How to Install a Rain Shower Head With Handheld

On this page (8 sections)

1. What should you check before you buy a rain and handheld kit?
2. How do you remove the old shower head and arm?
3. How do you fit the rain shower head to the arm?
4. How do you mount the slide bar and holder?
5. How do you connect the hose and the water outlet?
6. How do you seal the threaded joints and test for leaks?
7. What should you do after the first test run?
8. Which kit fits your shower?

Here's how to install a rain shower head with handheld: take off the old head, fit the new arm and rain head, mount the slide bar, hook up the hose, and run both sprays to check for leaks. Most kits connect to the existing 1/2-inch shower arm with hand-tightened threads, so no plumber is needed.

Plan the job around the arm first. A wide rain head needs a secure arm and enough clearance to the ceiling, and the slide bar needs flat wall space beside the shower.

What should you check before you buy a rain and handheld kit?

Check the arm length, the wall space for the slide bar, and whether the kit runs both sprays at once. A kit that only switches between them suits a single showerer; a dual-flow kit suits couples and family bathrooms.

Measure from the shower arm to the ceiling and to the nearest wall. A 10-inch square head like the Veken needs a few inches of clearance on each side so the spray isn't blocked.

For head size options, see what size rain shower head should I get.

Look at the wall beside the shower for a slide bar. Adhesive mounts are quicker, but a kit with a metal bar and screws holds better over years.

Check the kit's included parts before buying, so you don't make a second trip for a longer arm or a hose.

The biggest choice is the head type. A separate rain head plus handheld gives you two fixtures; a 2-in-1 head combines them in one unit.

Our roundup of the best rain shower head with handheld covers both styles.

How do you remove the old shower head and arm?

Unscrew the old head by hand first, then use a cloth-wrapped wrench only if it's stuck. A strap wrench or rag protects the finish from scratches.

Turn the water off at the shower valve before you start. Hold the arm steady while you turn the head, so you don't twist the pipe in the wall.

Catch any water that drains out with a bucket or towel.

If the old arm needs to come out, turn it counterclockwise and support it as it releases. Clean the threads in the wall fitting with a cloth.

Wrap 3 to 4 turns of plumber's tape clockwise on the new arm's threads before you screw it in.

Hand-tighten the arm, then give it a light quarter turn with a wrench. Don't overtighten, because that can crack the fitting in the wall.

How do you fit the rain shower head to the arm?

Thread the rain head onto the arm and hand-tighten it, then snug it with a wrench. Add tape to the arm threads first if the kit didn't come pre-taped.

Support the head's weight as you turn it so the arm doesn't bend. A wide 10-inch head puts more strain on the joint than a small fixed head, so make sure the arm is tight and straight.

Some rain heads sit on a ball joint that lets you tilt the angle. Set the tilt before the final tightening, so the spray falls where you stand rather than against the back wall.

If the head's face has rubber nozzles, wipe them once before the first use. Mineral deposits from the factory or storage can block a few holes and make the spray look uneven on day one.

How do you mount the slide bar and holder?

Mark the bracket holes with a level, drill them, and screw the brackets in place. A 13-inch bar gives the holder room to slide up and down for different users.

Hold the bar against the wall where the tallest user's shoulder height falls near the top. Check for studs with a stud finder; if there are none, use the wall anchors the kit supplies.

In tile, start the drill slowly to avoid chips.

Screw the top bracket first, then hang the bar and mark the bottom holes so the bar sits vertical. Tighten both brackets so the holder doesn't slide down under its own weight.

For a bar that adjusts for seated use or children, our guide to the best handheld shower head with slide bar compares the options.

How do you connect the hose and the water outlet?

Screw one end of the hose to the shower outlet or diverter and the other to the handheld. Hand-tighten both ends and check the washers sit flat inside each nut.

The Veken kit includes a 60-inch stainless steel hose. That length reaches from the wall outlet to the holder and gives a seated user room to move.

Coil it loosely so it doesn't kink at the fittings.

If your kit has a diverter at the shower arm, fit it between the arm and the rain head. The diverter controls whether water goes to the overhead head, the handheld, or both.

Tighten it in the same way as the other joints.

Check the hose's cone washer at each end. A missing washer is the most common cause of a drip at the handset.

How do you seal the threaded joints and test for leaks?

Wrap tape clockwise on every threaded joint, tighten by hand, then run the shower and watch each connection. A leak shows within seconds as a drip or a spray at the nut.

Wrap 3 to 4 turns of plumber's tape over the threads, not over the nut. Clockwise matters: the tape should tighten as you screw the fitting on, not unwind.

Snug with a wrench but stop before the metal deforms.

Turn the water on slowly and watch the arm, the diverter, and both hose ends. Dry each joint with a towel and check again after a minute.

A drip at the arm means more tape; a drip at the hose means the washer is missing or crooked.

Test both sprays. Run the rain head alone, then the handheld alone, then both together if the kit allows it.

Check that the slide bar holder stays put when the handheld sits in it.

Which kit suits an existing shower?

The Veken kit covers the full job in one box. It has an all-metal build in matte black, a 10-inch square rain head, a handheld sprayer, a 15-inch extension arm, and a 13-inch slide bar.

Its power jet helps rinse soap scum and reach corners around the tub. The 2.5 GPM flow rate is the standard US rate, and the overhead and handheld sprays run together for a shared shower.

The kit includes plumber's tape, spare washers, and a wrench. That covers the tape and washer steps above, so you only need a drill for the slide bar.

Which kit skips the slide bar?

The Delta In2ition is a 2-in-1 head, so the handheld docks in the center of the shower head and there's no bar to mount. It has 6 spray settings, including ProClean and a pause, and the detachable hand shower works alone or docked.

Delta says the ProClean spray cleans tile faster than standard sprays. It runs at 1.75 GPM and is backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

Skip it if you want a separate rain head and a full-size slide bar; choose it if you'd rather keep the wall free of extra holes.

When do you need a new valve behind the wall?

The Delta R10000-UNBX matters when the job grows past a head swap. It's a universal valve body that fits most Delta single-function, dual-function, and thermostatic trim kits.

Its 1/2-inch inlets accept copper, iron pipe, PEX, or CPVC adapters. That lets you change the trim later without opening the wall again.

This is a plumbing job behind the wall, so hire a plumber unless you're comfortable with it. For a head-only install like this guide, keep your existing valve and skip this part.

The valve body alone doesn't include the cartridge; your trim kit brings it.

What should you do after the first test run?

Dry every joint and check again after a full shower. Water finds a loose fitting slowly, so a joint that looks dry right after the test can still weep under a hot shower.

Run hot water for a minute. Heat expands the metal fittings and can open a joint that held cold.

Wipe the rain head's nozzles if the spray looks uneven. If the flow seems weak, remove the head's flow restrictor only where local rules allow it.

Many US states require the 2.5 GPM limit, so check before you change it.

Clean the new head's face every few weeks to keep the spray even. Rubber nozzles wipe clean with a finger; small holes in a metal face need a soft brush.

For the value question, read is a rain shower head worth it before you plan a bigger upgrade.

Which kit fits your shower?

For most existing showers, the Veken kit is the simplest fit: one box with the arm, head, bar, hose, and tools, so the steps above run in order without extra parts. Pick the Delta In2ition if you'd rather avoid mounting a slide bar and want the hand shower docked in the head.

Consider the Delta valve only if you're opening the wall for a bigger change.

Before you start, measure the wall beside the shower for the bar and the ceiling clearance for the head. Then set aside an afternoon, keep the water valve shut until every joint is taped, and test both sprays before the first real shower.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a plumber to install a rain shower head with handheld?

No, not for most kits that connect to an existing shower arm. The work is hand-tightening standard 1/2-inch fittings, mounting a slide bar, and running a hose.

Call a plumber only if the wall needs new holes in tile you can't afford to crack or the plumbing behind the wall is being changed.

What tools do I need to install a rain shower head with handheld?

You'll need an adjustable wrench, plumber's tape, a drill and bits for the slide bar brackets, a level, and a pencil. Most complete kits include the wrench, tape, spare washers, and screws.

Add a screwdriver and a towel, and have a bucket handy in case water drains out.

Can I install a rain shower head on an existing shower arm?

Yes, if the arm's threads match the new head's 1/2-inch connection, which is the standard in the US. A rain head is heavy and wide, so the arm needs to hold its weight.

Many kits include a longer extension arm and a slide bar, so you replace the old arm as part of the job.

How do I stop a new rain shower head from leaking?

Wrap 3 to 4 turns of plumber's tape clockwise around each threaded connection, hand-tighten, then snug with a wrench without over-torquing. Leaks usually come from too little tape, a missing or pinched washer, or a hose not screwed fully onto its outlet.

Test and rewrap as needed.

How high should I mount the slide bar for a handheld shower head?

Mount it so the handheld's spray reaches the tallest user's shoulder when the holder sits near the top of the bar. A 13-inch bar gives room to slide the holder up or down.

Mark the holes with a level first, then drill so the bar stays vertical.

Can I run the rain head and handheld at the same time?

Yes, on kits designed for it. The Veken kit runs the overhead and handheld sprays together for a shared shower.

A 2-in-1 head like the Delta In2ition also sends water from both heads at once.

Check the diverter or spray settings before you buy.