Bristan shut off

[stuarta]

Hi all,

We've got a Bristan 1901 exposed shower that started an issue whereby you turn the white handle to turn it off and the water would continue flowing until you turn the inner temperature dial until it knocks and then the water shuts off. It started intermittently but seems to be doing it every time now.

Is this an easy fix? I've also noticed this morning what looks like a crack in the surround but not sure if it's supposed to be there or how long and if this has anything to do with it.
Many thanks

 

[Madrab]

The housing's certainly damaged, probably by the lever and that section being drilled and therefore weaker. Whether that's causing the issue is hard to say though it certainly sounds as if it's @ issue

Most of the parts are discontinued though so may not be able to repair it properly.

 

[jj4091]

Looks like it has been redesigned, could it be because of your problem being common. They seem cheap enough and possibly easy to replace with the same item https://www.showerstoyou.co.uk/bristan-1901-exposed-concentric-chrome-top-outlet-shower-valve/ but you would need to confirm that with Bristan as the supply connections look different.

 

[stuarta]

Sorry not sure what section you mean being drilled. It is coming up to 12 years old almost

 

[Madrab]

The outside ring that holds the on/off lever, as the outside ring has been drilled and tapped for the white lever to screw into. That's obviously created a weak point and why it's probably cracked overtime and use and won't shut off properly now.

 

[stuarta]

Ah ok, was thinking meant it had been drilled after installation but you mean from the manufacturer and then slowly weakened over the 11 years.

I see it does look like Bristain have contact emails so probably try that tomorrow

 

[stuarta]

Well that answers that, trying to turn it on this morning and cracked right off....I guess just weak

 

[Madrab]

Yeah - over time the valve would have starting to go tight and that would have put stress on that fitting and it's eventually gone.

Unfortunately it's time for a new shower.

 

[stuarta]

So you don't think it's repairable by replacing the surround?

 

[stuarta]

Just found this so hoepfully Bristan will come back and confirm it's all I need although need to work out if this is the cause of the shutoff issue as well

Bristan 1901 flow control handle - chrome | Bristan 0307-00-139 C | National Shower Spares

Buy a brand new Bristan 1901 flow control handle - chrome (Bristan 0307-00-139 C). 30 day money-back guarantee and same day despatch.

www.showerspares.com

 

[Madrab]

If that's the correct part then great -Though the part you may have found seems to be for the latest model that jj4091 linked to

As yours is 12yrs old it would probably be one of the earlier versions, who's flow control is different, the other 2 shower specialist that I source my parts from say the earlier part is discontinued.

Bristan 1901 C1 Complete Flow Handle - 00621419 - Bristan - Mixer Shower Handles | Shower DoctorBristan 1901 C1 Complete Flow Handle - 00621419 - Bristan - Mixer Shower Handles | Shower Doctor | BRIST-00621419

Browse Bristan 1901 C1 Complete Flow Handle - 00621419 at The Shower Doctor. We are the UK's leading supplier of Bristan shower accessories and other leading brands.

www.showerdoc.com

Bristan 1901 flow control handle - chrome | Bristan 0307-00-139 C | National Shower Spares

Buy a brand new Bristan 1901 flow control handle - chrome (Bristan 0307-00-139 C). 30 day money-back guarantee and same day despatch.

www.showerspares.com

- new model - (N2 CSHXVO C)

You would need to strip the shower down and see which one is yours to be sure.

 

[stuarta]

Sure enough Bristan have come back to say they aren't available anymore. I wasn't aware that the cartridge needed maintenance so maybe it's that causing the knocking? We did manage to use it this morning turning the surround by hand but it was stiff initially then loosens as the flow increases.

Has anyone got any experiences with these companies?

https://www.homesupply.co.uk/Bristan-1901-Exposed-Concentric-Chrome-Bottom-Outlet-Shower-Valve-Only-N2-CSHXVO-C?of_tid=MFRWG5B5GQ4DGJTGMVSWISLEHUYSM4DSN5SESZB5GQ2DEMBV&campaignid=20939514147&network=x&adGroupId=&device=c&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product-channel=online&keyword=&placement=&adposition=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20939526123&gbraid=0AAAAAD-_VVbbgYySeAdsEDpdPp22SsFna&gclid=CjwKCAjw6NrBBhB6EiwAvnT_rkAXEdFJZfW88qpZnxlISilsLlWY6gAZhYoBw3BFoFWrXBexja9A2hoCg-4QAvD_BwE

Bristan 1901 Exposed Concentric Chrome Shower Valve | N2 CSHXVO C

Bristan 1901 Exposed Concentric Chrome Shower Valve. Long lasting design and build quality with a 5-year warranty. Low online prices and fast delivery.

www.showerstoyou.co.uk

Bristan 1901 Thermostatic Exposed Dual Control Shower Valve N2 CSHXVO C

www.plumbarena.co.uk

 

[Madrab]

All these supplier companies are a much of a much. So many online companies these days, it's hard to say who is good and who isn't.

At the end of the day it is a branded shower you are getting so it's not really down to the supplier as it's Bristan that you would be dealing with to register the warranty etc, once the shower was obtained and fitted.

At the end of the day showers don't really get serviced no - if the valve was starting to tighten though then ideally it should have been looked at. That has probably contributed to the ring snapping, as it was becoming harder to operate that would put more force on that weak point.
In hindsight a strip down and lubrication or replacement could have potentially sorted that but that's water under the bridge now

 

[stuarta]

water under the bridge now

literally

so the knocking was likely to be the valve then? I think we are going to go for a new one. A supplier has come back with one that "might fit" for £115 plus the valve so think I might go for new shower.

 

[Madrab]

A supplier has come back with one that "might fit" for £115 plus the valve so think I might go for new shower.

A supplier wants £115 plus the cost of the valve?? Or is that a fitter/plumbers install cost?

The thing that needs checked is the distance of the supply pipe centres that are in the wall. Something to note is Bristan use very specific couplers for their exposed valves, they actually work in reverse to how other valves mount. Normal fit is the supply pipe finishes in a male 3/4" fitting and then the valve itself has 3/4" female fittings, the Bristan is the other way around, female out the wall and male on the valve and they aren't interchangeabe.

That and the Bristan shower inlets are adjustable which means the supply pipe centres don't need to be dead on 150mm. Any other bar/exposed type shower needs their pipe centres to be a very specific measurement, to allow the valve to fit properly, so something to keep that in mind.

It may be an idea to consider a like for like 1901 valve for guaranteed compatibility