Plumbing question

VaSteve · 01-13-2013, 11:22 AM

So the missus had me install a handheld shower in the master bath today. She wanted it mostly for the feature of being able to hose down the inside of the stall after washing the walls/doors, etc.

After installing this thing, I give it 10 days before it breaks, but I already don't like the look. She hasn't seen it yet. I could easily put the old one back on.

Here's the question. Next to the shower is a sink. Would it be possible to take one of the supplies off the sink, add a Y connector and attach a cheap hose to that? Then we could just turn the water on from under the sink and hose out the shower.

House is 8 years old, so no oddball plumbing parts. Rather than spend 4 hours at the Home Depot picking through all the plumbing supplies (it's terribly overwhelming), I thought I would ask here first.

Thoughts?

ossiblue · 01-13-2013, 11:40 AM

Take if from someone who's had lots of experience with home plumbing, keep things simple and avoid opening up existing connections whenever possible.

Yes, you could make some adaptions under the sink but, if I understand your idea correctly, you'd either have to remove the sink riser shut-off valve to install the T connection and another valve for the shower hose, or you'd install the T in the riser--between the shut off valve and the sink faucets. If you install a T between the supply line and the shut-off valve, that entails removing/installing old plumbing and though your house is only 4 years old, it's rarely a fun or trouble-free job. If you install a T in the riser, then you will need to decide on either hot or cold water to the hose and you'll still have to install a shut off valve in the new T'd line to shut off the shower hose. In addition, any way you choose to do it will require going under the sink to turn on/off the shower hose. Is that practical?

Personally, I'd stick with the hand held shower head for simplicity. If the one you have looks cheap, you may try another make/model.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

You could always use one of these on the supply under the sink

Turn off the water to the house and swapping that in would be a breeze. Then put an inline valve on it, buy a cheap hose and sprayer and there you go.

Of course, maybe the misses wants the shower install for the "massaging" feature

Bill

VaSteve · 01-13-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

You could always use one of these on the supply under the sink

Turn off the water to the house and swapping that in would be a breeze. Then put an inline valve on it, buy a cheap hose and sprayer and there you go.
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Bill

Yes, this is what I was talking about. I'd need something to fit one of the outputs of this (a valve as you say) and I assume there's some kinda hose that could fit on. Great, at least something like what I want to do exists!

look 171 · 01-13-2013, 01:49 PM

Man, don't use that angle stop. How often will you be washing down the shower stall? What would do if that thing leaks? Is not if, its when. How are you going to shut the hand held off? an additional shut off at the hand held?

VaSteve · 01-13-2013, 02:33 PM

OK, why would that thing leak anymore than the thing that's under there now?

Mark Henry · 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSteve

After installing this thing, I give it 10 days before it breaks, but I already don't like the look.

Are you sure you're using it right?
You don't snap the wand in and out of the holder, even though they look that way. You lift the wand up and off the holder.
Rookie mistake I made when I was young and dumb.

Baz · Baz's Garage

You could always employ the method I use......

Rot 911 · 01-13-2013, 03:01 PM

You are over thinking things. We have a cheap hand held shower hose we bought at Lowes. Use it to wash the dog and spray down the shower. I just unscrew the shower head, screw on hose. Use. Unscrew and replace shower head. Takes me all of a minute to install or remove.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I'm not sure I understand. Is it just the look of the thing that you don't like? If so, why not put a diverter valve on the shower, screw the shower head back on, and screw the hand held hose on the diverter when you want to wash down the shower? I put a diverter on mine, but I leave the hand held hose on it all the time for washing the dog and rinsing the inside of the shower.

Shower Head Diverter Valves | Neatitems

ossiblue · 01-13-2013, 03:31 PM

Dirverter valve is a good choice, IMO. If you still want to use the sink, you might try this: Amazon.com: Rinse Ace Indoor Outdoor Pet Sprayer: Pet Supplies

connects to the sink faucet at the sink, comes with an 8-foot hose and a shut off valve in the hose.

VaSteve · 01-13-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rot 911

You are over thinking things. We have a cheap hand held shower hose we bought at Lowes. Use it to wash the dog and spray down the shower. I just unscrew the shower head, screw on hose. Use. Unscrew and replace shower head. Takes me all of a minute to install or remove.

Ha ha, no kidding. Great idea. I like the diverter valve idea too. Now I have some ideas. This wasn't a problem until my 7 year old was fussing about using his shower. Swapped the head off mine into his shower and then got this sprayer thing. It was only $40, but I just get the feeling of cheap, once I opened it.

That and the whole geometry of the shower is all fouled up now.

look 171 · 01-13-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSteve

OK, why would that thing leak anymore than the thing that's under there now?

give it some time. with those things, you have to really an eye on it. they all seep a little, then a little more, and a little more. that's why when you look under old sinks, they are a mess due to water damage. Most people never notice until they remove everything under there and discover the damage. One more joint is going add to the problem.

look 171 · 01-13-2013, 05:04 PM

unscrew the main shower and take about 10 seconds to screw a hand held shower for her. When she's done, take a few seconds, screw the wall mount shower back on there. If you don't tighten up with a wrench (hand tight plus 1/4 to 1/2 turn is all it really needs), it is so easy to get it on and off.

mattokeol · 01-13-2013, 05:28 PM

I just unscrew the shower head, screw on hose. Use. Unscrew and replace shower head. Takes me all of a minute to install or remove.

look 171 · 01-13-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

You could always employ the method I use......

Ours look like that too, only I was afraid to look.

About 20 years ago when I started in this cabinet making / remodeling business, I worked for a director up in the Hollywood Hills. He was single, mid 40s. By the end of the project, after we cleaned up all the mess, I was there fine tuning all the cabinet doors and did some final clean ups. here comes the door bell and enters these two beautiful long legged girls in white skirts. I looked, of course I looked, but I tried to be discreet. Plus, they were fully clothed. About 1/2 hour later, I turned the corner into the livingroom, one of them had only a butt floss on wiping the coffee table, and the other naked cleaning something else. This bastard was just there watching TV. I was a little shocked and smiled as they looked at me and I looked at them. A week later when I went back for my final check so I had to ask about the cleaning crew. He hired them just like that. that was their job to clean naked. You can look, but you just can't touch. Everyday after that, I kicked myself and should have stood there and enjoy them more. What was a 23 year old to do in that situation?