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Plumbing Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Shower valve and shower head at opposite end

5 years ago

We are remodeling our 3'x5' shower. with a rainfall shower on top and a handheld shower head. We plan to put shower valve in the right-hand side of shower entry and the rainfall/shower head in the opposite side. So, we won't get wet before the water turn warm. (Actually, we can first use the handheld shower head and wait for the water turn warm, then switch to rainfall.)

After consulting with our contractor, he says it's fine but he would run the copper pipe across 3 sides of walls and run through each 2x4 from one side to the opposite. Basically, we don't like 2x4 to have hole on it. Any plumbing suggestion that has the least modification? Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

JAN MOYER

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Ahhhhh. Three cheers for that lowly tub shower/fill and diverter. Nothing but your hand ever gets wet : ) unless some jerk forgets to restore to position tub fill.

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Comments (9)

User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Your existing framing in the whole house has all kinds of holes in it for plumbing and electrical. You’re fixating on something completely unimportant. It’s fine.

But revisit the layout, and door swing. Rain showers are a PIA, and that’s a small shower for so many doodads.
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Look up Hansgrohe Universal ibox - first of all, you will get a thermostatic valve instead of a pressure balance valve, thermostatic doesn't impact the GPM (gallons per minute) that the pressure balance does. Here is some hansgrohe info. and only will require you to have trim for this universal box - no additional trim needed. There are various options for configuration but I'm looking on page 16 of the "installation instructions" part No 90111601 and I'm reading "modify the diverter to allow simultaneous use of both functions". This came with my Hansgrohe trim - part number 04231xx0. I'm obviously a bit of a newbie but hopefully this info helps you understand that what you want can be done. I would go with hansgrohe for any shower fixture because their fixtures are famous for minimizing any restriction on the flow. You of course always want the option of having the maximum flow. Good luck. Hopefullly the experts will kick in here with more/better details if you need it. I bought my universal Ibox from a plumbing showroom and the salesman was helpful in explaining my options and what I could have done. Not much more expensive than buying on line. Here is a link that might be useful: see page 16 of this installation guide for hansgrohe trim 4231 This post was edited by elphaba on Sat, Jul 6, 13 at 21:39
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I had read about the Hansgrohe valve, but I didn't care much for it. Can't understand exactly how I could control temperature, volume and diverter with only 2 handles... We recently installed a new shower with a rainshower head and handheld head, run by one of the Hansgrohe controls. It's very simple to operate. The temperature is controlled by the smaller handle on the outside. I think I've touched it once; after putting it on a temperature both my wife and I apparently find desirable, we never touch it. The larger, inner handle controls volume and diverter. With the Thermobalance II, shown above, you turn the handle left of center to use one shower head, or right to use the other showerhead. Want to be able to use both at the same time (as I did)? For a few more dollars, you get the Thermobalance III valve and trim... This unit could control three different showerheads, or the plumbing can be configured to control two showerheads -- which is what we did, and what I think you're saying you want to do. Turn it left to the for one showerhead, turn all the way to the left and the second showerhead runs; in between, both showerheads run. It's easy to adjust the volume between the two, although I have to say I just go mid-way and let them both run full force. I like the simplicity of having only one control and one handle on the wall. You can certainly configure it with three different handles if you prefer; I just wanted to explain how the Hansgrohe works if you're interested. -- Eric
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Two ways to do it, IMO. If you are at the stud stage, then plumb the output line from the shower valve to the shower head with regular copper pipe by drilling holes in the studs. If you have PEX available to you, then use that. Just make sure that you put a secure fitting to hold the shower head arm. If you have finished walls, then use chrome plated stand off brackets plus chrome plated brass pipe and fittings. You need rubber strap wrenches to tighten all the fittings onto the pipes so that you don't mar the chrome finish. High-end bath/plumbing fixture stores often have such fittings available in polished chrome, polished brass, brushed nickel or pewter. It ain't cheap but it's real purdy and ever so "period".
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Go to a plumbing supply place in your area and get one that meets your standards. You don't need a plumber for something this easy: just wrap some tape around the fittings so you don't scratch them, and use two wrenches, one to hold and one to turn.
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PRO
HALLETT & Co.
5 years ago
I love having the valve at the entrance to our shower and the primary shower head at the opposite end. I think ours was plumbed up the wall and across the ceiling but it doesn’t matter- you just want the shortest route so you get the water the fastest.
Jane
5 years ago
Rainfall showers look nice, sound nice.. but for everyday use like a quick shower without shampooing hair ... not so nice... strongly suggest you try one out first if you haven't... my local spa where I get massages installed them... using them there changed my mind for my home one
RaiKai
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I don’t know what issue is, as Sophie said there will be holes all through your other framing 2x4s to run wiring and plumbing.

I suggest you put rain head on a separate valve even. There are times you or someone else in your family won’t want water coming down over top your head.
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
Like when you only meant to clean the shower...........................oops
MongoCT
5 years ago
I'd rather go vertical than across three walls and through two framed corners. If this is soldered copper and a remodel, soldering unions in a 3-stud framed corner can be a pain. It can be easier if the framing is open in new construction, or if the walls are lightweight construction, a partition end stud and drywall clips.

If this is hard pipe, my overall goal would be to minimize the number of turns the plumbing has to make from the supply valve to the shower head. Secondary would be the shortest run of tubing.

My own shower, I went across the ceiling. That gave me the fewest turns and shortest route.
kudzu9
5 years ago
Thomas-

Running plumbing through holes in the framing is standard as long as the hole size is limited to what is allowed by code. Why are you concerned about this?
Thomas Tzeng thanked kudzu9
Thomas Tzeng
Original Author
5 years ago
I am not quite concerned about it, either. But, my wife does not like holes unless it's necessary. She complains to our electrician drilling a hole a lot bigger than needed during rewiring (though within the limit by code). However, I agree with her on this issue and think that a careful electrician should not do such rough work. :-)

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