Side shower piping question!

[silkman]

Hello forum,

I have been reading for some time although never posted yet. This forum is certainly a well informed one on plumbing matters (never turn off water supply without filling up the kettle 🙂 etc

Now I need your help. I am doing (actually I'm getting a plumber to do it) a grohe shower setup, with concealed fittings and side showers. My setup will be very similar to the first page of a grohe manual found here (sorry couldn't cut the picture alone):

http://www.grome.com/lib/1/tpi/1375383.pdf (just the very first page with the two showers)

As you see, there's the central unit which is a thermostat and a shut-off valve. The shut-off valve controls the 2 top "exits" from the central unit (off, shower or handshower). The central unit also has a bottom "exit" which is sort of "always on", ie provides thermostatically-controlled water but needs a separate stopcock (shown in the picture). This is for the side showers (I am installing 2 or 3 of these).

I am concerned about the pressure of this setup and what will happen when the side showers are on. On to questions.

1) As you see in the picture, the side showers are connected on a "loop" and not on a single line eg with a T connection. Any particular reason for this and should I ask my man to do it?

2) All fixtures of this setup connect with 1/2 inch connections. Should I assume that the pipes should also be 1/2 inch? Any reason to go for larger pipes (more water)?

Assume water pressure is ok, no pressure differences between hot and cold etc.

I am sure my plumber has never done this before that's why I need your advice. 🙂

Best regards,
George

 

[WHPES]

You should do everything stated in the installation instructions. It is specified for a reason.

Pressure wise - you need to make sure that your system is capable of delivering sufficient water and at the correct pressure.

Provided you have fulfilled all the criteria and installed according to the instructions you will be fine. Don't take short cuts.

Regarding question 2, check with the installation instructions, and if not stated ask Grohe technical dept.

If in doubt, ask.

 

[silkman]

Thanks WHPES for the reply. Unfortunately the instructions for all parts are about how to connect the pipe with the fixture, or how to assemble the fixture, take care to flush the pipes beforehand etc. What do you think about the "loop" in the side showers? I have never seen it and nothing on the instructions about that...

Oh and Im no plumber (you probably already guessed that)...

 

[WHPES]

If that's what it shows you then do it. It is probably to help balance each of the jets. Ask Grohe technical support if in doubt.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

it is in a loop so all outlets get the same amount of water

If you did it in a line then the last jet on the line would get a lot lower water than the first jet

 

[silkman]

Great! Thanks for the replies guys.