Any plumbers about?

[technodup]

I've got a shower which runs straight off the combi boiler, but it's not heating up. Kitchen tap is hot, bathroom tap is hot, but shower isn't. Pressure isn't great on either tap tbh.

The boiler leaks water somewhere- never been able/fussed to identify exactly where, but I top it up every so often and it's usually fine.

Any ideas?

[B17NNS]

Duff thermostatic cartridge in the valve?

[technodup]

Dunno, was working fine until recently. I'm guessing it's the hot water pressure being low which is meaning not enough is mixing in the shower for it to get hot.

[Pheo]

I was going to go with failed cartridge as above as well

[technodup]

Where would the valve be? And is it something a non-plumber can fix?

I'm reasonably handy but don't fancy flooding the place.

[richatnort]

Would probably be useful to get a picture of the shower to be able to give you an idea (remember to take the photo landscape so it uploads the right way)

[Gingerbread Man]

I'm assuming that the boiler isn't kicking in upon turning on the shower? If you don't have enough flow on the hot, the boiler won't kick in.

Scaled up shower head? Take the head off and run the shower from the hose, does this improve the flow rate?

It could be a cartridge causing a restriction/ not providing the correct temp.

Also, is there a flow restrictor in the line where the hose goes on (one end)?

[B17NNS]

These might help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGFsY0i7dKo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UosQxuvR650

[technodup]

It's an old Mira thing, with just a dial and a chrome surround. I doubt it's furred up as I'm in Scotland and we don't get limescale.

The pressure at the bathroom and kitchen hot taps is st. Cold are fine. Flow in the shower is never great but it's worse now. Boiler isn't kicking in.

I'll try and get a pic but there's not much to see, unless there's more gubbins hidden in the wall. What I'm confused about is if a valve in the shower needs replaced, why is the pressure poor at the taps?

[Alrey87]

If all the hot taps have poor pressure and cold Is fine then the only variable on a combi system is the boiler. Generally points to a scaled plate heat exchanger restricting the flow. Unless the inlet to the boiler has been closed slightly to restrict flow. If all taps are hot and shower isn't then as previously stated most likely failed mixer cartridge.

[megaphone]

As a side note, if you keep topping the CH system pressure up then you are introducing fresh water which causes black sludge to build up in the system, not good. You need to find the leak and get it fixed.

[technodup]

I really need a new boiler but doing that would pretty much force the new kitchen I also need and I cannot be arsed with all that. The benefit of not having a woman around the place.

I think I'll get someone to look at it and nurse it along another year or two.