Handshower retrofit installation

2 years ago

Does anyone have a good solution to add a handshower to an existing standard shower without installing a transfer valve?

I currently have a basic shower with a Moen valve and shower head. I'd like to add a handshower for cleaning and for general flexibility. I know the best way to do this is to add a transfer valve, but I don't want to tear up the marble tile (I can't get matching replacements) and I don't have access to the wall behind. However, I'm OK drilling holes in the tile if that helps.

All of the solutions I've found would attach the handshower where the showerhead is and leave a hose hanging down over the control valve. I know I can add a mount for the handshower off to the side, but I still end up with a hose hanging down and a transfer valve up at showerhead height. It would work but seems inelegant.

Has anyone found a better solution that has fewer aesthetic and functional compromises? My main goal would be to ensure that the handshower and associated plumbing hoses and valves do not interfere with the existing fixtures.

Featured Answer

jo mu

2 years ago

Just Google retrofit shower columns or retrofit 2 head shower fixtures

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Comments (7)

PRO
Minardi
2 years ago
ALL hand shower have a hose. You have the issue of a hanging hose, even if you were to add a transfer valve. Get used to it, and install the retrofit to the shower head.
Kendrah
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Handhelds do come with hoses of varying lengths though so maybe you want a hose that is short enough that it is not hanging in front of your control valve.

I added new speakman shower heads with hoses that hang down and they do not cover my controls. It depends on how high your comtrols are placed and hose length.
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Dave Horoschak
Original Author
2 years ago
Of course I understand that I will have a hanging hose no matter what - that's the point of the handshower. My goal is to not have it obstruct the temp/volume control. With a transfer valve and separate elbow, the hose can be positioned so that it's away from the temp control. But that's not easily done if the hose has to connect at the shower head, which is directly above the temp control.

I might be able to find something with a shorter hose. That's a good idea. Not sure if I've seen the hose length spec'd for most products so it might be trial-and-error to find the right one. Of course, if it's too short it defeats the purpose of a handshower.
artemis78
2 years ago
We have a hanging hose on both our older retrofitted shower and our new shower, which was designed that way. I chose the hose length to be sure it would not conflict with the shower controls, and it hasn't been an issue. One shower has a thermostatic valve plus a volume control below it and it doesn't interfere with either. The other is a shower over tub so the hose is well above the control. Any handheld you order should tell you what the length of the hose is (and some are sold without the hose, so you choose and order it separately).
roarah
2 years ago
I replaced my 1920 shower head with a dual shower set with no drilling needed. The unit has a diverted that allows one to use one head at a time or both with reduced pressure together. my original water valves still control water volume and temp You decide which side the shower head and hose lie.

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Kendrah
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Build.com specs list the hose lengths.

I purchased a shorter hose for the shower in the pic below specifically so it wouldn't hang in front of the temp control. I believe I had to purchase a separate, shorter hose than what the handheld came with. It is slightly awkward having a shorter hose when I'm rinsing off the far back wall during cleaning. I aim the hose and the water certainly hits where it needs to, but on my other shower I can stretch the handheld head nearly to the wall itself.