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Controlling and caring for your shower

The showers in your home will either be electric or conventional. We’ll explain the difference, and tell you what care and maintenance is needed.

Electric showers

  • An electric shower uses cold water direct from the mains, heating it up instantly while the shower is running. The electric showers we fit as standard all look similar to this:
  • The electricity supply to your shower will be controlled by a separate switch, either a pull cord in the bathroom, or a wall switch with a light outside the bathroom door.
  • An electric shower will not run at all (not even producing cold water) if the electricity supply is switched off.
  • As an electric shower doesn’t depend on the hot water supply for the rest of the house, you’ll always have a nice hot shower, even if you’re last in line to use the bathroom!
Electric shower

Troubleshooting electric showers

If your electric shower is not working, check the electricity is switched on.

  • There should be a light on the shower to show it’s getting power.
  • If turns on but only produces cold water, check that the temperature control is adjusted correctly.
  • There’ll be a manual for the shower in the welcome pack you were given when you moved into your new home.

If the temperature controls are correctly adjusted, and you are still only getting cold water then it is likely that you will need to have the shower looked at by an expert.

  • If you are still within your two-year warranty period then please contact us directly. If you are outside of your home warranty then we recommend contacting the shower manufacturer.

If the shower produces water that’s too hot, even with the temperature turned right down, or if the temperature varies sharply every few seconds, your shower head might be blocked.

  • This can happen in hard water areas, where limescale blocks the shower head spray, limiting the amount of water that can flow through the shower.
  • With the shower switched off, unscrew the shower head from the hose and leave it for several hours in white vinegar.
  • Rinse well and then test to see if the problem has been solved. In extreme cases you may need to replace the shower head.

Conventional showers

These come in a variety of designs, and mostly work the same as a mixer tap on a sink, taking hot and cold water and mixing them to give you the perfect temperature.

  • Typically conventional showers have two controls, one for flow and one for temperature.
  • All of our conventional showers are fitted with a thermostatic valve. This means that they automatically adjust the mix of hot and cold water to keep a constant temperature, even if the pressure changes (for instance, if someone runs a hot tap or flushes a toilet elsewhere in the house).
Conventional shower fitting

Troubleshooting conventional showers

There is very little that can go wrong with a conventional shower.

  • If you are experiencing a leak or a drip then a plumber will be needed.
  • As always, if you are still within your two-year warranty period please contact us in the first instance.
  • Similar to electric showers, it is important to keep the shower head free of limescale for the best possible performance.

General shower care and maintenance

As well as the things mentioned above:

  • Regularly clean your shower as per manufacturer's recommendations.
  • Also regularly clean the waste trap of hair and other debris that may build up and cause a blockage. 
Shower waste trap

  • To do this, lift off the chrome top and remove the waste trap inside. Empty it into the bin, and then rinse both the waste trap and the chrome cover under the tap.
  • Never allow the shower hose to become unnecessarily twisted, or allow any weight to hang from it (such as a shower tidy).
  • We also recommend the use of a squeegee to skim the excess water from tiles and the shower area after each use. This will not only keep your shower looking cleaner for longer, but also increase the lifespan of the grout and sealant, drying the shower more quickly and so discouraging mould.
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The New Home Customer Care Team is available via phone and email.

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