The Benefits of Choosing a Local Electric Shower Fitter
When you need a specialist tradesperson, choosing someone local offers significant advantages that go beyond simple convenience. A local shower fitter provides a level of service and accountability that can be harder to find with larger, national companies. Here’s why sourcing an expert from your community is the smart choice for your electric shower installation.
- Rapid Response and Scheduling:A local tradesperson can often visit your home to provide a quote much faster. They have shorter travel times, which means more flexible scheduling and a quicker start date for your installation.
- Knowledge of Local Housing Stock:An experienced local fitter will be familiar with the types of properties in your area, whether they're Victorian terraces with solid walls, modern new-builds with stud partitions, or 1960s semi-detached houses. This experience allows them to anticipate potential challenges with wiring routes or plumbing systems, leading to a smoother, more efficient job.
- Competitive and Transparent Pricing:With no long distances to travel, local shower fitters don’t need to build hefty fuel or travel time costs into their quotes. This often results in more competitive pricing for the homeowner.
- Reputation and Accountability:Local tradespeople build their businesses on their reputation within the community. They rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and have a strong incentive to provide excellent service and high-quality workmanship.
- Reliable Aftercare Support:In the unlikely event of a snagging issue or a question after the installation is complete, a local professional is just a short drive away. They can return to your property promptly to address any concerns, which is a level of aftercare that brings invaluable peace of mind.
The Electric Shower Installation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
A professional electric shower installation follows a precise and methodical plan to guarantee safety and performance. When you hire a local expert through ServiceTasker, you can expect them to carry out the following steps. Understanding this process highlights the skill involved and why this is a job for a qualified tradesperson.
Step 1: The On-Site Assessment by Your Local Expert
The first step is a thorough on-site survey. Your chosen shower fitter will visit your home to assess the job in person. They will inspect your consumer unit to confirm it can safely support the high electrical demand of a new shower. They will also check the mains water pressure and determine the most practical and discreet route for the new electrical cable and water pipe. If you are replacing an existing electric shower, they will evaluate the current wiring and plumbing to ensure it is up to standard for your new model.
Step 2: Safe Electrical Work by a Qualified Electrician
This is the most critical stage and must be performed by a competent electrician. An electric shower requires its own dedicated circuit, running directly from the consumer unit. Your electrician will fit a new MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) or RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload Protection) and run a heavy-duty cable to the bathroom. An electrical isolation switch, typically a pull-cord, must also be installed. All this work is legally required to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which governs electrical safety in domestic properties.
Step 3: Professional Plumbing Connections
With the electrical supply safely in place, the installer will connect the shower unit to the cold water mains. This involves teeing off an existing cold water pipe and running a new 15mm feed to the shower’s location. A key part of this process is fitting a dedicated isolating valve near the shower. This simple but vital component allows you to turn off the water supply to the shower for maintenance without having to shut off the water to your entire property.
Step 4: Fitting the Unit and Ensuring a Watertight Seal
The shower unit itself is now securely mounted to the wall. The installer will make the final electrical and plumbing connections inside the unit. They will then fit the riser rail, shower head, and hose. One of the most important finishing touches is creating a perfect waterproof seal. Using a high-grade silicone sealant, they will carefully seal around the entire perimeter of the shower unit where it meets the wall. This prevents water from getting behind the unit, which could cause significant damp and structural damage over time.
Step 5: Final Checks, Testing and Certification
Before considering the job finished, a comprehensive series of tests is performed. The installer will commission the shower by turning on the water and electricity, checking for leaks, and running the shower through all its power and temperature settings. Once they are fully satisfied that the installation is safe, secure, and functioning perfectly, they will provide you with an Electrical Installation Certificate. This is a crucial legal document that proves the work complies with BS 7671 wiring regulations.
