Electric shower

[Raqeeb Butt]

I’m looking to replace my electric shower.however in my loft there is a big tank. If I turn the mains off from outside will that be fine then to remove the existing shower and install a new one?

 

[Ric2013]

You're asking online how YOUR installation is set up. That's a bit worrying frankly as we cannot see into your house!

Based on the information you have give, I simply cannot tell you what the tank is doing. What I can tell you is that MOST electric showers work on mains pressure water from the mains supply pipe and not from pipes coming from water stored in a tank. So whatever the tank feeds, it probably does not feed the shower and you probably will be fine with isolating at the mains.

But you really do need to check for yourself that the water is isolated before disconnecting the existing shower fully. If you are unable to check this for yourself, either get a professional in, or go ahead with the DIY aware that you are taking a risk and it may end badly. I wouldn't want to put you off, but please do make sure you aware of the potential risks and have a backup plan in case something does not go quite as you expect it to.

 

[Roy_66]

I’m looking to replace my electric shower.however in my loft there is a big tank. If I turn the mains off from outside will that be fine then to remove the existing shower and install a new one?

Hi Raqeeb,

If you are not a qualified electrician then I would find one to checkout this job before going any further. Showers pull a lot of current from the electric supply. The external supply, the consumer unit, the cable, and the terminals all need to be in good order.

For the water do you need the rest of the cold taps in the property available while the shower work is done? Also is your existing shower fed from the mains or the loft header tank? If not sure then I'd get a good plumber in who can also provide the qualified electrician.

From a number of points of view it's not something to get wrong.

Cheers,

Roy (amateur plumber)