In this article, we will go over the definition of a mixer shower. We will also discuss how this kind of shower functions. A mixer shower uses cold and hot water to reach the desired temperature.
The operation of this shower involves water with different temperatures being taken from your water supply. Then they are mixed within a valve until the preferred temperature is attained. The water then flows through the showerhead, and then flows out. Mixer showers are typically employed in homes with low or high pressure water.
Mixer showers are able to function in a way that is visible and the entire unit affixed on a wall, or by the valve visible as the pipework that runs through the shower is in the wall.
Because mixer showers rely on the fusion of two water sources, they can be vulnerable to drastic temperature fluctuations when water is suddenly used in different areas of your home.
What is an Electric Shower?
Another type of shower that is popular is the electric shower, which we will cover in this article. We will go over the meaning of an electric shower and how it functions.
The shower that is electric heats water prior to providing it to you via the showerhead. A shower with an electric motor draws water from the supply of cold water before heating it up using the internal heater. Showers with electric heating can quickly warm water.
Why is Your Mixer Shower Not Working?
The next step is to examine the various issues a shower mixer could have. In this article, we will look at the different issues that may occur, such as a leaky pipe, the absence of water, or the shower being too cold or hot.
This section also lists the symptoms you might notice for each issue:
Poor Water Pressure
The most frequent issue with showers is low pressure. This could be the result of an issue in your home or could be due to the water provider or other external causes. The low pressure in the water could be due to the showerhead being dirty or obstructed pipes because of dirt or limescale.
Sometimes the reason for low water pressure can be due to the supply of water to your residence, which could be affected by a variety of factors, including the distance you’re located from the water source as well as the amount of water being utilized by your neighbors and the level of hilliness your area is.
Signs of low water pressure are the shower or other water features at home that have low flow of water, and you wait a lengthy period of time for water to reach the washing machine.
Leaking Pipe
It is possible that you have a leaky pipe that may or may not be a significant reduction in the water pressure that comes from the shower. Shower pipes that leak could be caused by failing plumbing structures and can be located near to the faucet and showerhead.
The kind of leaks that are not addressed or spotted early, could result in significant damage to your house. This is an issue that needs to be addressed as quickly as it is possible.
It is possible to see water drip into the floor right beneath the bathroom. Other indicators of leaks in the shower pipes are the dried stains that appear on the ceiling that are directly beneath the bathroom. Also, the tile that is just above your shower’s valve has been becoming soft with time.
No Water
A common explanation for insufficient flow of water coming out of the mixing shower is blocked shower heads. The buildup of limescale and dirt in the shower head may block the water from flowing out. Damaged or malfunctioning pipes could also block water from getting to the showerhead.
If there is a continual issue, then fault, blockage or damage is likely to be the cause. If however, the problem is intermittent with no impact on your household, it could be an indication that the problem lies related to your water provider.
Intermittently Running Hot and Cold
The issue could be caused due to a blockage in the shower head or the inlet filter. It could be caused by the shower head being damaged or because the valve for non-return is malfunctioning.
If you are using an integrated boiler system, this could indicate there are possible factors listed above that are the reason at the root of the issue.
If you observe a lack of the flow of water from your shower head but the taps function well, it’s an indicator you could be experiencing one of these above reasons could be the cause.
Running Hot
When your shower mixer is heating up continuously The most likely reasons are blockages in the filter that cause hot water or the non-return valve has failed.
Another reason could be an inefficient thermostatic valve. If this issue is present it is likely that the water will never or rarely be cold.
Running Cold
Similar to a mixer shower continuously hot, and the water flow is constantly cold the same explanations mentioned in the previous section may be applicable. If this problem is present it is likely that the water will never, or nearly never get hot.
Dripping Water When Shower is Off
In the case of mixer showers, the water that drips after turning off the shower is a typical issue for plumbers to tackle. Most of the time, issues with the flow cartridge’s seal or thermostatic cartridge is the reason behind this issue.
Problems with one or the other can also impact the flow of water from the shower head. If you observe that the water is still dripping from your shower despite having the shower taps off completely, then these possible causes are likely to be among the causes.
Why is Your Electric Shower Not Working?
If you own an electric shower, some of the problems you may encounter are tepid water as well as a malfunctioning shower to switch on, or emitting a smell. In this section, we’ll examine these issues along with many others, and we will discuss the symptoms you might observe with any of these problems.
No Water
If your shower has no water, or abruptly stops providing water during showering, the problem could be due to the solenoid valve. If the coil within the valve fails it will cease to function. its purpose of its opening.
The indicators that indicate the issue is that your faucets work well, but the shower does not, and you have noticed your shower suddenly stops working at times before it stops working completely.
An obstruction in your pipes or the shower pump isn’t working (if you have a shower with a power source) could also be the reason for the water not flowing.
Leaking
Leaking could occur in the pipes that connect the electric shower. Like a mixer shower the signs of this are a dampened ceiling below the area with the shower or water dripping from the same ceiling.
Another alternative is that an electric shower leakage could be more apparent when it comes from the inside or the unit. It could be due to the build-up of pressure.
A blocked shower hose could cause this rise in pressure along with the device for pressure relief within the shower could cause water to leak.
Tepid Water
Another issue that may arise when using electric showers is that they can only supply warm water. This is often the result of a power failure to make it available to the shower’s pull switch. A damaged or burned out shower switch is usually the cause of the issue.
In other situations it is possible that the heating element is not heating up cold water in the way it was intended to. The sign of this is the fact that the water remains always cold.
In the event that your shower appears very old, or has been experiencing some other issues in the recent past, it could be indications that there’s something wrong with the or heating element. This could indicate that the shower is declining.
Unreliable Water Temperature
A problem in the flow of water can result in rapid temperature fluctuations from extremely hot to cold, and reverse. One reason could be that the main valve on the shower is not functioning completely. It is also recommended to check the cut-off tap that connects to the appliance.
If the shower’s water remains at the ideal temperature for a significant amount of time but suddenly it experiences temperature fluctuations it is a sign that the causes mentioned could be the reason.
Another reason to consider this is that your shower has been in use for a long time, or has been through other issues in time. This could mean that the shower has been accumulating issues.
No Hot Water
If you discover that hot water isn’t flowing in your shower, it could be the result of the shower’s safety cut-out feature. A shower that is overheated has a safety cut-out device in place to stop the water from creating burns.
The cut-out mechanism could be defective and therefore in error preventing hot water from passing through:
One of the indications that suggest this could be the cause for the issue is that there aren’t any problems with other water usage within the home and the pressure of the showerhead appears to be working fine. Naturally, a problem related to the heater could be the cause of this problem.
Trip Switch Keeps Turning Off Shower
If the switch on your trip is constantly switching off your shower, it could be due to a problem with the switch or the shower itself creating a surge within electrical activities. If this is the case the possibility is that the shower is suffering from an earth-neutral problem or the shower or one part (such such as heating elements) has deteriorated and has become damaged as time passes.
A neutral-to-earth fault is when the current is flowing through the neutral portion of a circuit, which leads the current to flow towards earth. It is also possible that water has come into contact with the wiring in the shower which could be particularly dangerous. If there’s a problem with your RCD and you are experiencing issues, you might be able to see it tripping in spite of the fact that your shower’s on turned off and that a variety of appliances appear to be responsible for the problem.
If the issue occurs only when the shower is running, then it’s probably due to the electric shower. In either case, you must immediately seek out an expert.
Smell of Burning
If you smell an unpleasant smell emanating from your shower, you need to take care of the problem promptly as it could be a hazard to fire. The combination of the shower and boiler using electricity simultaneously could cause a burning smell.
Another possibility is a malfunctioning component within the shower or a problem in the heater. A loose connection could result in overheating and fire.
The primary indicator of this is the burning smell, but burn marks that appear on or around the shower can also suggest that any of the above problems are in place.
Shower Won’t Turn On
It could be that your shower’s electric switch isn’t working because the shower does not switch on:
A malfunctioning solenoid valve is usually the cause of this issue. In contrast to a shortage of water caused by an obstruction or a leak, this issue can be traced to the shower’s electrics not being turned off at all.
The shower’s light that isn’t turning on could be due to a fault in the solenoid coil. Another clue that suggests the reason is that water use across your house is functioning normally, but only your shower’s electricity is not working properly.
Mixer Shower Repairs
In this section, we will focus on the repair of issues that are associated with mixing showers. We will discuss various solutions that we previously discussed. If you’re cleaning any shower components it is recommended to turn off the electricity for safety reasons.
Poor Water Pressure
If the cause for the low pressure in your shower can be explained as an accumulation of limescale and dirt in the showerhead or in the pipes Cleaning them out is likely to solve the issue. If not, it is best to examine whether the problem is caused by external causes.
It is recommended to contact your water company to determine whether the low water pressure can be explained with reasons such as distance to the water provider or the geographic area of the area around you.
It is possible that there is a bigger issue with the pipes within your home. If that occurs, it is recommended to seek out a professional for help to determine the cause and try to resolve the issue.
Leaking Pipe
If you spot the indications of a pipe leak within your home, it is best to call and get a professional in immediately to avoid any major damage that could be caused.
A plumber is available to analyze and resolve the problem, whether it’s related to the showerhead, faucets, or the pipework inside.
No Water
If a showerhead that is blocked is the root of this issue, cleaning it may be the answer. If that doesn’t work, then you must employ a plumber to take an inspection of your shower and plumbing.
They might suggest and install an alternative valve for your shower, or repair one or two pipes in the wall to fix this issue.
Intermittently Running Hot and Cold
In the same way as a lack of water the showerhead could be the reason in this particular instance, and removing it may resolve the issue. If it doesn’t work, then clean the filter inlet.
If you’re not able to achieve the result, you must consult a professional because they might have to repair or change a shower liner, or the valve that does not return if it occurs to be defective.
Running Hot
A shower mixer that continuously runs hot can be repaired by removing any blockages that are found within the inlet filter or the non-return valve.
If the issue is your thermostatic valve for showers isn’t functioning, you’ll need to purchase a new valve though the price of replacing it in certain instances may be more expensive than the cost of a brand new shower.
Running Cold
The same methods can be applied to a shower mixer which is running constantly cold. Start by clearing the inlet filter and the non-return valve.
If you determine that a malfunctioning thermostatic cartridge is at fault it is important to consider whether getting a new valve installed is cheaper than purchasing a brand new shower altogether.
Dripping Water When Shower is Off
If you’re having this issue, it is recommended to employ the services of a plumber. They can most likely fix the issue by installing a replacement seal, flow cartridge, or the thermostatic valve cartridge.
Electric Shower Repairs
We’ll now look at possible fixes for a variety of issues that may be caused by electric showers:
In this article we will discuss solutions to the issues that we mentioned earlier, including tepid shower water as well as a smell that is burning. If you’re cleaning parts of your shower make sure you turn off the power to ensure security.
No Water
If there’s no water flowing through the showerhead, you must first make sure that there are no visible parts of the shower like the showerhead is blocked. If there aren’t any obvious obstructions, consult an expert who could determine that the problem is due to a defective solenoid valve.
They will install a replacement in the event of a need. A plumber could also discover that the problem is caused by blocked pipes and must be cleared out.
Leaking
Cleaning out any obstructions in the hose can resolve a leak in the event that the water is coming out of the shower. If this does not work then you must consult an expert who can find an alternative solution.
If you observe other signs of leakage, like the ceiling being damp just under the bathroom, it is recommended to call an expert immediately as they could be required to resolve an issue with a significant leak emanating from your pipework.
Tepid Water
If an out of date or defective micro switch is the reason of tepid water, then you must replace the switch. However it is possible to upgrade the heating element of your shower, which could be more costly. Hire an expert to remove the heater or switch, and replace it with a new one.
Unreliable Water Temperature
If you notice a problem in the cut-off valve or mains valve, you must contact an electrician or plumber inspection of the shower.
No Hot Water
If the safety cut-out device is the cause of the lack or hot shower, it is recommended to engage an electrician to repair the device. But, the issue may be in the heat source. If that’s an issue, it could require this to be repaired or replaced.
Trip Switch Keeps Turning Off Shower
If a switch that is tripping is constantly shutting off your shower, seek out an electrician. If there’s a problem in your RCD or RCD, you may require a replacement.
In the alternative, if the problem is in your shower, you might require a component of your shower fixed or replaced. However, it’s likely that your entire shower may need replacing.
Smell of Burning
If there is a strong smell coming out of your bathroom, get an electrician in touch immediately. A trained professional will find the source of the smell that is burning and offer solutions. Solutions could be as simple as replacing a damaged component, as well as fixing loose connections in the shower.
Shower Won’t Turn On
If you want to fix a shower that isn’t turning on then you must employ an electrician, who will most likely discover it is because the solenoid valve is not working properly. In the event that this causes a problem they’ll repair the coil and this will repair the shower.
Shower Maintenance
There are many kinds of maintenance you could have to do on your mixer or electric shower. Conducting proper maintenance can help avoid damages and may require repairs later on.
Cleaning
It is recommended to check the shower head and other parts like the inlet filter and the non-return valve for accumulation of limescale and dirt. If they are present it is recommended to clean them out in order to avoid obstructions.
Inspection
When you inspect the parts of the shower which are accessible, such as the shower head and shower hose, you will be able to check for wear and tear. If you find any damage, it is recommended to repair or replace the parts if it is necessary.
Regular inspections can help reduce the need for expensive repairs down the road.
Washer Maintenance
It is recommended to check the washer for any signs of wear and tear. Every now and then the washer may have to be replaced. Replacing it as needed can help maintain your shower over the long run.
Electrician or Plumber Visit
When your shower has been more than a few years old and has not yet shown any significant issues, you can choose to engage a plumber or electrician to carry out an inspection.
You could also avail of the services of a plumber or electrician when they’re present to perform work on another area at home. You can request a short shower.
The advantage of having this inspection is that it might be able to spot problems and fix them before they get worse. This means you won’t have to pay more expensive expenses in the future like having your shower replaced earlier than is necessary.
Electrician Cost
This article will provide an overview of the estimated electrical costs to repair the electric shower. These are the typical price ranges and the actual cost will differ from region to region.
| Task | Price |
| Electrician Charge (Hourly) | £30 to £50 per hour |
| Electrician Charge (Daily) | £240 to £400 per day |
| Emergency Electrician Charge (Hourly) | £70 to £90 per hour |
| Electric Shower Replacement | £280 to £380 |
| Solenoid Valve Coil Replacement | £50 to £150 |
| Micro Switch Replacement | £30 to £70 |
| Heating Element Replacement | £60 to £120 |
| Short Circuit Replacement | £75 to £160 |
| Safety Cut Out Feature Replacement | £50 to £150 |
| Fix Internal Wiring | £60 to £160 |
Plumber Cost
In this section, we’ll examine the cost ranges for plumbers. The prices will also differ based on where you are in the UK you reside.
| Task | Price |
| Plumber Charge (Hourly) | £30 to £50 per hour |
| Plumber Charge (Daily) | £320 to £550 per day |
| Emergency Plumbing Cost (Hourly) | £100 to £120 per hour |
| Shower Replacement | £200 to £500 |
| Fix a Leaking Pipe | £75 to £130 |
| Hot Water Tank Repair | £340 to £475 |
| Shower Valve Replacement | £40 to £375 |
| Thermostatic Cartridge Replacement | £150 to £250 |
| Fix a Leaking Shower | £70 to £150 |
