Bathroom refit with separate shower installation

stanleyman

Hi,

I'm getting a full bathroom refit (everything stripped out and new sink/toilet/bath, new tiles, new flooring etc fitted) next month but the fitter doesn't do electrical work, so I'll need to get an electrician in separately to fit a new electric shower.

I'm looking for advice as to when to get the electrician in. Would it be a good idea to get the new shower fitted now, so the fitter can tile around it? If the new shower fittings don't match the old ones then could that cause potential damage for a few weeks until the tiling is done? I could ask the electrician whether he can book in the job in advance to come when the fitter is there, but the fitter might not know exactly when he'll be ready for the shower, and the electrician isn't likely to turn down other work to keep his diary free for me.

Any thoughts?

Belenus

stanleyman wrote: »

...I'm getting a full bathroom refit (everything stripped out and new sink/toilet/bath, new tiles, new flooring etc fitted) next month but the fitter doesn't do electrical work, so I'll need to get an electrician in separately to fit a new electric shower.....

Does it need to be an electric shower?

Are you able to install a non electric shower? They are, in my opinion, much better.

stanleyman

It's mainly for the convenience of not having to switch the water on when we want a shower. We don't have the hot water on a timer so we'd need to switch it on each time, which isn't ideal.

cajef

When our bathroom was done the cabling and pipework for the electric shower was done prior and ready for the tiling then the walls were tiled and the shower fitted on the tiles, they didn't tile round the shower unit, I think you need to discus it with the fitter.

elle_may

cajef wrote: »

When our bathroom was done the cabling and pipework for the electric shower was done prior and ready for the tiling then the walls were tiled and the shower fitted on the tiles, they didn't tile round the shower unit, I think you need to discus it with the fitter.

Did exactly the same.

Belenus

stanleyman wrote: »

It's mainly for the convenience of not having to switch the water on when we want a shower. We don't have the hot water on a timer so we'd need to switch it on each time, which isn't ideal.

How is your water heated?

If by gas, then you may find it cheaper to install and run a non electric shower.

Hot water keeps hot for a long time in a well insulated tank and any heat losses will be more than offset by the much cheaper cost of gas versus electricity.

I much prefer the greater flow from a non electric shower, especially in the winter when the incoming water is very cold and an electric shower struggles to heat the water unless you significantly reduce the flow.

ic

If you tile around the unit, then you'll be stuck in the future if you need to replace it - you'd have to find a model that fits the hole. Fit on top of the tiles, and you'll have a much more flexibility on buying a new unit.

FreeBear

ic wrote: »

If you tile around the unit, then you'll be stuck in the future if you need to replace it - you'd have to find a model that fits the hole. Fit on top of the tiles, and you'll have a much more flexibility on buying a new unit.

I had to replace the electric shower in my bathroom recently. The original installer had tiled around the shower, using grout to fill any gaps (should have used silicone sealant !!!!!!). Can't get matching replacement tiles, so have filled the hole with tadelakt. Not ideal, but it gives me some idea on how to use the stuff when I eventually do a bathroom refit.

Two tips for the OP...

1. Sleeve copper pipes before burying them in the wall - 20mm plastic conduit is a nice fit over 15mm copper. Don't have any joints buried behind tiles.
2. Bring the pipe out into a single socket back box arranged so that it is hidden behind the shower - Makes for a neater install, and you have space to make a connection to the pipe.

I fitted a Triton thermostatic shower - Well worth the extra cost compared to some of the cheaper electric showers out there. Water pressure can vary a bit here, and the thermostatic control copes with the changes.

cajef

Belenus wrote: »

Hot water keeps hot for a long time in a well insulated tank and any heat losses will be more than offset by the much cheaper cost of gas versus electricity.

I much prefer the greater flow from a non electric shower, especially in the winter when the incoming water is very cold and an electric shower struggles to heat the water unless you significantly reduce the flow.

Depends on how the water is heated, a lot of modern properties have combi boilers with no water storage tank and water flow can vary depending on the boiler and water usage whilst the showers is on.

I have a Mira electric shower and it certainly heats the water without any problems with flow in winter.

Belenus

cajef wrote: »

Depends on how the water is heated, a lot of modern properties have combi boilers with no water storage tank and water flow can vary depending on the boiler and water usage whilst the showers is on..

The OP has said above that he has to turn the water on which suggests he doesn't have a combo boiler or other instant water heater.

stanleyman wrote: »

It's mainly for the convenience of not having to switch the water on when we want a shower. We don't have the hot water on a timer so we'd need to switch it on each time, which isn't ideal.