replacing thermostatic shower

illusionek

Hello

I have been having problems with my shower as it goes cold-hot-cold. Based on my research it looks like an issue with cartridges. Since it is an old shower and I dont know the brand/model, I am thinking about replacing it. I attached photo of my current shower below and I intend to replace it with this one:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mira-atom-ev-exposed-riser-rail-thermostatic-bar-mixer-shower-chrome/14887

I am not any good at DIY but I came across below tutorial and it looks like replacing shower is as easy as replacing a light bulb. I just need to switch off water supply, remove old valve, attach new bar, switch the water back on.

I am just wondering if it is really so simple?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo2d1Tfp018

Matisse_Grojan

Hi, just come across this and its interesting because I had thought it would be easy to do myself but I have a mate that is a plumber and he offered to do it last week in an evening and after watching him I decided that I couldn't have done it myself after all. He did a mains pressure test afterwards and a few other things like that which i couldn't have done myself.

The shower we had fitted is pretty similar to yours.

spadoosh

It really is that simple. Right up until something goes wrong and you dont have a clue what to do.

FYI cartridges are ~£5 to replace, the shower at least £50. Normally unscrew from the ends and use a spanner to take out the cartridge.

Obviously the water needs to be off. -

illusionek

I guess there is a risk with everything even changing the light bulb However I wonder if it is as easy as in that youtube video because if so there is really no need to get a plumber in unless something goes wrong

Aleem

It isn't that difficult and you sound confident. I say give it a go.

southcoastrgi

spadoosh wrote: »

It really is that simple. FYI cartridges are ~£5 to replace, the shower at least £50. Normally unscrew from the ends and use a spanner to take out the cartridge

Shower cartridges aren't £5 you are thinking of taps, yes op it really is as straight forward as turning the water off & undoing those two nuts & screwing the new valve on with the two new washers

macman

Why not just remove the cartridge, take it to your local plumber's merchants, and ask for 'one of these please'? They can probably identify the model even if you can't.

glasgowdan

You can DIY no problem. The plumber above probably pressure tested the system because he could, not because he needed to.

Check the height of the bracket at the top though - some showers won't be able to be used properly with the bracket in the same spot, so you may have to drill new holes and end up with some to fill in.

illusionek

Well I replaced the shower today and it was as easy as on the youtube video. It is working as well so only time will tell if I was better off calling plumber in.

spadoosh

southcoastrgi wrote: »

Shower cartridges aren't £5 you are thinking of taps, yes op it really is as straight forward as turning the water off & undoing those two nuts & screwing the new valve on with the two new washers

Probably shouldve checked first going for £10 on ebay.