Shower repair in Woolwich

Types of shower

Electric showers heat water instantaneously from the cold mains and are independent of the boiler — common in rental properties (brands: Triton, Aqualisa, Mira). Mixer showers blend hot and cold water from the hot water system and require balanced hot and cold pressure. Power showers are mixers with an integrated pump. Digital showers use a remote controller with precise temperature control (brands: Aqualisa Quartz, Mira Vision). Each type has different fault patterns and repair procedures.

Common electric shower faults

No power: check the RCD, MCB, pull cord switch, and wiring connections inside the unit. No water flow: flow switch fault or inlet filter blocked with limescale (very common in London hard water areas). Water not heating: heating element failed or scaled. Temperature too hot or cold: thermostatic coil fault. Water dripping from head when off: non-return valve or solenoid valve fault. Shower trips the electrics: element failure or wiring fault.

Common thermostatic mixer faults

Poor temperature control: thermostatic cartridge failed — replacement cartridge typically £30 to £80 and a 30-minute repair. Low flow: cartridge restrictors, limescale in valve body, or pressure imbalance between hot and cold. Dripping from head: spindle O-rings or ceramic disc cartridge worn. Valve leaking externally: compression fitting or olive has failed. Shower tray drain slow: hair trap blockage or trapped waste under the shower tray.

Electric shower replacement

If the heating element has failed multiple times on a hard water area shower, full replacement is usually more cost-effective than repeated repairs. A new electric shower installation requires a dedicated 30A or 45A RCD-protected circuit — this is Part P notifiable work. Prestige Engineers are qualified for both plumbing and electrical work and can handle the full installation in a single visit.

Shower tray issues

A cracked shower tray must be replaced — it cannot be repaired reliably. A leaking shower tray seal (perished silicone) needs thorough cleaning of the old sealant before fresh silicone is applied — rushing this repair guarantees failure within months. A slow shower tray drain is usually a hair trap blockage cleared in minutes. Water leaking from a poorly sealed tray onto a timber floor causes rot that may not be visible for months.

Shower enclosure and door

A shower door that leaks onto the floor is usually a worn magnetic seal strip or wiper blade. These are inexpensive and a straightforward swap. A broken door hinge can usually be sourced as a spare part for most major brands. Cracked safety glass cannot be repaired — it must be replaced with a like-for-like toughened glass panel. Never use a shower with cracked safety glass — it can shatter unexpectedly under thermal stress.