shower remodel - shower head help

[memphislawyer]

Got an older home, 1979, and we just bought it about 8 months ago. Galley type of master bath, with tub/shower unit. Replacing counter and sink, keeping the cabinet but painting it. Replacing flooring and shower surround, keeping tub. Want to get new faucet and shower handles and shower head.

1) Rainhead - worth it or not? I used one in a hotel and it was nice, but some say it barely rinses.

2) If I go with a non-rainhead shower head, then my choice is something that has multiple settings on a fixed head, to use with an "s-hook" so that it is more overhead or running a straight pipe horitontally and position it a bit higher. Or I can get a showerhead with an extension on an arm. That way the extension can have multiple settings and with the arm (fixed metal rod on the wall running vertically) and I can move the extension up and down on the arm and put it on massage setting and let it hit say my hip while I shower under the fixed head. My worry there is that since the water pressure runs to two heads, the massage effect of the extension would not be worth it. If so, then it is the fixed head with multiple settings - sorta like a Water-pik but in a nicer housing.

So, any experiences or comments?

 

[tonyb]

Beats me. But the hand-held shower head is one of those things that have you slapping your forehead and saying, "why didn't we think of this sooner?" You know, like wheels on suitcases.

 

[seres]

Are you on a commercial water utility “city water”, or do you have a well system? If “city water” you should have enough pressure and volume to run 2 heads. But do check the pressure first.

When you mount the head to the wall, be careful to allow sufficient height for a tall person to stand upright underneath. Many times I’ve seen the head mounted so low that you have to bend down to wash your hair.

 

[memphislawyer]

My choice so far is a fixed rainhead, the Moen Velocity, S6320. 8" head. Now to decide whether to add a second hand held and mounted on an arm

 

[tonyb]

My choice so far is a fixed rainhead, the Moen Velocity, S6320. 8" head. Now to decide whether to add a second hand held and mounted on an arm

A hand-held shower head is as useful as a kitchen double sink. It makes every day a little easier than it would be without it.

 

[memphislawyer]

If the water pressure with the second head will be as good or almost as good as just a handheld alone, which would then allow me to bath under the rain head while aiming a handheld at a sore hip, back or leg, then that is the way I am going.

 

[sheeplady]

I recommend a handheld shower head. If you or your SO are ever disabled (even temporarily... think knee surgery or some such) a handheld shower head enables the person to bathe unassisted in something like a shower chair. This makes a huge difference for the person in feeling like, well, a person.

Imagine if every time you wanted to take a shower you had to ask your SO to spend the entire time in the bathroom pointing the shower head at you, them getting all wet, and you feeling like you're so dependent.

And when you need a handheld, that's the point you'll be unable to install one.

Also, I highly recommend you at least place blocking in the walls for grab bars when you rip apart the stall. It will cost next to nothing and is there if ever needed.

 

[dnjan]

Also, I highly recommend you at least place blocking in the walls for grab bars when you rip apart the stall. It will cost next to nothing and is there if ever needed.

Absolutely!
All of the towel-racks in our remodeled bathroom (both in and outside the shower) are actually grab bars.
If there is any chance you might put weight on it in case of a slip/fall, it should be strong enough to bear the weight.

 

[sheeplady]

Absolutely!
All of the towel-racks in our remodeled bathroom (both in and outside the shower) are actually grab bars.
If there is any chance you might put weight on it in case of a slip/fall, it should be strong enough to bear the weight.

That is excellent! Not to be morbid, but a fall often is the first step in a decline that leads to death or serious disability. Preventing falls extends life.

Sadly most people have an attitude that they will add the bars when the need them. By then they've had a fall, and a certain percentage of those people will no longer be able to live in their homes after, or will end up passing away a few months later.

 

[robrinay]

You should be able to add in an inline 'power shower' electric pump if the rate of flow isn't adequate for two heads depending on the type of supply.