Lidl Thermostatic Shower Problem

[jack3]

I can never seem to get the hot and cold water stable enough to have a shower. Either I get too hot water or too cold water. At times I can get the temp constant for about 5-10 seconds but then it changes.

The shower is connected to a fairly new combi boiler. Does anyone have any ideas on what to try or should I just get a new thermostatic mixer?

 

[dextrous]

What sort of shower do you have? Bathtap mixer type? manual? age? make?

Did it work before etc etc?

 

[LMannix]

I can never seem to get the hot and cold water stable enough to have a shower. Either I get too hot water or too cold water. At times I can get the temp constant for about 5-10 seconds but then it changes.

The shower is connected to a fairly new combi boiler. Does anyone have any ideas on what to try or should I just get a new thermostatic mixer?

Mixing valves are a pain in the nuts. You can get a thermostatic bar shower for £60.

You could get around your current probs by putting a pressure reducing valve on the cold feed to the shower, but thats as much as a hassle as fitting a better shower

 

[jack3]

The type of shower is a thermostatic shower mixer

It was fitted a little while back but it has never correctly worked since it was fitted.

A bathtap mixer from the same manufacture was fitted to the bath which works fine.

Somebody also suggested on Hotukdeals back when it was posted, that "I can confirm they are definately thermostatically controlled as they don't work if you connect them the wrong way round ".

Any Ideas?

 

[simond]

Well, if Hotukdeals say so, it must be true.

Who are hotukdeals exactly? Do they employ a full time plumber?

 

[jack3]

Well, if Hotukdeals say so, it must be true.

Who are hotukdeals exactly? Do they employ a full time plumber?

Simon, I said "Somebody also suggested on Hotukdeals..." as a potential problem.
Wasn't implying that it was correct or that they employ a full time plumber.

 

[LMannix]

The type of shower is a thermostatic shower mixer

It was fitted a little while back but it has never correctly worked since it was fitted.

A bathtap mixer from the same manufacture was fitted to the bath which works fine.

Somebody also suggested on Hotukdeals back when it was posted, that "I can confirm they are definately thermostatically controlled as they don't work if you connect them the wrong way round ".

Any Ideas?

Sounds like the installer has got the feeds the wrong way around.

The hot MUST go to the left of the valve as you look at it.

EDIT: Some thermostatic showers allow you to rectify this from the valve (without having to swap the feeds over). If you still have the instructions because im not too sure if its possible with the cheaper ones.

 

[jack3]

Thanks for the feedback LMannix

The hot feed is currently on the right.

The mixer has been installed as it looks in the picture below.

The manual and box was thrown away a while back so cannot check it. I've also looked online for the instructions with no luck.

All the piping for the shower is currently fitted in the wall and tiled over.

Would turning the shower mixer around so that the thermostatic dial is on the left possibly work?

 

[LMannix]

Yep that would work as a quick fix, just may look a bit daft

 

[jack3]

Just turned the shower mixer around and it still doesn't mix correctly.

Also the thermostatic dial for half the settings doesn't send any water.

Only option to try before replacing it would be to change the valves which I am not sure how to do?

 

[LMannix]

Just turned the shower mixer around and it still doesn't mix correctly.

Also the thermostatic dial for half the settings doesn't send any water.

Only option to try before replacing it would be to change the valves which I am not sure how to do?

Sounds like either one side of the shower inlet is blocked, ie on the back of the shower the filter is full of crap or the none return valve in the back of the shower may be a bit stiff. Try pushing them firmly with something to check they spring back.
Also wont be the 1st time ive seen a thermostatic shower with one side of the feed isolated sub floor. Might be worth a quick check that you do get water out of both sides of the inlets

 

[WDIK]

good job its not thermoscopic

 

[roguetrader]

my advice is to move, that would solve all your shower problems easily.

 

[picbits]

That shower will work fine for 6-12 months then it will start sticking and you won't get a decent temperature regulation.

You'll then think "fine - its got a 5 year warranty" and then spend the next 4-5 months chasing companies in Italy, getting fobbed off by Lidl, receiving wrong parts when you do eventually get through to someone then get totally ignored by everybody.

My father in law had the exact same as above with his shower and I ended up giving him my brand new spare one I was intending to fit myself as they hadn't been able to have a shower for months.

 

[nitro23456]

not even a golden shower?