Installation Tips

Rain shower installation is a fun DIY project. Many rain shower heads are accompanied by an installation manual. For simplification purposes, consider the following suggestions:

 

Suggestion 1: Most households have showers with wall water outlets at a height intended for angled spraying. However, bigger rain shower heads are optimally installed in a more vertical and higher placement. A shower arm that offers extra mounting height may be advantageous.

For the most part, shower heads 7" or smaller are efficient in angled and overhead placements, and, if desired, can be anchored on existent standard shower arms. Additionally, shower heads that are 8" or 9" work effectively on both angled and overhead installations, though they shouldn’t be installed on general existing shower arms. Shower heads 10" or bigger are perfect in overhead applications.

 

Suggestion 2: Withstand the urge to select a shower arm based on how it looks, and instead, put greater emphasis on the height you require. If you select a shower head and arm based just on appearance, as you might end up with one that isn’t proportioned to your height.

Be mindful that general shower arms lower and droop the shower head relative to the wall outlet. This provides a head height modification of -2" to -3". In other words, changing from a conventional shower arm to a shower arm that offers extra elevation will offer a rise in shower head height of 2" to 3" greater than the head height adjustment of the new shower arm.

 

Suggestion 3: Ensure your shower area permits the installation of the shower arm you buy. Since shower arms are installed into the wall, a specific measurement of room will be necessary based on the model selected. For instance, if your model warrants 11 1/2" of space, the arm will need a clear 11 1/2" radius around the wall outlet for proper mounting. If your ceiling is a mere 8" over the hole in the wall, then this shower arm won’t be of use to you. Also be mindful of grab bars, built-in soap holders, and the like, which can inhibit proper installation.

 

Suggestion 4: Low pressure and big shower heads go hand-in-hand. This usually isn't an issue unless a large shower head is mounted on an existing standard shower arm. If the intention is to use the shower head at an angle, you can anticipate the same pressure as a standard wall-mounted shower head. The issue isn’t the shower head’s size, but instead, it is the number of nozzles it comes with, which separates the available pressure. Keep in mind that bigger shower heads generally feature more nozzles.

If you want the appearance of a big shower head with the greatest pressure possible, select a shower head that offers machined nozzles, rather than simple openings for the water to spew out of. The bigger the shower head, the more optimized the nozzles should be for proper pressure.

 

Suggestion 5: Always mount the shower arm without the shower head attached to it. Likewise, when mounting deluxe shower arms with a female fitting on the wall side (which requires an individual brass nipple to be mounted), always start with the installation of the brass nipple into the wall, then fasten the shower arm to the nipple, and then connect the shower head to the shower arm. Always work from the wall out, installing each piece separately.