Triple shower valve replacement problem.

[sussexwoman]

In 2008 a builder fitted a shower in my bedroom. No idea where he got the shower valve from.

It's a triple-valve: top knob for the rainfall shower head, middle for the temperature control and bottom knob for the handheld.

The middle knob has corroded internally and fallen off. Two plumbers and a builder have independently told me it cannot be repaired and I need to buy a replacement and the plate needs to be the same size.

The existing plate measures 80mm wide by 325mm high. I have spent almost an entire day going from one website to another trying to find the same size plate or bigger. I also phoned my local plumbing supplier and they are unable to supply one that size.

What can I do?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[denso13]

Retile round the valve with contrasting tiles, or perhaps fit something like this, https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/maverick-thermostatic-shower-panel-black-bsp001

 

[sussexwoman]

Oh I did not think of that. The tiles are a matte white, I guess can be bought anywhere. I don't like that huge ugly thing, it's just a tiny cubicle.

 

[oldbuffer]

By the sound of it you have a concealed shower. I.e. the "works" are recessed into the wall with only the controls and a cover plate showing. If this is correct then:

1. Unless you can get exactly the same make and model (which sounds unlikely given the lack of spares) it is most unlikely that the pipework in the recess will suit a new shower valve.
2. Depending on how the recess has been filled after fitting the shower and before tiling, you may need to do more excavation to enable pipework changes to be made and a new concealed shower valve fitted.
3. Could be quite a big job, possibly complicated by limited access.

You might care to post photographs of the shower with the broken knob roughly in place, and again with a good view of the broken knob itself and of what remains within the shower.

Might also be worth sending the photographs to showerdoc.com who might be able to identify the shower and possible even suppy spares.

 

[opps]

As above, photos will help.

Are the knobs 3 part, ie, a collar which slides into the plate, then the part that screws into the thermostatic valve and finally a crown that sits on top?

 

[sussexwoman]

Thanks, Oldbuffer. I don't have any photos but I can take my mobile up to bed and get some.
Opps - I honestly do not know!

 

[sussexwoman]

here it is

 

[jj4091]

So you just need a new handle?
Perhaps something like this would do https://www.wholesaledomestic.com/c...v4vPfJ2N_uLelLV4myfMmOWLxYqPj-hBoC5-QQAvD_BwE
But you would need to send them pictures of the old handle internally and externally with dimensions.
Might be best to ring and speak to them first.
Also as has been said The Showerdoc are helpful.

 

[sussexwoman]

So you just need a new handle?
Perhaps something like this would do https://www.wholesaledomestic.com/c...v4vPfJ2N_uLelLV4myfMmOWLxYqPj-hBoC5-QQAvD_BwE
But you would need to send them pictures of the old handle internally and externally with dimensions.
Might be best to ring and speak to them first.
Also as has been said The Showerdoc are helpful.

Two plumbers and a builder have independently told me it cannot be repaired or replaced.

 

[oldbuffer]

From what I can see from your slightly fuzzy photograph, there doesn't look to be much wrong with the shower itself. From this and your original description of "has corroded internally and fallen off" it seems that the damage is internal to the knob. On this basis jj4091's suggestion of replacing the knob seems sensible.

What would be key is ensuring that any replacement, such as those quoted, have a splined internal centre that will fit the splines on shower valve in the centre of your photograph. They need to match on diameter and on number of splines.

While replacing the knob may not be possible, if it were it would be considerably less expensive and disruptive than replacing the whole shower. Some things worth trying:

1. Take one of the other knobs off and see if it fits the splines, then see if the valve still works.
2. If it does, measure the following:
2.1 The diameter of the spindle in the middle of the exposed valve. Without proper measuring tools, cut a strip of paper 5 mm wide by 50 mm long. Wrap it round the spindle and mark the spot where one short edge abuts the strip. Take it off and measure from that short edge to the mark, trying to be accurate to the nearest mm. Multiply by 22 and divide by 7 will give you a good indication of diameter.
2.2 Count the number of splines. Not easy to do and probably requires a magnifying glass. Mark one spline with a marker pen, then count round stopping on the one before the marked one. Almost certainly an even number, 18, 20, 24 or 28.
2.3 The outside diameter of the knob.
2.4 The depth of the knob from it flat front face to its base. Call it A.
2.5 The distance from the flat face plate of the shower to the end of the splined shaft of the valve. Call it B.
2.6 How far the valve splines reach inside the knob. This is roughly A minus B.
3. Check with the supplier of th knob suggested by jj4091 to see if there knob would fit. I would suggest that provided it fits the splined valve shaft and is not too far off for diameter and depth, it's a good compromise.

 

[sussexwoman]

From what I can see from your slightly fuzzy photograph, there doesn't look to be much wrong with the shower itself. From this and your original description of "has corroded internally and fallen off" it seems that the damage is internal to the knob. On this basis jj4091's suggestion of replacing the knob seems sensible.

What would be key is ensuring that any replacement, such as those quoted, have a splined internal centre that will fit the splines on shower valve in the centre of your photograph. They need to match on diameter and on number of splines.

While replacing the knob may not be possible, if it were it would be considerably less expensive and disruptive than replacing the whole shower. Some things worth trying:

1. Take one of the other knobs off and see if it fits the splines, then see if the valve still works.
2. If it does, measure the following:
2.1 The diameter of the spindle in the middle of the exposed valve. Without proper measuring tools, cut a strip of paper 5 mm wide by 50 mm long. Wrap it round the spindle and mark the spot where one short edge abuts the strip. Take it off and measure from that short edge to the mark, trying to be accurate to the nearest mm. Multiply by 22 and divide by 7 will give you a good indication of diameter.
2.2 Count the number of splines. Not easy to do and probably requires a magnifying glass. Mark one spline with a marker pen, then count round stopping on the one before the marked one. Almost certainly an even number, 18, 20, 24 or 28.
2.3 The outside diameter of the knob.
2.4 The depth of the knob from it flat front face to its base. Call it A.
2.5 The distance from the flat face plate of the shower to the end of the splined shaft of the valve. Call it B.
2.6 How far the valve splines reach inside the knob. This is roughly A minus B.
3. Check with the supplier of th knob suggested by jj4091 to see if there knob would fit. I would suggest that provided it fits the splined valve shaft and is not too far off for diameter and depth, it's a good compromise.

Gosh! I am most grateful to you for all the trouble you have taken. I will copy and paste and print out what you have written. Thank you so much!


The valve does still work. I mean I still use it to shower, and I adjust the temperature with a pair of pliers, which is very awkward especially as I keep dropping them.

 

[jj4091]

Two plumbers and a builder have independently told me it cannot be repaired or replaced.

Possibly they didn't think of getting a new handle. It still seems to be all you need. It's at least worth trying to find one. From your point of view if not their's. Some good advice from oldbuffer.

 

[sussexwoman]

I have ordered a new handle and will try it out. Maybe it will fit, maybe it won't. Many thanks to all!

 

[dal5band]

Can you move the top knob to the middle and not bother with the rain shower as a temp measure ?