Gainsborough shower

[pete23]

Hi guys, am a bit stumped. Friend has a Gainsborough mixer shower fed from a combi boiler. Not sure what model the shower is I'm afraid. However, the problem is it appears to be leaking from the black plastic inlet elbow on the cold side. I have taken the elbow off (threaded to the shower valve and just pushed on to the copper tail coming through the wall). It appears to be leaking from where the elbow pushes onto the copper tail. I have checked the little 'o-ring' inside the elbow and it all appears fine. I am a little concerned that the elbow just pushes onto the pipe without any real 'collar' to 'grab' the pipe. Is it a case of a new elbow or is there something else? Looks like the installer (not me and not known to my friend) has used some silicone. I'm only a trainee plumber but get the feeling that shouldn't be the way to do it!? Any advice or help would be greatly received from the wealth of knowledge on this forum. Cheers Pete.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

if the previous plumber has used silicone, it would suggest that there has been a problem before. maybe nicked the o-ring when pushing the elbow onto the copper pipe. do a search on showerdoc.com to see if you can get spare elbows for the shower.