Thermostatic shower problem

mondello

I had a new bathroom done in August 2010 and I had a thermostatic shower installed. Last week I started having problems with it. The temp is either scolding hot or freezing cold. The shower is attached to the taps on the bath.

Just check my order form for the name and it's says it's an Alpha/Reef deck bath shower mixer. I've done a few searches but I can't seem to find any info, anyone have any ideas what the problem is or how I might fix it please?

keystone

Thermo cartridge - but at 18 months its a bit early for a failure. Can you be a bit more specific about make and model.

What is your DHW configuration - mains pressure via combi or unvented or more conventional via ye olde tanke in the roofe bit. Who was the supplier? Please don't say betterbathrooms.

Cheers

mondello

Thanks for the reply. Yes it was Better bathrooms.

Just looked at my invoice and delivery note but there's no make or model number and I don't have the box anymore. It's not on their website now either.

I have a gravity system and a normal gas boiler. The pressure was low so the plumber installed a pump.

keystone

Oh dear. Cheap Chinese unbranded tat then and zero chance of any form of support from the supplier. Best I can suggest is take the cartridge out and take it along to your local friendly independent plumbers merchant to see if you can get it identified and and an equivalent part sourced.

Two possibilities if it hasn't failed though:

What is the hot water temperature setting on your tankstat. If its above 60 degrees then the hot will be too hot and the cartridge will, in laymans terms, chuck a wobbly.

This can also happen if the supplies are piped the wrong way round but thats obviously not your problem if its been working for 18 months - unless you've have had some work done recently requiring it to be disconnected and the flexis have been put back on the wrong was round. I suggest flexis (which is a serious stab in the dark) because its mighty difficult to do it with proper copper.

Sorry - can't be any more help than that over the aether.

Cheers