Home Improvement Today?

Well I spent $700 today for kerdi ditra heat floor membrane, heat cable, and programmable thermostat. Then $300 for all the kerdi membrane for the shower area.


Anyone have any advice for installing 2 shower heads? I want a normal shower head with hose for washing the dog/etc. but I also want a rain shower head in the middle of the ceiling.
My initial thought was I'll just install 2 mixing valves. One for the tub faucet and one shower head, and another for just the rain shower head. I can use one or the other, or both. Can also have different temperature water on each one incase my gf wants a hotter shower. At Home Depot, the faucet, shower head, and mixing valve are $150. So for the 2 (they don't sell the mixing valve by itself) it's $300 plus rain shower head and plumbing supplies.

I went to a plumbing supply store today to see what they would do, and they want me to spend $1,200 for the equipment. they suggested a thermostatic mixing valve and then 3 control valves. One for faucet, one for shower, one for rain shower. Then I still need to buy the shower heads, faucet, and plumb all of it.

I know their moen stuff is much better quality than Home Depot stuff, but that's just way beyond my budget. I'm going to look around online and see if I can find the same stuff in a home improvement store price or something.

Anyone know anywhere to look or have any experience?


I guess I should add that I'll have access panels for everything in the walls (closet in bathroom and closet in bedroom) and then the attic is open above it, so if there is ever a problem it will be easy to get to.

 

Can't you just run one mixing valve and a diverter ? Assuming you only want to use one at a time ?

 

2 shower valves. All your basic brands are pretty much the same now no matter where you get them. If I did that , and have before in other houses, its easier. Some may argue but thats normal. And if ya wanted to ya could get integral stops on shower valves.
Just my .02

 

I want to be able to use both at the same time. My gf and I shower together some times so it would be nice to both have water.

Thanks. What do you mean by ^

 

Have you ever used a rain shower head? If not find away to try one. I fing hate them.
There are a lot of ways and systems to set this up. If you add a diverter add a nice one and some body sprays as well .

 

And find a plumbing supply house not home depot prices will be better and better sales staff that understand the product.

 

I haven't used one. I figure it's gotta be similar to standing outside during a heavy rain, except smaller drops and warm water? Lol. Why don't you like them? I also don't think i would use it all the time, just something to keep me warm while my gf is using the normal shower head or vise versa.

 

If you want to service installed valves and not turn off entire house you can get valves with integral stops. Cutoffs. Makes it handy for the future. Little wider and cost a little more but handy.
Just my .o2

 

I don't like water in my eyes face constantly. The pressure they end with will not wash soap off or shampoo out quickly. Take your sink sprayer and squeeze it halfway then just spray it in your face its just annoying. I've always seen them as a fad and only knew one person who liked them but their shower had more sprays and shower heads than a carwash.

 

I have this one by Delta. Rubber nozzles are cleaned bu rubbing them with fingernail. It blasts but I also took restrictor out.

 

Yrs ago did similar in a open shower only valve was inside at entrance so you can still access it in shower area.

 

Pics or no more help for you

I hate rain heads too. My sister just had them put in, and I really don't want dispersed, low-pressure water when I take a shower. I would strongly advise trying someone else's before committing. At least the are easy to swap out, but why waste the $$ through trial and error.

Actually, maybe they could serve a purpose for your circumstance...but still that's a lot of water to waste for bow-chicka-bow.

 

*Mediterranean

Hey, it's a long trip to the well.

Honestly, there are still retards here who wash their sidewalks with drinking water if they can get away with it.

 

Aldo what size hot water heater are you running two heads will empty one quickly.

 

Ok you guys are making me re think the rain shower idea.

I only have a 40 gallon electric water heater at the moment, but will be replacing it with a 50 gallon direct vent natural gas one eventually.

 

Average shower flow rate is over 2gpm. 20 mins and you've run through 40 gallons.

 

Correct I simplified it. There is a a lot to account for but going short of a thermodynamics degree 20 mins give or take is pretty close to time for a 40 gallon.

 

Josh why not an on demand water heater? I'm going to get one when I remodel my laundry room. Biggest reason is space saving.

 

If you run your shower on full hot

 

Properly sized they are great. It will not save you money. As you will use more hot water.