Shower Plumbing Question

[julesapple]

You might remember my post about the problems in my house with my bathroom and my landlord last week.

Well, everything was going swimmingly - we've got the original shower in a smart new corner shower cubicle - until the first time we went to use it, on Sunday, when all the grout and sealant was dry.

The shower is a Mira shower. It's run through our combi-boiler. The plumber has moved it on to the other wall - a move of about 3ft or so - and there is no hot water at all and no water pressure through the shower head. The pressure used to be brilliant, really strong.

We're going to phone the LL tomorrow morning (didn't want to spoil his Bank Holiday weekend) but meanwhile, does anyone know what could have happened to the shower? Why is it not hot and powerful any more?

Thanks

Jules

[Nicos]

No idea tbh- but I do know that some showers have something inside which can be turned to reduce the water flow- could that be the case????
Don't think that would account for the low temperature though

Could there be some solder blocking the pipe????

[bearded bloke]

What is the water pressure like at the combi ? there will be a dial that tells you either inside the cabinet or very close outside it.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sorry BB but the pressure gauge on a combi boiler has nothing to do with the pressure of tap water. That pressure gauge is the pressure of water in the sealed system side of the boiler.

First question for Jules are all the other hot taps performing as before?

Colin

[gazh]

check around for isolation/ball valves, he might have forgot to re-open them and the hot might be completely off, is the tap in your sink still at the pressure it was before he messed with it? and does the hot water work fine in the kitchen?

[Potstubsdustbins]

I presume Its a Mira mixing valve (top valve by the way) . Second question is there any water coming from the shower hand set? Third question is that water cold/tepid.

Colin

[julesapple]

What is the water pressure like at the combi ? there will be a dial that tells you either inside the cabinet or very close outside it.

Talking of the boiler, the thermostat is fluctuating wildly from 80c down to 40 and every number in between - the red numbers are flashing different numbers constantly.

Sorry BB but the pressure gauge on a combi boiler has nothing to do with the pressure of tap water. That pressure gauge is the pressure of water in the sealed system side of the boiler.

First question for Jules are all the other hot taps performing as before?

Colin

Yes they are, a little less pressure I think, but nice hot water.

check around for isolation/ball valves, he might have forgot to re-open them and the hot might be completely off, is the tap in your sink still at the pressure it was before he messed with it? and does the hot water work fine in the kitchen?

We did look but can't find any, unless he's put one on the shower plumbing behind the wall (stupid, but possible)

I presume Its a Mira mixing valve (top valve by the way) . Second question is there any water coming from the shower hand set? Third question is that water cold/tepid.

Colin

It is a mixing valve, Colin, and the water is freezing, no sign of warmth at all in water from the handset.

Previously, we'd have turned the shower on and, if we had the handset in our hand, we would have had to have kept a good grip of it because it would have been wreathing about like a snake on speed. Now it's a shadow of it's former pressure and it would take me ages to rinse my hair as opposed to minutes.

Jules

[Potstubsdustbins]

We are possible talking of a Mira Excel, If there are no service valves (and there should be) then my first action would be to check the internal filters. This is not really DIY territory as it involves disconnecting pipe work.

Check first for service valves again there are two common types used (a) wheel head gate valves (big red round handle). (b) Isolation valves less conspicuous, usually chrome with a screw driver slot for operating the valve. There is only a quarter turn between on and off.

If you do find any valves take care when turning on the water as the pipe work is untested and there may be leaks.

As to the boiler temp gauge unless your man has be inside the boiler the works he has done should have no effect on the boiler itself, unless he has allowed debris into the system and this has some how found its way to the secondary heat exchanger. Your landlord better keep his fingers crossed this isn't the case or his cheque book could take a hammering.

Colin

[julesapple]

Problem solved! Plumbers left on Friday without turning water back on at isolation points!! wallies....

They left the guy who's doing the tiling to finish off, without telling him the water had been isolated. The guy did the tiling, but whilst doing it has destroyed the plug cover by standing on it with his big boots so that has to be replaced and also, the silicone seal leaks too.

The plumber will be back next week when the service kit arrives. Meanwhile we still can't shower because of the jammed plug cover and the leak.

Jules

[gazh]

well at least its sorted, im a maintenance worker at a large school - we recently had a new 6th form built costing 8million, the company building it had been back to a tap twice to try to find out how a hand mixer wasnt heating up, after 2 trips of cleaning out the filters etc i got fed up and traced the pipe back, above the ceiling and into the next room, where i found an isolation valve turned off - lol
seems like a common problem :-/

[Florence Fennel]

Hope it's soon sorted for you Jules, I'd hate to be without my shower and what lovely people we have on here, to give so much help and advice.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Jules, I hate to ask this question but what service kit?

Colin

[julesapple]

Hope it's soon sorted for you Jules, I'd hate to be without my shower and what lovely people we have on here, to give so much help and advice.

We certainly do! It's wonderful

Jules, I hate to ask this question but what service kit?

Colin

Um...as far as I've been told, a service kit/pack has been ordered from Mira....I don't know any more other than it's for refurbishment. These are the plumbers words so might not be called exactly that.

Leak is being sealed today.
Jules

[Potstubsdustbins]

The shower valve would only need a service kit if it was not working correctly i.e. not turning off properly or wild temperature variation. That why I asked as it would seem strange.

Colin

[julesapple]

It is very stiff to turn off, so that's maybe why they ordered the service pack thingummy.

Thank you very very much everyone who has made suggestions and given me hugely helpful advice. It's so good knowing you can post virtually any query on here and there will always be someone to help.

Jules