How to fix a jammed shower mixer tap

Shower mixers can often get jammed by build up of limescale or if they are faulty. Here is a quick guide on how to fix a jammed mixer shower tap.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

  • White vinegar
  • Rag
  • Pliers
  • Seal ring
  • Screw driver

The steps to follow

Note:
Tap will need to be renewed in order to repair the jammed mixer shower tap.

  1. Turn off the mains water supply.
  2. Remove the top of the shower spout.
  3. If there is a snap ring, unscrew it using pliers. With white vinegar, try de-scaling the area around the spout.
  4. Next, replace the snap ring and turn on the water.
  5. If this doesn’t work, some mixer taps have a seal ring generally located at the bottom of the spout which may need replacing. In which case, unscrew the "grub" screw (a small metal nut that looks a bit like a grub) located behind the spout to pull the spout apart.
  6. Replace the seal ring with a new one and put the grub screw back into place.
  7. Turn the water supply on and test your mixer shower tap.
  8. If the problem persists, you’ll most probably need to replace the old the mixer shower tap completely or call a professional plumber to fix the problem.

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