Stupid Question re: Shower/Mixer Tap...

[guitarbloke]

Hi guys,

I'm afraid I'm not a plumber and have less than zero plumbing experience, however I have a question I hope one of you may be able to answer for me.

My partner and I are about to move into a new property (rented) which has a newly fitted bathroom suite, however no shower.

It has a mixer tap (well, I *think* it's a mixer tap - it's just one tap and you turn the lever one way for hot and one way for cold - I'm 90% certain that's what a mixer tap is) but has no fitting for a shower. I know we cant change the taps under the terms of our rental agreement, however is there any form of attachment that can hook onto the tap so we can have a shower?

I remember those horrible rubber tubes with a built-on cheapy shower head that my parents had in the 80s - the ones which fix onto the hot and cold taps - I'm really keen NOT to have to get one of those (not least because we only have the one tap!) as they look awful! Maybe some kind of metal looking hose/tube with a 'proper' or changable showerhead? The other problem is that the tap is kind of a funny square shape.

Is there anything you guys might be able to suggest to me please? I'm at a loss where to look as I dont really know what it is I'm looking for (i.e the name of the actual item). Does anything even exist that would meet my requirements?

Hoping someone can take pity on us and help out!

Thanks in advance!

Sean

 

[WaterTight]

I've not seen anything like you describe. The bit that connects to the tap would still have to be rubber anyway I'd have thought, even if it connected to a braided metal hose and proper head. I'd guess that you won't find anything. Or at least not without a very long search.

If you're willing to stump up the cost could you not persuade your landlord to permit a tap change for bath taps with built in shower attatchment? Some of them can look pretty good. And not a big job, not very expensive. And would improve the flat.

 

[guitarbloke]

Cheers Watertight

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought it might boil down to. I think I'll save myself a long fruitless search and try convincing him to change the taps asap!

Ah well, was worth a shot!

 

[WHPES]

It will not be possible to change the tap if the hot water supply is from a gravity system (i.e. with header tank in the loft) and the cold is from the rising main as the hot and cold pressures will not be balanced..

 

[guitarbloke]

It's a 1 bedroom house - all groundfloor - the water tank is in a cupboard in the living room, so *hopefully* that will be ok!

Oh - I dont know if it makes a difference but it's electric heating/water!

 

[WHPES]

When you say "water tank" is this a copper cylinder with immersion heater with a header tank in a loft? If so, you may not be able to change your tap.

 

[guitarbloke]

Hmmmm In all honesty, I'm not certain about the tank.

I am going over there tonight to measure up, so I'll check it out. I know that there definitely isn't a loft in the property though.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Is this the sort of thing you want??

Buy Argos Value Range 182571 Tap Fitting Shower Head and Hose. at Argos.co.uk

If you can block one inlet off jobs a good 'un

 

[guitarbloke]

Hi Tom,

Unfortunately, that's the sort of thing I want to avoid Conjures up too many memories from my 1980's childhood!

I'm really after something with metal braiding and maybe a changable shower head. I'm going to speak to the landlord tonight and see if there's anything that can be done about changing the tap to have a mixer shower attachment.

Thank you though

Sean