Connecting a bidet hand shower with a 3-way valve

A hand shower at the toilet is standard in many countries – in Germany the right connection is usually missing. With a 3-way diverter valve you split an existing 1/2" water connection between two showers, without any new pipework.

How the 3-way valve works

The Smarald® diverter valve has an inlet with a 1/2" female thread at the top, which screws onto the tap, and two outlets with 1/2" male threads – at the side and at the bottom. With the lever you direct the water to one outlet, the other, or to stop. Three rubber washers are included.

Does it fit my connection?

The valve needs a connection with a 1/2" male thread – like the one shower and bath taps have for the shower hose. Basin taps usually have a different thread at the spout (often M22 or M24) for the aerator; the valve will not fit there without further ado. If in doubt, send us a photo at kontakt@smarald.com – we will tell you what fits.

Fitting in five steps

Turn off the water and unscrew the existing shower hose from the tap.
Screw the valve onto the tap hand-tight with a washer.
Screw the existing shower hose to one outlet and the bidet shower hose to the other – each with a washer.
Place the bidet shower in its holder. The BD-001 set includes a suction-cup holder that holds on smooth surfaces and can also be screwed on if needed.
Set the lever to one outlet, turn on the water, check all joints, then test the other outlet.

Handy: the BD-001 bidet set contains the hand shower, 3-way valve, 1.5 m armoured hose and holder – everything you need for the connection.

The most common mistakes

Lever position not checked. If the lever is on stop or on the other outlet, nothing comes out of the shower you want. Check the lever first, then look further.
Washer forgotten. Each of the three threaded joints needs its own washer.
Line permanently under pressure. Turn the tap off after use – hoses and showers are not made for constant pressure.

In short: the 3-way valve goes onto a 1/2" shower connection, the two hoses onto the outlets, a washer everywhere, everything hand-tight. The lever selects which shower gets water.