Looking to build 2 dog washing stations in the workshop. 1 challenge: no water connection

[Ns1]

I'm moving to a new house. There is a workshop in the back that where I would like to build 2 dog washing stations, like this:

The issue, as the OP states, is that there is no water connection. All I have is a hose that I can use to fill up water tanks. The issue is compounded by the fact that I need hot water as well.

so WTF do I need to do to make all this work? I imagine functionally it would be similar to a mobile dog grooming setup. I'd need water tanks as well as grey water tanks, a water heater, and some way to get water pressure. The water tanks are pretty self explanatory. I think I'll need a 30gal water heater (approx). But....how the fuck do I get water pressure?

//edit

OF GREAT IMPORTANCE: I'm renting so I can't do any real hardcore modifications.

 

[mindless1]

You'd get pressure from elevating the tanks, or of course a water pump. How far away is this workshop? I'd sooner just run water pipes out there unless you think you won't be staying for long.

 

[Raizinman]

I have a barn about 100 feet from my house. I keep horses in this barn. I needed water in this barn so at first I ran a hose from my outside house faucet. I created a mix valve in my basement for this outside faucet so that I can have Hot, Cold or warm water. I then ran two 50 foot hoses from my house to the barn. It was not the best, but it worked on the occasions that I needed water. The problem I ran into was that I needed water in the winter and obviously the water hoses would quickly freeze.

Last year, I dug a trench and ran a copper line from the house to the barn and put in two outdoor spigot/faucets; one in the barn and another near the horses water trough. This gives me water anytime during the year. I was going to put in a water heater but I still prefer to use a water mix valve in my house basement to regulate the water to the temperature of what I need. I pretty much use warm water for most everything.

 

[Ns1]

I'd sooner just run water pipes out there unless you think you won't be staying for long.

I'm renting so I can't do any real hardcore modifications.

I have a barn about 100 feet from my house. I keep horses in this barn. I needed water in this barn so at first I ran a hose from my outside house faucet. I created a mix valve in my basement for this outside faucet so that I can have Hot, Cold or warm water. I then ran two 50 foot hoses from my house to the barn. It was not the best, but it worked on the occasions that I needed water. The problem I ran into was that I needed water in the winter and obviously the water hoses would quickly freeze.

Given that I live in SoCal, this might not be a terrible option.

 

[mxnerd]

This?

http://www.lowes.com/pl/Pressure-tanks-Water-pumps-tanks-Plumbing/4294820777

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Or go directly to Homedepot / Lowes and ask the workers.

 

[Ns1]

This?

http://www.lowes.com/pl/Pressure-tanks-Water-pumps-tanks-Plumbing/4294820777

==

Or go directly to Homedepot / Lowes and ask the workers.

hm...seems like I could just use (something like) this if I don't need a shitload of pressure?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wayne-Wa...-Pump-with-Multi-Flo-Technology-WWB/207072430

 

[mxnerd]

hm...seems like I could just use (something like) this if I don't need a shitload of pressure?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wayne-Wa...-Pump-with-Multi-Flo-Technology-WWB/207072430

I have a similar one. But I only use it to pump rain water out of my abandoned swimming pool, don't think it's suitable for your purpose, since you have to submerge the pump in the water.

Basically its main purpose is used for transferring water from lower level to higher level, however it's not pressured. It can go up to 8 or 9 foot though. My model won't stop automatically if there is not enough water to keep it submerged.

===

I'm thinking probably normal water pressure is high enough to push water into the water tanks you are going to have and you don't need pressured tank at all. You can even adjust water main valve so the house can have higher water pressure.

 

[Humpy]

Connect a hose from a faucet in the house to the dog washing station in the shed?

Why do you need tanks and pumps?

 

[Ns1]

Connect a hose from a faucet in the house to the dog washing station in the shed?

Why do you need tanks and pumps?

I need to run 2 dog washing stations simultaneously. I don't have enough faucets to make this work, and I wouldn't be able to do hot/warm/cold water in a reasonable fashion like this - it seemed more feasible in post 4.

 

[Humpy]

Do you actually need the capability to vary the temperature at the stations?

If not, run one line from the house to the workshop, then split it to each station.

If so, run two lines, one hot and one cold, from the house to the workshop. Then split them to each station where they can be mixed.

Regardless, you only need access to one source in the house and it will already be pressurized. There is often something near the water heater to tap into. If you need more pressure install a booster pump with a pressure switch.

How far away is the workshop?

 

[NutBucket]

One hose, instant hot water heater and bam! you're done. Plus, you can set the temp of the hot water heater (s) so you don't need to manually mix hot and cold.

Something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Waste-King-AH-1300-C-Quick-Instant/dp/B001AEUSNO

EDIT: Don't buy this https://smile.amazon.com/Electric-Instant-Shower-Heater-Tankless/dp/B00O9SZL3K Here's the explanation of how it works: https://youtu.be/cNjA0aee07k

EDIT 2: If you don't have adequate power in the out building consider these as they're propane powered: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TXOJQ4

Are you running a dog wash business out of there? Do you have your business license? Can I report you?

 

[Ns1]

One hose, instant hot water heater and bam! you're done. Plus, you can set the temp of the hot water heater (s) so you don't need to manually mix hot and cold.

Something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Waste-King-AH-1300-C-Quick-Instant/dp/B001AEUSNO

It is adjustable...can provide up to 60 cups per hour of hot water

60 cups of hot water per hour? that seems...insufficient.

How far away is the workshop?

Probably 30-40 feet from the closest faucet with hot water, maybe 10 feet from the hose.

 

[NutBucket]

I didn't read really well but there are heaters of that type that provide constant flow.Not sure if they will work of a standard 15A circuit or if they need 20.....

 

[Humpy]

That there is a need for a second station seems to indicate that they will see heavy use.

The actual requirements would have to be determined, but I suspect there isn't a sufficient electric water heater that wouldn't need to be hardwired by an electrician with the approval of the owner and maybe permits. An option would be a gas burning unit with the same issues plus the need to provide fuel.

Since a proper installed water supply and drainage system appears unfeasible it seems questionable not to simply utilize the source of hot water that exists 40 feet away.

 

[Ns1]

^^

Mobile dog grooming stations have hot water, rv's have hot water, it seems unreasonable that I can't have a similar setup in my backyard w/o the need for inspectors and plumbers


and yes these stations will see heavy, heavy use - my wife and I run a dog rescue.

//edit

it appears mobile dog groomers are using things like this for hot water: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/suburban-6-gallon-lp-electric-dsi-water-heater/17373

 

[mxnerd]

Electric Point-of-Use Mini-Tank Water Heater

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-4-Gal-Electric-Point-of-Use-Mini-Tank-Water-Heater-ES-4/206393135

http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...oint-of-Use-Water-Heater-ECO-MINI-6/205610804

 

[Humpy]

If two stations that see heavy use can operate operate on 10 gallons an hour then there are options, as you found.

I guess I was thinking it would take a lot more.

 

[Ns1]

If two stations that see heavy use can operate operate on 10 gallons an hour then there are options, as you found.

I guess I was thinking it would take a lot more.

I'm not sure TBH - reading at mobile groomers, they all seem to operate with 6 gallon RV water heaters, but generally only have 1 station. I was looking at 33 gal water tanks last night, but if all that shit requires electricians and plumbers then I'll have to go with the RV-style options.

Since these are all business expenses anyway, I'd prefer a good solution vs a ghetto rigged solution. Although I might do the ghetto rigging for a while until we're actually ready to embark on this project...

 

[NetWareHead]

Dog groomers are one thing, the "clients" are usually clean well cared for dogs. Dog rescue is most likely washing filthy neglected dogs. Plus from my own experience, it takes a crap ton of rinsing to get all the shampoo out of a coat. So Im reading that you will need plenty of hot water.

None of the water heaters referenced are going to provide more than a few gallons per hour. With 2 dog washing stations, I'd imagine you would surely go through much more hot water, especially going by your descriptions of "heavy heavy use." There is only so much you can do with regular 120 volt power. The gas unit you referenced is slightly better at 10 gallons per hour or 16 if using both gas and electric. You could run these water heaters in series or parallel, in essence stacking them to increase capacity. At that point you will be spending more money than a cheap 40 gallon home depot water heater though. I just dont see a solution that will provide acceptable hot water performance without "hardcore modifications". You will need some sort of water line, electrical circuit or gas line to the shop. With ghetto rigging the shop with a hose from the main house plumbed into shop faucets, its going to take a minute or so of flow before you start seeing hot water.

What about supply plumbing in the shop? Most plumbers I know would refuse a job that involved hoses between buildings. No professional wants to sign their name and business reputation to a job that looks like that. Can you plumb supply lines yourself?

What are you going to do about drainage in the workshop? All of the water you are piping into there has to go somewhere after usage.

Have you approached your landlord about making the modifications needed? Id have some safety concerns about a ghetto rigged water heater, electrical and water lines in a rented property.

 

[Ns1]

I'll report back when I'm actually into the property; ideally we actually wanted to re-use the greywater to water the lawn and whatnot (CA drought and all). There MIGHT be > 120v in the workshop.

Thanks all for the feedback.

And to NetWareHead's point...yes, initially the dogs will be filthy coming in but after that it's maintenance grooming.

 

[Humpy]

Thanks for taking care of the puppers.