DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi,
I've just moved into a house and there's a problem with the shower.
It's a 'rainfall' type shower head and the shower appears to be fed from the instantaneous boiler.
When the shower is switched on at the tap, the water literally dribbles out, but is warm.
After a couple of minutes, the flow increases but the water goes cold.
So, on the hottest setting, hardly any water flow and the water is warm but as the water gets colder or, if the tap is on cold setting, there's reasonable water flow.
Basically the shower is unusable.
I've attached some photos of the shower, parts of which appear to be located behind a tiled wall!
Does anyone know what shower system this is and any ideas what could be wrong with it? Has it got an electric pump or does it rely on water pressure alone?
There's three of us in the house and we're all classed as 'key workers' during this virus outbreak, so a shower is essential and we can't get a plumber at the moment!
Grateful of any advice.

Hi mozzbo,
I assume there is a handbasin in the same room as the shower. If you get a good continuous flow from the hot tap in the hand basin then the shower is the issue.
If this is the case you could try turning the temperature control capstan fully clockwise and then anti-clockwise a number of times (like 10 plus each way). If the thermostatic control is scaled up this may free it. Otherwise there my be blocked filters on the valve intake or the valve has just had it.
Realistically if the turning thing does not work you need skilled help.
Regards S.

Hi mozzbo,
I assume there is a handbasin in the same room as the shower. If you get a good continuous flow from the hot tap in the hand basin then the shower is the issue.
If this is the case you could try turning the temperature control capstan fully clockwise and then anti-clockwise a number of times (like 10 plus each way). If the thermostatic control is scaled up this may free it. Otherwise there my be blocked filters on the valve intake or the valve has just had it.
Realistically if the turning thing does not work you need skilled help.
Regards S.

stoneyboy wrote:Hi mozzbo,
I assume there is a handbasin in the same room as the shower. If you get a good continuous flow from the hot tap in the hand basin then the shower is the issue.
If this is the case you could try turning the temperature control capstan fully clockwise and then anti-clockwise a number of times (like 10 plus each way). If the thermostatic control is scaled up this may free it. Otherwise there my be blocked filters on the valve intake or the valve has just had it.
Realistically if the turning thing does not work you need skilled help.
Regards S.

Hi, thanks for the advice. Yes, the hand basin has good water flow, hot and cold.
I tried turning the temperature control fully both ways over 10 times and its still the same unfortunately.
Oh well, if there's nothing else to try, it looks like lots of baths for the foreseeable future :(
Thanks again