Do it yourself: wall-mounted tap installation in 5 easy steps

Using a shower cabin should be convenient and comfortable, without any difficulties. It doesn't matter whether your shower cabin is small, large, has a shower tray, or is a floor-level shower, the height at which the tap should be positioned should primarily depend on the height of the people using it. It should not interfere with movement inside the shower. Find out how to correctly install a shower tap in a straightforward way!

What will you learn from this article?

• How high the shower tap should hang.
• What its proper installation involves.
• Why and for whom the height of the shower tap matters.

At what height will the shower tap serve properly?

As already mentioned, the installation height of the shower tap should be adjusted to the height of the household members. So what height are we talking about? It is optimal to place it 110 – 130 cm above the floor. This will allow most users to have easy access to the tap, while also leaving some space for moving within the cabin. However, if someone in your home uses a wheelchair, then it is better to place the shower tap lower. Persons with disabilities should have as comfortable access as possible to the tap mounted in the shower. The installation of the tap should therefore mainly depend on the capabilities of the person with disabilities.

If none of your household members use a wheelchair, remember not to place the tap too low during installation. Taller people will then have difficult access to water when they want to conveniently wash their heads. They will then end up holding the shower hose in their hand, which is not very comfortable. In other words, the height at which to mount the tap is a serious issue, because taps mounted too high can make it challenging to turn on the water and adjust the pressure. Ideally, the control should be around the user's waist. This will make managing hot and cold water effortless. The shower head, on the other hand, should be above the head of the person using the shower. Also, remember that children grow quickly, so there is no point in adjusting the shower tap installation height to their height.

How to mount a wall-mounted shower tap?

When installing a shower tap, it is important to follow the specified steps, which can be summarized as follows:

1. Turn off the water supply before you begin dismantling the old device,
2. Check which side the hot water supply is on and which side the cold water is on.
3. Prepare all the necessary tools for dismantling.
4. Dismantle the shower tap.
5. The threads should be sealed, preferably using PTEE tape, which should be wrapped in the direction of tightening.
6. Use a special key to tighten the joints.
7. The distance between the eccentric connectors should be around 150 mm, and it should be adjusted accordingly.
8. The shower tap should be placed on the joints, and mounting screws are used for its proper attachment.
9. To ensure that the tap is mounted correctly, you can use a spirit level.
10. Turn on the water flow and make sure that the connection seals leave nothing to be desired.
11. If so, you can use the tap.

Are you wondering what size the water supply pipes should be? Regardless of whether it's for bathtub or shower pipes, their diameter should be 0.5 inches. If you have PEX pipes, note that they have a smaller internal diameter than copper pipes and should be installed with a 3/4 inch diameter, especially if you are installing the tap on upper floors. Choosing this solution gives you a better guarantee of water flowing smoothly, and you will enjoy proper water pressure.

We are installing a shower – what height should we aim for the shower tap installation?

The above tips should help you easily choose the right shower tap height and install this part of the shower independently. Height plays a crucial role here, but there are also other elements to pay attention to, for example, whether the shower has a tray, as the height for the tap should be not 110/130 cm from the floor, but from the surface of the tray. Additionally, consideration should be given to a person with disabilities and their comfort during bathing.

In the case of having children, you do not need to follow their height, as for a certain period, adults help them during bathing. The most important thing to remember is that comfort should prevail in the bathroom for all household members, and a shower tap installed at the right height for each user will undoubtedly contribute to this. It is also important to match the tap to the bathroom style appropriately. More and more often, black shower taps are chosen because they always fit into any bathroom arrangement.

Wall-mounted tap – how to approach it properly?

Approaching a wall-mounted tap requires not only proper preparation of tools but also knowledge of its correct installation. In the case of installing an overhead rain shower, it is crucial to maintain an appropriate distance from the floor or shower tray to ensure comfortable shower use. Remember that the rain shower should be mounted at a height that allows the entire body to be sprayed without the need to bend or unnecessarily raise arms. When installing a bathroom tap, it is also important to fit it to the bathroom style and ensure it is functional for all household members.

Mounting the tap is another important step that requires precision and adequate preparation. Before starting installation, ensure that the water supply pipes are correctly mounted and sealed. When replacing a wall-mounted kitchen tap, check whether the new tap fits the existing water connections. If not, additional adaptation work may be necessary. When planning to move the tap from the wall to another location, such as for changing the bathroom or kitchen arrangement, consider the need to relocate the water supply pipes as well. This often requires specialist assistance to avoid leaks or other issues related to the plumbing installation.

Summary

It is also worth remembering that regardless of whether we are dealing with the installation of an overhead shower, bathroom tap, or replacing a wall-mounted kitchen tap, maintaining the correct installation height is essential. For wall-mounted kitchen taps, it is recommended to install them about 80-100 cm from the kitchen counter, which ensures convenience during daily use. In the bathroom, as already mentioned, the installation height of the shower tap should be tailored to the height of the users to ensure comfortable shower use. And in another of our blog entries, you can read about how to reduce the amount of water in the cistern, which may also be useful for you and your household members.