Watersaving: Shower Mixer Alternative
by NicK_RSA in Living > Life Hacks
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Watersaving: Shower Mixer Alternative
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Cape Town is in the middle of a massive drought, so everyone needs to save water. Having a mixer in your shower enables you to turn the water on and off in short bursts, minimising the water usage. However, if you don't have a mixer, it is quite expensive to install one, and having to constantly open and close two taps and regulate the temperature is just not feasible.
Installing a small ball-valve inbetween the showerhead and the water pipe allows users to open the taps to the desired temperature, but cut off water supply with the flick of a switch. So you wet your body, turn the water off, soap, turn water on to rinse (apparently the technique is called a "Navy Shower/Military Shower").
It takes about 5min to install, and costs under R70, and by monitoring my water use, it is evident that it saves a LOT of water!
What You Need
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- A shower
- An in-line ball-valve with a male and female side (15mm diameter) (Here's one I found online, but any plumbing/building supplies store should be able to help you)
- Thread seal tape
- Optional: Water saving showerhead or InLine Flow Controller
Thread Seal Tape Clockwise Around the Male End of the Ball Valve
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The thread seal tape helps to avoid water leaking through. It helps to put the thread on in a clockwise manner, because that is the direction that you will fasten it onto the showerhead.
Fasten the Ball Valve to the Showerhead
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Wind Thread Tape Around the Pipe in the Shower in a Clockwise Manner
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Attach the Showerhead With Ball Valve to the Shower Arm
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Showering
When showering, first open both taps until the water reaches a comfortable temperature. Then use the newly installed valve tap to cut off the water to the showerhead when not needed (e.g. when soaping).