A handheld showerhead will make your shower more pleasant and versatile. With a shower head with hose, you can clean anywhere of your body easily. And also, a handheld shower with a hose is crucial for people with mobility issues since it is possible to bath while sitting.
Besides, in nowadays market, there are many models that attach easily to your existing shower arm. So, when you have bought a new shower head with hose, how to install it in your bathroom? Continue reading this article, and you can find the answer!
The Adapter Kits Available for Shower Heads With Hose
A handheld showerhead can be installed onto a spout that is equipped with a special diverter fitting. There are a number of adapter kits that are available.
Standard fitting.
It attaches to the existing shower arm and then replaces the old showerhead using a flexible and also a handheld shower unit that will serve as a handheld shower or a stationary head.
Cross-tee diverter fitting.
It works with the existing showerhead as well as the new handheld showerhead. This fitting comes with two outlets for connecting the existing as well as the new showerheads.
Tub spout fitting.
This method requires replacing your old tub with a new one that is equipped with a hand shower diverter.
The preparation steps.
Below are the preparation steps that you will require. The first step is to remove the old showerhead using channel-type pliers or an adjustable wrench. You will be required to turn the showerhead nut counterclockwise so as to loosen it.
It is more likely that the showerhead will turn along with the nut and it is fine. If you plan on using the showerhead elsewhere, protect its finish by wrapping the showerhead using a piece of heavy cloth before using the pliers.
Thereafter, clean the threads on the shower arm so as to remove the mineral deposits or plumber’s pipe seal tape. After that, wrap the threads using a plumber’s tape in a clockwise direction five times. The tape will help to prevent the new shower fitting, leaking at the connection. Keep the tape along the threaded area as it will not reveal when the new showerhead unit has been installed.
Equipment/ Tools.
- Drills and bits.
- Adjustable wrench.
- Hex key.
Materials.
- Hand-held shower head kit.
- Plumber’s pipe seal tape.
- Tub spout with diverter.
- A piece of leather.
How to Install a Handheld Shower Head with a Hose Using a Standard Fitting?
With this technique, the new showerhead is attached to the shower arm, hence substituting the original showerhead. The handheld unit will either screw onto the end of your shower arm or will fit onto a bracket that is mounted onto the wall according to the model.
1. Attach the showerhead base.
Remove the existing showerhead. Then you will be required to wrap the tape around the shower arm threads several times. Screw the base of the handheld showerhead onto the shower am and then tighten it down with your hand.
2. Attach the hose.
Thereafter, wrap the plumber’s tape onto the cross -T nipple in the showerhead base and then fix the shower hose onto the nipple. Fasten it by hand.
3. Mount wall bracket.
Mount the wall bracket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You might be required to drill holes onto the wall so as to insert expandable anchors.
How to Install a Handheld Shower Head with a Hose Using a Cross-t Diverter Fitting?
The method involves the addition of the handheld showerhead to the existing showerhead. It involves temporarily removing the old showerhead and then installing a diverter-T- fitting. It has two outlets; one for reconnecting the original showerhead and the other for connecting the new handheld showerhead and a hose.
1. Install cross -Tee fitting.
Once you have removed the existing showerhead, you will be required to clean the threads on your shower arm. Wrap a number of loops of plumber’s tape onto the threads and fix the fitting and fasten it with your hand.
2. Reconnect the showerhead.
Then fix the old showerhead on one of the diverter outlets and tighten using your hand.
3. Attach the flexible hose.
Fasten the hose of the handheld shower on the outer outlet and on the cross-tee diverter and then tighten with your hand. Turn on the water and check for leaks. If there are leaks, fasten carefully with the adjustable wrench using a heavy cloth so as to protect the finish.
How to Install a Handheld Shower Head with a Hose Using a Tub Spout Diverter?
If you do not have a showerhead at all, you will use a tub spout diverter to install a handheld shower. This will require you to replace the old tub spout one that has a diverter fitting.
1. Remove the tub spout.
The first step will be to remove the old tub spout. If there is a hex-head screw, then the spout type is a slip-on. Open the set screw using this hex key and then remove the spout.
If the spout does not have a setscrew then it is a threaded type. You will be required to unscrew the spout counterclockwise with the channel-lock piers until it is off the threaded nipple.
2. Install a new spout.
Buy a new diverter-style spout that is using the same attachment method just like the old one. If your spout is threaded, you will wrap the pipe nipple thread using three clockwise wraps of the plumber’s tape. Thereafter, screw it onto the stub-out pipe
3. Mount the slide bar.
Mount the mounting bracket for your handheld shower head to your wall following the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Attach the hose.
Attach the hose to the nipple of this spout’s diverter valve and with the plumber’s seal tape, wrap around the nipple to ensure it is tight. Turn on the water to look for any leaks and if any, fasten with the adjustable wrench.
In conclusion, with the above information provided by this article, you will be in a position to install a shower head with a hose.
