Do I need a new shower or can this be saved?

Markp1984

Hello everyone, my shower is 9 years old, used twice a day every day, so it's not new and I'm uncertain if I need to replace it or if I'm jumping the gun. It works great, but after a few hours it develops a drip, of course that means through the night it's pretty steady, once every minute!

Is there anything simple I can do that may likely help? Thanks so much for your help.

Silvertabby

It may be something as simple as a build up of limescale in the pipe and shower head.  Can you still get these as spare parts?

Green_hopeful

You can normally change the hose and head. It just unscrews at the bottom. It often makes a nice difference to the appearance and experience of the shower. We had a rubbish shower for ages and when I changed the head it made an amazing difference. If not it might need a plumber to have a look at the valve. You can normally get a new valve. We have also measured the leak before by putting a plastic jug under the drip so you can see how bad it is. You can use the water for something useful. 

WIAWSNB

A drip will be caused by a worn cermaic valve, and not the actula head or hose.

Do you know the make and model, Mark? If so, look up the spare parts. We can guide you on their replacement.

Markp1984

WIAWSNB said:

A drip will be caused by a worn cermaic valve, and not the actula head or hose.

Do you know the make and model, Mark? If so, look up the spare parts. We can guide you on their replacement.

Hi, I believe this is the same model https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aqualisa-Exposed-Thermostatic-Including-Harmony/dp/B005O66P6I the reviews don't sound promising now I read them! 

WIAWSNB

Seemingly their 'Aspire' model.

Confusing info - some suggest that it's a single unit comprising both the therm and flow cartridge in one, but I've seen a few references to just the latter, which is what you are after.

I suspect this will come down to how DIYish you are.

If you can isolate the shower supplies, and dismantle the unit to remove the cartridge, then you can investigate further. If not, you'll need a knowledgeable plumber.

There will be quite an incentive to 'fix' it - not damaging the shower wall in order to replace the whole unit - and also undoubtedly a financial one.

I replaced the cartridge in my own shower a few years back, and when I discovered that the 'real' part cost silly money, I found the same size - but with a longer spindle - on a 'shower doctor'-type site, so bought that and cut it down.

So, investigation required. I'd ask Aqua themselves in the first instance, and see if the separate parts - thermo & flow - are available, and then how to dismantle. Once removed, it should all become more clear, but you'll need to be ready for bad - expensive - news.

Markp1984

WIAWSNB said:

Seemingly their 'Aspire' model.

Confusing info - some suggest that it's a single unit comprising both the therm and flow cartridge in one, but I've seen a few references to just the latter, which is what you are after.

I suspect this will come down to how DIYish you are.

If you can isolate the shower supplies, and dismantle the unit to remove the cartridge, then you can investigate further. If not, you'll need a knowledgeable plumber.

There will be quite an incentive to 'fix' it - not damaging the shower wall in order to replace the whole unit - and also undoubtedly a financial one.

I replaced the cartridge in my own shower a few years back, and when I discovered that the 'real' part cost silly money, I found the same size - but with a longer spindle - on a 'shower doctor'-type site, so bought that and cut it down.

So, investigation required. I'd ask Aqua themselves in the first instance, and see if the separate parts - thermo & flow - are available, and then how to dismantle. Once removed, it should all become more clear, but you'll need to be ready for bad - expensive - news.

Really appreciate it. I actually found the handbook, but it's pretty useless, it doesn't even say the actual model number. Thanks again for the info. 

WIAWSNB

How DIYish are you? The installation instructions don't show how to dismantle the actual unit - it arrives in one piece - but does explain how it's attached to the wall; you'd just reverse that process in order to remove it.

Once off, you can examine how to remove the cartridges - and I'm sure there is info out there on t'net.

They are silly-expensive, tho'

Keep an eye on eBay, and you might find one going cheap. Currently this is typical, tho'; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/376179273811?

Markp1984

Wow thanks so much for all the amazing replies, it's much appreciated. Unfortunately I'm not a DIY guy, but I have managed to find something out a solution, the silliest thing- I noticed taking my shower than the head was angled more to the wall than usual, tilting the shower at a more pleasant angle, higher towards the ceiling, has totally stopped the drip! Just thought I'd let you all know in case anyone here reads this in the future with a similar issue.

I suspect the unit will need replacing in a while, after ten years it's looking a bit worn, so I'll probably get it changed in the next year, but at least it can be at my leisure now. 

Thanks again so much to all who took the time to read/ reply, very kind. 

WIAWSNB

Markp1984 said:

Wow thanks so much for all the amazing replies, it's much appreciated. Unfortunately I'm not a DIY guy, but I have managed to find something out a solution, the silliest thing- I noticed taking my shower than the head was angled more to the wall than usual, tilting the shower at a more pleasant angle, higher towards the ceiling, has totally stopped the drip! Just thought I'd let you all know in case anyone here reads this in the future with a similar issue.

I suspect the unit will need replacing in a while, after ten years it's looking a bit worn, so I'll probably get it changed in the next year, but at least it can be at my leisure now. 

Thanks again so much to all who took the time to read/ reply, very kind. 

I suspect what's happening is that the drip is now easing out and trickling down the outside of the handset and hose, to finally drip off at the bottom of the hose loop which is closer to the tray, and less likely to make a noise :-)

Yes, your shower can go on for years like this.

I'd keep an eye on t'Bay, and if a cheapy comes up - one in an 'auction' format, for example - then it could be a good way to effect a repair when it's needed, with a complete new unit rather than the internals.

GDB2222

How easy is it to replace the entire unit with a bar mixer?