How to Install a Shower Rain Head?

Shower rain heads are a type of extremely fashionable and impressive shower accessories. Due to increasingly interesting designs and varied colours, they quickly become a decorative element of the bathroom. It is best to plan the installation of a rain head before arranging the bathroom, otherwise a thorough renovation awaits us, including removing tiles from at least one wall. But what to do if we already have a bathroom and dream of a rain head? How to install it?

Types of Rain Heads Based on Installation Method

When deciding to install a rain head in the bathroom, we have various options of these devices at our disposal. Our choice depends primarily on the place and method of installation. In other words, to install a rain head, we must first select a specific model. We can choose from three types of rain heads:

• Wall-mounted rain head, fixed or adjustable. A wall-mounted fixed rain head is placed on a rail or shower panel mounted on the wall and permanently connected to the shower faucet. In the case of an adjustable wall-mounted rain head, there is a shower head installed in place of the classic handset. This rain head is attached to a rail and connected to the faucet with a flexible hose. It performs practically the same functions as a traditional shower handset, but it is much larger.
• Recessed wall-mounted rain head – all structural elements are hidden under tiles. Only the arm, external faucet, and rain head are visible.
• Ceiling-mounted recessed rain head - it is installed in a suspended ceiling. This is definitely the most modern solution, used in a large shower cabin or a bathroom with a dedicated shower area.

Installation of Wall-mounted Rain Head

Installing a rain head in an already arranged bathroom is not difficult, but it does not offer significant design possibilities either. If we do not intend to interfere with the wall structure or remove tiles, we can only choose wall-mounted rain heads. To the existing pipes in the wall supplying hot and cold water and a faucet located at about 120 cm height, we can connect the simplest and cheapest rain head. In this option, an additional shower handset with a switch is mounted on the vertical tube of the rain head.

A slightly more expensive wall-mounted version is a complete set containing a thermostatic shower faucet. In this case, both the vertical tube of the rain head and the handset can be connected directly to the faucet. Depending on the design and price of the set, the tube can be adjustable, and the rain head can be equipped with a swivel joint. This allows you to turn the rain head right or left and set the angle of the head to direct the water stream as desired. Some more expensive models of rain heads have handsets equipped with a button to adjust the water stream. What height should such a rain head be mounted at? Many factors determine this, and we discuss this at the end of the article.

How to Install a Recessed Rain Head?

As mentioned earlier, installing a recessed rain head requires radical measures. By hiding the recessed faucet and all structural elements in the wall, we save a lot of space and gain a modern bathroom style. The only visible element will be the holder, attached to the wall or ceiling, and the shower head whose original appearance, color, or shape will enhance the room's aesthetic value.

The first stage of the work is installing the recessed faucet. In the shower cabin, the faucet should be at about 120 cm above the floor, and the rain head at 210-220 cm. The recessed element of the faucet is mounted in the carved groove, and supply pipes are brought to the place where the water mixer will be located.

The next step is carving grooves in the wall where the pipes connecting the rain head with the recessed faucet part will be seated. If the shower set contains other elements, such as a shower handset with a rail or holder, water massage jets, or a bathtub spout, grooves must also be carved for pipes supplying water to all additional elements. It is also important that a faucet with a switch for several output elements is used.

The final step is the installation of the surface-mounted parts. The rain head can be mounted on the cabin wall (with a special rail) or in the central point of the shower cabin on the ceiling. It can also be mounted over the bathtub.

At What Height Should We Install a Rain Head in the Shower Cabin?

The height at which a rain head should be mounted depends on its type, place, and method of installation. A wall-mounted rain head is usually installed in small shower cabins at such a height that all household members can use it freely. It is assumed that about 40 cm is added to the height of the tallest user. Simultaneously, it is necessary to consider the height of the shower cabin so that the water stream does not overflow its walls.

A ceiling-mounted rain head should be installed in the central point of a large shower cabin at a height of 210-220 cm. This ensures that the flowing water stream provides a pleasant shower for every participant, regardless of their size. At what height should a shower set be installed for a bathtub? Preferably at the point on the wall which is below the upper edge of the shower curtain. Care must also be taken for easy access to the faucet and shower handset.