A shower valve is a type of fitting that is used in the shower in the bathrooms to control the water flow and temperature when the shower is being used. There are different types of shower valves available in the market.
In this article, we will discuss the right height for the shower valve.
What Is The Standard Shower Valve Height?
Shower valves can be placed at any height as it does not interfere with your bath. But the average height of a shower valve that is commonly used is 30 to 48 inches from the ground. This is the height of a normal shower. The height of the tub shower valve may vary, a few inches higher than the tub.
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The placement of the shower valve is an essential part of constructing the shower properly. It directly controls the water flow and temperature of the water when you are taking shower.
So, the slightest difference in positioning won’t be able to provide you with a better output. When placing the shower valve, you need to start measuring the height of the shower valve along with the showerhead to get the best adjustments.
Generally, if you measure the shower valve height from the ground, it should be 30 to 48 inches higher from the ground. On the other hand, if the showerhead is 80” in height, the valve should be 45” from the ground.
Another ideal position to place the shower valve is if you don’t want to take the hassle of measuring the height, simply place the shower valve halfway between the floor and the showerhead.
Since there can be tub shower valve and shower faucet valve available, the standard height for these two is discussed below:
Tub shower valve:
The height of a tub shower valve depends on where it is comfortable for you to put in. Generally, tub shower valves require a lower height to place because it connects both the shower tap and showerhead.
So, the ideal height for placing a bath shower valve is about 28 inches above the ground. This will help to connect both the showerhead and bathtub tap to sync the water flow properly.
Shower faucet valve:
The general rule of placing a shower faucet valve is to place it 30 to 50 inches higher from the ground. Generally, it is recommended to place the faucet valve in the middle of the distance between the showerhead and the ground.
Placing the shower faucet valve in the right place by properly measuring the distance will help to maintain the flow of water.
How high to set the shower valve?
In most cases when setting the shower valve, the height is overlooked and placed without measuring. As a result, the water flow starts to deteriorate. That is why it is important to set the shower valve at a specific height.
Generally, it is recommended to set the shower valve at least 38 inches to 45 inches higher from the ground. It is also important to keep the showerhead type in consideration when placing the shower valve.
Some cities have proper codes for placing the shower valve to help you with it. If you are still confused about the height, you can ask the helper to hold the valve at the estimated height and check if the height for placing the shower valve is perfect or not.
This will give you an approximate idea of the proper positioning of a shower valve in the bathroom.
What is the shower valve height code?
Although there is an approximate measurement for placing the shower valve in the bathroom which is around 45 to 50 inches higher from the ground, you can still follow the code for setting up the shower valve in the right position.
Some cities have specific shower valve height codes to adjust the shower valve without any hassle. The code mentions that the shower valve should be placed at a height of 28 inches, this is the standard for valves in bathtub shower units.
For shower stalls, it is advised to install the valve at the standard height of 48 inches. In addition to that, you should install faucets at the same height as the valve, equidistant from the valve so that the water flow from the pipes can be controlled smoothly.
Setting up the shower valve at the wrong height may cause trouble to reach the faucet easily.
3 reasons why the shower valve needs to be at a certain height
The shower valve needs to maintain a certain height in the shower stall. This may be done to ensure that children are safe from injury or to keep water flowing normally.
It is important to take the measurements properly and adjust them according to that to avoid any type of hassle in the future.
Everyone needs to fit comfortably under the showerhead when taking shower, so the valve should be placed at a height that can easily be accessible to people.
There are some more reasons why a shower valve needs to be at a certain height and they are mentioned below:
Lower height may cause low water pressure:
Having the shower valve at a lower height can cause you many troubles. Low water pressure is one of them.
Since the shower valve controls the water flow and temperature of the water coming out of the shower, it needs to be at a certain height so that it doesn’t interfere with any water flow issue.
It needs to connect to the tub spout tap:
You just cannot place a shower valve randomly on top of a bathtub. Placing the shower valve in such a way won’t work properly because it needs to connect to the tub spout tap.
That is why it is important to adjust the shower valve at a height where the tub spout tap can get connected to it.
Can cause head bumps to children:
Placing the shower valve at a lower height sometimes can be harmful to the family members, playful children can get ahead while showering.
So, to avoid such a case you need to place the shower valve at least 4 feet higher from the ground.
How far should shower valve stick out from the wall?
Since the shower valve needs to be installed at a certain height, which is around 4 feet or 48 inches, there is a distance that ensures how far the shower valve should stick out from the wall.
The measurement here also needs to be accurate and precise so that it does not affect the water flow from the pipes.
The recommended distance for the shower valve to stick out from the wall is about a maximum of 2-3/16 inches or 66 millimeters and a minimum of 1-7/16 inches or 37 millimeters behind the finished wall surface.
It is recommended not to stick the shower valve too far from the wall. It will then create an obstacle and cause harm to the people using the shower or bathroom. It is better for the base of the shower valve to sit against the wall smoothly.
How to install a shower valve?
Installing a shower valve can be an easy job if you have the proper tools and expertise in it, setting them at the accurate depth and enough height is important.
As mentioned earlier, the shower valve for a shower stall needs to be installed at least 48 inches higher from the ground. In the case of a bathtub, you can install the shower valve 28 inches higher from the ground.
Connecting the shower valves to the riser pipes and sticking them tightly is important to avoid any accident. Follow these easy steps to know more about installing the shower valve:
Mark the spot:
Before installing the shower valve, you need to measure the height of the valve. Generally, it is recommended to install the shower valve 48 inches higher from the ground.
So, take a measurement tape and mark the spot where you reach 48 inches from the ground.
Install the valve:
After marking, there should be an uprising pipe coming up from the ground, cut the pipe and prepare to place the valve on it.
Simply, join the valve and twist it to tighten up. Make sure it sticks to the pipe tightly and there is no gap between them.
Weld the valve to the pipe:
Once you are done attaching the pipe with the valve, attach the other pipe connecting the showerhead and start to weld them. Welding them will eventually make them strong enough to hold the pipes together with the shower valve.
Final Thoughts
The standard height for installing a shower valve should be at least 45-48 inches higher from the ground. You can also calculate it by measuring halfway down from the showerhead. In the case of a bathtub, the height should be around 28 inches or 2 feet 4 inches.