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
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Replies
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
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
we're starting the addition very soon. I will definetly discuss this with him.
Thanks
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Bigger pipe means longer wait for hot water. Trade offs?
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
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
Buck, thanks but . . . Buck$.
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
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, . . . .
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
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 .
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.
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!
OK...I'll be the party-pooper...Have you discussed the merits of water and energy conservation?
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Have you looked into steam showers?
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
Don't forget to check the flow limitations of the shower valve itself. DanT
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
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
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.
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.