Weird shower issue - no water!

[SimplyWendyful]

Part isn't too cheap, if that is what it needs of course, https://www.showerdoc.com/redring-pressure-switch-assembly-93672124

Thanks. Maybe worth getting a plumber to have a wee look then!

 

[SimplyWendyful]

Sounds like it could be a weak/failing solenoid coil or a faulty pull cord isolationn switch.

Is it likely to be the isolator though? The shower itself always switches on, but if the issue with the water occurs it’s resolved by turning on the bathroom tap. I don’t ever need to use the switch.

 

[denso13]

Thanks. Maybe worth getting a plumber to have a wee look then!

Yes, difficult at times as it means changing parts till you find the correct one, which should be compared to a new shower with a warranty.

 

[SimplyWendyful]

Thank you everyone for your help. I’ll get onto a Plumber tomorrow!

 

[dilalio]

Thank you everyone for your help. I’ll get onto a Plumber tomorrow!

Just to warn you... Very few plumbers will get involved with a repair to an electric shower!
I did once but warned customer the parts he had bought might not fix it... They didn't!

Better to get a new one... But also check/flush supply pipework.

 

[SimplyWendyful]

Just to warn you... Very few plumbers will get involved with a repair to an electric shower!
I did once but warned customer the parts he had bought might not fix it... They didn't!

Better to get a new one... But also check/flush supply pipework.

Thanks. I’ll see if I can get the pipes checked at least and then look at getting a new shower.

 

[dilalio]

Thanks. I’ll see if I can get the pipes checked at least and then look at getting a new shower.

And never be tempted to change the shower head they come with... As most if not all are designed to use the supplied fittings and will blow the pressure relief valve if 3rd party parts are attached

 

[SimplyWendyful]

And never be tempted to change the shower head they come with... As most if not all are designed to use the supplied fittings and will blow the pressure relief valve if 3rd party parts are attached

That’s useful to know! I think my wife did change it after we moved in which may explain it!

 

[denso13]

That’s useful to know! I think my wife did change it after we moved in which may explain it!

I think you removed the head and it still didn't work so unlikely to be that causing it.

 

[dilalio]

That’s useful to know! I think my wife did change it after we moved in which may explain it!

It usually results in water leaking out the bottom of the unit.. Not always immediately.

 

[dilalio]

That’s useful to know! I think my wife did change it after we moved in which may explain it!

May have done something to it!
Who knows
But if it worked OK for 3 years - unlikely.

 

[Madrab]

Is the electric shower tank fed?

I'd certainly be looking to rule that one out - If the cold on the bath in the other bathroom affects it. In a lot of cases where there is a cold cistern then invariably it feeds the main bathroom, if the main bathroom cold then affects the shower then it's wouldn't be too big a leap to think it may be then be fed off the same supply.

 

[SimplyWendyful]

I'd certainly be looking to rule that one out - If the cold on the bath in the other bathroom affects it. In a lot of cases where there is a cold cistern then invariably it feeds the main bathroom, if the main bathroom cold then affects the shower then it's wouldn't be too big a leap to think it may be then be fed off the same supply.

I suspect it probably is the same supply.

And since the issue has only recently occurred it could be a recent part failure of some sort,

 

[Madrab]

And since the issue has only recently occurred it could be a recent part failure of some sort,

Yes and no - gravity supplies can be a bit fickle and the pressure/flow through the pipework can be affected over time. It may be dropping to the point where the shower wont run and when the full flow tap in the bathroom is runs that increases the flow enough to allow the shower to kick in.

Of course it's not a given that it is fed from the cistern but wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like where someone has taken the supply off the wrong pipe in an airing cupboard, easy enough for your plumber to check though.

 

[dilalio]

I suspect it probably is the same supply.

And since the issue has only recently occurred it could be a recent part failure of some sort,

As I said earlier...
You need to establish this!
From your description, it "read" like the shower is teed into the rising main that feeds the CWSC... That is usually not the same pipe that feeds the bath cold, as this is from the CWSC and therefore "tank fed"!

So... Follow that pipe into the loft and see if it supplies the ball valve in the tank and is not an outlet from the tank.