A shower head extension is a relatively affordable way to make your showers that one step better. For those of you who are taller, it allows you to raise the height of your shower head and position it in the middle of the shower without changing any plumbing. This means that you’ll no longer need to contort yourself to fit underneath a shower head fixed directly to the wall.
You’ll be able to have the water coming down onto you at a more natural 45-degree angle, making it easier to maneuver your body to ensure full coverage by the water. Here we’ll tell you how to install a shower head extension and review a selection of the best options for one.
How to Install a Shower Head Extension
Note: These instructions are for a shower head extension that adjusts at either end – not all of the extensions listed below have this option.
What you’ll need:
- A damp sponge or cloth
- A towel
- Pipe thread sealant tape; e.g., Teflon tape
- 2 rubber washers (these should come with the extension)
- A wrench
Step 1. Remove the existing shower head
The first step is to remove the existing shower head. It will probably just unscrew fairly easily.
Step 2. Clean the shower head arm
Next, use a damp sponge or cloth to clean the threads of the shower head arm and then dry it with a towel. Doing this will help you to get a nice clean seal when attaching your shower head extension.
Step 3. Apply pipe thread sealant tape
Apply your pipe thread sealant tape to the end of the shower head arm. This will ensure that your shower head extension sticks on firmly.
Step 4. Position the nut for attachment
At the end of the extension that you’re going to attach to the wall, loosen the wingnut slightly and then pull out the nut to unlock the gears. Swivel the nut around to face outwards so that you can attach it to the pipe on the wall, then push the back nut in again to lock the gears and retighten the wingnut for now.
Step 5. Attach the shower head extension
Place a rubber washer inside the nut and then screw the shower head extension onto the shower pipe using a wrench to really tighten up the attachment.
Step 6. Attach the shower head
Loosen up the wingnut at the other end of the shower head extension and straighten up the piece that you’ll be attaching the shower head to. Apply pipe thread sealant tape to this end and then place the rubber washer inside the shower head before attaching it to the pipe, again using a wrench to ensure that that the shower head is fixed tightly to the shower head extension.
Step 7. Position the shower head
Loosen both wingnuts and then move the shower head extension to adjust the height and angle of your shower head to your desired position.
And that’s it!
You’re ready to take more relaxing, comfortable showers.
Which Shower Head Extension Should I Buy?
Although this shower head extension is only 10 inches long, its construction allows you to increase the reach of your shower head by up to 18 inches. This makes it ideal for even the tallest of showerers. Consisting of a brass base coated in chrome, this attractive-looking extension comes with a limited lifetime warranty – it’s designed to last you for the long term. It’s also nice and easy to install, so you won’t need to hire a plumber to help you.
This is the best option for if you want to have a rain shower; it’s designed to provide maximum water flow while horizontally extended. It’s also made from durable materials that are resistant to moisture, rust, corrosion, and grit, meaning that you could use it inside or outside. Like the Delta Faucet UA902, it ‘s easy to install. One thing to note is that, unlike the Delta Faucet UA902, it swivels up and down but not left or right. This means that it’s a little less flexible in terms of how you can position your shower head.
This is one of the shower head extensions that doesn’t adjust at either end so, unlike the Delta and Aqua Elegante options, it cannot be used to adjust the height of your shower head (it will actually lower your shower head by 3 inches). However, at 16-inches long, it will allow you to get and nice far away from the wall; ideal if you want a truly spacious shower. Also designed to work with rainfall shower heads, it comes in a variety of finishes – brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze.
With 18 inches of reach, the Vida Alegria REACH 18” is another great option for those wanting a really spacious shower. The solid brass construction enables water to move through it at 80 PSI (or 7 gallons per minute), enough for even the highest volume rainfall shower heads. Also, its simple, ergonomic clamp for changing the height means that you can easily adjust it for each member of the family.
This non-adjustable shower head extension comes in a matte black finish, making it a stylish choice for those with a darker bathroom color scheme. It’s distinctive S-shape, with rounded bends instead of curves, also makes a strong style statement. One thing to note is that you won’t be able to attach this extension to your existing shower arm; it needs a specially drilled, square-shaped hole in order to be installed.
Conclusion
Here we’ve explained how to install a shower head extension as well as going over some of the best options for one. We hope this has helped you find the right extension for you!
