Cheapest way of getting a shower?

kr15snw

So were in the house!

Currently there's a very old over the bath shower (kind controlled by a lever at the taps) but the lever is seized!

We obviously need a shower ASAP (both hate baths, lol) and were unsure what's the cheapest method (it's going to be in for about 6 months so we don't care if it's a bit pants, lol).

Would it be cheaper to buy new taps with a shower attachment (think we'd need a plumber to install this) or to buy an electric shower and pay a plumber to come plumb it in?

Non surprisingly the en suite is now a higher priority! Lol

Canucklehead

kr15snw wrote: »

So were in the house!

Currently there's a very old over the bath shower (kind controlled by a lever at the taps) but the lever is seized!

We obviously need a shower ASAP (both hate baths, lol) and were unsure what's the cheapest method (it's going to be in for about 6 months so we don't care if it's a bit pants, lol).

Would it be cheaper to buy new taps with a shower attachment (think we'd need a plumber to install this) or to buy an electric shower and pay a plumber to come plumb it in?

Non surprisingly the en suite is now a higher priority! Lol

Good morning: how is your hot water supplied? See here.

HTH

Canucklehead

phill99

A new shower mixer tap like you have will be the cheapest option. An electric shower will require cabling from the consumer unit, which in itself may require alteration.

ormus

as above.
cheapest way is to repair the taps or replace them.
less than 50 quid from screwfix.

madmish00

Cheapest way would be replacing the taps. Can't see why you would need a plumber it's an easy job requiring basic tools.

As a female with only DIY experience I ripped out the full bathroom suite and fitted a new one without a plumber at my old house. In fact I only got a plumber in to fit a new towel rail to replace the radiator - and three weeks later had to rip up all the floorboards as he hadn't tightened the pipes up enough and it started dripping through into my lounge!

olias

Check ebay for a new mixer set, you regularly get people selling brand new quality ones for a fraction of what you'd pay in the shops.

I recently got one with an RRP of £199 and which sell for about £175 in the shops, and I paid £9.99 + a fiver p&p!

Olias

googler

If you have mains pressure water available at the bath (unlikely), then you can get an electric shower in, with the associated cost of an electrician to connect from there to the house's consumer unit - this will probably involve lifting floorboards, cutting into walls, etc depending on the layout of your house.

If you don't have mains cold at the bath, you'd need to budget for a plumber to add a cold feed to that area, again involving floorboard lifting and cutting into walls, possibly.

Cheapest option is to replace the existing bath mixer with something similar that isn't seized. Slightly more expensive may be the option of a thermo mixer shower valve fed from the same supply as the bath - but you need to check as per above poster's link. regarding supplies

mttylad

A hook into a joist above bath, a bucket with holes in, another bucket, a shower curtain on a rail.

Cant get much cheaper than that.

Otherwise fit a shower tap & bracket - dont forget the rail & curtain.

And a bath mat to stop slipping.

keystone

In order of increasing cost:

1. Use the bath - its only for 6 months according to you and if you are renting why rent somewhere without a shower if its that important anyway?

2. Buy one of these - fits straight onto bath filler taps (assuming your existing taps will take it):




3. Go to the local swimming bath more often.

Cheers

CaptainKidd

googler wrote: »

If you don't have mains cold at the bath, you'd need to budget for a plumber to add a cold feed to that area, again involving floorboard lifting and cutting into walls, possibly.

There is another 2 options of either buying a shower with a pump built in which are made for low water pressure houses or buy a normal shower and fit a pump either under the bath or somewhere that is convenient.

Both these options would require a spark and a plumber so is obviousley not the cheapest.

kr15snw

keystone wrote: »

In order of increasing cost:

1. Use the bath - its only for 6 months according to you and if you are renting why rent somewhere without a shower if its that important anyway?

2. Buy one of these - fits straight onto bath filler taps (assuming your existing taps will take it):




3. Go to the local swimming bath more often.

Cheers

We’re not renting, we’ve bought a renovation project.

The reason for wanting a shower instead of a bath is when your covered in plaster dust etc, a bath really really doesn’t get it off. Lol (I’ve learnt this from experience!)

Hubby is calling a plumber today to see if we can replace the taps. Current ones are about 50 years old and properly seized in so hubby can’t do it himself.