In the main bathroom I have a thermostatic shower valve (originally fitted by Bathstore) fed by a Glow-worm Ultimate 30C boiler.
Both are around 6 years old I believe and neither has given any trouble in that time.
In recent weeks, the shower has developed two issues:
1) The general temperature doesn't seem as hot as it always has been, in that I have had to turn up the temperature beyond the range I have always used previously. In fact, I can turn the shower as hot as it goes and it's still comfortable; I'm pretty sure this would have been far too hot originally.
2) The temperature has started to fluctuate while in use; this is a gentle fluctuation in that it will get gradually cooler (but not icy cold) over a number of seconds, and shortly after will fluctuate back up to the previous temperature, again over a number of seconds. These fluctuations are always tolerable; it doesn't suddenly go icy cold or red hot however it is still something which didn't used to happen.
I live alone, so can be confident water is being drawn elsewhere in the house when I'm showering.
I haven't noticed any issues with the central heating, or with the hot water elsewhere in the house; although the length of time it takes to fill a sink or wash hands probably isn't long enough to have noticed what I'm experiencing with the shower anyway.
I'm not a plumber but from the knowledge I do have, I suspect this is probably an issue with the thermostatic cartridge in the shower; it's a concealed shower valve but replacement parts are available (though not cheaply, so I don't want to replace this if it's not going to fix it) so I would be happy to tackle this myself if needed. If the boiler is more likely to be the problem I'll have to get someone out; again if this is needed I don't mind but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily!
What is most likely to be the cause, before I embark down a path?
Both are around 6 years old I believe and neither has given any trouble in that time.
In recent weeks, the shower has developed two issues:
1) The general temperature doesn't seem as hot as it always has been, in that I have had to turn up the temperature beyond the range I have always used previously. In fact, I can turn the shower as hot as it goes and it's still comfortable; I'm pretty sure this would have been far too hot originally.
2) The temperature has started to fluctuate while in use; this is a gentle fluctuation in that it will get gradually cooler (but not icy cold) over a number of seconds, and shortly after will fluctuate back up to the previous temperature, again over a number of seconds. These fluctuations are always tolerable; it doesn't suddenly go icy cold or red hot however it is still something which didn't used to happen.
I live alone, so can be confident water is being drawn elsewhere in the house when I'm showering.
I haven't noticed any issues with the central heating, or with the hot water elsewhere in the house; although the length of time it takes to fill a sink or wash hands probably isn't long enough to have noticed what I'm experiencing with the shower anyway.
I'm not a plumber but from the knowledge I do have, I suspect this is probably an issue with the thermostatic cartridge in the shower; it's a concealed shower valve but replacement parts are available (though not cheaply, so I don't want to replace this if it's not going to fix it) so I would be happy to tackle this myself if needed. If the boiler is more likely to be the problem I'll have to get someone out; again if this is needed I don't mind but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily!
What is most likely to be the cause, before I embark down a path?
