Need advice on adding a handheld shower head

16 years ago

I am seeking advice on how to add a handheld shower head to an existing showerhead, but for a particular situation.

Due to a recent medical issue, my wife needs to shower while sitting on a shower chair, which we have. We have an existing showerhead and plan to add a handheld showerhead for her use.

-- Handheld shower head: plastic or metal? It seems that most are plastic and therefore lighter, but vulnerable to breakage if dropped. The metal ones are obviously heavier and more costly. Recommendations??

-- Diverter: We probably need just a two-way rather than a three-way since we don't plan on running both the showerhead and the handheld simultaneously. Given that she is sitting in a chair, is it possible to install the diverter at a location other than just above the existing showerhead, which would require her to stand in order to switch the water flow?

-- Mount for handheld: We don't need a slider bar, but rather just a holder for the handheld. Would we need to purchase one that is compatible with the specific handheld we purchase, or are these standard holders that can accommodate any brand of handheld? Also, how should such a holder be attached to tile? Any particular type of waterproof glue, or should it be screwed in to a stud?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Note: I have also posted this on the Plumbing forum.

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Comments (4)

MongoCT
16 years ago
Since this is a "medical" and as such might be a temporary need, and you say you have no desire to run more than one head at a time, the simplest and least invasive would be to replace your existing shower head with a hand held retrofit kit.

Yes, you can buy additional brackets so the head can be mounted elsewhere on the wall. And you are correct, the bracket needs to be matched to the head, they are not necessarily universal.

A lot of showers I build, I also make a teak bench for them. In addition to an extra bracket or two on the wall, often times I'll add a bracket to the edge of the bench.

I'd look for the longest hose you can find. Personally I find the segmented metal hoses lay flatter and loop over themselves less than the plastic hoses.

Plastic versus metal head? Plastic is fine in a decent head, but in a $9.00 head the entire thing might be too lightweight and spray water everywhere regardless of what material it is made from.

Mongo
olympiceagle
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Mongo! Lots of great and useful info. One more question: If we decide to go with a metal head, is there a particular brand or two that you would recommend? Thanks again.
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MongoCT
16 years ago
I don't differentiate between metal and plastic since they can both be cheap pieces of trash or well constructed units.

I probably install more Grohe and Hansgrohe than any of the other brands.

I've had the Grohe Relaxa Plus Top 4 (which I think might be discontinued?) in my own master shower for several years. No complaints, excellent performance, no quality issues, and it has been dropped a couple of times over the years. It's plastic.

Mongo
suero
16 years ago
The Grohe Tempesta shower head is metal and has a silicon ring edge to prevent damage if dropped. I've never dropped it, so I don't know how well the silicon works to prevent damage, but I do like the shower head.