How to Choose the Best Shower Head and Install it

The advent of the shower head, also known as a shower spray or shower rose, has transformed the act of bathing into an indulgent and invigorating experience, allowing people to wash away the day's exhaustion and completely immerse themselves in relaxation. However, in the face of the myriad of styles and brands available on the market, one can often feel overwhelmed to select the perfect shower head. The fear of overspending while desiring quality or compromising on quality for the sake of affordability can leave many uncertain about where to begin. In this blog, we will uncover the secrets to choosing the ideal shower system and how to install it correctly.

What Is a Shower Head?

A shower head is a device that is attached to a plumbing fixture, typically a pipe, which releases water in the form of a spray or stream, allowing you to bathe or shower. It is a crucial component of a rain shower system, as it directs the flow of water from the plumbing supply to provide a consistent and enjoyable stream of water for washing and rinsing. Shower heads come in various styles and designs, offering different spray patterns and water pressure options to cater to individual preferences. Some modern shower heads also incorporate features such as adjustable settings, water-saving technology, and even built-in LED lights for added aesthetics.

Structure of Shower Head

The general structure of a shower head is divided into two parts: internal and external. The external structure mainly includes threaded joints, body, surface cover, water outlet sleeve, screw cover, and control ring. They mainly serve to fix the shower head and control the water output of the shower head. The internal structure mainly includes wire mesh, wire mesh frame, water dish, impeller, water jet dish, and water distribution dish. Their main function is to filter impurities in the water, control the speed of the water flow, pressurize or reduce the pressure.

What Are the Common Shower Accessories?

1. Overhead Shower Head

Overhead shower head is a commonly used accessory for shower systems. In the past, handheld showers at home were not as enjoyable as overhead showers. There are round and square overhead shower heads, generally between 200-250mm in diameter, consisting of a panel, a water outlet and a universal ball, and the materials are divided into ABS material, copper material, stainless steel material and other alloy material.

2. Shower Valve Main Body

The most important thing about a shower system is the shower valve main body of the faucet. The accessories inside are sophisticated and can control all the water discharge methods of the shower head. They are mainly composed of a water distributor, a handle and a main body. The main body of the faucet is generally made of brass. Nowadays, some manufacturers use stainless steel main bodies, but the price is higher and stainless steel faucets are not as precise as brass. The water distributor has a built-in valve core. At present, the best valve core material is the ceramic valve core. It is wear-resistant, with a long service life, and can be opened and closed 500,000 times.

3. Shower Pipe

The hard pipe connecting the faucet and the overhead nozzle is made of copper, stainless steel and other alloys. The current liftable shower head has a 20-35cm liftable pipe above the shower pipe. Generally, 30cm above the head is considered a reasonable bathing height. It will not be too low, making you feel too depressed or even bump your head, nor will it be too high to allow water flow to disperse.

4. Shower Hose

The shower hose connecting the handheld shower head and the faucet is composed of stainless steel cladding, inner tube and connector, and is elastic and stretchable. The shower hoses of some products are made of heat-resistant plastic, which are cheap and cannot be stretched. 

5. Handheld Shower Head

A handheld shower head is a detachable bathroom fixture connected by a flexible hose, allowing for a more versatile and personalized showering experience with the ability to direct the water stream as needed. It is more convenient for children and the elderly.

6. Lower Outlet Faucet

The lower outlet faucet can be rotated. It is especially convenient for washing towels, underwear, etc.

7. Fixed Base

It is the accessory that dedicated to fixed shower heads and is generally made of alloy.

8. Shower Arm

The shower arm connects the showerhead to the water source. It can be a fixed arm or an adjustable extension to customize the height and angle of the showerhead.

9. Body Jets or Spray Panels

Some advanced rain shower systems include shower body jets or spray panels mounted on the shower walls. These provide a spa-like experience with targeted water jets for a full-body massage.

How to Choose a Shower Head Correctly?

1. Check whether the electroplating layer of the shower head is smooth.

A good pipe body is made of whole copper, and the surface must go through grinding, polishing, dust removal, nickel plating, chrome plating and other processing processes to ensure that it will not turn black, blister and fall off during use. The brighter and more delicate it can be seen, the better the coating process is.

2. Hold the pipe body in hand to determine the quality of the material.

Hold the pipe body with your hands and wait for 2 or 3 seconds before releasing it. If the fog on the pipe body does not dissipate for a long time, it is most likely a cast iron pipe. If there is almost no change in the pipe body after your hands are removed, the material can probably be copper.

3. Ask about the material and service life of the valve core.

Shower valve cores are usually made of stainless steel, ceramic or plastic materials, each of which has different characteristics and advantages.

• Stainless Steel Valve Cores: Stainless steel valve cores generally have a longer service life because they are less susceptible to rust or corrosion. They can withstand high water pressure and temperatures and are generally more durable.
• Ceramic Valve Cores: Ceramic valve cores are generally very wear-resistant and they can provide smooth operation and reliable sealing performance. They are particularly effective at preventing drips, but are relatively fragile and prone to cracking when subjected to impact or excessive rotation.
• Plastic Valve Cores: Plastic valve cores are often an affordable option, but they are relatively less durable and susceptible to wear and age, so they may have a shorter lifespan.
  

The service life mainly depends on the manufacturing quality of the valve core, water quality and usage. Typically, high-quality stainless steel and ceramic valve cores will last for many years, while cheaper plastic valve cores may require more frequent replacement. To extend the life of your shower valve core, regular maintenance and upkeep is important, including cleaning and lubricating the valve core components, and avoiding over-rotation or excessive force use.

4. When selecting, let the shower head tilt to discharge water.

If the water output from the top nozzle hole is obviously small or there is no water output, it means that the internal design of the shower head is not very well. Even if there are multiple water output methods such as laser and jet, you may not get a comfortable experience.

5. Focus on the self-cleaning effect of shower heads.

Although shower heads do not need to be cleaned every day like bathtubs, regular cleaning is indispensable. For example, the stainless steel water outlet is inconvenient to clean, and the dirt inside cannot be 100% removed. However, the rubber water outlet is easier to clean, and it is not prone to scale. It is more convenient to clean when taking a bath. You can scrub it with your hands or a cloth, which makes bathing more convenient and saves time.

How to Install a Shower Head Correctly?

1. Determine the installation height.

Before installing the shower head, you must first determine the shower installation height. Normally, the height of the shower head should be about 90-100cm from the ground. If it is too high, the riser pipe of the shower head may couldn’t be installed. The water pipe should be about 15cm higher than the shower head, so that the shower head base can be buried after the tiles are installed to ensure the beauty of the wall.

2. Determine the installation location.

After the installation height is determined, the installation location must be determined. We can assemble the main body of the faucet and the water outlet pipe, and wrap the threads with raw material tape before connecting. Then place the installed main shower faucet at the front water outlet, connect it, fix it with screws in the middle of the shower rod, determine the position on the wall, and draw a clear line making it easy to position and install the fixed bracket.

3. Fix the shower rod.

Drill a hole of a suitable size at the determined location on the wall, insert the nylon anchor bolt, and then fix it to the wall with screws to ensure that the shower rod is installed firmly and stably on the wall. It should be noted that when drilling, be careful not to damage the tiles on the wall.

4. Install the faucet.

Install the shower rod and faucet assembly together and secure them to the eccentric joint holder. If you find that the position is wrong, you can adjust the fixed seat of the eccentric junction box to make appropriate adjustments to ensure that it’s in the correct position. When installing, be sure to install a sealing gasket between the nut behind the faucet and the eccentric junction.

5. Connect the shower.

 After the faucet and shower rod are connected, install the shower head spray on the top elbow of the shower rod to ensure a stable connection. Use a stainless steel hose to connect the main body of the faucet to the hand shower.

6. Final inspection

After all installation work is completed, certain inspections need to be carried out. Try the shower head to make sure there are no leaks. If there is no leakage or other problems, then the entire shower installation is completed.

What Should Pay Attention to When Installing a Shower Head?

1. The shower head can be mainly categorized into concealed shower head and exposed shower head. The installation height of a concealed shower is that the center of the concealed water outlet on the wall should be 2.1 meters from the ground, and the center of the shower switch should be 1.1 meters from the ground. The exposed shower head is generally defined by the water surface of the shower head. The installation height of the shower head should be 2 meters from the ground. Of course, you can also adjust it according to the height of your family.

2. When installing a faucet, the screw cap of the faucet should be wrapped with thick cloth or plastic film to prevent the faucet from being messed up by the wrench.

3. When installing a shower head, the location of the waterway and circuit should be marked on the wall to avoid breaking the water pipe when drilling.

4. The distance between the hot and cold water center holes of the shower faucet is 15 cm. There are two S connectors inside. The distance can be adjusted appropriately, and the error cannot exceed 1 cm.

6. During the installation process, some dirt or dust will inevitably be produced, which should be cleaned after the installation work is completed. Especially in newly decorated pipes, there are many impurities. Failure to clean the pipes will affect the water discharge effect. It is better to rinse the installation site with water to ensure cleanliness.

In conclusion, selecting a suitable shower head can make a significant difference in your daily routine. By carefully considering factors such as water pressure, spray patterns, material, and installation method, you can create a shower experience tailored to your own preferences. Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions and, if needed, seek professional help to guarantee a leak-free and safe installation. Your choice of a shower head can turn your daily shower into a refreshing and rejuvenating experience. So, take your time to choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of your newly installed shower set.