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Original poster

Bath shower mixer confusion

30 replies

SheilaWilde · 13/02/2023 20:41

I'm posting this in the hope that someone can give me some advice. @PigletJohn could you possibly help?

I've got a combo boiler with low pressure (that's a whole new exciting thread) and a shower over bath fed from taps. The taps are leaking to buggery and I can never get the shower to 'mix' it's either boiling or cold because once I add cold to a certain point (turning the cold tap in mm increments) the hot gives up and it goes cold.

I thought over half term I'd have a go at installing new taps - which I may or may not regret but I can't really afford a plumber at the moment. I thought I'd just buy the cheapest B&Q taps, which is what I've got (so I'm not sure why I thought going for the same thing - that's broken - was a good idea). So, looking at mixer taps on Screwfix some say good for low pressure but reviews say they don't mix. Does anyone know what I need? I found these at VP which seem to fit the bill but the description doesn't mention combi boiler. I don't want to spend £100 on something that won't be better than what I have.

Also, if I do buy taps. Is this a simple DIY job? I'm quite handy but I havn't ventured too far into plumbing DIY. My toilet is also leaking but I'll leave that excitement for another day.

OP posts:
Original poster
SheilaWilde · 16/02/2023 01:17

Incoming pipe definitely not plastic. I'll look properly tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
SheilaWilde · 16/02/2023 01:21

Floppy12 · 15/02/2023 20:30

Hi @SheilaWilde I fitted the Bristan Quest taps with shower attached in the summer myself. I have a combi boiler with a shower at the other end of the bath with a just a fixed head rainfall? head. I needed something to be able to rinse the bath and my hair after colouring it. I did not want to disrupt the shower as it has been well fitted. (Not by me, I have fairly recently moved in ).
I am actually quite pleased with it, I am not saying its a super duper powerful shower but it has worked well for my needs.
Plus they are a massive improvement on my last peeling chrome spindly taps.
I did have some issues with the pipework but got there in the end.The taps were easy to fit though. I used JG flexi tails, 1 end in taps, 1 end push fit ontpo copper piping.
I bought pipe the hand round pipe cutters from Wickes for cutting the copper.

That's good to know, thanks Floppy. I'll have a look.

OP posts:
Original poster
SheilaWilde · 16/02/2023 01:21

user40643 · 15/02/2023 23:44

Just had to pop on to say PigletJohn is a legend. So generous and helpful. It's a lovely thing to see.

He really is.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 16/02/2023 01:25

The ball valve is useful for turning off the water for maintenance.

The cheap ones have the big advantage of being cheap.

Not everyone knows that the cheap ones are not much good (they also leak at whim)

Fitting a full bore may not solve all your problems but it might reduce some.

I think i can see a couple more on pipes that may be going to the bathroom taps.
You might be able to stop some of your leaks by turning them off.

PigletJohn · 16/02/2023 01:27

SheilaWilde · 16/02/2023 01:17

Incoming pipe definitely not plastic. I'll look properly tomorrow.

Might be iron, might be lead. Depends how old it is.

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