Should I fix my shower or replace it?

Question

I have a gainsborough 9.5 shower that was fitted when I moved in. A while ago the outlet pipe sblew and there was water spraying out of the side of it. I replaced the outlet pipe with a new one. It worked for a while, then went again. I have since replaced the outlet pipe another 3 times and now it seems to blow almost as soon as I first switch the shower on. Should I replace the whole shower? And if so...should it be with a 9.5 W shower or should it be less or more power? Thanks!

Answer 1

9.5 is fine for a decent shower but if it's the outlet pipe that's blowing and there's no problem on the inlet, either the pump is too strong or the water pressure between the pump and the shower head is being increased artificially - possibly some kind of blockage?

Answer 2

When you say the 'outlet pipe' are you refering to the shower hose.....or are you refering to the pressure relief device.... the small clear pipe at the bottom of the shower box? If this is the case this is designed to blow if pressure builds up inside the shower and blows rather than causing more expensive damage inside the shower. The most common causes of this blowing is  distortion of the shower hose or the holes in the shower haed becoming blocked and causing back pressure, both of which will make the device blow. Have you changed the head since you had it.... if so this could be the cause if it hasnt got the right amount of holes to let the water out  or if youve changed the hose make sure that you havent bought one with a narrower bore this will create the same problem

Answer 3

If you currently have a plumbed shower, I would definately consider replacing it with a power shower. But, you will need to run a seperate cable from your power supply and the cable will certainly need to be fairly thick.

I fully reccomend a Mira power shower, they are one of the best. In this house, there are two identical ones in each bathroom, white, but I'd have Chrome.

Gemini_DJ.

Answer 4

Nice to see most of the advice on here is sensible as previously stated I would not replace the unit just yet but investigate the outlet hose as on these units it has to be the original type because the flow rate on these units decides the water temperature, if you run these units with an incorrect outlet hose it can even burn out the shower unit. If you fit original pipe and head it should be OK but go to the companies own website in case they have done a modification.

http://www.gainsboroughshowers.co.uk/

They will also answer emails regarding problems.

Answer 5

The previous respondents seem to have located the symptoms to the pressure relief valve.  In conjunction with your statement that itr was fitted when you first moved in, the cause is likely to be lime-scale clogging up the shower-head, basically the water cannot get out through the head and so takes the alternative path provided by the manufacturer.  You can check this out and cure the problem by immersing the head in vinegar over-night, the lime-scale will dissolve in the acetic acid, citric acid from the chemist would be less smelly, but you would have to wait until you find the time to visit the chemist.

Answer 6

I would advise not replacing the shower until you have discovered the cause of it "blowing" and are sure it is the shower and not incorrectly fitting pipework.

You won't be too happy if you buy a new shower only to find the problem is still there.

Answer 7

Try changing the shower head and hose for a larger one that will allow a greater flow of water. As said the rating. 9.5kw, is the heating element and nothing to do with water pressure. If the new shower head dosen't solve the problem phone Gainsborough technical. They will almost certainly have a fix.