Dripping shower

[FUBAR]

I'm not very good at this DIY malarky, but I thought even I could have a crack at a dripping shower. It's an Aqualisa built in jobby, exact model unknown, but afaict it's this one

http://www.aqualisa.co.uk/parts-store/Controls/Aqu...

I was hoping that I could open it up, find a simple rubber washer, swap it over, job done (obviously after finding and isolating the water supply ) but looking at that diagram it's not quite so simple.

I'm guessing the gasket at #14 isn't what I am after? Am I looking at having to replace the 'cartridge' at #5? Typically one is £3.71 and one is £105!

All help and advice appreciated

[Flintstone]

Yup, it's fubared and you need the cartridge.

Buy one and fit it yourself, paid about £70 for mine. The diagram makes it look harder than it is.

Edited by Flintstone on Friday 30th July 15:13

[FUBAR]

Ta Flintstone. Can you point me in the direction of where you got yours for £70?

ETA: S'OK, took me all of 30 seconds on Google

Now just need to work out if it's grey or pink (the cartridge obviously)

Edited by FUBAR on Friday 30th July 15:37

[Flintstone]

FUBAR said:

Ta Flintstone. Can you point me in the direction of where you got yours for £70?

ETA: S'OK, took me all of 30 seconds on Google

Now just need to work out if it's grey or pink (the cartridge obviously

I trawled t'bay and then found that my local plumbers merchant was cheaper. I also managed to get advice from him on the fitting. As for which cartridge the eBay sellers sites sometimes have a guide telling you which cartridge fits which model or you could take a photo with your phone and show it to your local supplier. It you want to make really certain then partly dismantle the mixer to the stage where you can see the cartridge (no need to turn the water off for this).

From memory the only tools needed are a cross-head screwdriver and a hooked pointy thing for pulling the old 'O' ring out. Oh, and Vaseline. The instructions recommend lubing some of it for ease of operation (your honour).

Edited by Flintstone on Friday 30th July 15:50

[FUBAR]

Flintstone said:

From memory the only tools needed are a cross-head screwdriver and a hooked pointy thing for pulling the old 'O' ring out. Oh, and Vaseline.

I think even I can do this

[Flintstone]

FUBAR said:

Flintstone said:

From memory the only tools needed are a cross-head screwdriver and a hooked pointy thing for pulling the old 'O' ring out. Oh, and Vaseline.

I think even I can do this

[condor]

Doesn't vaseline rot rubber? I was told many years ago that it does.
Perhaps you'd be better off using WD40 as a lubricant.

[Ferg]

It may well ONLY be the 'o'-ring at the back of the cartridge. It often is.

[FUBAR]

The gasket? Might just get one of those for £4 and try it first. Does mean I could end up opening it all up twice. Could be pushing my luck

[Ferg]

FUBAR said:

The gasket? Might just get one of those for £4 and try it first. Does mean I could end up opening it all up twice. Could be pushing my luck

No. There's an 'o' ring deep inside No.9, which seals the cartridge to the body. They often leak from here and the replacement cartridge comes with an 'o'-ring which they tell you to change. Hence, often all it needed was the 'o'-ring, but no-one notices.

Edited by Ferg on Friday 30th July 17:12

[Simpo Two]

How old is it? Mine came with a 5 year guarantee and I'm on my third hose/head after the first two started dripping. You just ring them up and they send you a new lump!

[Flintstone]

Ferg said:

It may well ONLY be the 'o'-ring at the back of the cartridge. It often is.

That's the one.

[FUBAR]

Simpo Two said:

How old is it?

11 years so I suppose I cant moan too much

[FUBAR]

OMFG! I only went and fixed it (eventually)

Did the usual 'bloke thing' of not reading the instructions fully, and missed out one crucial element in the reconstruction, which ended up with myself and the bathroom getting a little damp

On Mrs Fubes's orders, read the instructions from start to finish and job done. I keep going upstairs to check its not dripping as I still cant believe I've been successful at something DIY

Cheers for your advice

[DocJock]

For future reference, www.showerdoctor.com has a forum for questions where you normally get a reply from the guys fairly quickly.

[Flintstone]

FUBAR said:

OMFG! I only went and fixed it (eventually)

Did the usual 'bloke thing' of not reading the instructions fully, and missed out one crucial element in the reconstruction, which ended up with myself and the bathroom getting a little damp

On Mrs Fubes's orders, read the instructions from start to finish and job done. I keep going upstairs to check its not dripping as I still cant believe I've been successful at something DIY

Cheers for your advice

You do realise Ferg will now invoice you for his time?

[FUBAR]

Possibly. But we all know there is a difference between invoicing and getting paid