electric shower advice

[fionah]

do i need to hire a plumber with knowledge of electrics or an electrician who can do plumbing, or do I need one of each? before anyone tells me how rubbish electric showers are, it's the only thing I can have with my current water/heating system and washing my hair with a cup is really beginning to annoy me, so an electric shower is definitely better than what I have at the moment! Thankyou!!

[j2buttonsw]

Any plumber worth his salt will be able to wire in an electric shower. After all, consider all the electrickery involved with modern central heating systems.

[Kerplunk]

You will probably find that most electricians are qualified and able to fit showers also.

[wildwood]

If you mean one of those instant hot water showers, I'm afraid there is a bit more to it than simply wiring it up! Most of them use 7 or 8kw so you will probably need to have a heavier wire installed, with an isolation switch - somewhere unreachable from the shower or taps. Most electricians would know a plumber who will work with them because it is a combined effort. I would be weary of an electrician who would do the plumbing, or a plumber who would wire it up.

Installed properly they are a great asset and save you heaps on water heating.

[fionah]

This is really useful, thankyou! Yes I do mean one of the instant hot water things, and I take your point about the electrics - I would be much more worried if that hadn't been done properly rather than the plumbing, coz at least I wouldn't potentially die from a plumbing failure but I might if the electrics were dodgy! My dad now tells me that my mains pressure is rubbish and I'll probably have to have a pump fitted also - is this a lot more hassle, and is it worth it?

[paulz]

Fionah - When I moved into my current home, our water pressure was low too. So low that when you put the hose on full whack, you could put your finger over the end and stop it. After several calls to water supplier they deigned to come out & check it. There was a leak in the supply, which was their prob & not ours. You might want to check your stop cock[s] are nearly full on [don't forget the one in the street]. Not sure how you stand if any leak is within your propety [ie from your front garden inwards] you may have to pay. Regarding pumps they are well worth it [costs in the region of �100 +] but you can then get a wide range of shower heads [champagne/pulsating 'mmmm!] Fitting shouldn't be a major problem, but bear in mind the noise factor when siting the pump - 'specially if like me you have little one's & you're a shift worker, and you don't want the whole world to be woken up!