Plumber: Modifying your shower for steam

Q: I love reading your column because I'm not up to speed on most plumbing topics. You explain plumbing so well that even I can understand how things work. I noticed you mentioned shower-steam units in previous columns. How exactly does a shower-steam unit work, and can any shower have one added? — Linda, New Jersey

A: The short answer is that just about any shower can have a steam unit added. However, the extra costs involved for some showers to be "steam ready" may outweigh the benefits of converting the shower. This is a high-end item that is usually found in high-end bathrooms. If you're thinking about adding a steam generator to your present shower, three basic points need to be addressed:

First, the type of shower you have: If you have a completely tile shower, you need to make sure the tile grout is watertight and the backing for the tile walls can handle the extra moisture that the steam unit can generate. If moisture gets behind the tile walls, that may cause water damage. If you have a fiberglass shower stall, the walls should be able to handle the extra moisture, but if the upper walls and ceiling of the shower stall are exposed bathroom drywall, tile should be added to that area to make it more water resistant.

Second, no matter what type of stall you have, a special steam-shower door or filler piece has to be installed to completely seal up the stall to hold in the steam. Finally, a properly sized, heavy-duty exhaust fan needs to be added if your present bathroom fan cannot handle the extra moisture from the shower stall.

As far as how the steam unit works, it's pretty simple. Basically, water enters the unit, powerful electric coils heat the water to generate the steam and the steam is piped into the shower stall. But, as simple as that sounds, installation usually requires permits and is best left to the licensed contractors needed to complete the plumbing, electrical and shower conversions. I hope my simple explanation helped you understand shower-steam generators a little better, without leaving you in a fog!

Q: We have a utility room for our A/C unit that often has a sewer odor. There is no sink or toilet in the room, just the A/C equipment. Where is the odor coming from? And why does it come and go? — Bill, Alabama

A: Only a licensed plumber checking the job can tell for sure, but my gut reaction is that your A/C unit may drain into a floor drain or stand pipe, and due to poor plumbing venting, from time to time the trap water may be siphoned out from the drain trap, causing an open line to the sewer. Eventually, the A/C condensation will refill the trap and all is well for a while, until the trap loses its water again.

Remember that several reasons can account for sewer odors, and this is only the first thing I would check. You do need to contact a licensed plumber in your area, and he or she should be able to solve and repair your stinky situation.

(Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For information visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande(at)hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.) (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com)