3/4" NPT shower head? (2024)

Just bought a house built in 2006 and the overhead rain shower head is not really working very well so I thought I would replace. The rest of the shower trim is all Moen, but the shower head is Opella with no model number anywhere, just says max 2.5 GPM. Where can I find a similar 3/4" NPT rain shower head to replace this or what would I search for? I have done many searches online and it is really hard to find even showerheads that mention the inlet size, since I guess standard is 1/2" NPT. Even in many spec sheets they often don't show the inlet size. Any ideas? I don't really want to start re-plumbing everything and I think an adapter would look goofy. Thanks!

Microfiche said:

I think an adapter would look goofy.

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You could use a chrome plated brass adapter, e.g. the following with a 1/2" close nipple:

https://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Brass-Fitting-Reducing-Coupling/dp/B0046A885O/

Presumably the current drop pipe is a 3/4" nipple, and there's a 3/4" drop ear elbow secured above the ceiling. In which case you could remove the 3/4" nipple and screw in a 3/4" x 1/2" bushing. Then you'd just need a new 1/2" drop pipe and escutcheon:

https://www.amazon.com/Brass-Fitting-Bushing-Class-Female/dp/B003OYJFJ6/

Cheers, Wayne

wwhitney said:

See Also

The Ultimate Shower Head Size Guide - M2BShower Head Thread Size - Are all Threads the Same Size? - The Home GuidanceDoes Connection Size Matter When Shopping for a Shower Head?Shower Head Thread Size by USA, UK & International Standards -

You could use a chrome plated brass adapter, e.g. the following with a 1/2" close nipple:

https://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Brass-Fitting-Reducing-Coupling/dp/B0046A885O/

Presumably the current drop pipe is a 3/4" nipple, and there's a 3/4" drop ear elbow secured above the ceiling. In which case you could remove the 3/4" nipple and screw in a 3/4" x 1/2" bushing. Then you'd just need a new 1/2" drop pipe and escutcheon:

https://www.amazon.com/Brass-Fitting-Bushing-Class-Female/dp/B003OYJFJ6/

Cheers, Wayne

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Thanks Wayne,

I think this is the drop kit that is installed - would this be simply screwed into the drop ear elbow above? I have only unscrewed the shower head that is attached to this. It looks like the escutcheon is part of this drop kit.
Are 3/4" inlet showerheads as rare as they appear to be? Assume as the water conservation efforts have increased over the last 15 years, that a 3/4" inlet would be simply overkill?

Microfiche said:

the overhead rain shower head is not really working very well

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What are the symptoms? Perhaps it can be repaired.

Do you have hard water? A soak in the right stuff might remove hardness deposits without attacking the metal.

Can you separate the shower head from the down-pipe and see if water flows freely from the open pipe?

Reach4 said:

What are the symptoms? Perhaps it can be repaired.

Can you separate the shower head from the down-pipe?

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Yes, I have pulled the shower head off before.
The shower pattern is all over the place and sort of spotty, not a nice vertical pattern.
I tried tried soaking in CLR overnight - no change.
I don't know if parts are even available for it any more? I can find zero information on the head itself.

Microfiche said:

I tried tried soaking in CLR overnight - no change.

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Try a week. Agitate occasionally. Try elevating the temperature a bit.

I don't know if CLR is as effective as it used to be.

Try leaving the flow washer out.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/giantshowerheads.html has some 3/4 IPS thread inputs, which can connect to 3/4 NPT nipples.

https://www.moen.com/collections?_start=0&_size=20&collectionName=Isabel

However cleaning the old showerhead would be more economical.

Vinegar could be used. Two gallon bottles under $5 at Sams. CLR is probably stronger.

Phosphoric is stronger. I think old time CLR was based on that.

Microfiche said:

I think this is the drop kit that is installed - would this be simply screwed into the drop ear elbow above?

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Now I'm not that sure, it doesn't look like a nipple.

Have you considered this, or searching for other versions of it? It says 1/2" and 3/4" inlets (which presumably means 3/4" inlet, but it comes with a bushing for a 1/2" drop kit/shower arm.)

https://www.appliancesconnection.com/opella-205006280.html

Cheers, Wayne

wwhitney said:

Now I'm not that sure, it doesn't look like a nipple.

Have you considered this, or searching for other versions of it? It says 1/2" and 3/4" inlets (which presumably means 3/4" inlet, but it comes with a bushing for a 1/2" drop kit/shower arm.)

https://www.appliancesconnection.com/opella-205006280.html

Cheers, Wayne

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Thanks Wayne - will try soaking this head for a while first in CLR and see if that helps. If not, that sounds like a good option!

Reach4 said:

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/giantshowerheads.html has some 3/4 IPS thread inputs, which can connect to 3/4 NPT nipples.

https://www.moen.com/collections?_start=0&_size=20&collectionName=Isabel

However cleaning the old showerhead would be more economical.

Vinegar could be used. Two gallon bottles under $5 at Sams. CLR is probably stronger.

Phosphoric is stronger. I think old time CLR was based on that.

Click to expand...

Yeah - just checked and they have changed the CLR formulation to lactic and gluconic acids. Likely why it doesn't work so well now.

I also have some "cleaning" vinegar which is 10% acetic acid (vs normal 5%), so will try that as well.

Appreciate all your input! Failing that, I will check out the unit that @wwhitney found.

If you've got a heating pad, you might try setting the bowl with the head on that. Check to make sure it doesn't overheat and damage anything, though. Heat will speed up the reaction. There could be deposits inside the head, so periodically, pick it up out of the acid, shake it (where the spray won't damage anything, maybe outside), and reinsert it. When people delime their tankless system, they use a pump to circulate the acid through the thing rather than just trying to soak it (well, there are physical reasons why that's required), but moving the acid through the thing should speed up the process.

If you do get it working well again, consider doing a soak maybe annually to minimize the buildup, and making the process faster.

Personally, I prefer a shower head that accelerates the stream, but to each his own.