How to add a hand shower to a tub that does not have one ?

[coolyellowjacket]

Hi

We are moving into a new home that has a strange jacuzzi tub. It does not have a hand shower connection, water flows in the tub using another outlet attached directly to the tub. We like to have a hand shower as well. Any idea how that can be done ? The picture of tub is attached. Any helped is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Twowaxhack]

You need to have access to all the piping under the tub.

Then install a tub deck mounted transfer valve and hand shower holder. So you’d need to drill holes in the tub or the tub deck, whatever’s suitable.

Here’s an example. You buy the handle separately.

https://generalplumbingsupply.net/buy/product/Delta-RP33791LHP-Hand-Shower/515916
This gets mounted in one of the holes you drill. Hot and cold water is piped to here first after your on/off hot/cold valves. It comes with the kit I linked you to.



From this valve the water gets selected where to go either to the handshower or the spout.

 

[coolyellowjacket]

Thanks for quick response. The tub / jacuzzi is attached to the floor along with tiles all around it. Do we have to break the tiles to get access to the piping ? Seems like a lot of changes, would it worth doing it? Any other way to get a handle shower added ?

 

[Twowaxhack]

1. Do we have to break the tiles to get access to the piping ?

2. Seems like a lot of changes, would it worth doing it?

3. Any other way to get a handle shower added ?

1. I suppose you do if you say you do.
2. That’s for you to decide
3. No

 

[havasu]

Is that one of those walk-in sitz baths, that the elderly often use?

If so, call the manufacturer and see if they offer a shower handle option which could be installed for you.

 

[MicEd69]

Any other way to get a handle shower added ?

It would be simpler to add a hand shower by running new water lines up the wall to a separate valve above the tub. I don't know your layout, but you may even be able to add that valve from the other side of the wall without much disturbance to the bathroom wall.

 

[coolyellowjacket]

Do you all think adding a free standing shower handle next to the tub could be an option ?

 

[havasu]

Do you all think adding a free standing shower handle next to the tub could be an option ?

Connected to what?

 

[MicEd69]

Do you all think adding a free standing shower handle next to the tub could be an option ?

That is what I suggested. You would have to run new water lines up that wall which, depending on your layout, may be relatively easy.

 

[coolyellowjacket]

Connected to what?

I assume there will be pipes running to the tub on the floor. Once we find where that line is, we can remove the flooring tile and hopefully add the floor standing faucet / shower handle.

 

[MicEd69]

Do you have a basement or is your house on a slab?

Where is your bathroom sink located?

What is on the other side of the wall where the new shower valve will be located?

 

[coolyellowjacket]

Do you have a basement or is your house on a slab?

Where is your bathroom sink located?

What is on the other side of the wall where the new shower valve will be located?

Yes we have a basement. Bathroom sink is right opposite the tub.

 

[Twowaxhack]

You can add a complete faucet with hand shower anywhere you like if you can make access but you can’t add just a handshower to your existing faucet without access to the under the tub piping I’ve outlined.

If you add a complete faucet with handshower just be sure you can reach it from outside the tub unless you only want to use it while in the tub.

Deck mounted transfer valves are usually installed in reach from outside the tub.

Often in this situation we would cut the tile and then when the work under the tub was complete a custom cabinet front with access doors that open with hidden hinges would be installed.

This offers easy future access and inspection. You could do a lot of work to mount another faucet and handshower in the wall and in a couple months need access under that tub for something else, like a leak or valve replacement. Then you’re back to square one and would need to cut the tile. Just something to consider.

Good luck

 

[MicEd69]

Yes we have a basement. Bathroom sink is right opposite the tub.

You should have easy access to the water piping from the basement, and installing a valve in the wall above the tub and a handheld shower head should be relatively easy assuming the wall is not an outside wall. If it is an outside wall, that complicates things a bit, but still it could be done and easier than tearing up the bathroom floor.