No water from mixer shower after controls were refitted
Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.27 PM
We have a mira excel biv mixer shower fed from the combi boiler. It has stopped working and only drips water.
This happened after an insurance repair because water leaked through the tiled wall in which the shower sits. The repairs didn't involve the shower itself but the plaster board and tiles around it were all redone, so the controls and hose were removed and refitted. The isolation valves are not turned off.
We are at a bit of an impasse; the insurance repairman claims the pump must have broken, but when we checked, it does not have a pump. No-one has used the shower for months so it hasn't broken through use. Meanwhile we wonder if he has not refitted the controls properly as it is now very stiff to turn on/off but slightly loose laterally. However we don't know if this could cause the issue.
Any ideas what it could be?
We don't want to put any blame on the insurers repairman if its unlikely to be his fault. But we have rather lost confidence in him. (After telling me it was the pump, he watched me leave and, without asking, got our painter to let him in and broke a hole in the newly tiled wall to check the isolation switch - there is a rear access panel so it was completely unnecessary.)
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Morning,
This sounds like a possible blockage or debris in the pipework feeding the shower. I would say if possible to remove the shower mixer and check for debris, while this has been removed test the pipe work separately.
1. Check cold water pipe itself runs ok without the shower mixer attached.
2. Check hot water pipe itself runs ok without the shower mixer attached
This will prove if its the shower causing the issue or the pipework possibly blocked feeding the shower.
3. Check the inlet filters or non-return valves in the new shower.
Please note if you have a combi boiler then you wouldn't have a separate booster pump.
Another option to try is to disconnect the hose and try run the shower.
I hope this helps :-)
If the shower valve was removed for work to be carried out hopefully there would be an isolation valve in place which may just need to be opened, if running on this type of direct hot water source cant think of any other reason why there would be water coming from the valve.
Dear ironing_cat.
All very well to try and diagnose but repair something yourself that is still under guarantee invalidates the warrantee. Make a complaint to your insurer and see what happens. Contact Trading Standards if in doubt about your rights as a paying customer. Good luck, Bob.
Hi there, I would agree with the other answer completely, however one thing it doesn't mention is that if the mixer is thermostatic it is possible the hot and cold are round the wrong way. In some models this will prevent any water being let through the valve. Hope this helps.
I would had done the same that has already been posted.
Debris in the pipework feeding the shower.
I would say if possible to remove the shower mixer and check for debris, while this has been removed test the pipe work separately.
1. Check cold water pipe itself runs ok without the shower mixer attached.
2. Check hot water pipe itself runs ok without the shower mixer attached
This will prove if its the shower causing the issue or the pipework possibly blocked feeding the shower.
3. Check the inlet filters or non-return valves in the new shower.
Please note if you have a combi boiler then you wouldn't have a separate booster pump.
Another option to try is to disconnect the hose and try run the shower.
