Showerheads, Rain Heads, Handhelds and Body Sprays

The showerhead is the part of the shower you feel every day, and it is also one of the most regulated. Washington sets a lower flow limit than federal law, and that limit shapes what a multi-head or body-spray shower can do. This page explains the types of outlets, what the flow rules mean in practice and how to plan supports and plumbing so the shower works the way you expect. The valve that feeds them is covered in shower valves and controls.

The outlet types compared

The flow rules in Washington

Three sets of numbers apply, and the strictest one is Washington's.

• Federal limit: 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 psi for showerheads made after January 1, 1994 (10 CFR 430.32).
• WaterSense label: no more than 2.0 gpm, tested at 20, 45 and 80 psi (EPA WaterSense Specification for Showerheads, Version 1.1).
• Washington plumbing code: showerheads "shall meet the maximum flow rate of 1.8 gallons (6.81 L) per minute measured at 80 psi" and must also be certified to the WaterSense criteria (WAC 51-56-0400, UPC 408.2).

So in a Washington remodel, look for a head rated 1.8 gpm or less that carries the WaterSense label. Separately, Washington's appliance efficiency law limits which showerheads may be sold in the state. Water and energy savings from efficient fixtures are covered on rebates and water savings.

Why a low-flow head can still feel good

WaterSense is not only a flow cap. Certified heads must still deliver at least 60 percent of their rated flow at 20 psi and 75 percent at 45 and 80 psi, so they keep working at low pressure. They must meet a minimum spray force: 2.0 ounces at 20 psi for showerheads and handhelds, and 1.4 ounces for rain showers. And the spray cannot be too narrow: the spec limits how much of the water can land in the center rings of the test pattern. In practice, spray pattern and nozzle design decide how a 1.8 gpm head feels.

Multiple outlets and body sprays

This is where Washington's rule matters most. Under UPC 408.2.1 as amended by WAC 51-56-0400, when several shower outlets are served by one valve, their combined flow may not exceed 1.8 gpm at 80 psi, unless the valve lets only one outlet run at a time.

That has three practical results:

• A head plus a handheld works well on a diverter that sends water to one or the other.
• Running two outlets together splits the 1.8 gpm between them, so each delivers less.
• A bank of body sprays running with a head shares the same total, so each spray is gentle. Some homeowners find that disappointing after seeing a showroom display. Talk it through with your designer before committing to the piping.

Rain heads: placement and support

A rain head drops water straight down over a wide area. Where you put it matters more than with a wall head.

• Place it over where you stand, not over the entry. The plumbing code expects the head arranged so it does not discharge at the entrance and the bather can adjust the valve before stepping into the spray (UPC 408.9).
• Support it. The supply riser to the head must be securely attached to the structure (UPC 408.10). A ceiling-mounted head needs solid blocking in the ceiling framing, installed before drywall. A long wall arm needs a solid connection inside the wall so it does not sag.
• Waterproof the ceiling around it, and think about where a pipe in the ceiling runs in relation to cold attic space.
• Pair it with a handheld. A rain head alone makes it hard to rinse without wetting your hair and hard to clean the shower.

Handhelds on a slide bar

A handheld is the most useful outlet in most bathrooms. It rinses the shower walls after cleaning, washes a child or a dog, and lets someone shower seated. On a slide bar, every member of the household can set it at the right height. Mount the bar where it can be reached from any bench or seat, and add blocking behind it.

For accessible showers, designers use the ADA Standards as a reference: section 608.6 calls for a hand shower hose at least 59 inches long. Some slide bars are rated to double as grab bars and some are not. A standard slide bar is not a grab bar; see grab bars and safety hardware.

Finishes and hard water

Showerhead finish should match the valve trim and the glass hardware. Polished finishes show water spots most; matte and brushed finishes hide them better. More on that in bathroom fixture finishes.

What to check before you buy

• Rated flow of 1.8 gpm or less, and the WaterSense label.
• How many outlets you want and whether the valve will run them one at a time or together.
• For a rain head: ceiling height, head size relative to the shower and where blocking goes.
• For a handheld: hose length, slide bar length and whether the holder locks at any height.
• Arm length and height for a wall head, so the tallest person stands comfortably under it.
• Finish matched to the valve trim, made by the same maker if you want an exact match.
• Nozzles that can be cleaned easily.

JDI Construction plans the outlets with the valve, so the rough-in plumbing, blocking and tile layout all line up. To plan your own shower, start on our Vancouver shower remodeling page.