Selecting the Right Fittings
A special note about installation position
 When
you finally are able to enjoy your custom shower system, you
do not want to be disapointed in the position of the showerhead,
or where the body sprays hit your body. Proper planning up
front is essential, but what's the best way to ensure you
get what you want?
The best way to determine the correct position of your shower
fittings is to choose a blank wall. Cut out representations
of the fittings you choose and pin or tape them to the wall.
Then imagine the shower system running. Do the body sprays
"feel" right? Are they too far apart? Is the showerhead
too low? (remember to compensate for the drop in height due
to the shower arm.) Is the handhshower within easy reach?
Once you have determined the proper placement of all your
fittings (and your valve controls) measure the height from
the floor. Also measure their distance from left-to-right.
Sometimes it is usefull to draw a "center line"
where the valves fall and then measure from the left and right
of the centerline.
Ideally, you should do this before the wall studs are put
in place. That way, the framer can compensate to make the
job of the plumber a bit easier.
Remember, YOUR MEASUREMENTS ARE FROM THE FINISHED WALL AND
FLOOR! Make sure the tile mason and plumber understand your
final dimensional requirements.
The showerhead
 Individual
shower
head models have been designed to satisfy many different
requirements. Several designs combine numerous features that
you will not find in other models, while others provide a
simple downpour like a gentle rain. They vary from small and
compact to very large in diameter.
Shower
heads are generally called "fixed-mount" showerheads
to distinguish them from hand-held models. They can be fixed
on a shower arm from the wall, or suspended from the ceiling,
or even built into the ceiling.
The handheld shower
 A
pulsating massage spray may be a good reason to have a handheld
shower, A handshower
also allows the ability to clean tubs and shower stalls much
more easily. Most people who have used a handheld shower have
found it not only desirable, but also almost indispensable.
And since a good handheld shower performs as well as a fixed
showerhead, there is good reason to have both. A handheld
shower connects to any 1/2-inch water supply outlet. It typically
comes with a mounting device that allows you to use it in
a fixed position like any conventional showerhead.
One or more wall mounts may be placed anywhere you wish
and where a shower will serve you best. A slide bar allows
you to adjust shower height easily. Slide bars come in different
lengths. A slide bar actually makes it possible for even small
children to take their own showers.
Body Sprays
Body sprays have become popular in recent years, but they
have been around since the first shower systems. Installations
dating back to the 19th century feature body sprays as a necessary
element. They offer an all-over body experience, much like
a blanket of water. Body sprays need to be installed in a
correct position in order to provide the effect you desire.
For instance, spray body sprays may be spread apart from the
thigh area to the shoulders. Massaging jets may be more focused
on the back.
Body spray installation
Body sprays will typically be installed in columns of two
or three each. If you were to consider more than one column,
you would have the option of parallel columns or, for a different
effect, columns on opposite walls. Body sprays are available
in different sizes, but generally offer "spray"
and "massage". Some models even offer a range between
regular spray and pulsating massage. Some include a volume
control adjustment. Many body sprays are designed such that
they will swivel about a ball joint allowing you to direct
sprays where they feel just right.
Columns of body sprays are commonly installed within a loop
so that water flow from each will be equal. A loop as the
name implies is a loop of water created by water pipe. A cross-pipe
is plumbed with tees between the two sides of the loop. A
tee at the center of the cross-pipe then supplies the body
spray. Theoretically, the loop "equalizes" the water
pressure going to each body spray. We have found this to be
an unneccessary in most installations. Body sprays generally
have lower flow than a showerhead. By installing them from
a 3/4 inch main line to form a manifold, the pressure difference
between top and bottom body spray is negligable. The most
important part of the installation is selecting the right
pipe size.
Shower Sprays
Although you may never use all the settings in a given shower
model, there may be one that you really like - one that is
not available in any other model. That's why the number of
spray selections is important. Once you know what you want,
finding a showerhead with the spray selection you want is
much easier. Following are the basic shower sprays available:
 Directed
hole pattern
 Random
spray pattern
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Regular spray
The “regular” shower spray is what we are
all most familiar with: a spray of water coming at us
from a shower head. All shower heads have a regular
spray function. There are two basic ways of forming
a regular shower spray: A directed hole pattern where
each spray is channeled out of a hole (think garden
watering can), or a random pattern where water is shot
out randomly (think of a basic garden sprinkler). You
can tell the difference by looking for individual spray
streams versus a random spray pattern.
Directed hole pattern
A directed hole spray offers a rounder, softer droplet.
These sprays maintain their water temperature better
than the alternative random spray, which means you can
save on your gas or electric bill because you use less
hot water. They feel gentler on the skin, although in
some adjustable spray models they can be made needly
for a more invigorating effect.
- Soft rounded spray drops
- Save on gas or electricity bill
Random spray pattern
A random spray pattern is what many of us are familiar
with from a gym locker room or a navy shower. These
sprays direct a burst of water into a cone, which comes
out in a random spray pattern. These showerheads offer
an invigorating effect because the spray drops are smaller.
The Oxygenics shower head uses this approach with added
air. Most showers offering this type of spray are less
expensive models because the pattern is easier to make.
They are sometimes sold as high-pressure shower heads
because it feels like there is more pressure coming
out of the showerhead.
- Invigorating sprays
- More heat loss versus dedicated hole patterns
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 Massage
spray
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Massage Spray
The “massage”
shower spray pattern is based on a spray jet that pulsates
out of a small number of holes. One set of holes is
temporally covered as water exits another set of holes,
then those holes are opened as another set is closed.
This pattern continues and creates a pulsating jet of
water, which may help relieve stress. It may also relieve
some minor body aches and pains. ALWAYS CONSULT
A PHYSICIAN BEFORE TREATING ACHES AND PAINS WITH THESE
OR ANY OTHER PRODUCTS. When used underwater,
the pulsating effect splashes less and may be more soothing.
- Pulsating jet of water
- May help relieve stress
- Consult a physician before treating aches and pains
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 Aeration
spray
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Aeration spray
The
“aeration”
spray – sometimes called “Champagne”
– is a flow of water that has been infused with
air. Tiny air bubbles make this shower spray pattern
super soft and gently soothing. It’s great for
bathing infants, or for people with sensitive skin.
.
- Super soft spray with tiny bubbles
- Great for younger bathers or people with sensitive
skin
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 Mist
spray
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Mist spray
The “mist” spray pattern
is created by forcing water through tiny holes. As the
water exits, it breaks apart into millions of tiny droplets.
These droplets rapidly loose their heat. They also evaporate
quickly leaving the bather with a cooling sensation.
The mist spray is great for hot summer days, or after
a long, hard workout. Many mist sprays give your skin
a tingling sensation, which helps invigorate the body.
- Millions of tiny drops
- Great for hot days or after a workout
- Cooling effect
- Invigorating feeling
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 Center
Jet or Intense spray
 Combination
spray
 Twirling
sprays
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Other Sprays
Center Jet or Intense Spray
A “center jet” is a regular spray that
has been concentrated into a small area. These are great
for getting shampoo out of hair quickly or when you
want a strong concentration of water on a small area
of your body.
- Concentrated spray
- Removes shampoo quickly
Combination sprays
Combination sprays are often a regular spray combined
with another spray. The pattern provides another option
for the bather. Some manufacturers name these sprays
“combination”, or they may give them a unique
name like “surf massage.”
- Typically a regular spray in combination with another
- Offers the bather more choices
Twirling sprays
The Moen
Revolution Shower Massage offers a twirling shower
spray. In addition to being fun to look at, their effect
is to draw a circle on your body. This pattern is like
a regular spray or massage shower spray, but it moves
in a circular pattern creating a different effect than
a fixed version of the same spray.
- Draws a circle on the body for a unique effect
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Shower height
Shower height is critical, but what if you share your system
with someone who is much taller that you are? There are many
easy solutions to this problem. On a fixed showerhead, you
can install a height-adjustable arm. Another way to address
the shower height challenge is by specifying a slide-bar mounted,
handheld shower. A slide bar allows you to adjust shower height
easily. Slide bars come in different lengths. A slide bar
actually makes it possible for even small children to take
their own showers.
Clogging and Corrosion resistance
Most well-made, modern showerheads resist clogging and corrosion
through the use of high-tech materials and special design
features that additionally help to maintain performance over
time.
Including the Tub Filler in Your System
The purpose of a tub filler is to complete the task as fast
as possible. Conventional two-handle, hot/cold, 3/4-inch valves
work best because of their high-flow capacity. But that is
not the type of valve you would want to use for your shower
system. The choice for tub-and-shower combinations is to either
use a separate shower valve, or to specify the highest flow
thermostatic valve. See our section on valves
for more information.
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