Shower mixer tap dripping

frogglet

We have a shower mixer which is about 5 years old. It consists of a fixed head and a head on a  flexible hose.The tap on the left turns forwards and backwards to use each one, the one on the right is temperature.
Yesterday the one on the left started dripping but now is a lot worse.
Is there anything we can do to stop it?

grumbler

I'd start with removing the handle and looking what's under it. Most likely some standard cartridge that can be replaced.

If it's a cartridge, don't forget to isolate the shower before extracting it.

frogglet

How do I remove the handle?
I've had to turn the stop tap off as I can't find a way of isolating the shower..

grumbler

frogglet said:

How do I remove the handle?

Look around the handle. It can be just pressure/friction-fitted, but more likely has some hidden screw - either under a removable cap or a small grab screw.

I've had to turn the stop tap off as I can't find a way of isolating the shower..

Well, if you don't know this, you'll probably need a plumber.

I guess it's a combi boiler. If so, you can just close the main stopcock.

frogglet

We have an oil fired boiler. 
We didn't fit the shower. Was fitted when the previous owner built an extension.
None of the flexible hoses to the sinks have isolating valves. 

Belenus

Try turning the left hand valve from full on to full off about ten to twenty times in quick succession.

It is a long shot but that might dislodge some scale or contaminant that might be causing the leak.

Be prepared for that worsening the leak and don't blame me if it does.

Jeepers_Creepers

Any identifying marks on the shower body? If you post some photos we might be able to ID it, but there are many makes out there which look very similar.

To ultimately fix it will almost certainly require the fitting a new ceramic cartridge. This is a 'competent' DIY job, and would then be very affordable. If you need to call someone out, tho', it might not be worth it.

Eg: cartridge - I dunno, £30-£40? (It's a 2-way jobbie). Fitting will be under an hour if nothing goes wrong, so around £60-ish in most places? That's £100. And fair chance the thermostat end will also fail in a year or so.

You can buy a new Mira Apt ERD from around £160.

grumbler

Cartridge can be as little as £10. It's called 'diverter cartridge'. 2-way in this case, I guess. Or is it 3-way?

frogglet

I cant find a brand name on it,. The dripping worsened all on its own and is both sides now.
I cant get the caps off, there doesn't appear to be any little screws. There are what look like end caps but they don't want to come off either.

grumbler

This small round cap on the left  side is the one covering the screw head. But I have a feeling that you need help from someone more experienced if you didn't notice it.

frogglet

I did notice it , thats why I took a picture but it doesn't want to come off. I'll try a bit harder.