Are you looking for that hotel rain shower experience from the comfort of your home? A rainfall shower head is one of the fastest ways to upgrade the look and feel of your shower. On our blog, you can read more about how to upgrade your master bath with a rain shower head and get help choosing between a ceiling-mount or wall-mount rain shower.
Today, we’re walking through exactly how to install the rain shower head you choose. But first, let’s debunk a misconception. You do not need a fancy shower to use a rain shower head. You do not need to open a wall, move plumbing or hire anyone. If you have a standard shower arm coming out of your wall, you can have a rain shower in about ten minutes.
In the video above and the article below, HammerHead® founder Justin Ball will walk you through how to replace an old shower head with an 8-inch solid metal rain shower head.
Key Takeaways
- On an existing wall arm, this is a ten-minute job with a wrench and thread seal tape. No plumber needed.
- Clean the old tape off the threads before you start. Most leaks trace back to this step.
- Wrap the tape clockwise, four to five times, so it tightens rather than unravels as you thread the head on.
- Hand-tighten, then one extra turn with a wrench. Solid metal does not need force.
- Upgrade the shower arm while you are in there. It sets the height and the angle, and it is at eye level.
What You Need
There is no specialist tooling here. Most people already have all of this:
- A rain shower head. Ours ship with the rubber washer and thread seal tape included.
- Thread seal tape, also called plumber’s tape. The white plumbing kind, about $2 a roll.
- An adjustable wrench or pliers, for the final quarter turn.
- A cloth, microfiber or terry, to protect the finish and clean the threads.
- A step stool, only if you are working on a ceiling mount.
Pro tip: if you are installing one of our solid metal heads, resist the urge to crank on it. Metal-to-metal connections seal with tape and a snug fit, not brute force.
How To Install A Rainfall Shower Head
- Remove the old shower head. Depending on how long it has been up there, you may be able to remove it by hand. If not, use an adjustable wrench to unthread it, rotating counterclockwise. If you plan to keep the old head, wrap a cloth around the fitting first so the wrench does not mark the finish.
- Clean the shower arm. Remove any debris and old thread seal tape, then inspect the threads to make sure they are not corroded. They should be in good condition. If they are damaged, you will need to replace the shower arm. A microfiber cloth works well here, since it lifts grit and old tape residue rather than pushing it around.
This is also your opportunity to upgrade the arm itself, which matters more on a rain head than on any other shower head. The arm sets the height and the angle, and it is sitting at eye level next to your new fixture. Here are our recommendations:
- 7-Inch Shower Arm and Flange. The straight replacement, in a matching finish, with a set screw so it stays where you put it.
- Adjustable Shower Arm. Raises the height and changes the angle without touching the plumbing. This is the one to buy if your existing arm sits too low, which is the most common complaint we hear about wall-mounted rain showers.
- 16-Inch Overhead Shower Arm. A J-style arm that extends up and out from your existing wall outlet, so the head hangs above you instead of in front of you. This gets you most of the ceiling-mount effect with none of the ceiling work.
- Ceiling Mount Shower Arm and Flange. For showers that already have a drop coming out of the ceiling. Available in 6-inch and 12-inch lengths.
- Apply new thread seal tape. Thread seal tape gives you a leak-free seal. Apply it clockwise, matching the direction you will turn the shower head, so the tape does not unravel as you thread it on. Begin at the bottom and work upward around the threads, four to five rotations. Tear the tape away and smooth it down with your hand.
- Hand-tighten the shower head onto the shower arm. The shower head we are using has a pre-installed rubber washer for an extra watertight seal. Make sure it is seated properly in the threads before you install.
- Use an adjustable wrench to tighten it down a little further. Use a cloth to protect the finish while you tighten. An extra turn is all you need. Do not force it, and do not over-tighten.
Run Water Through It And Test For Leaks
Turn the shower on and look at the connection.
If it is leaking, uninstall the shower head, check that the rubber washer is seated correctly, reapply thread seal tape and install it again. Nine times out of ten that is the whole fix.
If it still leaks after that, the problem is usually one of two things: an old shower arm that needs replacing, or damaged threads on the arm or the shower head. Neither is a difficult repair, and a new arm is an inexpensive part.
Still stuck? Email us at contact@theshowerheadstore.com and we will help you sort it out.
A Note On Size And Flow Rate
Two things worth knowing before you order, because they are the most common reasons people end up disappointed with a rain shower.
Size it to your shower, not to the showroom. An 8-inch head is the right call for a standard alcove shower. It gives you real overhead coverage while keeping enough velocity to rinse properly, and it does not spray the curtain and the floor outside the enclosure. A 12-inch head is a genuinely better experience, but it wants a large walk-in and a proper overhead or ceiling mount. We break the whole decision down in our guide to rain shower heads.
Check your flow rate. The federal maximum is 2.5 GPM, and more than a dozen states cap it lower, between 1.8 and 2.0. Our 8-inch rain head comes in both a 2.5 GPM and a 1.75 GPM California-compliant version. The 12-inch is 2.5 GPM only. More on the rules in how shower head flow rates and WaterSense impact your shower.
And if you are still deciding between a ceiling mount and a wall mount, we compared them, arm by arm, in best rain shower: ceiling mount vs wall mount.
The Rain Shower Heads We Recommend
8-Inch Rain Shower Head
The head from this install, and the one we recommend to most people. Solid metal, six finishes, available at 2.5 GPM and 1.75 GPM. It works on a standard wall arm, an overhead arm or a ceiling mount.
Shop Now12-Inch Rain Shower Head
For large walk-in showers with the floor area to carry it. Solid metal, five finishes, 2.5 GPM. Best paired with a ceiling-mount arm or the 16-inch overhead arm so it hangs level and sprays straight down.
Shop NowRain Shower Head Installation FAQs
Do I need a plumber to install a rain shower head?
Not if you are replacing a shower head on an existing wall arm. That is a ten-minute job with a wrench and some thread seal tape. You only need a plumber if you are adding a ceiling drop where there is not one already, because that means rerouting water lines and sealing connections overhead.
Can I put a rain shower head on a regular shower arm?
Yes. Nearly every shower head and shower arm in the U.S. uses the same half-inch threading, so a rain head threads onto a standard arm the same way your old head did. If the arm sits low, an adjustable or overhead arm will raise it.
How high should a rain shower head be?
For an overhead or ceiling mount, 80 to 90 inches from the shower floor, or roughly six inches above the tallest person using it. On a standard wall arm you are working with the height you have, which is why an adjustable arm is worth the small extra cost.
Why is my new rain shower head leaking?
Almost always the thread seal tape or the rubber washer. Take the head off, confirm the washer is seated in the threads, rewrap the arm clockwise four to five times, and reinstall. If it still leaks, the arm threads are probably damaged and the arm needs replacing.
Should I use thread seal tape on a rain shower head?
Yes, every time. It costs about $2 and it is the difference between a sealed connection and a slow drip behind the fixture. Wrap it clockwise so it tightens rather than unravels as you thread the head on.
Can I install a 12-inch rain shower head on a wall arm?
You can, but we would not. A 12-inch head hangs best directly overhead, and on a standard wall arm it ends up angled, which starves the nozzles farthest from the supply. If you want a 12-inch head without opening the ceiling, use a 16-inch overhead arm.
Ready To Install Yours?
Thank you for checking us out at HammerHead® Showers. We hope you enjoy your new solid metal rain shower head.
Explore our full range of rain shower heads and shower arms and accessories, all solid metal, all backed by our warranty. If you want the step-by-step for other shower head types, we cover them all in how to install a shower head.
Solid metal rain shower heads and arms, in matching finishes, ready to install in ten minutes.
Rain Shower Heads Shower Arms & Accessories