Mixer Tap - Easy Repair?

[weeal]

Hi, I have a mixer from the bath providing my shower and I think maybe a washer has gone as the water has started to come out of both shower/bath at the same time and its really annoying and losing pressure obviously to the showerhead. Similar in setup to this: http://www.nextbathrooms.co.uk/images/taps-and -wastes/classic/classical-bath-shower-mixer?wi dth=540&height=400
Is this something I can maybe fix myself? or should I call a non-emergency plumber? I have no idea how to turn my water off and suspect I would need to do this.

[weeal]

Hi Dock, yeah when I pull the knob upwards (tee hee) it switches to shower, but is no longer only shower its still coming out the bath bit at the same time.

Showerhead was cleaned last week as thats something I kinda do regularly or the water scoots out at stupid angles thro the holes.

[weeal]

Maybe the mechanism in the 'knob' is knackered but I immediately thought washer

[weeal]

Thanks Doc, so when the taps are off it shuts the valve and I wont get soaked?

lol

Will go try it, need to find my grippers

[bosschester]

Hi Weeal
I'm afraid that, once the diverter mechanism is knackered - which certainly sounds to be your problem, the only solution is a new mixer. They are not wildly expensive.(Under �20 from B & Q).
\You will need to turn off your water supply, and you really should know where to find it, in case of emergencies. Try tracing back your supply line from your kitchen sink - in fact, there is usually a riser with a stop **** under the sink.
If you have a stored hot water supply, and it sounds as though you have, there should be a gate valve beneath the cold water tank on a 22mm line to the hot water cylinder. Otherwise you will simply have to isolate the mains and drain down the hot water through the bath or water tap.

Changing the mixer should be quite straightforward. If you need help I'll be happy to talk you through the job on Yahoo Messenger ([email protected])

Bosschester

[weeal]

Hi bosschester I think I will call a plumber, there appears to be nowhere to get access under the knob at all, it doesnt unscrew and I cannot get it off, taking the hose off at the back didnt do anything.

Those mixters are about �80 as I googled them earlier so Im not impressed at this new expense <:-(

I dont have a stored hot water supply and have a combi boiler system for hot water.

I dont think I will tackle this level of plumbing myself, I know my own girly limits haha

Thanks both of you for your help this morning x

[weeal]

Hi again Doc

The operation has been manual between shower/bath (I bought the flat last autumn and this was already installed) I remember being disappointed that it was not an electric shower but this one really is good and with great water pressure.

I dont want to plug up a hole in case I cause pressure elsewhere in the unit, in other words im a scardy pants lol

I will take a pic now and upload it for you - thanks

[weeal]

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee122/WeeYo da/P3280288.jpg

Heres a closeup of the fitting, hey doesnt the camera show up all the scratches well lol

[weeal]

Thanks Doc, and thanks for the Screw-Fix info, a branch has just opened up not far from here, think I will take a pop out on Monday.

The thing is I need a whole new bathroom and wasnt prepared to to it just yet financially, and now will be spending money on a fitting for an old crummy cast iron bath for nowt lol

cheers a lot xxx

[weeal]

its round but with a flat section for grip but it wont budge, theres not much room to maneouve around with the taps n stuff goin on lol, even with girlie hands

I will have a read at your links there, some say just replace it but thats your modern mentality, my dad was an Engineer and knew how to fix everything lol, I follow in his footsteps to a lesser degree