HELP Leaking Shower & Is it safe to use?????

[surfergraham]

Hi

we have a gainsborough regent II shower - cold fill heated type.

I noticed that the shower was leaking recently and that this was getting worse.

When it was on it would drip / flow as it got worse from where the shower cable head joined the unit. I put some tape on it and tighten it up - but still it leaked and clearly from inside the unit.

So I disconnected all the electrics and the took the cover off and found 2 things

1)The source of the leak when the shower is turned was under the small heating chamber, through a small nut, this nut is hollow.

When the shower was on water was constantly running out the bottom of this into the shower unit itself. Thankfully this has been hitting the shower head flex and that has been drawing the water out of the unit

2) A little plastic pipe that was loose that I now believe goes under the small heating chamber to direct water out underneath the unit, this I have now re attached to this.

Now when the shower is turned on the water pours out of this small black pipe.

So my questions are.

Firstly how do I stop this leak occuring
Secondly how safe is it to use the shower now, and if its ok how dangerous was it actually while this small black pipe was off and water was inside the unit near the electrics - my very limited knowledge tells me this was not good!

Thanks in advance for any assistance and guidance with this.

Surfergraham

 

[Bahco]

Do not use as it sounds as if the pressure relief valve has activated.

 

[Gasguru]

It appears to be the pressure relief valve leaking. Does the shower head require descaling? If the water has been turned off and suddenly turned on this can also cause the valve to open.

See here for the part http://www.showerdoc.co.uk/shower-spares/gainsborough/regent.html

96.607.237

 

[gas4you]

I would also go with the heater element can scaled up and the prv has blown. Probably new heater can needed or depending on cost a new shower may be better.

 

[surfergraham]

Hi the shower head appears to be ok

But the unit has been vibrating recently - and this stops when the cold tap is run at the same time - not ideal environmentally.

If so what can I do to reset or reclose this pressure relief device?

Or is it that I need to try and get a replacement heater valve?

Is it simply a case of removing the old one and replacing the new one if so how easy are they too do?

Or is it more cost effective to fit a new shower unit?

thanks for everyones help

Graham

 

[gas4you]

Personally as I've done both, I would say it is better to replace with a better shower.

 

[surfergraham]

Hi

Thanks for all your help - is it safe to use as its the only shower in the house currently

The valve does appear to be the issue and the pipe is in place with water now running out of the unit when it is in use.

Graham