Are these isolation valves?

[frusc]

Could someone please confirm the big “screws” on either side of the thermostatic valve are the hot/cold isolation valves?

I have these concealed mixers in all 3 showers in the house. One of them is dripping from the thermostatic valve. I can shut off the mains supply. But if there’s a problem I’d be under pressure to get it resolved, as I couldn’t turn the water back on.

So I pulled off the plate and then drilled a hole to expose what I hope are the isolation valves. I can then isolate the defective shower, remove the thermostatic valve and figure out if it’s a seal or find a replacement. Whilst cordoning off p) that bathroom and leave the family to use the other two.

Going forward it also means I don’t need to isolate the whole house if there’s an issue with any of the shower mixers.

Thank you

 

[polesapart]

Unlikely to be isolators, more probably cover plates for flow reducers/inlet filters/non-return valves.

 

[frusc]

Unlikely to be isolators, more probably cover plates for flow reducers/inlet filters/non-return valves.

Damn

So I’m guessing these mixers don’t have isolation valves fitted. Because from searches that’s where they’re usually located.

 

[CBW]

Check on the supply feeds if possible?

 

[Alec_t]

Could someone please confirm the big “screws” on either side of the thermostatic valve are the hot/cold isolation valves?

Have you tried turning them off to see what happens?

 

[conny]

If they won't turn clockwise then it's a good indicator, they are not isolators.
As @polesapart says, probably for flow restrictors or filters.
You are going to need to open it up more if/when you do replace/repair the problem, so open it fully now and it will give you, (and us), a clearer picture of what is behind there. You never know, you may find a couple of isolators slightly further away.

 

[frusc]

Have you tried turning them off to see what happens?

Not yet. Didn’t want to start on a Sunday incase I need to get replacement parts.

Just pulled off the plate and was hoping to find isolation valves. Then on Wednesday, when I have a day off, start working on it.

 

[frusc]

If they won't turn clockwise then it's a good indicator, they are not isolators.
As @polesapart says, probably for flow restrictors or filters.
You are going to need to open it up more if/when you do replace/repair the problem, so open it fully now and it will give you, (and us), a clearer picture of what is behind there. You never know, you may find a couple of isolators slightly further away.

I’ll go do that now. Fingers crossed there is something else behind there.

 

[frusc]

Unfortunately doesn’t look like there’s a stop valve anywhere

Just the copper supply pipes -> elbow -> mixer

Atleast I got a chance to use my GSA18 that’s been largely collecting dust since I got it on a “great” deal

 

[conny]

What are the two rods sticking out at top and bottom? (Pictures 3 + 4 2525 and 2524)

 

[frusc]

What are the two rods sticking out at top and bottom? (Pictures 3 + 4 2525 and 2524)

Top one goes to the overhead shower, bottom one goes to the handheld shower. The two rods sticking out of the wall are the tap controls for each.

 

[frusc]

So “I did the job”.

No stop valve, so switched off at the mains. At this point I thought “since the water is off I may as well pull out and clean the other thermostatic cartridges whilst I’m at it”.

As usual (being a DIY’er) what I thought would be a couple of hours turned into most of the day job. Pulled all the panels off, removed the cartridges. Cleaned them in descaler. Cleaned the handles. Etc, etc.

Put it all back together and unfortunately the defective cartridge is still dripping. But I believe I’ve identified it as a Crosswater GP0000250 so ordered a replacement.

All good I thought, “job done”. This morning tank heated up as usual, so I thought I’d set the temperature restrictor. And both of the working showers the coldest setting is now coming out warm

I’m guessing I’ve damaged the O rings when I screwed them back in? Atleast I hope that’s the issue and I haven’t damaged them by descaling them?

 

[polesapart]

Try realigning the temperature limiters.

 

[frusc]

Try realigning the temperature limiters.

How would I do that? It’s a screw in cartridge, should I loosen it a bit?

I’ve attached a pic of it.

 

[frusc]

Thought I’d update the thread incase anyone else experienced similar.

Replacement cartridge arrived so replaced the leaking one. Pulled the other two and checked them, but O-Rings looked fine.

Gave them a good turn whilst out, greased them up with plumbers silicon grease and stuck them back in.

The new cartridge works fine as expected. One of the old ones does go cold, but very stiff when turning the last quarter to get it cold. The other refuses to go cold.

Ordered two more, which is probably what I should have done in the first place. They are several years old now and until recently we had very hard water, so probably on the way out anyway. I suspect descaling them probably released some crap internally which is interfering and that’s why they don’t go cold.

Thanks for the help and advice. Hopefully That’s my bit of DIY done for a couple of months