Shower control height

BarneyMc

My plumber has tracked out the walls to fit the (thermostatic bar) shower copper pipes as part of the first fix. I measured the height the shower controls will be from the finished floor and it's about 39 inches. This seems a bit low or is it the norm?

rampantbunny

BarneyMc wrote: »

My plumber has tracked out the walls to fit the (thermostatic bar) shower copper pipes as part of the first fix. I measured the height the shower controls will be from the finished floor and it's about 39 inches. This seems a bit low or is it the norm?

Set up your finished floor level Barney (stand on a timber or block etc). Stand in front of the unit and raise your hand to it to see if comfortable for you.

Now, forget what you just did and ask the other half to repeat. Install the valve to suit her...continue with happy life.

Caveat - not sure if there's a reg for this sort of thing in non-accessible bathrooms. If there isn't, I'm sure it'll be along shortly.

BarneyMc

rampantbunny wrote: »

Set up your finished floor level Barney (stand on a timber or block etc). Stand in front of the unit and raise your hand to it to see if comfortable for you.

Now, forget what you just did and ask the other half to repeat. Install the valve to suit her...continue with happy life.

Caveat - not sure if there's a reg for this sort of thing in non-accessible bathrooms. If there isn't, I'm sure it'll be along shortly.

Thanks pal but I hope to install a few rain shower heads and they come with fixed length vertical bars like this.

If my controls are set too low then it will mean the rain shower head will be too low also.

I think I'll get the plumber to track up the wall another bit to raise the control levels - a pain but might be the best thing to do to avoid possible problems later.

It's never straight forward, is it?

893bet

I love the hidden ones! Hoping to install one.

ht9zni1gs28crp

BarneyMc wrote: »

If my controls are set too low then it will mean the rain shower head will be too low also.

You can get adjustable height ones. We went for this given the height difference between Mr and Mrs in our house.

BarneyMc

miller_63 wrote: »

You can get adjustable height ones. We went for this given the height difference between Mr and Mrs in our house.

OK, so you can adjust the height of the rain shower head post installation? Would you mind PMing me the shower name and/or where you bought? Thanks!

BarneyMc

893bet wrote: »

I love the hidden ones! Hoping to install one.

Yes, nice but if there was a leak?

rampantbunny

BarneyMc wrote: »

Thanks pal but I hope to install a few rain shower heads and they come with fixed length vertical bars like this.

If my controls are set too low then it will mean the rain shower head will be too low also.

I think I'll get the plumber to track up the wall another bit to raise the control levels - a pain but might be the best thing to do to avoid possible problems later.

It's never straight forward, is it?

There's a decision to be made around every corner alright.

You'd only realistically be talking about a few inches up/down with the valve. If this really did lower the shower to a height that you considered too low, then the vertical piece is probably too short to begin with. This piece would have to be long enough as standard to allow relocation up or down.

My friend (a plumber) has reservations about putting plumbing in walls. He just recently finished chasing out existing plumbing from a neighbors house as the pipes for shower had a leak or just clogged up. Not sure of the exact problem but accessibility was the lesson he had for me.
So, I'm installing a shallow stud wall for the vertical pipe and a shallow bulk-head over the shower for the concealed rain-shower component (accessible from attic above). If it comes to ripping the wall in future it will only some tiles and plasterboard.

893bet

BarneyMc wrote: »

Yes, nice but if there was a leak?

Then you get it fixed and claim on the house insurance if the place get wrecked!

No point worrying about stuff like that now!!

sydthebeat

BarneyMc wrote: »

My plumber has tracked out the walls to fit the (thermostatic bar) shower copper pipes as part of the first fix. I measured the height the shower controls will be from the finished floor and it's about 39 inches. This seems a bit low or is it the norm?

good practise for universal access is to install controls between 900 and 1200
above tray level

yours is 990 above

rampantbunny

893bet wrote: »

Then you get it fixed and claim on the house insurance if the place get wrecked!

No point worrying about stuff like that now!!

I dropped off a dehumidifier to a friend last night. 'Something' sprung a leak 'somewhere' according to his wife. The place is a mess...complete hallway flooring torn out and insulation removed. They'll be claiming on insurance.

Nothing they could do about it, but surely, a bit of thinking about your bathroom plumbing should be done now.

On the positive side, the old dehumidifier I had bought for my own build seems to be working just fine

BarneyMc

sydthebeat wrote: »

good practise for universal access is to install controls between 900 and 1200
above tray level

yours is 990 above

Thanks, should be ok then.

BarneyMc

Came across this guide which suggest approximately waist height (36") for the valve controls which is again spot on.

Sligoronan

I always make the home owners choose and give me a tile at first fix plumbing and so the shower control are on the centre of a tile or grout joint. Also with the in wall showers I always have them close to the door of shower so you don't get your hand wet when turning on the shower. Maybe a bit over the top but always find home owners really appreciate it when it all comes together.

BarneyMc

Sligoronan wrote: »

I always make the home owners choose and give me a tile at first fix plumbing and so the shower control are on the centre of a tile or grout joint. Also with the in wall showers I always have them close to the door of shower so you don't get your hand wet when turning on the shower. Maybe a bit over the top but always find home owners really appreciate it when it all comes together.

Very organised!