Fitting a shower - eek! UPDATE

Lilith1980

Hi all,

I am useless at D.I.Y., have no idea about plumbing etc.

I am separating from my husband and have been looking at houses to rent. Went to see one this morning, needs a lick of paint but seems OK. The only thing is the bathroom - I prefer showers to baths and there is no shower.

I wondered about asking the landlord if he'd split the cost of having one fitted. I wouldn't want anything fancy something like this:-

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0096911/Trail/searchtext%3ESHOWER+MIXER.htm

Feeling very nervous though as would I be better getting a plumber to fit this? Too frightened to attempt it myself! And would I have to pay through the nose for a plumber?

Only hypothetical at this stage as I have other houses to view but wanted to get people's thoughts please.

Thanks

bryanb

Remember there needs to be a hot and cold supply behind the fitting. A plumber or competent diy person is essential.
Get a few quotes from plumbers before you contact the LL so you have some figures to offer him.

Colour_Republic

The shower you have posted is a concealed valve type which would require chasing into the wall and re-tiling, so could prove to be an expensive option seeing as it's a rental property.

The better option would be to get a bath shower mixer fitted which is a direct replacement for the bath taps, the cost of which would be £100-£150 for the taps and maybe around £60 for fitting.

And don't forget you'll need a shower screen (similar prices again) or a shower curtain which is much cheaper

Canucklehead

Colour_Republic wrote: »

The shower you have posted is a concealed valve type which would require chasing into the wall and re-tiling, so could prove to be an expensive option seeing as it's a rental property.

The better option would be to get a bath shower mixer fitted which is a direct replacement for the bath taps, the cost of which would be £100-£150 for the taps and maybe around £60 for fitting.

And don't forget you'll need a shower screen (similar prices again) or a shower curtain which is much cheaper

I was about to post the same advice with this.

You will also need a balanced hot and cold supply (hot and cold from the same source) most of theses type of showers will only work properly with mains water pressure (usually combi) Stored water from a tank in the loft will not work.



GSR.

Eric1

Canucklehead wrote: »

You will also need a balanced hot and cold supply (hot and cold from the same source) most of theses type of showers will only work properly with mains water pressure (usually combi) Stored water from a tank in the loft will not work.

Aw, pity. Is it still possible if a pump is added between the loft tank and the mixer?

Canucklehead

Hi

It is, but you would need to run a separate hot and cold to the pump and then to to bath mixer. If you don't then the whole house will be pumped.That's not a good thing in the middle of the night when the loo is flushed.:cool:
Follow pump manufacturers instructions as to piping up.


GSR.

Lilith1980

Oh my goodness, so glad I came on here for advice

Thank you all for your replies.

OK so the mixer via the taps seems the way to go. I don't want to rip up tiles etc as it's only a rented property as opposed to my own.

I have seen those shower curtains where the rail fits to the walls via pressure. We had one at the flat we rented before the one we're in now and that proved adequate.

So do I need to see if there is a combi boiler in the property? If the tank is in the loft will the pressure be too low for a shower? I think a combi boiler is a little out of my price range so the pump would be the best option I guess. Again, I am assuming a plumber would know to run a separate hot and cold to the pump rather than the whole house? I am cynical lol

Suddenly having a shower seems unappealing lol

Colour_Republic

It may well work with a gravity fed system (tank in loft or sometimes in a cupboard) but it all depends on head height - the higher the tank the greater the pressure - So as Canuckelhead says it may not be enough.

All taps will have a minimum pressure required so chose carefully when buying, look at any spec sheets

you can work out the pressure by measuring the distance between the tank and the height of the shower head

Lilith1980

Right thanks, I know I'm going to sound daft but just want to check....the higher the tank, the lower the pressure and greater need for a pump (cos it will take more to push the water down towards the shower)?

Colour_Republic

no the other way around, the higher the tank from the outlet the higher the pressure

say you had a tank in the loft in a 2 storey house, the pressure on the ground floor taps would be greater than the pressure on the first floor taps

ormus

you need to check out what CH/DHW system is used in the house first.
you cannot make any shower valve decision until you know that fact.

what about an electric shower?