Nowadays there are a number of different types of shower available and this article describes some of the more common types.
Manual Mixer Showers:
Mixer showers are essentially valves which mix hot water and cold water to obtain a suitable mixed temperature. This mixed temperature is achieved using a manual control of some form. Mixer showers have a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet. They do not heat the water directly. Depending upon the temperature decided by the user (using a lever or knob), the mixer valve will blend the necessary amounts of hot and cold water to achieve the desired mixed temperature.
Advantage:
Are available as part of wall mounted units, which means that the physical height of the temperature adjustment is convenient, and the spray may be mounted in a shower cubicle or over a bath. With the push on mixer shower and the bath mixer shower described below, the hose/flex would normally be held in one hand during use.
Disadvantage:
This shower is more expensive than some of the other solutions and requires hot and cold water feeds. This may prove expensive if the shower is to be installed in part of the bathroom which does not already have water supplies.
Push-on Mixer Shower:
The push on mixer shower is essentially a hose complete with a spray head. It could be likened to a large and clumsy stethoscope. The hose has rubber or threaded feet and can be connected to taps as and when required. The water temperature is manually altered using the taps, which may belong to a sink or bath. This approach is cheap, but the hose is not normally very long and hence cannot be wall mounted. This means one hand is used to hold the spray above the head and the other is used to wash. This can prove inconvenient, but a cheap and satisfactory temporary solution nonetheless.
Bath Mixer Shower:
With this type of shower, the hose and spray parts have an integrated mixer with tap(s). The tap(s) and shower flex are all one unit and whether the shower is used or the taps are used can be decided manually using a lever. The spray head may be screwed on and off the flex. There may be a requirement for check valves with this type of shower. See here for more information.
Advantage:
A bath mixer tap is a good choice because it is cheap, more presentable than a temporary rubber hose, generally more robust and attractive than it’s temporary counterpart, and no extra plumbing is involved.
Disadvantage:
Temperature control is very basic and this can prove inconvenient. Turning the tap a "micro turn" can dramatically increase or decrease the temperature, as can flushing a toilet sharing the same cold feed.
Thermostatic Mixer Shower:
The hose and spray of the shower are parts of a wall unit and the hot and cold water supplies are connected to a single valve. It is complete with a built in stabiliser to automatically adjust the water temperature, thus preventing it from becoming too hot. They are essentially a manual mixer shower with an in-built thermostatic mixing valve, suitable for all installations. They are most often installed in hospitals, schools and other facilities open to the public or individuals who would otherwise be at high risk of scalding.
If a thermostatic mixer shower is being installed, then hot and cold water supplies can be taken from the same supplies as other appliances/outlets. Although reductions in pressure may occur when water is drawn off elsewhere, the in-built thermostatic mixing valve controls the temperature. Again, there are implications regarding check valves with this type of shower. Click here for more.
Advantage:
The controlled temperature makes them extremely convenient. The automatic adjustment means that the flow temperature is not affected by the use of water elsewhere on the premises.
Disadvantage:
The disadvantage is cost. They are the most expensive of the mixer showers.
Power Showers:
Power showers are single units that contain an electric pump. They are capable of altering both water pressure and water temperature. This type of shower can be fitted provided a supply from a cold water tank and a static hot water source (e.g. A cylinder) are available.
Advantage:
They are convenient to use, because they are capable of altering both pressure and temperature, and for those who prefer to feel the water lashing down with force, the in-built pump will make this type of shower a pleasure to use.
Disadvantage:
This type of shower is not suitable for installations where it is intended for the water to be heated directly by the shower itself, or where water may only be supplied under above-normal pressures. Pressurised supplies include most pumped sources such as the mains or a combination boiler.
Due to the pressure the flow rate will increase. The drainage system may need to be re-considered. The higher flow rate means the shower tray or bath will fill up quicker and if there is no means of removing the waste water at the same rate at which it is supplied, then this type of shower will prove impractical. Also, the in-built pump has electrical requirements.
Title:
Available
Types Of
Showers
Author:
A.Jeffers
Date Written:
Dec 2006
Updated:
23 Oct 07
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