Nowadays, a secondary shower enables a shower to be used by multiple people, multiple times.
Suppose thinking of such an advantage, you brought a secondary shower head.
Unfortunately, you don’t know how to add the secondary shower head.
Believe me, situations like this can make you feel pretty helpless.
How to add a second shower head?
First, create a new slot for adding the secondary shower with the current shower. Cut a line then from the main water supply. Connect the shower head with the secondary water supply path. Finally, attach the control valve of the secondary shower head to control the flow of the water.
This was just a summary. To perfectly connect the shower head, you will need deeper knowledge.
In this article, I have gathered all the necessary information to help you.
Off we go!
Techniques of Adding a Secondary Shower Head
Adding a secondary can be a bit tricky. After all, you have to alter your previous shower system. If anything goes sideways, things can get pretty messy.
That’s why, to ease up the process for you, I have described it in steps. You won’t have a fuss while following these steps.
Step-01: Gathering Apparatus
First things first. You have to gather all the necessary accessories. After all, you can’t start to work without equipment, can you?
And here is the list of the things-
- Pencil
- Drill machine
- Pipe elbow fitting
- Spanner wrench
- Soldering equipment
- Plumbers tape
- PVC glue
- Pipes of 1.5 inches in length
- 90-degree elbows
- Utility knife
- Pipes of length 7 inches
- Showerhead and connectors
You will find most of these items generally in your regular tool kit. Or even at your nearby plumbing store.
Without further ado, gather them up and we will be able to start our work!
Step-02: Shut Down the Water Flow
Before starting to work, you have to shut down the water supply to the shower.
Find and locate the valve that controls the flow of the water to the shower. Turn it off. This way no water will flow to the shower section of your house.
After this, turn on the shower head of your shower. Sometimes, a small amount of water stays stored at the showerheads.
Even though you have cut off the connection from the main water source, this water will stay.
For this reason, keep the taps on for a while. This will completely empty the showerheads and the pipes of the shower.
Step-03: Dismantle Time
Once you have turned off the water supply, it’s time to get rid of the current showerhead.
Get the spanner wrench and knock down the showerhead. Or, you won’t even need a wrench. If you know how to remove the showerhead without a wrench.
Once you have dismantled the showerhead, clean it. Check if it has any damage or not. Keep it on the working desk until the installation process is done.
Step-04: Mark the Area
Ok. The water supply is down. The primary showerhead has been taken out too. The next stop is now, to select the place.
Choose where you would like to have your secondary showerhead. There are actually many showerheads. And based on this different showerheads are also available.
See which position is good for you. To use the secondary showerhead. Use a pencil and mark that place.
Try to maintain a dimension for multiple persons showering. While marking the spot for the secondary showerhead. After all, you are installing a second showerhead for no reason!
Step-05: Create a Slot
In this step, you will basically hone a gap to put the new showerhead.
To do so, bring in the levels. Sketch two straight lines of around 12 inches on the wall.
The lines have to be parallel to the hole where the first showerhead was. Especially, the first line must be in a corollary with the upper portion of the hole.
Whereas, the second line is underneath the hole.
This is how you have to mark the spot. Afterward, create the crack where you want to put the showerhead. For this, you can use the drilling machine.
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Step-06: Make a Slot in the Water Line
You made the slot. Put the secondary showerhead. How will the showerhead get water?
You guessed right. You have to trim the water supply. So that water flows to the secondary showerhead. Just like you made a slot to put the showerhead in.
This slot in the water line must be at least 6 inches below the first showerhead. Put a mark accordingly and then pave a line from the shower control valve.
Step-07: Connect the Pipes
Up to now, you have made a slot at the water channel for the showerhead. It is time to connect the pipes at the slot.
First, take two 1 ½ inch pipes and a pipe elbow fitting. Place the pipe elbow fitting. After that, put the two pipes at both ends of the fittings.
Again, grab the 90-degree elbows. Connect them with the previously connected 1 ½ inch pipes. This way you can add up two more pipes of 7 inches.
Take another pair of 90-degree elbows. Attach them with the 7-inch pipes you used earlier. And by doing so, the pipe system for the showerhead will get ready.
Step-08: Bring in the Showerhead Adapters
Since the pipes are ready for connecting the showerheads, attach the connectors.
These showerhead connectors can be different based on the type of pipe you have.
You have to use PVC glue for PVC pipes. While for any regular copper pipe, you cannot use any adhesive.
For that, you need to permanently solder the showerhead adapters with the pipe.
Final Step: Connect the Showerhead
This is it! It’s the step we’ve been waiting for. It is time to connect the showerhead.
Add the showerhead with the previously added showerhead adapters. In this case, you can use the plumber’s tape. This will make sure that the showerhead is strongly held.
Plus, you can use bolts. This will keep the showerhead more strongly attached.
Ended this step? Then voila! Your secondary showerhead is set and ready to use.
Warning
Congratulations! You know the process of adding a secondary showerhead.
Still, for a perfect shower experience, you must keep an eye out for a few things.
These facts can give you a headstart while installing the secondary showerhead.
Use Low-Pressure Showerhead
When choosing showerheads, try to use the ones with low pressure. Showerheads that have a small amount of pressure, are very comfortable to use. The waterfalls smoothly and firmly.
After all, showerheads that have high stress make the water flow more roughly. And it can damage your body organs.
Use Wider Pipes
Use wider pipes for the installation of the showerheads. By doing so, the water will flow at low pressure through the showerheads.
Why?
Wider pipes have more area for flow. Because of this increased area, the water flows at a lower pressure.
Ultimately the water will flow more gently and you can enjoy a smooth shower.
Place the Showerhead Properly
When you are adding the secondary showerhead, add it in a proper manner.
Especially, try to add it in parallel with the first showerhead. This way more water will flow through the secondary showerhead. Than any other position.
Also, try to set it in a more angular way rather than straight. And you will see the water flowing like it’s raining!
Another thing. Try to maintain a proper shower arm angle. The wrong shower arm angle can also result in weak water flow.
There you go. Keep them in mind and nothing can stop you from having your nice, cozy shower!
FAQs
Will I get any advantages from using thermostatic shower valves?
Yes. The thermostatic shower valve ensures the perfect water flow.
Because of this, the water can flow evenly through both of the showerheads.
Structurally, thermostatic shower valves contain two distinct lids. This is why the water can separately flow through both showerheads. Equally as well!
Which one should I use between Two valve splitter and a three-valve splitter?
Depends on your usage. The two-valve splitter will help you to divert water between any two faucets. The water will flow at one faucet at a time. The 3-way valve will help you to make the water flow through multiple tabs simultaneously. You can also make the water flow through any of the faucets.
Do I have to check the water pressure for adding a double showerhead?
Yes. If the pressure of the water flow is not enough, less water will flow to the showerheads. In fact, there remains a probability that one showerhead may not get water at all. That is why, for a double showerhead, the pressure must be double the usual pressure of the water.
Closing Ceremony
Oops! Time’s up I guess. Hopefully, you got the idea of how to add a second showerhead.
Still, if you think you need more info, go to any plumbing prodigy. They surely can add you up with more precise advice.
I shall go then. Have a great day.
Oh, yes. Don’t forget to take a relaxing shower!