Choosing a Shower for Your Wet Room

Before purchasing your  shower you need to consider a few factors that will ultimately determine which type and fitting of shower is suitable for you.

Do I need a concealed or exposed shower?

The exposed shower 
Exposed showers dispense hot and cold blended water from the pipe contained within the
shower’s slider rail which is fitted on the surface  of the wall.  The clever ‘exposed’ design
of the shower means there’s no need for installation to cause damage to your bathroom’s décor
or tiling.  Providing there’s easy access to space above the showering area (for instance, the loft),
exposed showers are extremely simple to install and fitting can be complete in as little as two
hours.  Exposed showers are the most popular choice of shower and can be the easiest for the plumber to install.

The concealed shower
A concealed shower’s hot and cold blended water pipe is concealed in the wall.  This makes for
a neat and compact shower, where only the shower’s control and showerhead are visible. 
It is an especially good choice for a smaller showering enclosure where space is at a
premium or if you prefer a fixed showerhead.  A concealed shower is also the best option
if you cannot access the space above the showering area.  Providing the showering area
is adjacent to an airing cupboard, concealed showers are very simple to install.  

Body jets for concealed Quartz Digital showers should be purchased at the same time as your
Quartz Digital, as they cannot be fitted afterwards.

Do I need a water pump?

Important: Water pumps should not be fitted to digital showers except the Grohe Ondus when they can be used on a gravity fed system only. All other digital showers on this site have integrated pumps for the gravity fed version showers. Pumps should not be fitted on combi boiler systems or high pressure systems.

1. What kind of water system you have.
This is important as booster pumps can only be added to gravity systems. You must NOT fit booster pumps to high pressure or combination boiler water systems. If you are unsure, about your water system you can ask your plumber.

2. Whether you have sufficient vertical distance from the bottom of the cistern to the top of the shower head.
This is because the greater the vertical distance (called "head of water") the better the shower’s flow rate and performance.  Typically this should be no less than one metre. However gravity systems can sometimes have a disappointing flow of water if there is not a good “head” of water.  Adding a pump can make an enormous difference to your showering experience and will allow you to add extras such as body jets. Water pumps should not be fitted to digital showers except the Grohe Ondus.   

Handy hints  
It’s essential that you choose the right pump.  Not just for you, your family and your new shower – but for the plumbing system too.   A pump will increase the volume of water you shower can deliver per minute and it’s important to check your water tank will have enough storage capacity to cope.  Vital during the morning rush hour when everyone wants a hot shower. Don’t overlook where all that extra water will go to either. 
You’ll need to ensure you shower tray’s waste is sufficiently capable of quickly and effectively draining water away.

What type of Water system do I have?

For all showers you need to identify what type of water system you have:
Combination boiler System
High Pressure System
Gravity Fed System

All the digital showers (except Grohe Ondus) offer two versions of shower, a pumped digital shower for gravity fed systems and a non pumped digital shower for high pressure and combi boiler installations. It is vital to choose the correct shower system for your water system.

The Grohe Ondus shower will work with all three types of water system, however, it ideally requires at least 2 bar water pressure and is thus suited to a pressurised system or a gravity system with a suitable pump to increase pressure. The Grohe Ondus can be used with a combi system if water pressure is sufficient. If in doubt please contact us for advice.

If you are unsure of your water system type please check with the below diagram: