How Does a Steam Shower System Work? Generator, Steam Head, Controls, and Drain

Published September 27, 2026

Summary

A residential steam shower is a small system, not one appliance. The generator receives water and electrical power and produces steam. A dedicated line carries that steam to a steam head inside the enclosure. A control manages the session. Drain or flushing components handle water left in the generator and help with maintenance. Understanding those pieces makes product packages and contractor quotes much easier to compare.

The generator makes the steam

The generator is sized to the finished enclosure and installed outside the steam room in a dry, serviceable location. It also needs the electrical supply and water connection specified for the exact model.

Because the generator is hidden, it is easy to leave its location until late in the remodel. That is a mistake. Service access and pipe routing need to be planned before the bathroom is finished.

The steam line and steam head deliver it to the enclosure

The steam line carries vapor from the generator to the shower. Manufacturers give rules for pipe material, slope, and routing so condensate does not collect in traps or low points. ThermaSol's PRO Series III manual calls for brass pipe or copper tubing with no valves or traps in the line, and MrSteam, which rules out PEX, pitches the line about 1/4 inch per foot so condensation drains.

The steam head goes away from where the user sits or stands because the fitting and the steam leaving it are hot enough to burn. The height differs by brand: MrSteam puts it about 6 to 12 inches above the floor, opposite the seating area, while ThermaSol's FAQ says 24 inches above the floor, at least 6 inches from corners, and not under benches.

The control manages the session

Depending on the brand, the in-shower control may handle temperature, time, presets, and sometimes other connected shower features.

MrSteam places it 4 to 5 feet above the floor, near the bather and away from direct steam flow. ThermaSol's FAQ gives about 60 inches.

Water, drainage, and service are part of the system too

The generator needs a water supply and, depending on its design, a drain or automatic flushing path. MrSteam's AutoFlush option flushes sediment from the generator two hours after every steam bath. ThermaSol recommends a PowerFlush every 1,000 minutes of use.

Leave enough room to reach valves, connections, and service panels. The two brands draw that line differently: MrSteam lists the space under a sealed bench as a possible generator location, while ThermaSol says the unit must stay accessible and should not be enclosed behind walls or inside a bench.

Sources

Specifications, prices and installation requirements are as the makers published them on these pages on the date above and can change. Check the current manual and the retailer before you buy.