Tips for New Tradesmen: How to fit a thermostatic mixer shower

While there are various types of water systems and showers – all of which need to be fitted in their own specific way – a popular choice for many homeowners is the thermostatic mixer shower. This is compatible with gravity-fed water systems, which is one of the most common in the UK and Ireland.

With that in mind, the following blog will subsequently look at how to fit a thermostatic mixer shower, so read to the end to get our top tips and recommendations.

Thermostatic showers are compatible with gravity-fed water systems.

Step-by-step shower-fitting guide

Firstly, it’s useful to recap that a gravity-fed system includes a cold-water tank (often located in the loft) along with a hot-water cylinder.

Tools required:

• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Adjustable spanner
• Pipe-cutter
• Pipe and connectors (as required)
• Shower kit
• Drill (with a diamond or glass-tipped drill bit if drilling into tiles)

Summary of key steps for installing the shower:

1. Locate the water supply: Before fitting the thermostatic shower, you’ll need to sort out the hot and cold-water supplies by considering where the shower will be installed. If it’s being fitted above a bath, then you can simply incorporate it into the existing water supplies to the taps. If your customer has a separate shower enclosure, however, then you’ll need to find the nearest water supply and plumb in the shower directly to the hot and cold pipes.
2. Isolate the water supply: Once you’ve worked out the plumbing requirements, you’ll need to turn the water off and then drain the pipes. Do this by turning on all the taps in the house and wait until they run dry.
3. Add the outlet pipes: Check to make sure the outlets are sufficient – if replacing an existing shower, then it’s likely you’ll be able to use the pipework and connectors already in place. If not, then you’ll need to mark out the positioning of the mixer shower on the wall, along with the placement of the two outlet pipes. (These should be cut accordingly so that the shower will sit flush to the wall).

The Eliseo Ricci Noir Cube Plus Thermostatic Rain Shower with Diverter.

It’s important to make sure everything is aligned correctly before securing the shower to the wall.

1. Mark out the wall for drilling: After sorting out the outlet pipes, you’ll need to position the mixer shower against the wall again to check where it will be fitted, before marking the exact places for drilling into the wall for the valve. Once checking that the red and blue-capped filters are the right way around, you can go ahead and drill the holes. NB If drilling directly into tiles, then take care and use a diamond or glass-tipped drill bit to prevent damaging them.
2. Secure the fittings: If you’re happy that everything is correctly positioned then you can now tighten the mixer, along with the retaining shower nuts. NB Always check that the pipes and valves are aligned.
3. Fit the rest of the shower kit: You can now go ahead and install the shower kit, which might take the form of a solid riser pipe or a flexible hose, depending on what your customer has chosen. Riser pipes will likely need to be cut to size, in line with the room’s ceiling height; flexible hoses will generally just require fitting a top bracket to the wall, which it will then be attached to.
4. Turn the water back on: Once you’ve completed the steps above, it’s now time to turn the main water back on and test for any leaks. Screw on the showerhead and do a double-check that everything is tight and secure, then turn on the stopcock and check the water flow is as expected.

NB At this stage you can also test the water temperature in the bathroom with that of the thermostatic shower, to make sure it all matches up and is consistent. Adjust this as required.

Shop thermostatic showers at Tradeshack

If you’re seeking thermostatic showers for your customers, then we have a selection of high-quality products at Tradeshack – and all for great-value trade prices.

The Eliseo Ricci Noir Curve Plus Thermostatic Rain Shower in Black is just one example of our thermostatic showers and has a sleek, modern look which will suit any contemporary bathroom. It’s also ideal for use with high-pressure systems.

We also have a range of gloss white, chrome and brushed brass-finish showers, along with different showerheads – with stylish square and circular designs available.

No matter what type of thermostatic shower you need for your customers, we have a great selection to choose from, so just chat to your team for more information, or check out our range online.

The Eliseo Ricci Noir Curve Plus Thermostatic Rain Shower in Black.

Contact Tradeshack for all your trade bathroom needs. Alternatively, email our team at info@bathshack.com or give us a call on (028) 9077 0188.