How to dismantle shower unit- help?

MrsC

MrsC

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Posts
57
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Location
Shropshire & Algarve
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9,593
MH
LP
Exp
2 yrs
a mere female- not dumb but not a pioneer. Have a disabled hubby whose very good at barking orders and I managed to change the starter battery in Fiat Ducato. Needed to use physics to even lift the old one out. But now we have a leaking tap in shower, actually split so new required. But how to get to hoses which are behind built in unit. ? See my Carthago thread .... tried one panel but did not get me anywhere. Now cancelled next weeks holiday but very frustrated. Think I’ll cut a hatch in panel - what’s the use of a vehicle which prohibits replacements and repairs.
 
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MrsC said:
a mere female- not dumb but not a pioneer. Have a disabled hubby whose very good at barking orders and I managed to change the starter battery in Fiat Ducato. Needed to use physics to even lift the old one out. But now we have a leaking tap in shower, actually split so new required. But how to get to hoses which are behind built in unit. ? See my Carthago thread .... tried one panel but did not get me anywhere. Now cancelled next weeks holiday but very frustrated. Think I’ll cut a hatch in panel - what’s the use of a vehicle which prohibits replacements and repairs.
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Where abouts is the leak ? If it’s on the tap stem itself there might be a way round it. A photo would be helpful.
Phil
 
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They seem to build moho’s from the inside out and take great delight in hiding things. As Phil says take a few pictures to help us out 👍
 
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In my eldiss I managed to remove the whole of the unit holding the shower tap. Slit through the sealant around the edge. Removed some blanking plugs to access the screws. Removed the unit, replaced the cartridge, changed the push fittings and then replaced it all and added new sealant.

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Pics of inside and outside the van would be a massive help.

But I’ve managed the strip a bathroom tap all from inside a motorhome without having to remove it buy buying the same tap, and dismantling, then reassembling. Swapping over certain parts. If yours is just constantly running you may just need to swap the cartridge to a new one which is very simple job.
 
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Well here goes. I have followed hoses from basin thru to hole in under cupboard and think I could make this hole bigger. It’s not the tap leaking it’s broken where hose coupling is screwed in. Thought I could buy a new tap and cannabilise it but the only tap like it is in NZ!! there is an earlier thread on here with exactly the same tap. Dealers say no stock, stockists say no stock. It’s such a lovely van but gonna be a white elephant if I can’t sort it. Will send picture but another thing I’m useless at.
but thankyou you lovely lot for being there.
 

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Looks like it should be possible to remove the corner panel the tap is mounted on by removing the screws under the white caps. Then remove any fitting like the shower head rail and you will probably find the rest of the panel is held with a strong self adhesive tape. Need to be careful pulling it off getting it nice and warm will help.
 
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Bless you. I considered that but will have to dismantle shower doors. And it’s bitter sweet because it’s the collar on the tap which is cracked and if I could buy a replica tap I could cannibalise it. But that’s no good - seems that tap has been discontinued. MH only 5 yrs old.
I will overcome somehow it will not beat me.
 
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MrsC said:
Bless you. I considered that but will have to dismantle shower doors. And it’s bitter sweet because it’s the collar on the tap which is cracked and if I could buy a replica tap I could cannibalise it. But that’s no good - seems that tap has been discontinued. MH only 5 yrs old.
I will overcome somehow it will not beat me.
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I'd be getting to it from the back, I cut a hatch when one of the water pipes came adrift.

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Have you looked at access by removing the wooden panels on the right? On my MH there is a bathroom cupboard which is held in by four screws, giving access to the basin tap.
 
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My washroom layout looks very similar to the OP's.

It looks like it would be possible to remove the panel where the two glass holders are attached. The bottom of that panel terminates just below the top surface of the worktop. Removing that panel should give access to the rear of the tap.
 
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It's a bit wise after the event, but every year after the winter storage there's problems with split taps and hoses, presumably caused by freezing. I always drain down the water system, and use a digital type pump to blow out the water from the pipes, taps and toilet valve. People say it's not necessary, but there's always a spate of these problems from people who don't do it.
 
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Hi.... tried taking cup holders off and plastic square things acting as flat nuts!! But didn’t get me anywhere. Now taking top cupboard shelf out to see if the hole currently feeding blue/red/grey hoses to basin is then large enough for my hand. But the saga goes on cos the only like for like tap is one in NZ! plan B made me wondering if I could cannabalise one for one without taking original out. It’s the shower attachment part that split and don’t even use shower. Not big enough for hubby as is. Cant believe the shoddy taps this bathroom has fitted - lightweight c..p.
will keep you posted maybe some other poor soul will learn from my trials and tribulations.
 
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Yes Autorouter you are quite right. This is my fault - it had habitation March last year - parked up cos I asked dealer to drain down and since never use shower completely ignored checking it. Had an old Hymer 100yrs ago and used to turn on mini oil rad in it when temperature dropped. Should have kept it!!!

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autorouter said:
It's a bit wise after the event, but every year after the winter storage there's problems with split taps and hoses, presumably caused by freezing. I always drain down the water system, and use a digital type pump to blow out the water from the pipes, taps and toilet valve. People say it's not necessary, but there's always a spate of these problems from people who don't do it.
Click to expand...
A lot of split taps is due to not centralising the mixer tap so there is still water in one side that freezes
 
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As you are not using the shower , would it be possible, to enable you to use the Motorhome for now, to blank off (or by-pass) the water feed supply pipe connections at the other end away from the tap (if you can get at them) and then sort it out in the future when you manage to get a replacement tap.
 
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if you never use the shower, you could find where the hoses supply it and use hose clamps to seal it off. The type used for clamping rubber brake hose would work I think. At least then your water system would all work, apart from the shower.

Longer term I'd be looking at fitting a replacement tap that's easily available, and modifying the fitting hole if necessary. Presumably you need a tap with an inbuilt microswitch for switching the pump.
 
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Yes dears I’ve asked a really good local Motorhome doctor if he could alter the insertion hole and perhaps we look at alternative. He’s a genuine lad but I think he was worried about the apparent sturdiness of the build making any bespoke alterations a pigs ear. He is so busy anyway and if I can get access to pipe work he said he’ll have a look I’ve emailed NZ for possible purchase and yes perhaps blanking off will be my only hope of using this damn vehicle. But why oh why do they make it impossible to maintain. Will keep you helpful lot informed. At least I don’t feel abandoned.
 
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You can get a blanking cap to seal the pipes

www.screwfix.com

JG Speedfit Plastic Push-Fit Stop End 10mm - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. 10mm. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.
www.screwfix.com www.screwfix.com

be careful as there are different sizes.

The sink mixer tap in my moho broke, replacement £86 but I found a similar tap in toolstation for £23.

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autorouter said:
Longer term I'd be looking at fitting a replacement tap that's easily available, and modifying the fitting hole if necessary. Presumably you need a tap with an inbuilt microswitch for switching the pump.
Click to expand...
It's a Carthago so a pressure system so no switches on taps.
 
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autorouter said:
if you never use the shower, you could find where the hoses supply it and use hose clamps to seal it off. The type used for clamping rubber brake hose would work I think. At least then your water system would all work, apart from the shower.

Longer term I'd be looking at fitting a replacement tap that's easily available, and modifying the fitting hole if necessary. Presumably you need a tap with an inbuilt microswitch for switching the pump.
Click to expand...

Clamping the shower supply hoses sounds a good idea, as an interim measure. The distribution pipework on my Carthago van can be exposed by removing the bottom draw below the fridge. Here, you will find plastic T-pieces which distribute COLD water to kitchen, bathroom sink & shower. The toilet supply is straight through (doesn't have a T-piece). The HOT water supply has T-pieces to kitchen & bathroom sink. Straight through to shower.

Found this potential shower tap replacement, although different from your original (available in a couple of months - possibly ???):

www.leisureshopdirect.com

Reich Trend A Table Tap Shower Mixer - Chrome | Reich Code: 553-040900 | Reich TREND A Single-lever-mixer Tap Plus Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect

Buy a Reich Trend A Table Tap Shower Mixer - Chrome | Reich Code: 553-040900 | Reich TREND A Single-lever-mixer Tap Plus Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect
www.leisureshopdirect.com www.leisureshopdirect.com

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Well it didn’t beat me. Yes got in thru shower fascia. Now need to replace yards if the sticky tape stuff and order a tap. Attach photos of hoses which I tied up to stop them falling in void. But what would happen if there was a leak beyond this point I dread to think. And I now view Carthago’s with grave suspicion. Thank you all for your encouragement and advice, you kept my spirits up.
 

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MrsC said:
Well it didn’t beat me. Yes got in thru shower fascia. Now need to replace yards if the sticky tape stuff and order a tap. Attach photos of hoses which I tied up to stop them falling in void. But what would happen if there was a leak beyond this point I dread to think. And I now view Carthago’s with grave suspicion. Thank you all for your encouragement and advice, you kept my spirits up.
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Well done! :Grin: :clap: Girl power.
 
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MrsC said:
Well it didn’t beat me. Yes got in thru shower fascia. Now need to replace yards if the sticky tape stuff and order a tap. Attach photos of hoses which I tied up to stop them falling in void. But what would happen if there was a leak beyond this point I dread to think. And I now view Carthago’s with grave suspicion. Thank you all for your encouragement and advice, you kept my spirits up.
Click to expand...
You go, girl.
 
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A bit of a conundrum this. Don’t stop using the van because of it though. Cathargo are not alone in this sort of problem and a solution will be found I’m sure. Try posting on the Cathargo owners club website.
Phil
 
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