Replacement Shower Mixer Tap

54and56

Hi all,

I had this unit fitted 2-3 years ago but the mixer element of the tap (highlighted in red) won't go back far enough to get the balance between hot and cold water to a comfortable temperature, instead the water is always really hot and close to being unbearably hot.

There is a strong supply of cold water to the bathroom so I don't think there is anything I can do to fix whatever internal to the tap is preventing more cold water being included in the mix so the best solution might just be to install a replacement, preferably one which has a better way of controlling both the flow and the mix of hot and cold water like one of these units:-

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/triton-verne-rear-fed-exposed-chrome-thermostatic-mixer-shower-flexible/69513

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/bristan-strato-rear-fed-exposed-chrome-thermostatic-mini-valve-mixer-shower-with-adjustable-riser-kit/190jk

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/bristan-strato-rear-fed-exposed-chrome-thermostatic-mini-valve-mixer-shower-with-adjustable-riser-kit/190jk

I'd appreciate any thoughts / suggestions as to what the best course of action is, what the best replacement tap should be and whether installing a replacement unit is a straightforward enough DIY job or one for a professional plumber.

cnocbui

What brand is it? Does it include a thermostat? Best thing would be to find the instructions for the tap and look at those. I have a Hansgrohe unit that looks similar. The right hand control operates a thermostat, which can be adjusted by removing the end cover to expose the bits that are adjustable - as you will see if you read through this: https://assets.hansgrohe.com/mam/celum/celum_assets/16__argh0713_pdf.pdf?3

54and56

Thanks Cnocbui, a plumber who was recommended to me (but has since left the country) installed it but I don't know the brand, don't know if it has a thermostat and don't have the instruction manual (thanks for sharing the instructions from your model) so I'm in the dark on that score but based on the instructions for your model, which looks similar but not the same, I'll have a crack at seeing if I can set the max temp at a lower temp than it currently is.

ATM it seems to go from a minimum of scalding hot to blister inducing hot!!!

Sleeper12

Do you have a hot water cylinder or combi boiler?

Has the problem always been there from the start or is it a recent issue?

54and56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117773009#Comment_117773009

Have a Hot water cylinder and I think the problem has been there from shortly after it was installed. It's kind of a spare / guest shower so I haven't paid much attention when people said it was hot or whatever as I just thought they couldn't figure out which knob controlled the flow (left) and which controlled the temperature (right) but I've recently had to use the shower myself and couldn't believe that when the temp control knob was turned away from me in the "cold" direction it stopped at what seems it's limit and the water is still scalding.

Tried turning the temp control knob fully the other way in the vain hope that somehow the hot/cold markings were the wrong way round but alas all that does it bring the water up to boiling point!!

Sleeper12

It's very possible that the cap was put on the dial / cartridge in the wrong position at the time of installation. The solution could be as simple as removing the chrome cap, adjusting the cartridge and then putting the cap back on.

I would take the cap off. You should then be able to turn the cartridge all the way to cold and all the way to hot. You want to turn the cartridge so that it is cooler. Then put the cap back on.

54and56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117773322#Comment_117773322

Thanks Sleeper12, I'll give that a go.