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- Before attempting any shower repairs, make sure to switch off the electricity from the mains.
- Find out when it can be dangerous to repair your shower yourself.
We all hate it when we jump into the shower and it is cold. Brrrr. Or, you might get an unreliable temperature and have to keep jumping in when it’s hot and out when it’s cold. Maybe there is no water at all. All of these common shower problems are very frustrating.
This article will point out a few of the most common shower faults that you can sometimes diagnose and repair yourself, rather than resorting to ringing up a repair man. Always be careful. Don’t risk your life for the sake of saving money. Before trying to sort out a problem with your electric shower, remember that electricity alone is very dangerous and when combined with water, it’s lethal. When in doubt always call in an experienced electrician.
Watch this video on shower repairs – What you need to know before calling the repairman.
Electric Showers – How Do They Work?
Mixer Showers
The simplest form of shower is a standard mixer shower. These work by combining both hot and cold water to form warm water. In a detachable mixer shower, a rubber pipe shaped like a Y is attached to both taps of the bath or sink. Plumbed in showers which have both a hot and cold tap are sometimes also standard mixer showers. Both mix hot and cold water to give you a stream of warm water for your shower.
However, these very simple showers make it difficult to control the actual temperature of the water. If someone else is in the kitchen and turns on a tap, you might experience a sudden rush of either very hot or freezing water.
A more reliable type of mixer shower is a thermostatic mixer shower. This is a plumbed in mixer shower with a thermostat. The built in thermostat keeps the temperature constant. These showers are much safer and more comfortable. Most of these appliances also have a built in safety cut out so that they do not get too hot. This stops scalding water from burning children, or even adults. Mixer showers are not as efficient as electric showers. They rely on a supply of hot water from the tank. When this is gone, all you will be left with is cold water.
Electric Showers
Put simply, an electric shower works by heating up cold water with electricity. An electric current runs through a heating element. As the cold water runs past the element, it gets heated up.
Electric Shower Repairs
There are some small problems with electric showers that you can identify yourself. Knowing what is causing the problem will help you to decide whether or not you need the assistance of a repairman.
Lukewarm water in a shower is very common with electric showers. It can be due to a lack of power getting through the micro switch. This can happen when the switch is burned out or otherwise faulty. Or, a failing heating element will also mean that your water is not heating up like it should. A switch is not expensive to replace, but an element will cost more.
Replacing a pull cord switch costs around £50. A new shower circuit can cost between £75 and £160 depending on where you live. London prices are higher than those in other parts of the UK.
If the water is constantly going from boiling hot to cold and back again, there could be a problem with the water flow. In this instance, you can check that the mains valve is fully open. Also, check the cut-off tap to the appliance. If you find a problem with either of these taps, call in a plumber. Alternatively, ring an electrician to check the shower.
If you are only getting cold water from the shower, the safety cut out could be operating. When a shower starts to overheat this safety device stops the power so that no one gets burnt. If this is happening often, you will need to get an electrician to repair your shower. This normally costs about £100. It might be worth it to take a short term loan online to cover the expense in an emergency if you don’t have money and your salary is due shortly.
A build up of pressure can cause water to leak from the bottom of the shower unit. If the shower hose is blocked, this can cause the pressure to increase. Showers incorporate a pressure relief device. When the pressure in the hot water tank builds up too high, it activates the pressure relief device, water comes out of the valve at the bottom of the shower unit. To help solve this problem, you can clear the blockage. Sometimes you will need to replace the pressure release valve once it has been activated.
If you are getting no water at all or it stops when you are showering the problem might be the solenoid valve. This valve is operated by the solenoid coil. When the coil breaks, the valve will not open and allow water into the shower. You can replace the solenoid coil to solve this issue.
More Serious Problems With Electric Showers
Like all appliances, an electric shower may exhibit problems that are potentially dangerous. You should always keep to electrical safety guidelines. If there is any potential danger, you should stop using the shower and immediately call in an expert.
If the electricity keeps tripping out every time you turn on the shower control it may be because water is coming into contact with the wiring. This is dangerous, and you should call an electrician.
If you smell burning when you turn on the shower, this is another indication of a wiring problem. Do not use the shower until you fix this issue.
If you know that there is power going to the shower appliance, but it will not turn on, this also points to an electrical fault. The probability is that there is a poor electrical connection and you should call an electrician.
This is extremely dangerous as there is a powerful electrical current running through the appliance, which could be exposed. A loose shower fitting could also result in disruption of the water supply and potentially a leak. Switch off the power and water supplies and try to get your shower unit reattached as soon as possible.
It is possible to fix some shower unit attachment problems yourself using a video tutorial. However, it would be better to call in an experienced plumber. If you do attempt to fix it, make sure that you disconnect the electricity at the mains and turn off the water supply.
Other Problems with Showers
Other problems with electric showers are not dangerous but can be annoying. These problems are more likely to be safe for you to fix yourself. However, you need to make sure that you disconnect the electricity if you are dealing with anything that can potentially be dangerous. It is also a good idea to switch off the water supply as there is a potential to cause a leak.
A leaking inlet pipe can cause loss of water pressure as well as being annoying. You will need to replace the plastic connectors or fit a new water pipe. Many of the simple problems associated with electric showers are due to faulty plumbing. Check that your shower is correctly connected before you use it.
If you live in a hard water area, then you may experience a build-up of lime scale or mineral on the pressure handle or taps. You can get rid of this using a simple descaling product like Cillit Bang. Just apply the product to the affected area and let it soak in. Then remove the limescale with a brush or cloth.
If you don’t remove the limescale, it can cause the tap or valve to break when you try to turn it. A replacement tap can cost around £60.
Unfortunately, there is no simple shower repair that you can do to fix low water pressure. Low pressure can lead to lukewarm water. An electric shower requires a minimum pressure to operate successfully. The only way to fix this problem is to increase the pressure of the water supply. A plumber will be able to advise you about the best place to situate the shower so that the pressure is high enough to provide better performance.
FAQs about Cleaning Showers
Cleaning your shower regularly will make your shower last longer and help keep bacteria out. Here you can get answers to your most frequently asked questions about cleaning your shower.
What is the best way to clean a shower head?
Start by wiping off any dry debris from around the inlet hole with a scrubber. To descale the shower head, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a plastic bag. Place the shower head in the plastic bag so that all the holes are immersed in the liquid. Close the bag over the head with a rubber band. Allow the head to soak for a minimum of 20 minutes and then remove it. Rinse the shower head and remove any extra debris. Enjoy your clean shower.
How should I clean the shower glass?
The first step is to spray some vinegar on the glass and let it sit for a few minutes. Then create a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and salt and use a damp sponge to rub the paste all over the glass. Leave it for a few minutes more and then rinse thoroughly. To finish, use good quality glass cleaner with a microfibre cloth.
What is the best way to clean grout in a shower?
This is the best tried and tested way of cleaning the grout in your shower. First you should remove the surface dirt and grime. You can do this with the scorer side of a sponge and fairy liquid. After this step, you should only be left with the mould that’s in the grout itself. To remove the mould, use some bleach and an old toothbrush. Pour 2 parts bleach into 1 part water and begin scrubbing with the toothbrush. Once you have covered all areas, leave it to sit for 30 minutes. To remove those really black stains, brush with the toothbrush without adding any bleach and rinse thoroughly using plenty of water.
How should I clean the shower drain?
Begin by removing anything which may be blocking the water from going down. Use a wire hanger to remove hair and other small blockages. Once these blockages are clear, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and immediately after, pour half a cup of white wine vinegar. Plug the drain with a rag and leave it to rest for a few hours. After this, remove the rag and boil a kettle of water. Pour the boiling water down the drain quickly to flush away any blockages.
Getting Help For Problems With Electric Showers
Having an electric shower is a boon, even if you do have to do occasional shower repairs. A shower uses less water than a full bathtub and saves on utility bills because it efficiently heats up the water as it passes through the element.
Modern showers have an isolation valve. If you experience any problems, you can use this to turn off the water supply. After that, turn off the switch in the fuse box that provides power to the shower. Then call out an emergency plumber or an electrician.
Unless you are an experienced plumber and electrician, it is better not to mess about with electric showers when they go wrong. Shower repairs can sometimes be expensive, and you may need to take a £500 loan to finance the repairs. Your life is worth more than a payday loan, so don’t risk doing dangerous repairs.
Keeping your shower clean and regularly checking for problems mentioned in this article will ensure that you get the best out of this home appliance and minimise the need for shower repairs.
Why you should use Cashfloat?
Looking to borrow a fast payday loan to cover unexpected shower repairs? Apply with Cashfloat today and get funded within 1 hour of approval. Although our loans are expensive, we allow early repayment on all our loans with no penalty so you can borrow today and only pay interest on the days you had the loan until your salary comes in.
