Shower - no hot water

muffinek

I am turning this correct way. Just sprayed with limescale remover to see if that helps. 

Jeepers_Creepers

Hex keys usually have a very good grip. Just make sure it's pressed fully in.

muffinek

I managed to take it off soak in limescale etc but now the cartridge doesn't fit in. I can't just fully push it in. I tried gentle tapping etc and nothing works.


Help pls I can't get the water back in bathroom until I fix it 😫

grumbler

I've never done this, but if it's the rubber seals that are very tight, try using liquid soap or hair conditioner.

grumbler

............

muffinek

I tried soap. I got silicone grease. Nothing seems to be working. I just can't push it in. 

muffinek

I had to use brute force in the end and I got it in. Still no hot water though so I am back to square one.

grumbler

I'd try the following:

1. close both isolation valves
2. close the flow control valve
3. remove the thermostatic cartridge
4. open HW isolation valve
5. open flow control valve

If hot water starts running (from the hole where the thermostatic valve was), then it's definitely the thermostatic valve that is at fault.

muffinek

I will give it another go but this time I need to have Plan B in case of similar issues with a cartridge as I was having small heart attack thinking I won't be able to get any water at all until tomorrow.

Am I right thinking I would need below to cap water from pipes in case if I need to remove whole shower if I can't fit cartridge again?


https://www.screwfix.com/p/compression-blanking-nut-15mm/55441

Jeepers_Creepers

Well done so far

Can you get to the two pipes that feed your shower - even if they are in the loft or away from the bathroom?

Best solution - when you next turn off the water - is to cut first these pipes and install them: https://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-tee-ball-valve-blue-15mm/21860 Then you can relax.

The thermo cartridge could well still be faulty - it still remains the most likely culprit. Hopefully Grumb's checks will confirm.

(Every time you need to replace a tap or washer of shower part, part of the overall job should be to take advantage and fit isolating valves at the same time. Future-proof :sm:smile: )

(I fitted a thermo shower 16 years ago which never seemed to be able to change the shower temp - it had zero effect from new. I just put this down to my combi not being able to deliver hot enough water to 'activate' the thermo, and lived with it like this until it started feeling rough in movement a couple of years back. Bought a new one - ~£45 - and suddenly found I had a working shower for the first time! It had been faulty from new - lawdie, what an ejit I felt. Ooooh the joy of slowly turning up the heat until I cannae tak any more, cap'n.)