Dribbling shower

[PChurch]

Hi,

I fitted a new electric shower about 18 months ago and have been very happy with it until recently. Over a period of a few weeks it seemed to lose pressure until now. when set to a reasonable temperature the water can't even form a proper spray but dribbles instead.
I live in an area with hard water so thought it might be scaled up so I tried descaling it (not sure if this is a good idea but I didn't have anything to lose) by removing it and running some Kilrock through it. This didn't make any difference.
The water pressure is there if I turn the temp right down so I assume its a problem with the heating element.
Its a Gainsborough 8.5 kW shower. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks

 

[chrishutt]

Try removing the shower handset to see if flow is OK through the hose only. If so, the handset rose is scaled up - very common. There should be a means of dismantling since they need fairly cleaning.

 

[PChurch]

Thanks,
I forgot to mention in my original post that cleaning the handset was the first thing I did and unfortunately it didn't make any difference. It is as if the shower has lost some of its ability to heat the water but I don't know why. I can still use it, but its nowhere near as good as it was a couple of months ago.

 

[Bahco]

If the heat ex is scaled up then you will have to replace the shower. I would invest in a limescale preventer if you are in a hard water area to prevent re-occurence.
Something like THIS will help.

There again, it could be the thermostat or heat ex which is faulty. Might be worth phoning THESE PEOPLE for advice.

 

[PChurch]

Thanks for the advice.

Do those magnetic scale inhibitors really work? I've always been a bit suspicious of them.

Incidentally could limescale be responsible for making my ceramic disc mixer tap drip. I've only had it for about 8 months so am a bit dissapointed.