Electric shower not working? When you do call a plumber vs an electrician?

Guest post by Checkatrade Landlord Services, a proud new partner of NRLA

Having a lovely warm shower is one of life’s simple pleasures. So when your shower malfunctions it can put a real dampener on your day. Let's work out why your electric shower isn't working, and who is best placed to fix it.

• How has your electric shower stopped working?
• Potentially serious reasons why an electric shower isn’t working
• What to do if your electric shower stops working
• How much does it cost to fix a broken electric shower?

Plumbers are constantly being called out to deal with shower problems, and here are the main issues they come across that need fixing:

One of the most common problems with an electric shower is that there’s no hot water coming out of the shower. This is often caused by the safety cut out device, which is a part of the electric shower that stops it from overheating. Alternatively, it could be another issue with the shower’s heating element.

Either way, you’ll need to hire an electrician (not a plumber) to address the issue, which will often involve fixing or replacing the heating element of your electric shower.

Another common issue with electric showers is that the water doesn’t heat up properly – either you have tepid water coming out, or the water temperature is unreliable and goes hot and cold. This could be caused by a damaged or faulty micro switch, or an issue with the heating element. A plumber or electrician should be able to help you identify the problem and fix it for you.

If your electric shower won’t turn on at all, it’s often a problem with the solenoid valve coil, which will need replacing.

It’s normally a pretty simple job for an electrician to do – or some plumbers are also happy fixing electric showers. Do ask first before getting them to come out and inspect the shower to save an unnecessary call-out fee if they can’t do it.

In some cases, you can turn the electric shower on but then no water comes out of the showerhead. This could be caused by blocked pipes or a blocked shower head, or an issue with a faulty solenoid valve coil.

If you can’t see any obvious blockages that you can unblock, a plumber should be able to locate the problem and fix it for you.

Occasionally electric showers have the problem of not turning off, so you constantly have water flowing out of the showerhead. If this is the case in your home, it’s most likely down to a faulty solenoid valve that isn’t shutting down. The problem should be solved with a replacement solenoid, which a plumber or electrician should be able to do pretty easily.

If you notice water leaking from the bottom of your electric shower unit, it’s usually a sign of excess water pressure building up. The build-up of pressure can trigger the pressure relief device in your shower, causing water to leak out of the valve at the bottom of the shower. This is typically fixed by clearing a blockage that’s causing pressure to build up and then replacing the valve.

Most of the time, electric showers stop working due to minor problems that can be easily fixed. Sometimes though, it could be more. Here are the typical sign of more serious issues that need more urgent attention.

If you find that your electric shower keeps tripping a switch every time you turn it on, there may be an issue with water coming into contact with electrical wiring. This is a serious risk to you and your electrics. You must contact an electrician to deal with the problem as soon as possible.

The smell of burning in your home is never a good sign, and that goes for a burning smell coming from your electric shower. It’s usually an issue with the wiring, which you’ll need an electrician to fix as soon as you can – and don’t use your electric shower until the problem has been sorted.

A loose electric shower unit can pose a real risk to you and your family, as there is a powerful electrical current that runs through the shower unit – and combined with a water supply it’s a serious hazard.

If you notice your electric shower unit is coming off the wall, stop using the shower immediately. The shower unit will need to be repaired or replaced, which can be done by an experienced plumber or electrician.

The UK average cost to install a new electric shower unit is around £300, for supply and installation. (Expect higher installation costs to be higher in London and other large cities). A plumber’s hourly rate will range from £40 - £60. An emergency callout fee could range from £100 to £120, or £75 to £150 per hour.

Get it sorted with Landlord Services by Checkatrade, a new service to support landlords with rental home repairs and upgrades, by the UK's largest and most trusted home improvements portal. Be sure to use your NRLA code to claim your special offer. 

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