How to install a mixer shower

Installing a mixer shower is not as complicated as it seems. There are no electrical connections to figure out, but a solid understanding of how mixer showers work is vital. Find out how a mixer shower operates and how you can install one as a DIY project.

How does a mixer shower work?

Ever wondered why you get both hot and cold water in your shower heads or that you could adjust the temperature of the water for your baths? The magic behind this is the mixer shower. If you have a central heating system to heat your homes and water, the hot and cold water is taken from your boiler systems. The bath mixer works by distributing hot and cold water from a cue. By using dials or levers, the temperature and flow of the water can be regulated. The same principle applies to taps in your kitchen.

Tips to install mixer showers

To install a shower that has both cold and hot water running, you need to buy a mixer tap and a tap head. Installing bath showers and shower fittings differ according to the type of shower sets and shower taps that you buy. It is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions. However, here are basic steps to follow when installing mixer digital showers or manual ones: Heating systems If you rely on a boiler, then the system heats the water. You get hot water and mix it with the cold water when you take a shower. The faucets in your kitchen or bathrooms work in the same way. Under the sink, there should be a hot and cold water feed. Water pressure Water pressure of at least 0.1 bars is the key to making your home shower mixers work. Otherwise, a pump is needed for water to flow correctly. Manual versus thermostatic mixers Manual mixer showers are simple, yet the risk of scalding is very high.
If finances permit, a digital mixer shower affords the flexibility of adjusting the right temperatures. Height and distances For a body height of 1.8 metres, shower mixers should be of 1.262 metres and head showers, of 2.373 metres (Grohe recommendations). Mounting You can choose between recessed or surface mounted showers. Recessed showers are fitted behind a wall, while the shower valves of surface mounted are visible. Where to buy Showers mixers in the UK can be bought at bathroom supply stores such as Wickes, Victoria Plumb, and other home improvement stores. Shower fitting and taps in the UK can even be purchased online such as Triton Showers and Plumb World.