shower thermostatic mixer repair

The thermostatic valve which the part in the red outline is the tip of, well the whole thing can be removed out of the chrome shower bar and a new one fitted. Any plumbing providers have these thermostatic Valves, they are standard sizes.

See can the white plastic part come off, maybe there is a tiny screw in the round hole on the left of the photo holding the plastic part in place?

Usually the main body of the valve which is in the chrome "pipe" part, unscrews. I'm not sure how this one comes out but I'd say that once you get the plastic part off there's probably a flat edge to grip using a wrench or large pliers /adjustable wrench etc which allows you to unscrew the valve out of the chrome body.

Also the chrome adjustable handle part in the first photo sits onto the serated/grooved sides of the tip of the valve which you drew the red line around. Sometimes it sits into place on its own /others have a screw goes through a hole in the outside flat end then into the tip of the valve. Normally there's a blank plate sits flush on the top of the "handle" and covers the screw. I'd say the screw broke off internally which is how it came away from the valve etc.

To answer your question: yes you can get replacement handle, they all have the same width etc and are interchangeable.

You need to examine the handle from first photo and see if the centre of the lid can pop out. Try pushing a screwdriver through from the inside and see does the centre part.

I'm not sure if your local plumber providers/builder merchant /hardware would have individual parts cos usually it all comes as a full "shower valve" unit. But ask them, they might cannabilise something one for you and give you the parts you need.

Then again maybe the best option is to fit a new shower valve completely and save your self the hassle of switching out the parts etc?!

In your first photo, under your thumb part of the temperature control knob, there's a circular blank plate flush in the centre of the knob. This needs to come off to access the screw head in order to reattach the temperature knob to the tip of the thermostatic valve in the 2nd photo which is in the red box.

Hope that explains it!

Do you really need a thermostatic mixer?

A simple non-thermostatic mixer has very little to go wrong. https://www.aqva.co.uk/Bathrooms/81208

The thermostatic valve prevents scalding hot water coming out of shower onto your face and body when showering! I'm sure you have experienced boiling hot water coming out of a tap and you put your hand into the water etc.....you know how uncomfortable it feels?!

Maybe some people can stand the hit water but the thermostatic valve is safer etc.

I can't understand how Roger Ellie suggests a non-thermostatic shower valve.

Re prices there's lots, depending on where you go? Best advice go to your local builders providers /hardware/plumbing shop and see what they have. They will usually stock a standard type and also dearer ones etc.

Or are you looking online? Also building materials have increased in price over the past year or so. Better to buy local as it'd CE mark etc, and for Irish pipe sizes for it to be a straight forward swap with original one.

Ok that's an expensive example but it includes the riser rail. Shop around your self.

Btw anything bought in Screwfix in Ireland won't be covered by the Irish Distributor of the brand of items you bought from Screwfix as Screwfix import the items directly into Ireland separately to the designated Irish distributors for each brand.

Screwfix apparently provide a basic 12 month warranty on items compared to Irish based hardware /plumbing shops would have the manufacturer full warranty which are sometimes few years.

Apparently not. I'm only reading by what other people on boards say about Screwfix, you can search the site for "screwfix" and see what they say.

Also personally I've a relative who bought a well known brand of power tool from Screwfix only a few months ago, which now broke down. When they contacted Screwfix they were told to go to the Irish agent of that brand and get it fixed when it should be Screwfix who should arrange to do it. Even so they went to the Irish agent to get it fixed and the Agent refused to fix it for free under the warranty due to this very issue with Screwfix importing the tools into Ireland separately. The Agent said they'd fix it for a fee but not free but highly recommended them to return to Screwfix and get Screwfix to sort it for them. Anyway it took my relative few weeks of haggling back and forth and threatened legal action to finally get Screwfix to fix it for free.

So I can guess what the situation will be with other items with Screwfix.

If it states 10yrs, then it's 10yrs. If it states nothing, then it's a minimum 12mths, arguably longer in some cases under Irish law.