How to Replace an Electric Shower

How to replace an electric shower will depend largely on the type and brand of shower you have. Some shower arrangements have different set-up requirements and the fittings used to put them together may vary from brand to brand too.

Here at Boro Bathrooms we have a range of shower supplies to help with your new shower plans whether you’re a pro or a DIY enthusiast. We’re also more than happy to help with anything you may need for a new bathroom design and install service. 

Continue reading for some general tips and advice on how to replace an electric shower. We hope by the end of your read you’ll be able to say ‘yes’ when you ask – ‘can I replace an electric shower myself?’

How to replace an electric shower

Step one: Disconnect power and water supply

This is the obvious first step as electricity and water generally don’t mix. You can use an electrical tester to truly test the supply is cut off before you begin work. This is also a good opportunity just to check that the supply is in order, up to safety standards and working properly. 

You can often turn off the water supply using a stop tap leading up to the shower, or near the boiler. If not, you can use the main water stop tap that is often located under the sink in your kitchen, or near your water metre.

Step Two: Remove your old shower unit

Next step in the guide on how to replace an electric shower is to remove the old one. The majority of shower units are fixed in place with screws, which means all you need is a screwdriver to remove your old one. It should just pull away from the wall once the screws are removed. Sometimes there may be an additional bracket on the wall that the unit slides onto, and this will need to be removed too.

Step Three: Prepare your new unit and check connections

Next you’ll typically need to remove the front panel from your new shower. This will allow you to see and check the connections within the unit, and line them in place if necessary and possible. Some extra plumbing or electrical work may also be required if the connections of your new unit do not match up to those of your old one. For example, they may be in a different position.

Step Four: Mark and drill holes where needed

In most cases you will need to mark and drill fresh holes in your wall to secure your new shower unit. Use a pencil to mark the position of the screw holes on the wall. Check this twice to ensure your holes are accurate. If you can, try and cover the holes in the previous shower unit. If this is impossible or undesirable, then you can fill those holes later once your new shower unit is installed. 

Using a masonry drill bit is advised when drilling your holes, especially if drilling through tiles. Be careful not to break the tile or any tiles around it, and avoid using the ‘hammer’ setting on your drill. Once your holes have been drilled, fill them with wall plugs ready to be screwed into. 

Step Five: Connect pipes and wires

Feed the water supply through to the connection and make sure it’s securely fastened in place. You can use a pipe wrench to tighten the fittings and avoid future leaks. For the electrics, make sure everything is in the correct position in terms of the neutral, live and earth wires.

Once you are sure everything is in the right place and secured, you can replace any removed panels to your shower unit and screw it onto the wall. Make sure you check everything twice over before turning the power and water back on.

Step Six: Test your new shower

The only true way to answer the question – can I replace an electric shower myself – is to test now test it. If all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the new unit is connected properly and safely, everything should be fine. You may wish to adjust the height of your showerhead or other things like that, but otherwise, it should be a job well done.

Can I replace an electric shower myself?

If it is something you feel comfortable with and as long as you follow the safety precautions and triple-check all of your work, you should be fine. Here at Boro Bathrooms we will generally advise you to have a professional handle the task, just to be on the safe side and ensure all goes well.

The other upside is that it saves you time and the hassle, especially if you consider the whole process. If you still haven’t yet bought your new shower unit, we can help you choose one and then install it for you. Less stress on your behalf!

Get in touch with the bathroom experts! 

Need more advice on your shower replacement or other aspects of your bathroom? Please do get in touch any time you like and one of our team will get back to you the moment they read your message. Alternatively, you can call us on 01706 525 926 for a chat about your requirements.

We have over 50 years of experience in the bathroom industry here at Boro Bathrooms. We can use this to help with any aspect of your bathroom plan, from initial ideas right through to the installation process.