smal tube leak - what is it?

[thenap80]

I would be so grateful if someone could assist me with the following problem with my shower.

There is water leaking from a transparent small tube that seems to lead alongside the water that travels into the hose. Therefore there is water escaping at the point near the start of the hose lead.

The transparent tube doesnt seem to go anywhere. It does not fit into the hose. It seems to be excess water.

I am not very DIY minded. Please help!

Barry

 

[breezer]

I take it its an electric showere?

 

[thenap80]

yes it is electric. it has electics in it. i not too sure how to tell? help me!

 

[doitall]

Sounds like an expansion pipe and is supposed to drip when the heater is on.

 

[thenap80]

okay so what is the problem if the water runs through it excessively more than a drip. can i replace that on its own? cheers

 

[doitall]

Does it drip when the shower isn't being used.

What make/model is the shower

 

[TicklyT]

Could it be the shower head could do with a clean out? a bit of limescale reducing the flow at the shower head would increase the back pressure, and water ends up coming out of the drain rather than the shower head?

Or could the pipe be a drain from the housing, indicating there is a water leak inside the housing somewhere indicating the need for some prompt attention.... Water and electrics .....

 

[Gasguru]

Electric showers have a pressure relief valve designed to stop the unit over pressurising. Since it is dripping over pressure has occured.

This may be due to the shower head becoming excessively scaled up. Other causes can be turning the unit on without sufficent water flow or turning the mains water back on and trapped air causing sudden overpressure. When refilling the unit with water always remove the shower head until clear air free water is running.

The relief valve assembly will require replacement (you can't normally clean them) - try this lot for spares but maybe cheaper from the manufacturer. http://www.showerdoc.co.uk/index.html

 

[thenap80]

so how do i get into the nitty gritty bit of the shower. do u suggest buying a whole new shower. is it easy to fix?

 

[Gasguru]

Depends on the shower tell us the make/model.

With some showers its a 5 minute job to change the part - however water/electrics don't mix and if you're not confident phone the manufactures for a service visit.

 

[simond]

Yep, the pressure relief valve is normally just the plastic tube you describe with a small plastic membrane blocking it internally.

When the shower flow is restricted (scale in head, kinked hose inside chrome flexi etc) the membrane breaks and the part has to be replaced.

In a Triton it is normally only two Philips screws to remove and the part is very cheap. Best find out what caused it first though, or the replacement will go the same way.

 

[thenap80]

Thankyou to all who replied. I will try replacing the valve!!!

 

[thenap80]

today looked about in homebase and b&q and wickes but did not sell the valve as described above. could not seem to find on ebay either.

does anyone know where i can purchase such an item. i found similar tubing that is paid for by the metre but did not have an inner membrane so that would have been the wrong product?

all help appreciated.

 

[bab]

It will be a replacement spare part only available from the manufacturer. You will need to contact them & quote The serial no. of the shower.