Shower monstrosity, help me fix it

[AldeanFan]

We've never used the shower in our basement, it works, but pictures speak for themselves.
My wife wants me to start using it when I come in from the garage and I know if I start using t I'll want to fix it properly.

It's concrete block, in the corner of the basement, the plumbing comes down from the top on the outside wall.

Any suggestions on how to make this not so terrible looking? The torch marks on the tile should clean up ok and it's not a show bathroom, it will be used for when I'm particularly dirty from working in the garage.


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[59 wagon man]

there are fiberglass units which attach to the water line outside of the wall and offer multiple shower heads. my brother bought one at a home remodeling show yrs ago. tile right to the block
or you can use a wall mounted faucet with a hand held shower and a single riser and a good shower head . heads like in the picture unless you have great pressure and gpm will be disappointing .you can get these in chrome . remove whatever you can

 

[mmack66]

That looks a lot better than the one my grandmother had in her basement.

 

[Dirtydan69]

I've seen way worse.

 

[73RR]

Clean up the pipe arrangement, install a good valve, use one shower head.
With the new parts in place then build out a new 'face' to match where the trim on the valve should be. Find a tile that you like or kinda goes with the existing. You might ask for quotes from a contractor if this is not in you skill set....or get ready to learn a new trade.

 

[manwithtools]

Does it have a name? It looks kind of like Number 5 from Short Circuit...

 

[CJ7VFR]

Does it have a name? It looks kind of like Number 5 from Short Circuit...

Holy ****, that was just what I was thinking when I saw the picture!

I would clean up the walls, paint the pipes with some grayish paint to make them blend into the wall, and be done with it. As long as everything works fine.

There are people who actually want stuff to look like that. I think it's called Steam Punk or something like that.

I actually like it for a basement. No fuss no muss.

Jim

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd get rid of the extra shower heads and pipes. Any exposed piping should be straight and plumb.

 

[matt_i]

Easiest I think would be to build a vertical "chase" out of something non organic like Azek for the piping and the mixer valve. Use stainless steel screws or wedge anchors to anchor to the block. Backerboard to the chase and tile over it with something complementary. Leave a small weep hole bottom side and center/back. Could potentially reduce the width using copper "street ells" but solder those ends first before winding the threads into the mixer valve to avoid overheating the core.

I would also make it a priority to fix what I think is the hole for the vent fan....i.e. put in a new fan. Otherwise introducing a ton of moisture into the ceiling, floor framing, which can have no positive result.

 

[SweetD]

I'd keep it simple...clean up the plumbing as suggesting with new mixing valve and single head shower, maybe one of the hand-held detachable units.

I'd also paint the walls with some decent waterproof paint. Not sure what your floor looks like...

 

[mike93lx]

how are you handling humidity? is there an exhaust fan? If not, I would install one with a timer.

 

[AldeanFan]

Thanks for the suggestions,
The hole in the ceiling is for an exhaust fan and I have a new one in the box ready to go.


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[Jarhead0408]

That thing looks like a *** starved, giant preying mantis just waiting to pounce! Run Away!

 

[jayoldschool]

Cut the plumbing. Frame the shower properly, new plumbing inside the framing. Water proof board, tile. New shower head. Or, for about 1/4 to 1/3 the price, fiberglass enclosure.

 

[The Cobbler]

is wall the plumbing is on accessible from the other side? run the plumbing on the backside, cut block to house the valve...
or

how about some vintage looking valve with chrome or stainless pipes on the surface ?

 

[Firebird 1]

Does it have a name? It looks kind of like Number 5 from Short Circuit...

My first thought was "that looks like an angry robot"

 

[Sanny81]

Reminds me of the old Nintendo ROB robot

 

[gnpenning]

so why did the wife suddenly decide that she wants you to start using the basement shower?

whats next?

 

[Orangestang]

3 shower heads? How dirty do you get? Did your level break? JK

 

[nehog]

Polish the pipes and put clear lacquer on them, straighten any that are not plumb, anchor them to the wall, clean the wall, install a grate on the hole in the ceiling!

 

[Kaizen]

No kidding. You're banished to the dungeon and you care what it looks like? Put a tv down there and just move down there


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[AldeanFan]

If it was square and symmetrical I could live with it, but it looks so stupid I just can't live with it the way it's is.

My mistake was showering in the main floor bathroom after a day polishing my airstream trailer. I was covered with black polish residue and mad a mess of the tub.


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[AldeanFan]

I think this is the solution,
I have some chrome pipe I can cover the down pipes with and it will look acceptable.

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[mikegt4]

That photo reminds me of the classic Three Stooges short where they are re-plumbing a house.

 

[jd_1138]

Reminds me of the old Nintendo ROB robot

I was going to say that, too. lol. Also, the robot from Short Circuit.