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Shower body spray – Correct Hieght

catch32 | Posted in General Discussion on December 14, 2005 06:58am

Stupid Homewoner Question #73:

My new Bathroom is being plumbed. I have a main shower head on one wall and three body sprays mounted on the adjacent side wall. The body sprays are aligned vertically with the top being about 5′ high.

It seems like this will hit my wife in the face, and possibly me as well. Does anyone use a shower with body sprays? If so what height are they at?

I’m thinking of maybe moving the high spray to the side with a height 1/2 way between the other 2, a triangle configuration.

My fault for not having a discussion with the plumber prior to rough plumbing install.

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  1. Karl | Dec 14, 2005 07:10am | #1

    I have only done a primitive version of the multi shower head by using a tub shower valve and using the tub portion to run a second shower head. I put it waist height and it works great for my 4 year old to shower under. When my buddies ask about it I tell them it is the ball washer. I have installed this set up in two different showers and would do it again in the future. Mostly for the little kids to shower under, the ball washer aspect is mostly just for me to exercise my sense of bathroom humor.

    I assume you have a large capacity water heater to get multiple heads going at once. My set up requires flipping the diverter from one shower head to the other. I can't seem to get the same temp hot water from both if running simultaneously (with the handle in the middle.)

    karl

  2. DanH | Dec 14, 2005 07:13am | #2

    IMO, regular shower heads are usually installed too high. Dunno about a "body spray".

    If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

    happy?

    1. plumbbill | Dec 14, 2005 07:59am | #5

      I'm 6'-3" most shower heads are too low

    2. User avater
      CloudHidden | Dec 14, 2005 06:34pm | #11

      >IMO, regular shower heads are usually installed too high.You're tall, if I recall. Me, too. I think most are too low!!! I hate having to stoop to rinse the shampoo out of my hair. Have an adjustable one now, and that works best.

      1. DanH | Dec 14, 2005 08:24pm | #12

        The typical installation places the head at about 6 feet. I'm about 5'10" and prefer the head at 5'4"-5'6". Yeah, I have to bend a bit to rinse my hair, but I don't have to go back against the far wall to keep it out of my face. My wife, who's about 5'6" prefers the lower height too, and it's mucho important to keep SWMBO happy.
        If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

        happy?

        1. User avater
          CloudHidden | Dec 14, 2005 08:39pm | #13

          OK, got the height wrong. I'm 6'3" and I hate low shower heads.

          1. JohnSprung | Dec 15, 2005 03:25am | #14

            Did a shower once for a tenant who was 6'-8".  Real happy camper, not having to crouch down any more.  

             

            -- J.S.

             

  3. Notchman | Dec 14, 2005 07:24am | #3

    Karl mentioned one thing in passing that you should not overlook...make sure you've got ample hot water supplied.

    Multiple head showers do two things:  They feel good which leads to lingering and loitering around them and;  They really use a lot of hot water in a hurry....which can really throw cold water on the lingering and loitering.

    1. Karl | Dec 14, 2005 07:32am | #4

      Notch, You just reminded me off a great idea I read about a few years ago. It is a heat exchanger that installs in the shower drain and allegedly captures enough heat, which is used to preheat water entering the water heater, to allow an endless shower.The only catch is they usually only work in a second story shower as the heat exchanger is 3or 4 feet long.My shower is granite slabs and a stone floor and it seems such an effective heat sink that there is very little heat left in the waste water leaving the floor drain. With multiple shower heads going and a shower with less thermal mass there might be a lot of heat in the waste water to recover.Karl

    2. plumbbill | Dec 14, 2005 08:35am | #6

      I have a double headed shower coming out of one port.

      Looks like a big chrome "U" with two heads

      It's called a heavenly shower the westin hotel uses them I grabbed our display model to see how it worked

      & yup my shower times have doubled

  4. plumbbill | Dec 14, 2005 08:38am | #7

    Does your body wash have individual nozzles meaning can they shut off independently from each other?

    5' is common for multiple nozzles

    4' is common when you only have one or a side x side configuration

    1. catch32 | Dec 14, 2005 08:51am | #8

      Duh!I never paused to consider that the individual sprays could be turned off. If that is the case then we are probably OK.The best shower I ever had was at a spa in a vegas hotel. They had two regular shower heads positioned on opposite walls. After that shower I knew I wanted the body sprays in my new Bathroom.Thanks for the imput.

      1. Danno | Dec 14, 2005 02:59pm | #9

        The idea of two shower heads on opposite walls appeals to me--my wife wants me to shower with her, but while she stands in the warm spray, I stand there shivering. A granite shower would be a great place to run radiant heat under.

  5. User avater
    CloudHidden | Dec 14, 2005 06:32pm | #10

    Make 'em adjustable. There is no height that is good for people even 6" diff in height. A torso spray for me would drown my wife. Good for her would leave my chest/shoulders dry and cold. Had one with fixed sprays and it was a waste. Swivel heads would be much better.

    Also makes sure the lines drain themselves, or else they hold water and give you a jolt of cold right when you want hot.

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