How to Install a Spa Shower and Replace a Shower Arm

RON HAZELTON:
This is our guest bathroom.  And you know what I was thinking?  It would be rally nice to do something special for our friends when they came to visit.

Now I came across this product which converts an ordinary shower head into a hydro massage spa type shower head.  They say it only takes a few minutes to put this in.  I’m going to try it out. 

First I need to remove the existing shower head.  It just unscrews from the shower arm. 

To remove the arm itself, I insert the handle of my multi-groove pliers into the end and give it a twist.  By the way, this is a great way to tighten the shower arm too without damaging the finish. 

This plastic pipe nipple will replace the shower arm I just took out.  Two or three wraps of Teflon tape will make sure the thread’s tightened properly to prevent leaking.
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With the nipple properly snugged up, I cut off a few inches of the plastic pipe as directed by the instructions.  This is a combination shower head and diverter.  It screws directly onto the shortened plastic nipple leaving it completely.

Well that’s all it takes to install the shower head and diverter.  Now I’m going to start on the vertical spa unit.  My next step is to draw a plumb line downward from the center of the shower head.  I place the vertical spa on top of the line and mark the locations for a top and bottom mounting screw.

A hammer drill with a carbide tip masonry bit makes short work of the drilling.  Into the top hole, I insert a plastic anchor and tap it into place. 
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The bottom hole must be drilled through the face of the tile.  A couple of taps on a center punch makes a small dimple in the tile face that will prevent the bit from skating.  And make sure the hole ends up exactly where I want it. 
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Into this hole also goes a plastic anchor. 

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Next I attach the vertical spa with screws.  Top and bottom. 

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Slip on the end caps. 

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And attach the water supply hose to the outlet on the shower head.

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Well counting the time it took me to read the directions and I did read them in this case, I put this up in a little bit less than an hour.  And I have to say, this is a nice luxurious addition to this bathroom.  There are five heads right there. And this whole unit moves up or down, it can adjust to anybody’s height.  I’d say the only thing left to do right now is to turn it on and see how it works.