magic shower mixer tool

[paolodit]

Hey expert new year plumbing peeps

My shower mixer runs barely luke warm. The hot feed is piping hot. If I turn it to max temp, turn on the bath & sink cold tap + flush the toilet, I can have a shower that's nearly bearable

I figure the mixer needs looking at. it is only 18 months old, bah! Is it likely to be bust? or possibily reparable?

I took the top off one of the taps but am confronted by this (see photo); is there a special tool I need that I can buy from ebay?

if I do take it off, I guess I have to shut the water off for the house from the cold feed, right!? And then have a fiddle with the mixer to see if I can clean and fix it? (btw I live in a soft water area)

thanks, expert peeps![/img]

 

[MeldrewsMate]

It's called (from memory) a spanner, and they are available from Ebay and other low reputation outlets.

Yes, turn off the water first or prepare to get wet (usually just the first 3 rows of seats get wet).

The internals may be seized by water bourne debris, not just scale.

Do you know if the cold supply is on the mains water, or tank fed?
Do you have a hot water cylinder?
Do you have a combination boiler ("instant" hot water)?

MM

 

[paolodit]

hi Meldrews Mate! thanks for the response.

Yes its cold mains fed. The boiler is a combi, that feeds it too.

So a circular spanner? proves how thick i am then! I didn't know such things existed.

that would be good if I could just clean it. I will go do trusty Homebaste tomorrow to get a circular spanner. thanks

 

[JimCrow]

Before you dismantle the valve try this first,

open the shower to full then turn the small spindle anti-clockwise the water should get hotter,

if not shut the water off and remove the valve from wall and check the inlet filters.

 

[paolodit]

okay I have tried that twisty thing.

So take it off the wall first, before I try and dismantle it.. got you.

thanks! what a lovely new year that will be with a warm shower!