Do I really need to drain my system?

[thecrofty]

Hi Folks, apologies if this seems like I'm waffling - I read the forum rules & it says to include as much info as possible
I have a Triton LP Thermostatic Mixer shower, which over the last couple of weeks has got steadily colder. It was working fine previously, nothing has changed, hot water is still available from all the other taps in the house, and the 'hot' supply pipe to the unit still gets warm.
From lots of other stuff I've read, I'm assuming this means that the 'cartridge' is knackered & needs to be replaced, which looks like a pretty simple swap out job (please yell if you think it might be something else)
I've found where the supply pipes run into the airing cupboard, but there's only a gate valve fitted to the cold supply, and nothing to allow me to switch off the hot water
Can anyone recommend a way of either 'retro-fitting' some sort of stop valve into the existing pipe, or should I try some sort of 'freezing' spray?
All suggestions welcome, as I haven't done much plumbing (gimme a computer to fix anytime ) - I really don't want to go through the hassle of draining the whole hot water system

 

[wiggikins]

No "hassle" draining hot water, turn off stop tap+ open hot taps,job done!

 

[EliteHeat]

No "hassle" draining hot water, turn off stop tap+ open hot taps,job done!

What?

 

[wiggikins]

No "hassle" draining hot water, turn off stop tap+ open hot taps,job done!

What?

Got a problem with that have you?

 

[EliteHeat]

How does turning off the mains enable the stopping of the HW without draining the CWS? That's my main problem.

 

[wiggikins]

Opening hot taps,as stated in my reply will drain CWS,unless i am mistaken.

 

[tonybhoy]

I've given up replacing shower cartridges with the exception of mira.

Triton ones are a pure bstart to replace mate as are Aqualisa.

Triton will do it for a fixed price.

 

[GasMan1965]

Isnt there a gate valve on the cylinder cold feed?

 

[EliteHeat]

Opening hot taps,as stated in my reply will drain CWS,unless i am mistaken.

Yes, you are since you completely omitted the fact that the CWS will be drained via your method when the OP specifically asked "do I really need to drain the system?". Your post also implied that turning off the stop tap would also stop the HW flow.

Your method needlessly deprives him or her or a complete cylinder of hot water, which is totally unnecessary and pointlessly expensive.

So, all in all, you are mistaken.

 

[wiggikins]

Opening hot taps,as stated in my reply will drain CWS,unless i am mistaken.

Yes, you are since you completely omitted the fact that the CWS will be drained via your method when the OP specifically asked "do I really need to drain the system?". Your post also implied that turning off the stop tap would also stop the HW flow.

Your method needlessly deprives him or her or a complete cylinder of hot water, which is totally unnecessary and pointlessly expensive.

So, all in all, you are mistaken.

C'mon then, gobby ,just how would you go about renewing cartridge if no gate valve on cold feed to cylinder? A cylinder full of hot water,wasted,?
Put the plug in the bath and get a bath when finished

 

[GasMan1965]

Opening hot taps,as stated in my reply will drain CWS,unless i am mistaken.

Yes, you are since you completely omitted the fact that the CWS will be drained via your method when the OP specifically asked "do I really need to drain the system?". Your post also implied that turning off the stop tap would also stop the HW flow.

Your method needlessly deprives him or her or a complete cylinder of hot water, which is totally unnecessary and pointlessly expensive.

So, all in all, you are mistaken.

C'mon then, gobby ,just how would you go about renewing cartridge if no gate valve on cold feed to cylinder? A cylinder full of hot water,wasted,?
Put the plug in the bath and get a bath when finished

Buy a set of bungs and get ya arm wet

 

[maxster]

We have just changed our system to HP - so we have a Triton LP Cartridge (only six months old) for sale if you're interested ?