Is replacing a shower relatively easy?

PapaLazaru · 9 Oct 2014 at 12:09

I have a shower like this Bristan one, but of an inferior quality. I did not do my research when getting my bathroom done and it has the source of constant headaches so I want rid and if possible, I want to replace it myself.

I actually want that Bristan unit so how easy would it be to fit? I assume the fittings coming out of the wall are of a standard size and width?

I'm hoping it is just a case of turning the water off, taking our the old unit, which is exactly the same setup (but inferior) and fitting the Bristan one?

a1ex2001 · 9 Oct 2014 at 12:17

Depends, the pipes will almost certainly be standard but the width between hot and cold inlets on the shower varies accorind to the make and model and the position of fixings for the vertical pipe will also vary.

If all the dimensions are the same it should be a simple swap job if not you could well be looking at some more significant tiling and plumbing work.

Firestar_3x · 9 Oct 2014 at 16:12

as above, you need to know the distance to your hot and cold pipe centres for the old and new unit.

Mark M · 9 Oct 2014 at 16:17

I do quite a bit around the house but anything with water Id get a pro on as the consequences can be disastrous! You could measure the pipe centres and get a unit with the same size and have it ready for a plumber to come around and give you a quote. Im sure they wont charge you much if its just to turn over the water and switch over the shower unit.

MAPeX · 9 Oct 2014 at 16:49

What are the issues you are having with the current shower? As if it is water pressure then you may not eliminate the problem by replacing the shower!

Participant · 9 Oct 2014 at 20:26

Mark M said:
I do quite a bit around the house but anything with water Id get a pro on as the consequences can be disastrous! You could measure the pipe centres and get a unit with the same size and have it ready for a plumber to come around and give you a quote. Im sure they wont charge you much if its just to turn over the water and switch over the shower unit.

Generally the push fit fittings are excellent and very reliable. If it doesn't leak straight away when you switch the water back on, then it probably won't ever leak.

You raise a valid caveat, but I personally ignore it as I enjoy doing my own plumbing.

PapaLazaru · 9 Oct 2014 at 20:35

MAPeX said:
What are the issues you are having with the current shower? As if it is water pressure then you may not eliminate the problem by replacing the shower!

The main issue is that the bar is not supplying enough pressure to the main shower, though it is to the smaller shower. It makes that noise you get when there is something stopping high pressure water getting past something. Kind of hums. We do have a pump for the hot water, which was installed to regulate the hot and cold which works fine. It is just something inside the bar which is not working for the main shower. To get someone round to pull it all apart and tell me it is broken is going to cost the same as getting a new unit and myself fitting it. I suppose I really need to find the receipt and get the details.

*edit*

This shower - http://www.onlinebathrooms.com/showers/shower-valves/exposed/atlantic-square-thermostatic-shower/

Participant · 9 Oct 2014 at 20:47

Has the rainfall shower head ever worked properly? If not, I highly doubt the unit is the problem.

These things need a certain flow rate to work properly. Is it only the hot water that's pumped then? Does the cold come from the mains?

PapaLazaru · 9 Oct 2014 at 20:50

Participant said:
Has the rainfall shower head ever worked properly? If not, I highly doubt the unit is the problem.

These things need a certain flow rate to work properly. Is it only the hot water that's pumped then? Does the cold come from the mains?

It has worked fine until very recently. Something has broken inside the bar, or possibly a build up of limescale which I find hard to believe after only 6 months.

Cold water is mains fed and has always been very strong, hence why we decided to get a pump for the hot. Like I said, the smaller shower head is working like it always has been with really strong pressure.

PapaLazaru · 9 Oct 2014 at 20:56

I've just measured between the middle of the hot and cold water outlets from the wall and it is 15cm, the same as the Bristan shower I linked to.

MAPeX · 10 Oct 2014 at 09:23

Id be inclined to isolate the water supplies (hot & cold) and take the mixer bar off to see if anything has clogged the internal filters, as well as the shower head. It may be a simple fix if you are getting pressure from the smaller shower head.

Best to investigate the issue and replace a £5 seal or washer than spend ~£200 on a new shower.

I had an issue with my shower feed and it was due to the cold water tank in my loft being partially block at the outlet thus reducing my water flow. I thought it was the shower unit!

PapaLazaru · 10 Oct 2014 at 10:05

Yeah, I think I will try and pull the cartridge out and have a look. It is definitely not the shower head as it is linked to the temperature knob.

Nedved11 · 11 Oct 2014 at 12:39

A lot of the bar types showers are 150mm centres. You need to know how they are connected to the hot and cold thou has there are many different ways. If it's compression it's fairly straight forward.