How To Install A Rain Shower Head: In The Ceiling & Wall-Mount

Michael Lamew

Hi, my name is Michael Lamew. I’m the owner of Showersly, and main editor. I’ve been working in the bathroom re-modeling industry for over 10 years, and I can’t wait to share my findings with you. I spend the majority of my time doing research, and writing content, so I hope you learn something new on my site.

What You’ll Need To Install A Rain Shower Head

• Plumbers’ tape
• 2 Towels
• Adjustable wrench, or pliers
• Allen wrench
• Tile caulk
• Ruler

What To Do BEFORE You Install

Consider hiring a licensed, professional plumber

For best results, its highly recommended that you hire a licensed professional plumber, to install your rain shower head.

This is especially true, when regarding ceiling rain shower heads, as their installation, in most cases, proves more difficult, when compared to wall-mount models.

Read your owner’s manual

Make sure you read your owner’s manual carefully, making sure you have all the parts you need, before you start the installation process.

Remember, each rain shower head’s installation instructions will be slightly different, model to model, so its key to follow your unit’s exact instructions.

Check your shower valve

Most rain shower heads require a compatible shower valve, to ensure proper use. For example, a rain shower head may need: “an automatic compensating valve,” rated at 2 GPM, or less, from a specific manufacturer.

Furthermore, to prevent scalding injury, make sure your shower mixing valve has a maximum output temperature, that doesn’t exceed 120 degrees F (for USA), or 112 degrees F (for MA). For more details on this, check out this article, from PHCPPROS.

This should go without saying, but just for good measure, remember to only shower at temperatures that are safe, and that you are comfortable with, to prevent potential injuries.

How To Install A Ceiling-Mounted Rain Shower Head

1. Lay down an old towel to cover your shower’s drain (to prevent any parts/screws from falling down the drain)
2. Unscrew / remove your old shower head, using your wrench, wrapped in your towel (to protect the finish)
3. Install a properly anchored NPT ½ drop-eared ell
   • Must have 2 ¾” (max) of space between finished wall, and ell
4. Temporarily install your rain shower head’s “mounting nipple”
5. Once your “mounting nipple” is all the way screwed into your ell, using your ruler, mark points at ⅝” & 1” (both measured from the wall, going down)
6. Once marked, remove your “mounting nipple” from the el
7. Using your saw, carefully cut your “mounting nipple” at the 1” mark
8. Wrap the base of your “mounting nipple” (part that will screw into your el) with plumbers tape
9. Screw in your “mounting nipple” wrapped in plumbers tape, into your el, tightening with an allen wrench (usually, some models are screwed in by hand)
10. CAUTION IMPORTANT STEP: Using your waterproof tile caulk, seal your ceiling around the screwed in “mounting nipple”
    • Failure to caulk properly, can result in potential water damage
11. Now that your “mounting nipple” is screwed in properly, and sealed with your tile caulk, wrap the exposed threads with plumbers tape
12. Then, get your base of your rain shower head (usually looks like a circle, or square washer), and slide it on your “mounting nipple,” so it sits flush with your ceiling
13. Once you’ve slid on your base, screw in your shower arm to your “mounting nipple” (usually using an allen wrench, some models can be screwed in by hand)
    • Optional Step: Some rain shower head models have shower arms that can be “stacked,” or in other words, connected in series. So, if you have a rain shower model that supports “stacked” shower arms, now is the time to install them
14. Finally, now that your shower arm(s) are properly screwed in, you can screw in your rain shower head, and you’re done

How To Install A Wall-Mounted Rain Shower Head

1. Lay down an old towel to cover your shower’s drain (to prevent any parts/screws from falling down the drain)
2. Remove your old shower head, using your wrench, wrapped in your towel (to protect the finish)
3. Install a NPT ½ male nipple, or “mounting nipple,” that extends ⅝” from your finished wall
4. Slide on the base of your shower arm (comes with your shower arm kit), that will eventually sit flush with your wall
5. Wrap your exposed “mounting nipple” with plumbers’ tape
6. CAUTION IMPORTANT STEP: Using your waterproof tile caulk, carefully seal your wall around the screwed in “mounting nipple”
   • Failure to caulk properly, can result in potential water damage
7. Screw in your shower arm, with base attached, to your exposed “mounting nipple” that’s wrapped in plumbers tape, and sealed tightly with your caulk
8. Once your shower arm is properly screwed in, slide your base until it sits flush with your finished wall
9. Lastly, screw in your wall-mounted rain shower head, into your properly mounted shower arm, and you’re done

Conclusion

Congrats!

You’ve successfully completed your research for installing rain shower heads, both in the ceiling, and in the wall.

For another reminder, please remember to follow your rain shower head manufacturer’s instructions exactly, to ensure proper installation. Hiring a licensed professional plumber is highly recommended.

Now that you have a good idea on how to install a rain shower head, if you need some great options, check out our essential guide on the 11 top-rated rain shower heads of the year.

Also, if you’re looking for more ways to transform your bathroom, into the bathroom of your dreams, click here, for our most popular reviews, and guides.

Thanks for reading, and happy showering!

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