I want to plumb a two person shower. How do I run the pipes so that I get equal pressure out of both shower heads when they are both turned on?
Thanks
Andy

I want to plumb a two person shower. How do I run the pipes so that I get equal pressure out of both shower heads when they are both turned on?
Thanks
Andy

Tee off from the shower raiser into two drop eared ells,(see image). Back the ells and simply connect the shower arms and heads in the usual way. Good luck, Tom

Andy...

Tom answered your question... now let me tell you what I would do if it was my house.

I would install 2 separate shower valves. Each person can control their own temperature and the volume of water delivered will be 2.5 gallons per shower head instead of splitting it down to 1.25 gallons per shower head via splitting the individual shower valve.

And Andy... if you're planning on sharing with girlfriend/wife... opt. for the double valve. You can thank me later... ;)

It's what I would do... :)

Good luck...

MARK

I would like to know how to run the piping for a two person shower so I can have two shower controls and have the same pressure out of each unit.
Thanks
Andy:

You will need one inch main lines and three quarter lines to the shower bodies.

A 3/4" main with 1/2" branches to the shower valves would be more realistic unless your house was piped with a 1 1/4" service with 1" house mains. In my area we pipe out new homes with a 1" service and 3/4" mains. Plenty of volume for both shower valves. Regards, Tom

Tom missed it in answer in #1. He did much better in post #6...

You are not saying what city you are located in, size of your water main and water pressure at the point of shower valve installation. If you are in So.California, chances are your water main is at least 1" since it is a norm for the last 25 years here. If you live in older, unimproved structure, than it will probably be 3/4" pipe.

If you plan on plumb it on 1/2" lines than I would suggest not to bother doing it at all since you most like likely won't be satisfied with the water flow and pressure . You won't be able to use both shower heads at the same time.

We install multi-showerhead showers on daily bases. Here is my advice: If you are building new bathroom with new shower than install 1" cold water supply, at least 3/4" hot water line and 2 separate valves. This is especially true if you plan on installing additional body sprays and / or rain shower.

Thanks Milo,
I misread the question and thought he was asking how to run two shower heads off from one valve. Milo, In your area are you running 1 1 /4" water services and 1" house mains? Ahhh! UPC! Got to love it! Regards, Tom

Thanks Milo,
I misread the question and thought he was asking how to run two shower heads off from one valve. Milo, In your area are you running 1 1 /4" water services and 1" house mains? Ahhh! UPC! Gotta luv it!! regards, Tom

Tom, in new residential construction in So.California water main lines are between 1" and 2" in size. When we do remodel that has 3/4" incoming water service, we will be required to upgrade.

A 2" water service for a single family residence? Wow! Talk about over kill. I cam see 1" but twice that? Here in Florida, (Standard Plumbing Code} we go 2" on commercial buildings and high raises but there isn't any single family residence that will require the volume a 2" water service will produce. Do you have a explanation for this or is this simply another added expense homeowner such as mandating a counter top air gap or not allowing wet vents?

Andy... some conflicting information here... but all work.

If you have a 3/4" copper main line then run a 3/4" copper cold and hot water pipe to shower area... branch off the 3/4" and run 1/2" to each shower valve. That is how we do it throughout new england area and never have an issue! See picture below.

Of course, if you really want to get some volume and you have a 1" copper main then I would run 1" up to shower area and branch off with 3/4" to each valve... HOWEVER, this would also require you to purchase 3/4" port shower valves, so only do this if planning to purchase the higher volume shower valves. These are only usually available at a local plumbing supply house. This will also require you to have an adequate hot water supply... ;)



Good luck...

MARK

You can run half inch to both shower faucets. Just make sure that each half inch line ties directly into a minimum three quarter inch line. Most shower valves will only receive half inch anyway,(unless the valve is a multiple head valve) and the restricted size in the valve is much smaller than that. It will work just fine this way, and at 2.5 gpm at each shower head, there is no need to oversize.
If you were trying to run two shower heads off one valve, then you would need a special valve and a three quarter supply. Also ,to get same pressure you would want to make a continuous loop on the shower head side, and stub off the same distance for each shower head.


Sorry mass, I must have been typing while you were. You had it answered first.
Great advice

A 2" water service for a single family residence? Wow! Talk about over kill. I cam see 1" but twice that? Here in Florida, (Standard Plumbing Code} we go 2" on commercial buildings and high raises but there isn't any single family residence that will require the volume a 2" water service will produce. Do you have a explaination for this or is this simply another added expense homeowner such as mandating a counter top air gap or not allowing wet vents?

In a house that is 5,000 to 6,000 sq. feet with 6.5 bathroom and 100' of water main line, fire sprinklers and irrigation system, sitting on 1/2 acre - you will have to install at least 1 1/2" water main - but most likely 2". This situation is nothing unusual in my area of operation...

But most importantly - and regardless of size of the house: We usually extend the cold water main line of the same size across the whole house branching off it for each bathroom. This way you cut down on noise generated by friction - and of course, you eliminate any complaint regarding "...low water pressure ..."

Let me give you good example: In my own house, I have 1 1/2" all the way to my master shower and all the way to each 3/4" shower valve. My shower is 10' x 6' in size and consists of 4 valves, operating 3 shower heads + ceiling mounted rain shower panel. In addition, there are 4 sets of body sprays + 2 hand-held's operated by diverters and commercial steam unit. All serviced by two 3" drains. None of my shower heads is low-flow. When I turn on everything inside my shower - believe me - I have to hold on so I don't get blown away. My wife never complained of "... low pressure.. " And as you know, wives are the ultimate "customers". :) That's why 1 1/2" and larger plumbing...


Andystmichael: My wife would strongly disagree with your comment under post #13! :D:D:D

I guess Bigger is better.

Andystmichael: My wife would strongly disagree with your comment under post #13 !! :D:D:D


Hi Milo,

As you are a good advisor and trouble shooter, you have a good sense of hummer too, good luck and continue the good job, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Thank you Milo,
For your explanation . Land near and on the Gulf, in my area, is at a premium so we don't have homes that have 6 1/2 baths or are 4 or 5 thousand feet on the slab. Instead of building out we build up. Then we supply with 1 1/2 or 2 inch And 1" mains. Your explanation is both easy to understand and accurate. Than ks again, Tom