Shower Installation in Fleet

Combi boilers can't run power showers with pumps - the pump will damage the heat exchanger. Most Fleet properties built after 1990 have combis, so you'll need electric or standard mixer showers only.

Electric showers need 32A or 45A supply cables from the consumer unit. Older properties near Fleet station often need consumer unit upgrades before we can install high-power electric showers.

Properties on higher ground around Fleet Pond often have lower mains pressure. If your taps fill slowly, an electric shower will give better performance than trying to boost a mixer shower.

If you've got teenagers having long showers, electric showers won't run out of hot water like cylinder-fed systems. Combi boilers take time to reheat between users, so electric can be more practical.

The supply will be off for 2-4 hours while we connect the new shower. We'll warn you beforehand so you can fill kettles and containers. Emergency supply can usually stay on if you have a separate feed.

New shower valves rarely line up with old pipe positions. We'll need to cut tiles to access pipework and may need to drill new holes for the valve. We'll try to reuse existing holes where possible.

If we need to run new pipework, especially in Victorian terraces common around Fleet, we may need to lift floorboards in the room below to access the joists. We'll replace them properly afterwards.

We'll run the shower at different settings to check for leaks and proper temperature mixing. For thermostatic valves, we need to test the safety shut-off works by turning off the cold supply.

Electric showers over 30A must be installed by a qualified electrician and certificated under Part P Building Regulations. We do the plumbing connections only - you'll need an electrician for the power supply.

Shower wastes must have a minimum 20mm fall per metre to drain properly. In Fleet's older terraces with solid floors, this sometimes means raising the shower tray or cutting into concrete.

If installing showers accessible to children or elderly users, Building Regulations may require thermostatic mixers to prevent scalding. These automatically shut off if cold water fails.

New showers should meet water efficiency requirements under Building Regulations Part G. Most modern shower heads are designed to comply, but very high-flow models may not be suitable.