Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page.
Having a hand held shower with a slide bar surely offers a lot of options when it comes to showering. And, we all know that installing such a thing isn’t a picnic in the field.
So, what exactly do you need? Where should you install it? What do you need to take into consideration?
Well, if you want to see how to install a hand held shower with a slide bar, then stick around since we are going to explain to you exactly how to do it.
But first, we need to say something more about the things you need to take into consideration. Let’s begin.
Hand Held Shower with Slide Bar – Things to Consider
First of all, there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself before you start the installation process.
- Is your bathroom convenient for such an installation?
The first thing, and possibly the most important, that you need to consider is your bathroom space. Now, some bathrooms have narrow shower cabins or bathtubs. So, installing a slide bar hand held shower there is definitely a wrong way to go.
On the other hand, if you have lots of space for this kind of installation, then we highly recommend it. Anyhow, the thing is that you need to make sure that the installation process will go smoothly and that you can benefit from the slide bar.
- Do you have a proper bathtub spout?
Second, most household bathrooms have a convenient bathtub spout that allows the shower head to be attached properly. However, you need to check this since it’s a waste of time installing something that won’t work.
Nevertheless, if you have a versatile bathtub spout with more than one ending then everything is fine. On the other hand, you will need to get a diverter and install it on the bathtub spout in order to make sure that your shower head will work accordingly.
- How high should you install the slide bar?
Now, this is a question that everyone that wants to install a slide bar inside their bathroom should pay attention to. Simply put, the highest level for the shower head to be on the slide bar should be above your head.
This means that the higher end of the slide bar should be above your head and the lower end should be approximately around your chest. However, some people like to have a little lower level and therefore they install it on the lower setting.
Tools Needed for the Installation
Like for every possible job that needs to be done, this one also requires a set of tools. So, make sure to get every item from this list:
- Drill
- Pencil
- Level tool
- Plumber’s tape
- Plastic Anchor Head screws tips
- Silicone bathroom caulk
- Gloves
- Goggles
As we can see, this job requires quite a number of tools. Anyhow, it’s not too late to call a professional to do it. In case you still want to continue, let’s go!
How to Install Hand Held Shower with Slide Bar
This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to install a slide bar in your bathroom stall and attach a hand held shower on it. So, let’s begin.
1. Find the Perfect Place for the Slide Bar
The first thing to do is to find the perfect spot for the slide bar. Now, you need to take into consideration the height of the tallest and the shortest member of the family. Then find the average size and that should be the middle of your slide bar when it comes to height.
On the other side, you need to make sure to find the perfect place when it comes to the length. Pick a wall first – that should be a corner wall right above the faucet. Now, measure the wall’s length and find the middle. That’s the place where you want your slide bar to be installed.
Once that is over, you can start the preparation process.
2. Mark the Places
Use a slide bar and press it against the wall where you want it to be installed. Now, use a pencil and draw around the edges of the slide bar that touches the wall. That’s the frame of the slide bar that will be installed in your shower stall.
Next, you will need to mark the places where you will drill the holes so the slide bar can be attached to the wall properly. So, use a pencil and mark all the places that are important for the installation.
Besides that, mark two holes that are symmetrical to the other on the wall. These holes are going to be the places where your slide bar will be attached. Also, use a level tool to make sure that everything is in its place.
3. Drill two Holes
Here comes the drilling part. Simply speaking, take the drill and use metal endings. This is quite important since you are most likely going to drill the bathroom tiles. The tiles are, luckily, easier to drill than concrete in the wall.
Anyhow, drill two holes in the place where you mark them previously. Make sure not to drill too deep since you are going to put anchors later in it.
4. Place Plastic Anchor Screws inside Holes
Now, place plastic anchor screws inside the holes you made with the drill since they are going to hold the whole slide bar now. Make sure not to drill too deep inside the wall since the anchors have a certain depth level they can go in.
This way, you will ensure that the anchors are positioned properly and that they will hold the slide bar in the best possible way.
5. Puncture the ends with Silicone Caulk
To strengthen the anchors inside the wall, you will need to fill the hole with silicone first and then put the anchors in it. Also, you can put anchors inside first and fill the rest of the holes with silicone after, but, that’s not recommended.
Anyhow, once you do that, use a bit more silicone on the endings and make sure that everything is in its place.
6. Tighten the mounting Screws
Once that is over, it’s time to place a slide bar on the holes and use screws to insert them into the anchors in the wall. Just make sure to put screws in the slide bar first. Then, aim with the screws that are pointing towards the holes. Once that is done, tighten the screws inside the anchor holes properly.
This will keep your slide bar in its place for a long time, and you don’t have to worry about it breaking or falling off.
Also, use a bit of silicone to cover the endings of the frame where the slide bar touches the wall. This way, you will make sure that the water stays out of the screws inside the wall and that means that there won’t be corrosion to damage the screws.
7. Install the Shower Head
After the shower slide bar is properly installed, it’s time to attach the shower head to the bathtub faucet and allow your shower to work. So, here’s how to do it.
- If there’s a shower head ending
In case your bathtub has a shower head ending, then simply screw one end of the shower head inside that ending and tighten it properly. The other end of the shower head should be attached to the slide bar.
- If there isn’t a shower head ending
Well, this scenario requires you to install a shower diverter. This means that you need to buy a shower diverter and install it. Once that is over, simply put screw the shower head into the diverter and everything will be just fine.
8. Check for Leaks
The last, but definitely not the least, thing to do here is to check for the leaks. Now, this part is usually correlated with the faucet and the shower head installation; the slide bar installation doesn’t have anything to do with it.
Anyhow, if you see water coming out of the application where you connected the diverter, then simply tighten it a bit more. If that doesn’t stop it, then your diverter is faulty or your whole faucet is not working properly.
All in all, these leaks should not be present and everything should work flawlessly. However, if you are not one hundred percent certain that everything is fine, then see this article on leaky showerheads.
Conclusion
All in all, the installation of the hand held shower with a slide bar is actually quite a demanding job. It requires you to put a lot of effort and time in it if you want it to be perfect. However, it’s always better to do something properly than to do it without care.
Anyhow, we surely hope that this little guide of ours helped you to install a slide bar inside your shower stall. Also, your shower head installation should be working as well. If all these sound too complicated, click the banner below for some assistance.
