Qube Dual Control Thermostatic Recessed Shower (built-in)

[99DIYNovice]

Hi,

I need your help please, I'm a relative novice and know very little about plumbing so if I struggle to understand please bear with me.

I have an old Bristan built-in shower, which now leaks through the shower head no matter how tightly I turn it off. I've looked about a little, and found talk of this being fixed by changing the cartridge. Confused, and I suspect I have misunderstood. My questions are:
1) Can this be fixed by simply changing the seals in whatever regulates the flow ?
2) Do I remove the top tap (regulates the flow) and change the seals in whatever I find there, or do I remove the cartridge from the lower tap (regulates the temp) and replace the seals/cartridge ?

I've fitted showers and cubicles in the past, but I have nowhere near any of the skills/knowledge you guys have, so your help much appreciated.

 

[denso13]

Change the ceramic valve. As it's ceramic it wont be serviceable but you could check its clean with no debris in it.

https://www.showerdoc.com/bristan-q...atic-shower-valve-chrome-plated-shower-spares

 

[99DIYNovice]

denso13 - many thanks, I've ordered a new valve from Bristan. Help me a little more please - does the existing valve unscrew or simply pull out ?
If pull out, I'm guessing that I re-attach the tap and use a couple of screwdrivers to lever it out ?
I've attached a pic of the shower.
Again - thanks for the help

 

[denso13]

The one from shower doc is below and looks like it screws in/out. Does that white bit pop out?

 

[99DIYNovice]

Nope, it's slightly recessed and looks like it's part of the valve. I hope I haven't mistaken the shower model - I'll check with Bristan now.

 

[99DIYNovice]

Bristan tell me that the white plastic fits over the valve, and that the whole assembly simply pulls out with a little brute force and ignorance (exactly my skillset). Will update tonight once I have a go

 

[99DIYNovice]

The valve doesn't budge. I'm loathe to use too much more force,having had a pair of mole grips on it and levered them against the rim (with a bit of wood in between the metal). I know the wood will give but I haven't seen any movement in the valve at all.
Has anyone changed this valve? Can anyone confirm that it's a pullout job?
All help gratefully received

 

[rules&rulers]

if the part is the same as denso13 posted,then a box spanner will work or you may have a car socket set

 

[99DIYNovice]

R&R
Many thanks, but there appears to be a white plastic cover on the valve (see attached). The new part has a thread which bears out what you're saying (sorry I feel a bit dim now for not noticing the thread before). This all implies that I need to lever off or cut off the white plastic - does that sound right?

 

[rules&rulers]

If not done already wd40 it,
Has the white insert got flat sides for removal with a spanner ?
Or is the white part you are gripping round ?

 

[Alec_t]

Looks like the white part is smooth (no spanner purchase) and is domed to make removal difficult . Can you prise it out with a couple of screwdrivers on opposite sides?

 

[99DIYNovice]

Set of mole grips on the dome did the trick, with a bit of brute force & ignorance. Now just got to buy an 18mm box spanner

 

[Aquaheat]

Photos of the strip down and individual parts as done would be a great help for future reference if you could.

Jon

 

[99DIYNovice]

Certainly will do Jon, just as soon as I can get my hands on a couple of box spanners with a 60mm reach ! They seem rarer than Unicorn droppings.
Anyone any ideas ? I've tried the obvious sheds, Screwfix, some local merchants...

 

[Aquaheat]

Certainly will do Jon, just as soon as I can get my hands on a couple of box spanners with a 60mm reach ! They seem rarer than Unicorn droppings.
Anyone any ideas ? I've tried the obvious sheds, Screwfix, some local merchants...

Google deep drive socket 60mm

Jon