We’re remodeling a bathroom and considering installing some kind of multiple shower spray system. We like the Grohe Freehander which functions as an overhead spray, or can be swung down to function as a body spray. Any opinions out there on the Freehander? Are multi-spray showers worth it or one of those things (like giant bathtubs) that get installed and never used?
Thanks,
Wendy
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Replies
I just put one in last summer and the HO loved it.
You need good water pressure and 3/4" lines feeding it.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
They have a version for replacing existing shower heads and will connect to 1/2" pipe.And for both versions they indicate that each head uses 2.5 gpm.So it appears that it can work off standard plumbing..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Once you get used to multi spray, you'll wonder how you ever did without it.
I don't think we've used a tub in 15 years.
Does the LV in your screen name mean Las Vegas? The BIG downside to the mulit-head showers is that nobody really needs that much water.
Ha! LV is just my initials, I'm in Michigan, not Las Vegas. We've got a 40 gal hot water heater so we can't go too crazy with the water consumption.
I did see this amazing but ridiculous shower on a homes tour a few years ago. The house was very modest but the shower was huge, tiled in slate (the nightmare of cleaning was left to a cleaning person I assume), and had many shower sprays. There were FOUR 40 gallon hot water tanks to power the shower.
Hey Wendylv,
I'm in Grand Rapids, and I just had my new shower installed. Couple of body sprays, rain head and adjustable height hand-held. Used my jetted tub twice in 5 years at my last house, anticipate using this one daily!
Caveat: one poster had it right that it uses too much water for conscience-free daily pampering (2.5 gal/minute per head), so I hooked up the adjustable head to one valve and the wasteful indulgence to another (high-volume valve for the 2 body sprays and rain head). I anticipate using the whole thing at once maybe twice a week.
We have a 50 gal water heater, so we only can use it for 10 minutes at full throttle before we drain the entire tank, assuming it was full of hot water to begin with! The positive environmental factor is that we can fit several people in there at once.
They make nice ones that are one-piece (adjustabel head and 2-4 body sprays, 2 controls) for under a thousand dollars. Don't know the quality but I have seen those on the Web. Good luck!
I can't live without a separate hand sprayer on a hose. It's not so much for showering but rinsing the shower when cleaning it. Sometimes both going at once feels great.
To me it's worth more than twice what it costs. Be careful of the flow rates and don't try to get more through your valves than they are capable of . According to my plumber it's often better to go with two separate valves rather than one with high flow rates.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I'm not real big on body sprays, but I do like multiple heads.
I have this one http://www.westin-hotelsathome.com/productGroup.aspx?sessionID=c9d0d92f-2ac6-4020-a270-b3a026114ca3&&category1=Bath&category1Name=bath&category2=Shower&category2Name=Shower&categoryLevel=1&itemID=HB-325
Speakman heads aren't that great so I swapped em out with Grohe.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein
I drive 268 miles one way just to use my multi head extra large shower. I'll even use it without the bride, I just shut off a few heads.
Most people wake up and take a shower. You may as well enjoy yourself, it's a great way to start the day.
You're going to need a bigger hot water tank.
I just bought another freehander for my mom's shower and another advantage with this system is if the shower head is low this will elevate it nicely and have a clean look.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST