Do you think it possible to replace a concealed shower from the back?

[steveinoz01]

Hi

We have a concealed shower that has seized and no longer in production to get replacement parts. I have contacted a few plumbers over the last few months and none are interested in doing the job so I need to do this myself.

I do not want to damage the tiles from the front and we can easily access the unit from the rear as it is in a stud wall which I can replaster once sorted.

I am thinking take the old one out from the back, find a similar one with outlets and valves in similar locations and a faceplate big enough to cover any damage where the valves come through.

My question/concern is, do you think this is doable as all the plumbers I contact seem to run a mile?

Has anyone else done this successfully or is there an a major flaw in my plan?

 

[terryplumb]

Pictures would be helpful. I don't see any reason why you can't do it from reverse side .

 

[Exedon]

I've done it in past pain in bum but concealed showers are anyway.

 

[Bod ...]

Have you any spare tiles?

 

[steveinoz01]

Pictures would be helpful. I don't see any reason why you can't do it from reverse side .

Not yet cut into the wall to expose the shower and pipework from reverse but have attached a picture of the front for reference.

Have you any spare tiles?

I do but they are quite large, maybe 600 x 200mm, and the location of the front valves cover two tiles, one of which goes behind the glass screen creating the shower enclosure so that approach seems like a bit of job too. I guess I could try replacing from the reverse side and if that fails look at removing the screen and tiles and access from the front.

 

[Bod ...]

What's the make and modal of the shower.

 

[Mister Banks]

Are you sure parts aren’t available? I have just had to buy parts for a shower that was installed nearly 27 years ago.

 

[steveinoz01]

It is a Kartell K-VIT Element shower. I have been told by a local plumber that he contacted them and was told they no longer make this unit or sell parts.

Searching online you can find sellers of this unit but from what I can tell they have changed the design so the front now looks different. I have just emailed Kartell to ask if the new version is just a facelift of the shinny bits you can see and if the valves and unit in the wall remain unchanged.

My Element shower looks like this

The newer Element shower looks like this

 

[Laurieo]

Try the ' Shower Doctor ' for spares .