there. As it is, I only come into the house to eat, shower, work the computer, and sleep.

That's all you do in the house? That begs the question.............

 

[pendragon1998]

Depending on what you work with in the garage, a safety shower and eyewash station might be a good addition.

 

[Grumpy365]

I have an outdoor shower (I like showering with nature).

(I have it situated where you can't see it from the road or other houses.)

I wouldn't waste the room in the garage, but outside............

 

[coljar]

I put a drain in the back room of my garage before I poured the concrete for a future shower if I decided I want it. I have a 16" square 2 x4 form around the pipe so I can position the drain to fit whatever size shower stall I put in. I may never do it, but I'd put the drain in if I was you.

 

[ryan t]

My washer and dryer is in my garage so I just leave my dirty clothes in the "shop clothes" hamper in the garage. I wash my hands then go shower upstairs. If I had the room/plumbing ability I would love to have a shower in my garage.

 

[JMcFly]

Depending on what you work with in the garage, a safety shower and eyewash station might be a good addition.

you're doing it wrong. First thing we learned in chemistry and physics is that if you are to have a situation that requires use of the emergency shower you are to strip your clothes off. Why? Because the chemicals used can still be trapped in your clothes.

I would have no issues installing a chem shower and eye wash station (fresh water not one of those big algae infested tubs of eye wash chemicals)

 

[kevin47]

I'm getting ready to build a shop myself. Bathroom yes. Shower no.

I have three buddies with nice work shops, all with shower bath rooms. Not a single shower gets used. And they look like **** because they aren't used. One became a magazine storage area.

A BIG utility sink is a better addition to a shop than a shower.

And you can still pee in it, too....

 

[RalphInCA]

Who is going to clean it?

I foresee this being a bacteria pit.

Bad idea.

 

[TAftw]

I have an outdoor shower (I like showering with nature).

(I have it situated where you can't see it from the road or other houses.)

I wouldn't waste the room in the garage, but outside............

Outdoor showers are the best, even when it's cold out. My vote goes for this, build it behind the garage or something.

 

[skulldrinker]

If you need a shower in a garage you must not be drinking enough beer. If I had a dream garage probably something like you're talking about I would like to have a small washer for the rags. I could do with out a dyer. I wouldn't have to bring my rags to the laundromat then.

 

[Alamedasam]

I got one. Mine has a full on bath,sink & shower.

 

[williaty]

Yes, you should have a shower. I've been saved from severe chemical burns that would have required hospitalization solely because I was about 10 seconds away from a shower that I could run to, slam the water on, and then worry about getting my clothes off. If you have to have the drain and supply plumbing for an emergency chem shower, you might as well just make it a real shower as well since you can get pretty damned messy in the garage or in the yard.