Who is it best to contact to replace an electric shower - a plumber or an electrician? All the wiring is there and there is an RCD fitted, so it's a quick swap. I would guess an electrician as the wiring has to be perfect to avoid serious injury, but how do I know if the one I employ is competent to do the water connection properly?
Who best to replace electric shower?
- Thread starter Vicario
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I'm an electrician and I do not do water.
If its a straight swop (i.e. the same power shower as before) then a plumber can do it.
If you are getting a shower with a higher rating, you'll need an electrician to check the wiring, fuse etc are all big enough for the job and that it complies with regulations.
I would want the RCD tested to make sure it works OK.
You do have an RCD on that circuit?
If its a straight swop (i.e. the same power shower as before) then a plumber can do it.
If you are getting a shower with a higher rating, you'll need an electrician to check the wiring, fuse etc are all big enough for the job and that it complies with regulations.
I would want the RCD tested to make sure it works OK.
You do have an RCD on that circuit?
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After seeing the mess in my house after the supply inside the stud wall leaked water due it would seem to a missing serrated washer which should have held pipe into shower head which had been missing from new but took 7 years before the leak was noticed I would say use a plumber he is more likely to identify faults like that.
Only after studying the parts list did I identify the problem. OK actually the plumber the insurance company sent missed the problem and it happened a second time but still more likely a plumber will notice than an electrician.
If you are swapping size of shower it may require an electrician but one would hope plumbers are very aware of what size shower with run on what supply.
Lucky my daughter-in-law has trained as a plumber. However when they fitted a back boiler in the narrow boat my son (an electrician) had to cure all the leaks. There are of course good and bad in all trades but the MCB and RCD should protect against most electrical faults but there is little to protect against a plumbing fault.
Only after studying the parts list did I identify the problem. OK actually the plumber the insurance company sent missed the problem and it happened a second time but still more likely a plumber will notice than an electrician.
If you are swapping size of shower it may require an electrician but one would hope plumbers are very aware of what size shower with run on what supply.
Lucky my daughter-in-law has trained as a plumber. However when they fitted a back boiler in the narrow boat my son (an electrician) had to cure all the leaks. There are of course good and bad in all trades but the MCB and RCD should protect against most electrical faults but there is little to protect against a plumbing fault.
Obviously things have moved on and not for the better.
In an earlier and better(?) age electricians were properly trained to do the simple plumbing needed to install or replace a shower.
Seems that is a skill that is no longer thought a good thing!!
In an earlier and better(?) age electricians were properly trained to do the simple plumbing needed to install or replace a shower.
Seems that is a skill that is no longer thought a good thing!!
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It's not necessarily only training/skill - an electrician would have to carry a fair bit of additional kit and spares in order to be able to do anything other than the most simple (literally 'like-for-like replacement) plumbing - and where would it stop - immersions, CH valves, boilers or where?
Having said that, it's certainly a pain (and cost) for customers to have to employ two different tradesmen to get one job done - so there is certainly an argument for 'multi-skilled/trained' people!
However, that "earlier age" is not totally dead. A couple of months ago, an electrician attended a neighbour's house to investigate RCD tripping. He discovered that a little-used drain serving an extension had blocked, leading to a wall having become saturated, resulting in an (allegedly galvanised) back box of a low-level accessory having almost completely rusted away, with water and bits of rust everywhere. Having sorted out that issue, he produced a set of drain rods out of his van, and completed the job
Kind Regards, John
I install and replace showers. I also replace immersions, zone valves, circulators, and do basic plumbing too. I have rodded drains for customers.
It keeps me busy working for my customer base of nice people.
It keeps me busy working for my customer base of nice people.
I'm pleased to hear that, since it's good for customers, but I think it has to be a personal choice. I don't think it would necessarily be reasonable to expect all electricians to want to (and be competent to) undertake plumbing work.
How do you feel about plumbers re-wiring shower circuits, or installing new shower circuits? (there's clear a notification problem with the latter)
Kind Regards, John
You employ which ever tradesman can perform the task or you will require two tradesmen.
I would personally opt for an electrician with plumbing skills! Rather than the reverse of that.
I would personally opt for an electrician with plumbing skills! Rather than the reverse of that.
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I worked for NORWEB in the 80s installing showers week in week out, never received any training at all
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Last year for my first year of being self employed I had plumbing work on my PL insurance. Not realising at the time but I paid nearly £500 to have that cover. I only did a couple small jobs involving plumbing and so when I renewed this year removed the cover. I am not a qualified plumber but like to think I can do simple jobs fairly professionally.
I asked my insurance broker if changing an immersion element is covered still without having plumbing cover and was assured as it is an electrical part then it would be. I don't want to be restricted as to what I can do.
I asked my insurance broker if changing an immersion element is covered still without having plumbing cover and was assured as it is an electrical part then it would be. I don't want to be restricted as to what I can do.
Odd that as training courses were run at DTC which is where I was taught
Back in the mists of time(college) i was taught to do plumbing, lead wiping joints as well as yorkshire and end feed. I was also taught to use most workshop machines and welding. I trained as an Electrical Engineer and also qualified as an Electrician.
P S i also carry a selection of pipe joints.
P S i also carry a selection of pipe joints.
I put bathroom fitting on to my PLI and me premiums stay about the same.
That doesn't really surprise me, but I was a little surprised by what flyingsparks reported - since plumbing work seems to offer little scope for killing or seriously harming people, and probably no more scope for damaging property than does electrical work.
Kind Regards, John
it is the heat involved in soldering, that usually whacks it up!
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