Mira / Thermostatic Cartridge Replacement / Limescale

[rideforever]

Hi

I have a small stain appearing on the ceiling underneath an ensuite shower. I had a plumber in who resealed the tray, but the stain is growing slightly.

He told me the thermostatic cartridge is leaking ... it's about 1 drip every minute coming off the lower handle.

So I bought a cartridge, managed to find one for £10 which was cheap.

I am only reasonably competent diyer ... I am wondering if there will be any problems that i need to know ... or is straightforward.

Particularly if there is limescale in the socket for the cartridge ... the only thing I could do is to get toothbrush and brush it out maybe with some kettle descaler.

And I wouldn't know what to do if I put the Head Nut back on and water is dribbling out.

Perhaps I should just give it a go and if it doesn't work call a plumber.

?

Any advice ?

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• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

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• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

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• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

Untitled

• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

Untitled

• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

Untitled

• rideforever
• 24 Jan 2015
• 1

 

[Burnerman]

Surely the drain would take care of any leak
However, replacing the cartridge is easy enough if you can get the handles off, and your method of cleaning out the housing would be fine if you find it necessary.
John

 

[rideforever]

Isn't it possible that if the cartridge is dripping, that some of the dripping goes on between the wall and the tiles and onto the ceiling below.

If I can do the cartridge, I may try to regrout at the same time.

Not sure how to get that scale off the tiles effectively ???

I should do that before regrouting ?

 

[Burnerman]

You'll need to get both levers off and the large escutcheon plate off, and then see if the leaky cartridge is allowing water to drip behind, I'm afraid!
Those tiles look pretty far gone, but try spraying them with Cillit Bang and then scrubbing with the rough side of a sponge wash up to see how it goes.
John