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Need advice on adding a handheld shower head

15 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!

Comment (1)

davidandkasie
15 years ago
we have these in our baths. it replaces the existing head and provides a handheld. either or both cna be used at once. if the link does not work goto lowes and it is item 65183 Peerless handhels massage shower head.

teh handheld unit has a suction cup mount that you put anywhere and can move easily. turn the dial to provide water to the handheld, and if you want the regular head to work you turn it on during your shower and back to handheld when done. this way she does not have to stand to do it. we got it because 2x my wife has had to use a shower stool, once for a torn ACL and once after her Csection.

BTW, it was actually cheaper to buy this than it was a handheld and a diverter seperately.

Here is a link that might be useful: peerless shower massage handheld head
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We're doing both in our primary bathroom (is a small house) and a handheld only for the extra basement bath. I can't speak to actual function since it's not done yet. When DH and I discussed it, we agreed we both prefer a regular showerhead for daily use (mounted high since we're both tall) with the handheld mostly for kids/dog/cleaning. I admit I was also biased since my folks have a handheld and I *hate* it--the spray is narrow, the angle is weird, and it gets knocked off its holder occasionally and sprays water every which way. When we were shopping, the sales guy did say that the designs have improved significantly since the parents put theirs in 10 years ago, and he's probably right-- they are probably much better now, and would work just fine. For us, since the walls were open already, and the plumbing/tile is all new, we decided not to chance it and just put in both with a diverter. (we put the handheld on the opposite wall) The cost differential wasn't huge since the hansgrohe 3 way valve was not much more expensive than the 2 way. The spare bathtub doesn't get daily use, we opted for a handheld on a bar, since it seemed to offer the most flexibility. Hope that helps and good luck with everything!
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Thanks for all the input everyone! So I think I made some decisions. I bought a handheld showerhead from Hammerhead showers. They are all metal, under $100, look nice and get good reviews. I’ll just have the showers plumbed with a regular showerhead pipe and then install the hand held showerhead as the main/only shower head. For my son’s bathroom, I bought this suction cup handheld showerhead holder that we can place lower down for him. It was $15 on Amazon. I just need to find a tub spout and shower diverter now. When we remodel, the horizontal bar won’t be there any more.
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