The basic components of a shower consist of a pan with drain, the valve and the showerhead.

The shower will have a prefabricated floor, or pan, made from a formed plastic or solid surface material. Alternately, the pan may be constructed out of ceramic tile. The pan has a threshold at the entrance and the floor, then slants to the drain.

Basic manual mixing valve options for the shower are similar to those for the lavatory; two-handle faucets and single-control faucets are available.

With electronic mixing valves, the valve acts as an electronic thermostatic valve because it maintains the temperature that has been programmed in by the user. When turned on, the unit always resets and delivers at an initial 98° F (36.6° C).

Depressing either the “up” or “down” button shifts the readout display to the “set point mode,” causing the numbers to change in the direction of warmer or cooler until released. Once that button is released, the readout reverts to the actual temperature mode so the water temperature begins to move toward the selected setting and stops when it gets there. There is a hot limit device built into the valve, as well as an integral pressure balancing mode.

Flow Rating

The flow rate of a showerhead is measured in gallons per minute (gpm). Currently, some states are in the process of limiting showerheads to 2.50 to 3 gpm (8 to 11 liters). Some manufacturers also offer flow restriction mechanisms that reduce the flow even lower to 1.7 gpm (6.4 liters). Most showerheads on the market fall within the first limit, and have a 2.50 (8 liters) gpm flow rating.

A special note about the lowest flow or 1.7 gpm showerheads: Although they do conserve water, the highly aerated water may not deliver an ideal shower. Because of the increased surface space of the aerated water drops, the water temperature will cool dramatically from the time it leaves the showerhead until it reaches the bather’s body. Because humans are sensitive to a temperature drop as little as 2° F, this type of showerhead may be undesirable.

Showerheads

There are numerous showerheads available today. Generally, there are five broad categories of showering options: personal hand-held shower, wall-mounted shower, overhead shower, body spray shower and body mist shower.