How to change shower taps to mixers
NormaMary
Not really a diy job. It requires cutting and changing of pipes in wall behind existing taps. Really a plumber job and then you need to retile the area they had to remove to get to the pipes.
JDE
Hello @NormaMary
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your question about your shower taps.
It's great that you've received advice from @JDE. If you are wanting to replace the existing shower set, the tiles will have to be removed and the services of a registered plumber will be required to install a shower mixer.
However, I also recommend an external set like the Quoss Reno Transformer Freestyle Shower Mixer. The Reno Transformer Freestyle Shower Mixer product transforms your old 2 taps into an exposed single flick mixer system. Installation is an easy retrofit with no extra work such as breaking the tiles, drilling holes in the wall, plumbing, or piping.
Here is a link on how it is installed:
If you need more advice or information, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks Ericl I wish I had known about these before I worked on my daughter's shower. Do they have one that allows you to use existing shower rose or do you have to fit a new shower rose system? JDE
Hello @JDE
I'm glad that information helped. The Quoss Reno Transformer is actually very handy and is a more affordable alternative to a shower mixer renovation. Yes, you can use your existing shower rose and hose if it is the exposed system on a rail. It has a standard shower hose fitting at the bottom of the mixer itself. However, the one behind the wall will have to be closed off at the top. This is a great alternative when trying to modernize an existing fitting in the shower.
If you need more information about the shower mixer, please let us know.
That's brilliant! I have never heard of or seen that system before.
Hello @TedBear
It has been in production for a while now, but I'm not sure when it entered the Bunnings system. It's a handy replacement set and a great alternative to doing a major renovation.
This is even more clever than it originally looked @EricL .... I downloaded their brochure and there is a rail system that screws onto the old shower-head outlet, thus sealing it off while also providing the vertical rail to hold the new head, without requiring any drilling into tiles.
I can see in @NormaMary 's situation they can just swing the existing shower hose over to the mixer outlet and buy a chrome cap to seal up the outlet at the bottom of the existing vertical rail.
(I almost wish I needed one, but it seems to be an excellent answer for those who do.)
That is an awesome product, when we moved in to our new house we installed half turn taps on all basins and the showers as two of our children have tremors and have older relatives visit, but I might have to look at this for the shower. Our children have autism and find it hard to get the right temperature.
Hello @Kys
Thank you for joining the discussion. It's good to know that this product has given you ideas for your own shower upgrade. As I mentioned the Quoss Reno Transformer is a great alternative when looking to upgrade your current hot and cold shower spindles. If you ever decide to proceed with changing your spindles, please keep us updated. I'm sure our members would love to see the unit once installed.
If you need assistance in ordering this item from the store, please let me know. I'll be more than happy to give you a hand.
Thanks so much, I will check this out after covid!!
Norma
Does Quoss work with this type of shower mixer? I mean they are quite old. Would it cause tiles break or wouldn’t fit because they are old style? Do I need a plumber to change it? Thanks
Hello @noelle1
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your question about the Quoss tapware.
Looking at the photo you posted, I think there is enough space for the Quoss mixer to be installed. Your tiles won't be modified while the mixer is being installed. If the current plumbing project is outside your scope of experience, I suggest engaging the services of a registered plumber. They will be able to install the tapware and you will be covered by the warranty of the plumber.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we would be keen to see the Quoss mixer in your shower once it is installed.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Hi Eric,
I would like to ask you about the Quoss mixer. My shower was leaking 2 years ago, and the plumber saying that the part which washer attached has been some damaged. He changed a "quality washer" and it get fixed at that time. Now it's leaking again, we changed another washer, it won't stop leaking this time. I'm thinking, according to the working theory of Quoss mixer, the leaking can be stop after we change to Quoss mixer without fixing the damaged part in the wall. Am I right?
Lareina
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Lareina. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about leaking taps.
Where is the leak with your current mixer? Is the water leaking out the showerhead or into the wall?
The Quoss mixer will be a whole new mixer unit, including its own washer. Changing your existing mixer over to a new unit will resolve the leaking issues you have with your current mixer if it's the ceramic washer failing. Your ceramic washers should undoubtedly last more than two years, so it sounds like a good idea to swap the current unit over.
Please let us know if you have further questions.Mitchell
Hi Mitchell, does the existing shower outlet need to be blocked off if using existing hose and shower head, or does the new unit take care of that
cheers
John
Hello @john304
Technically it's not necessary to block it off as the Quoss unit isolates the hot and cold line in the wall. But it is worth covering up using a Brasshards 15mm Chrome Plated Brass Flat Cap along with the original cover flange to give it a nice, finished look.
Please note it might be necessary to engage a licensed plumber to complete this work. If in doubt, consult your local building authority before starting.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when working on your plumbing project.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: Quoss Mixer Installation
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
My Quoss shower mixer is leaking from the tap/handle. How can I order a replacement cartridge?
Many thanks in advance.
Hello @SamuelUrai
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.
Please take a picture of your Quoss shower mixer and proceed to your local store's special orders desk. I suggest speaking to the special orders team and asking them to order in a Quoss shower mixer cartridge. Show them the photo of your shower mixer so that they can visually verify that it is indeed a Quoss mixer.
will do, thanks Eric.
Can the outlet of the mixer be blocked so that the original shower head in the wall can be used instead of a hose and rail type shower head?
I find those so annoying.
The video cuts out before showing the water coming out of the spout or shower head.
s
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @StephenSLR. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question on shower mixers.
Unfortunately, this type of shower set is designed to isolate and replace the original wall outlet. Simply blocking the outlet on the new mixer will not redirect water back to the existing shower head on the wall. The internal configuration of the mixer diverts water only to the connected outlet point on the set.
These units are specifically designed to operate with a flexible hose and rail style shower head connected directly to them. They are not intended to function as a mixer supplying a separate wall outlet shower head.
If you are looking to retain your original fixed wall shower head, you would need to consider a shower wall mixer.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
