Whatever you're looking for, whether its spare parts for your shower or a bit of guidance on the equipment you might need to carry out an urgent repair, then look no further than here.
Like many homeowners, you could find yourself confused about how much choice is on offer for fixing up your bathroom. For the smallest room in the house, it doesn't half know how to put even the most experienced DIY enthusiast to the test!
Our handy guide will fill you in on five commonly used spare parts for your shower, which you never know when you might need.
Solenoid Valve assembly / Solenoid Coil – 27600 (Instant Electric Showers)
Have you ever been in mid shower and then it switches off unannounced? Or find that the head continually passes water when you've switched it off? There could be a problem with your solenoid coil or solenoid valve. This part is fitted at the point where cold water enters your electric shower and acts as a stopping system that controls whether or not to let water through.
In some cases, this part of the shower can fail over time, but in others, another component inside the shower unit has leaked water on to the coil to create the problem. If you catch the issue early on, you could avoid some costly repairs.
Bristan Thermostatic Cartridge - 06732COMPL (Mixer Showers)
As the main internal component in Bristan Mixer Showers, this part could be difference between enjoying a hot shower or enduring a freezing downpour. 'But when would you need it?', we hear you ask! Usually, if you are experiencing temperature-stabilising issues, with the temperature fluctuating considerably or the shower is stiff to operate.
DIY-ers take note: it is worth checking if you are getting steady hot and cold water supply to the shower before replacing this part to ensure there is not a wider issue.
Triton PRD (Pressure Relief Device) – 82800450 (Instant Electric Showers)
This important safety feature is activated if the pressure inside your shower unit exceeds the recommended level. If you've ever been unlucky enough to have a pressure surge, you'll know they're best avoided. Usually, this problem stems from the external water supply, but a blockage in the shower head / shower hose can also create back pressure.
Looking to prevent this issue? We'd recommend checking your shower head is clear from scale and the flexible hose does not have any kinks or is collapsed inside, which could cause back pressure and blows the ball out of the pressure relief device.
Mira TCO (Thermal Switch) - 416.41 (Instant Electric Showers)
This electrical switch safety device is normally activated when the hot water temperature rises above the manufacturer's recommended levels. Very often, the reason for excessive heating is due to a reduction in water flow to the shower, which can be triggered by issues with other components in your shower. EG leaks internally or a faulty flow valve.
Although changing this part might seem like a daunting job, the process is extremely simple.
Galaxy Control Knobs - SG08089 (Instant Electric Showers)
Usually found on some models of Galaxy electric showers, this fragile part is easily broken - especially if users are a bit heavy-handed when it comes to switching the shower off. Luckily, this problem can be easily fixed.
Different shower models can often break easily, which means getting your hands on a spare is recommended in order to avoid long periods without being able to make use of your bathroom.
General shower maintenance
It is extremely important to keep your shower - and indeed the rest of the bathroom - running smoothly, to avoid any family crises! Following a few simple tips should help to prevent any incidents.
Regularly cleaning your shower head is the best way to remove any limescale or grime that has built up through everyday use. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe the nozzles once or twice a week to keep things in working order. Also, avoid a build-up of dirt on the joints of the shower hose by lightly wiping this too.
Failure to grout or seal the tiles in your bathroom regularly can lead to leaks, which could mean you're facing some rather costly repairs. Ensure you have some of this in the house at all times and touch up the walls every couple of months to ensure you catch those nasty issues before they really take hold.