Heres what you should know before choosing a rain-style showerhead for your home.
Theres a lot to love about rain showersmost notably, theyoffer a relaxing shower experiencewith a gentle rain-inspired flow.
They also look fantastic, instantly elevating the style of even the most basic bathrooms.
Credit:Ann VanderWiel Wilde
Ann VanderWiel Wilde
1 .
Your existing plumbing might not work.
Plumbing Updates
Some of the most significant considerations for a rain shower involve plumbing.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Those fixtures require a different pop in of rough-in than your standard wall-mounted showerhead, says Stephenson.
Water Pressure
You need plumbing that provides adequate water pressure.
Temperature Regulation
Plumbing that adequately regulates the water is imperative for comfort and safety.
Credit: Helen Norman
A thermostatic valve protects the shower from the impacts of a flushing toilet or dishwasher cycle.
The last thing you want is to be standing under the showerhead, and the water abruptly changes temperatures.
This could also be very dangerous, says Stephenson.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Your water heater might struggle to keep up.
A rain shower with a high flow ratea high gallon per minute or GPMcould tax yourwater heater.
Upgrades to plumbing to account for a rainfall showerhead can also take a toll.
Credit: Gordon Beall
“confirm that your home’s water heater can handle this additional load.
Installing anadditional water heatercloser to the shower can help.
They cost more and offer less versatility.
Credit: David Tsay
Rain showers typically cost more than standard wall-mount and hand-held showerheadssometimes hundreds more.
This is in part because they’re much larger than most traditional showerheads.
They also have fewer parameters.
Credit:Stacey Brandford
Do you like a showerhead that offers multiple sprays, from light mists to pulsating bursts or pounding jets?
Most rainfall showerheads have only one function.
Its hard to avoid getting wet.
That way users have options to choose whatshower experienceis best for them.
Washing long hair is a challenge.
Shorter or seated users also struggle with it.
Your shower stall can be too short or tall to pair with a rain shower.
Stephenson also points out that ceiling-mounted rain showers can be harder to clean, too.
If you already avoidcleaning a showerhead, having it just out of reach won’t help.
However, cleaningisimperative for functionality, especially when low water pressure is an issue.
Stacey Brandford
7.
Drips and leaks are common complaints.
For the ultimate in luxury, adouble showercan’t be beat.
