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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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General: Shower

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorRex
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2026
     
    What ho one and all,

    Me again!!!

    I frequently feel that design somehow does not improve the function, and this is exactly the case.

    As in the two photos below, I have one of these bath tap shower fittings. In the lower photo, push the right thing and it switches from bath filling to shower. But!!!!

    Frequently, either this does not happen or if it does, the design malfunctions and upon turning the water off, it will not revert to bath or most frequently, supplies both shower and bath at the same time.

    The left spring sits in a recess in the body of the tap, so should all be locked in place. Disassembly usually shows one of two things: 1/ The spring has somehow, become dislodged or 2/ one of the O rings has been forced by water pressure from its seat. The water is running at 3 bar because that is the recommended pressure for the softener.

    How to resolve the all to frequent dismantling beats me. It happens pretty much every couple of months. I have investigated replacing the tap unit, but want the same, which of course is either no longer available or is surplus stock for around a very profitable £250.

    Having dismantled, reset whatever is unset, reassembled, it will work as it should for a few months, then the cycle repeats itself.

    Grateful for any insight into how to ensure the push button works every time as it should.

    Thanks and toodle pip
      Shower.jpg
  2.  
    Of course one reason it is no longer available could be because of discontinuation due to frequent failures.

    Are you replacing the O rings with exactly the same size as the original? A small amount undersize would mean early failure and there are differences between imperial and metric sizes which look close to identical except that they are just enough difference to cause trouble. And I have also found in some things that Chinese metric is not the same as European metric.

    At the end of the day give up the unequal struggle and buy something new with a 2 year guarantee that SWMBO likes.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2026
     
    Posted By: RexI have investigated replacing the tap unit, but want the same, which of course is either no longer available or is surplus stock for around a very profitable £250.
    Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryAt the end of the day give up the unequal struggle and buy something new with a 2 year guarantee that SWMBO likes.
    I just paid £250 for a new tap (Franke) for our kitchen sink, so it doesn't sound totally unreasonable if you really do want the same. But I agree with PiH that just buying something else is probably a better course. Personally, it looks an ugly tap to me :bigsmile: :cry:
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 30th 2026
     
    That’s what the agents plumber wanted to do, I replaced the ‘O’ rings , cleaned it all in vinegar, that was 15 years ago , no need to even turn the water off!

    Clean or replace the shower head too
    • CommentAuthorRex
    • CommentTimeJul 30th 2026 edited
     
    Thanks. It was all part of an IS designer range that had a wash basin, toilet, bath and taps. I would replace but since all other taps are of a similar design, I don't like non-conformity.

    I have replaced the seals, measuring with a Vernier so should be OK. Once cleaned and lubed, it all works for a few months, and then, bingo, another failure.

    As suggested, a poor design so discontinued.
  6.  
    That looks like a standard diverter valve assembly, you should be able to unscrew it from the top of the tap body and replace it.

    It will be something like this,

    https://www.divapor.com/spares/baths-hot-tubs/bath-shower-mixer-diverter-valves/ideal-standard-b9688aa-diverter-assembly-ceraplan-b960522aa.php

    you'd need to google a few "shower diverter valve" suppliers then contact them with your tap details and they should be able to look up the correct valve that was originally used in your tap



    (Personally I will never go back to those tap/shower diverter things, as thermostatic shower mixer valves are safer, better, comfier and not expensive! They avoid the design problem of having a 2-way diverter valve that must have sliding seals, instead of a positive 1-way shutoff seal against a washer or ceramic cartridge. You could plug the hole in the tap where the diverter valve is, and fit a standalone shower mixer further up the wall? )

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