Quick plumbing question (installing shower)

just Scott · 13 Apr 2017 at 23:40

We just moved into a flat and would like to install a shower. Currently there is only a bath:

http://imgur.com/a/ckrAx

No pipes to fit a mixer shower or anything like that. The shower we both like is a thermostatic mixer shower which seems to plug into pipes sticking out of the wall. How much would it roughly cost to get something like that fitted? Is it a big job?

As you can tell I know literally nothing about this subject

Thanks

bremen1874 · 13 Apr 2017 at 23:45

How's your hot water provided?

just Scott · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:07

bremen1874 said:
How's your hot water provided?

Combi boiler

The pressure from the mains seems good

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:11

Is it a stud wall - whats behind it? ~~I'm assuming its fully tiled and you want to keep the tiles.~~ Pics now working

fezster · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:14

Check the max flow rate of your hot water (this will be lower in winter than in summer as the water needs to be heated up from a lower temperature). Depending on what temperature you shower at, this will mix with cold water, and combined will give you a rough idea as to how much flow you can expect from a thermostatic shower.

In terms of installation, some showers have the valve buried in the wall, others exposed on the outside (this makes changing the thermostatic cartridge for maintenance easier). Not sure about installation costs as I've only had it done as part of a full bathroom refurbishment.

just Scott · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:29

fezster said:
Check the max flow rate of your hot water (this will be lower in winter than in summer as the water needs to be heated up from a lower temperature). Depending on what temperature you shower at, this will mix with cold water, and combined will give you a rough idea as to how much flow you can expect from a thermostatic shower.

In terms of installation, some showers have the valve buried in the wall, others exposed on the outside (this makes changing the thermostatic cartridge for maintenance easier). Not sure about installation costs as I've only had it done as part of a full bathroom refurbishment.

Is there a way to measure it? I mean it feels like the flow rate is quite good but I have nothing to compare it to. Would a video showing it help?

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:32

Ouch, the baths the wrong way round - slope and also non slip tap side (if you wanted the shower mounted on the side nr taps then that window ledge will fill with water and run out). Boxing is most likely blocking easy access to water pipes and bath taps. Will need to get tiled in shower area. In essence that layout doesn't lend itself for a shower. I would recommend, removing bath and fitting another round the other way.

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:33

H2F Scott said:
Is there a way to measure it? I mean it feels like the flow rate is quite good but I have nothing to compare it to. Would a video showing it help?

They shouldn't have fitted a combi unless the water pressure was good enough.

just Scott · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:34

The Artfull Bodger said:
Ouch, the baths the wrong way round - slope and also non slip tap side (if you wanted the shower mounted on the side nr taps then that window ledge will fill with water and run out). Boxing is most likely blocking easy access to water pipes and bath taps. Will need to get tiled in shower area. In essence that layout doesn't lend itself for a shower. I would recommend, removing bath and fitting another round the other way.

Oh.

I imagine any type of shower is going to be a problem? What about electric?

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:36

H2F Scott said:
Oh.

I imagine any type of shower is going to be a problem? What about electric?

Any shower would be a problem with that setup imoh, bath wants to have the taps on the other side due to window.

just Scott · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:41

The Artfull Bodger said:
Any shower would be a problem with that setup imoh, bath wants to have the taps on the other side due to window.

Okay. So how much do you think it'll cost to get it all sorted? We can't live without a shower

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:57

Sry cant really help you with price I've always worked for a company and don't really do privates. Bath if turned round and kept will probably shows signs (so maybe new bath). Depends on, what that wall has behind it for shower fitting, but you could always get a set of bath taps with a shower built in as long as your on mains cold as well in the bathroom (highly unlikely otherwise) which I would imagine being in a flat (no tanks at all- test, stick your hand under cold tap (should be very similliar when compared with hot) and as long as you struggle to keep water from escaping relativly easily will be mains-prepare to get wet). But you will need to check that a bath screen will be able to open far enough without hitting anything to enable easy access to entering the bath due to wc or just go the curtain route. You will need to tile around the bath again and further up on those two walls . Check under the bath to see if the waste will have a fall being the other way round. In essence - just get a local plumber round for a quote, see what they say.

just Scott · 14 Apr 2017 at 10:00

The Artfull Bodger said:
Sry cant really help you with price I've always worked for a company and don't really do privates. Bath if turned round and kept will probably shows signs (so maybe new bath). Depends on, what that wall has behind it for shower fitting, but you could always get a set of bath taps with a shower built in as long as your on mains cold as well in the bathroom (highly unlikely otherwise) which I would imagine being in a flat (no tanks at all- test, stick your hand under cold tap (should be very similliar when compared with hot) and as long as you struggle to keep water from escaping relativly easily will be mains-prepare to get wet). But you will need to check that a bath screen will be able to open far enough without hitting anything to enable easy access to entering the bath due to wc or just go the curtain route. You will need to tile around the bath again and further up on those two walls . Check under the bath to see if the waste will have a fall being the other way round. In essence - just get a local plumber round for a quote, see what they say.

Cheers, thanks a lot mate

The Artfull Bodger · 14 Apr 2017 at 10:46

H2F Scott said:
Cheers, thanks a lot mate

No worries, its probably best if you only tell him/her (there are good woman plumbers now) that you want a shower and what do they suggest . They may have a better idea than me when they actually see it in person and between the both of you might decide that you could live, although far from ideal, taking showers with the bath that way round (wouldn't recommend myself)- prices soon add up! Anyways hope you get it sorted.

a1ex2001 · 14 Apr 2017 at 13:07

My parents bath has been the wrong way round for nearly 30 years without issue. If your worried about slipping get a bath mat.

That said I doubt it will cost much more to reverse the bath and do it properly as your looking at quite a bit of work anyway.

Get two or three local plumbers or general builders round and ask them for prices and ideas.

just Scott · 18 Apr 2017 at 16:10

Just got a quote for £250 for the job, including tiling. He had a look and the pipework seemed simple enough. Just extend the pipes from under the bath, drill into the airing cupboard, up and back through the airing cupboard. Does that seem like too much? I don't want to be ripped off but I know nothing about this kind of stuff.

I have a feeling he's charging quite a bit to tile it. Can I tile it myself or does it need someone who knows what they're doing really?

edit: he just knocked it down to £220 after I told him I'd think about it. What do you think?

The Artfull Bodger · 18 Apr 2017 at 17:52

Doesn't sound like too bad a price, is he any good at tiling though?(most plumbers don't really tile unless they specialise in bathrooms) Anyone can tile, but you need the gear to cut and drill and it depends what kind of quality your after (i wouldn't be happy with doing it myself, always had tilers come in but can't judge someone I don't know). Always worries me when someone will drop the price like that, all the decent plumbers I know are busy as hell at moment and wouldn't be bothered about loosing a day's work particuly. As a sub contractor down south i would want i reckon £200 for a day's work (on the books) + materials.
What kind of impression did you get from the guy - was he recommended? You can always get more quotes preferably by someone who is recommended to you.