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Discussion Forum

Plumbing–Dual shower heads

Sailfish | Posted in General Discussion on December 10, 2004 07:42am

My wife wants dual shower heads in the new shower. Will the plumber be able to accomodate for the water pressure? IE when one shower head is on, then the other is turned on, generally the pressure will drop, is there a remedy for this?

Thanks

http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm
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Replies

  1. BobKovacs | Dec 10, 2004 09:59pm | #1

    The remedy is to have a large enough line to the shower to handle the flow requirements of the two heads.  There also needs to be adequare supply to the house in general to serve the heads.

    I'd start by measuring the GPM of flow available, and then see what the head requirements are.  The plumber can take it from there to size the lines, but I'd say 3/4" minimum to the shower.

    Bob

  2. User avater
    JeffBuck | Dec 11, 2004 02:51am | #2

    my plumber says 3/4 the whole way ... minimum ....

    and that's his minimum ...

    sometimes even when we can get 3/4 the whole way ... he advises against it.

    that's for either 2 shower heads or a big rainfall head ...

     

    get the plumber in there before the ideas get to far along.

    Jeff

      Buck Construction 

       Artistry in Carpentry

            Pgh, PA

    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Dec 11, 2004 03:26am | #4

      we're starting the addition very soon. I will definetly discuss this with him.

      Thanks

       http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

    2. masterofnon1 | Dec 11, 2004 04:13am | #6

      Bigger pipe means longer wait for hot water.  Trade offs?

      1. User avater
        JeffBuck | Dec 11, 2004 05:21am | #7

        add the little wall hung instant water heater and hide it somewhere in or near the bath.

        Jeff  Buck Construction 

           Artistry in Carpentry

                Pgh, PA

        1. singhmech | Dec 11, 2004 05:57am | #8

          Or,add hot water re-circulating pump tp system so you'll have hot water at the ready and you don't waste additional resources waiting for dual showers to get hot.
          I will add if you want the tropical rainforest experience multi showers and sprays give you, you will need enough hot water storage capacity.Most likely from properly sized indirect tank zoned off of boiler if you have hydronic heat.On demand units may not keep up with flow(gpm)from shower and body sprays.Most will give you 4 gpm at a 70* rise in temp. (i.e. 50* cold water coming in to get 120*) one shower fixture is 2.5 gal at the head add another one , now you got 5.0

        2. masterofnon1 | Dec 14, 2004 09:18pm | #13

          Buck, thanks but  . . . Buck$.

          1. User avater
            JeffBuck | Dec 15, 2004 01:02am | #14

            not that bad ... I think the last one my plumber recommended ... for a big whirlpool tub ... was something like $600 or $800 to the customer.

            Jeff  Buck Construction 

               Artistry in Carpentry

                    Pgh, PA

          2. masterofnon1 | Dec 15, 2004 03:30am | #15

            Different worlds I suppose.  $700 is a lot of money in my book.  700 for hot water, 700 for better door knobs, 700 for larger base molding, 7000 for granite, . . . .

          3. User avater
            JeffBuck | Dec 15, 2004 05:24am | #17

            well ... it's "only" $700 when we're talking 2 shower heads ...

            not like ya "need" 2.

            Gotta pay to play .....

             

            Jeff  Buck Construction 

               Artistry in Carpentry

                    Pgh, PA

          4. Mango | Dec 15, 2004 07:15am | #19

            so I take it I would need at least 3/4 to the house also ? I believe I only have 1/2 inch from the street in .

          5. UncleDunc | Dec 15, 2004 09:12am | #20

            How old is your house? Or more specifically, how old is your water service? 1/2" would surprise the heck out of me unless the service is really old, like more than 75 years.

  3. PHILLK | Dec 11, 2004 03:16am | #3

    Make sure that you tell your plumber that you WANT the flow restrictors removed also. Grohe's hand held shower head has a small check-valve in it, ours did, now ours does'nt and it'll almost peel your skin off!

  4. MojoMan | Dec 11, 2004 03:46am | #5

    OK...I'll be the party-pooper...Have you discussed the merits of water and energy conservation?

    Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

  5. Pierre1 | Dec 11, 2004 07:02am | #9

    Have you looked into steam showers?

    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Dec 11, 2004 08:10am | #10

      You guys never cease to amaze me. I will have to factor  in the flow of the instant water heaters (which I didn't mention, but someone suggested) which we were going to do. I have to think that theoretically, the chances of us REALLY showering at the same time will be what, 1 out of 20 times ...maybe??? But I do have to make this consideration

      Gosh, by the time we get done with this addition, you guys will have us the best home ever!!!!!!!!!! Thanks fo all the input.

      Man I love this Forum. I wish I found it last year. http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

      1. DanT | Dec 11, 2004 03:10pm | #11

        Don't forget to check the flow limitations of the shower valve itself.  DanT

  6. Snort | Dec 11, 2004 06:19pm | #12

    We have a shower with two Grohe sliding heads. 3/4" lines from crawl space to 2nd floor. Pressure's not a problem unless Mrs 'Snort decides to do a load of wash at the same time<G>

    The two heads are great. Besides the "I'll wash your back, you wash mine" perk, it's nice when you both have to get up & off at the same time. I turn 'em both on even when I'm alone, no turnin' around LOL...we're on a well with 20 gals a minute

    Don't worry, we can fix that later!

  7. joeh | Dec 15, 2004 03:42am | #16
    http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

     
    What's up with this?
     
    Joe H
    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Dec 15, 2004 07:04am | #18

      I don't have a construction biz to advertise. Or any biz for that matter. So I use that as my signature.

      I'm told there's some guys on here from up north that'll trade out work on my addition for offshore fishing trips while they come down here for vacation???

       

      ;-)http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

  8. JuliaEve | Nov 04, 2023 07:07pm | #21

    Yes, a plumber can likely accommodate dual shower heads. To address potential water pressure drop when both are used simultaneously, options include high-pressure shower heads, pressure-balancing valves, flow restrictors, plumbing upgrades, or consulting a professional plumber for a tailored solution.

  9. stamant | Nov 05, 2023 07:12am | #22

    nice to have the second shower head as a wand so that functionality is increased.

    dual shower heads should each have a separate mixer valve so that each head can have a different temperature and different flow volume.

    spray pattern and distance affects how hot the the water feels when it hits the skin. also skin on different parts of the body are more sensitive to water temp.

    the second valve can make the wall look busy so it's important to layout in a way that doesn't look like a plumbing showroom display fixture.

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