Replacing Bristan shower tap

Daisy_84

Hi all,

I have a really annoying shower leak caused by a tap which no longer closes fully. I’m looking for options to fix or replace it without breaking the bank as I can’t afford to get a plumber and I also don’t have the paperwork to track the product number on the Bristan website. I haven’t been able to identify it from the pictures on the website. 

I’m thinking of replacing the tap unit, without replacing the whole unit on the wall. Is this something that would be possible? Even to get a tap unit with a different brand. I’ve attached a picture of the tap unit I’d like to replace. It looks like it is attached using bolts.

Any thoughts?

neilmcl

Looks like it's just clogged up with limescale. You could tray and taking apart and giving a good clean with a descaler first before looking to replace it.

Browntoa

Is this not the same one 

Shower outlet valve

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Thermostatic-Bar-Mixer-Shower-Valve-Tap-Bottom-1-2-Outlet-For-ShowerHose/184627888446?pageci=75f09043-c8e5-4b6f-b346-806103776dfa

neilmcl

Browntoa said:

Is this not the same one 

Shower outlet valve

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Thermostatic-Bar-Mixer-Shower-Valve-Tap-Bottom-1-2-Outlet-For-ShowerHose/184627888446?pageci=75f09043-c8e5-4b6f-b346-806103776dfa

It doesn't look like it to me. Look at the shower hose outlet on the OP's picture, it's offset, not centred like the one in your link.

Daisy_84

neilmcl said:

Looks like it's just clogged up with limescale. You could tray and taking apart and giving a good clean with a descaler first before looking to replace it.

Thank you. I will try that. 

We do have a lot of limescale in our area. Our development is built on a former limestone quarry and I wonder if there is a link there. 

I haven't been able to afford a water softener yet. 

Daisy_84

neilmcl said:

Browntoa said:

Is this not the same one 

Shower outlet valve

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Thermostatic-Bar-Mixer-Shower-Valve-Tap-Bottom-1-2-Outlet-For-ShowerHose/184627888446?pageci=75f09043-c8e5-4b6f-b346-806103776dfa

It doesn't look like it to me. Look at the shower hose outlet on the OP's picture, it's offset, not centred like the one in your link.

I found this one, which looks like it may be a good replacement, if I have to go down that route. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermostatic-Constant-Temperature-Control-Bathroom/dp/B07BPB2WQY/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?crid=3U3HB2VKZRHVM&dchild=1&keywords=bristan+shower+mixer&qid=1611491266&sprefix=brista,aps,154&sr=8-18-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFFOTlLNlZIM0ZPS1UmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMjU2ODIxVTBFSE5FQTUzRDQ4JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5OTIwNDUxVTJMRENUUDFKRkxaJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

neilmcl

I think what you've got is the Bristan Combi Value mixer.

https://www.showerspares.com/bristan_shower_spares/bristan_all/bristan-combi-budget-bar-valve-combi/

Daisy_84

neilmcl said:

I think what you've got is the Bristan Combi Value mixer.

https://www.showerspares.com/bristan_shower_spares/bristan_all/bristan-combi-budget-bar-valve-combi/

Thank you

southcoastrgi

don't mess about trying to clean it, it doesn't matter where the outlet is, the one Browntoa linked to is as cheap as chips just replace the whole shower, turn the water off & undo these two nuts & put the new one on

Jeepers_Creepers

Something you need to confirm before swapping it with a model that's not exactly the same - is the spacing between the two connectors identical? Ie, to the mm? Good chance it's 'yes'.

Oh, another thing - is the hot and cold going to the same ends? Most likely 'yes'.

Aaand one more thing, is the thread size of the connectors also the same? Very very likely 'yes'.

Can you see the pipes on the other side of that wall? Are there isolating valves on it? If yes, great - shut them off and you'll be fine to swap at your leisure. If 'no', then you need to be prepared to get the water back on if things go pear-shaped - ie, if something happens so's you cannot complete the job in one sitting. Hopefully the worst case scenario there would be that you'll need to temporarily refit the old mixer whilst you sort out what the issue was.

neilmcl

southcoastrgi said:

don't mess about trying to clean it, it doesn't matter where the outlet is, the one Browntoa linked to is as cheap as chips just replace the whole shower, turn the water off & undo these two nuts & put the new one on

It might matter to the OP which is why I questioned it, also don't forget this is MSE, so if a little bit of elbow grease can resolve the issue where's the harm.