Showers
Shower units sort out daily washrooms fast, whether you need an electric shower, mixer shower, power shower or digital shower for a proper reliable install.
When you're fitting out a bathroom, en suite or rental, the right shower saves call-backs and awkward complaints about pressure, temperature and reliability. This range covers electric shower units for straightforward installs, mixer showers for balanced supplies, power showers for poor pressure, and digital shower options for cleaner control. Pair the job up properly, check your water system first, and get the right shower sorted.
What Are Showers Used For?
- Fitting out new bathrooms and en suites where an electric shower gives you a self-contained hot wash without relying on the whole hot water system.
- Upgrading tired bathroom installs in occupied homes where a mixer shower gives steadier temperature control off the existing hot and cold supplies.
- Sorting low-pressure properties where a power shower helps lift flow to something actually usable instead of a weak dribble that gets complaints straight away.
- Finishing higher-spec refurb jobs where a digital shower gives neater controls, remote operation and easier day-to-day use for the customer.
- Replacing failed shower units fast in social housing, rentals and family homes where dependable parts and a like-for-like fit save time on site.
Choosing the Right Shower
Sorting the right shower is simple: match it to the water system first, then worry about features.
1. Electric vs Mixer
If you need a shower that heats its own water, go electric. It is the straightforward choice for properties without a dependable stored hot supply. If the home already has a decent hot and cold feed with stable pressure, a mixer shower usually gives a better flow and a more familiar feel.
2. Pressure in the Property
If the customer already complains about poor flow at the taps, do not guess. Check the system. Low-pressure setups may need a power shower or a shower designed to work on gravity-fed supplies. On stronger mains or balanced systems, a standard mixer or electric shower unit is usually enough.
3. kW Rating on Electric Showers
If you want hotter water at a better flow rate, go higher on kW, provided the circuit can take it. Do not swap in a bigger unit without checking cable size, breaker and existing supply. A quick upgrade on paper can turn into a rewiring job if the electrics are undersized.
4. Controls and Finish
If it is a rental or straightforward family bathroom, simple dials and proven controls are usually the right call. If it is a neater high-spec fit-out, digital shower options give cleaner wall lines and easier temperature setting, but only if the rest of the install justifies it.
Who Uses These Shower Units?
- Plumbers and bathroom fitters use these on full refurb work, swap-outs and new installs, mainly to match the shower to the property water system and avoid pressure issues later.
- Heating engineers fit electric shower units where a separate hot water source is not practical, especially on extensions, loft conversions and en suites.
- Maintenance teams and landlords reach for straightforward replacement showers when a failed unit needs changing quickly with minimum disruption for tenants.
- Tilers and bathroom installers often coordinate shower choice with Tile Adhesive & Grout and Sanitary Sealants so the full wet area goes back together properly and stays watertight.
- General trades doing bathroom upgrades will usually keep Plumbing Tools and Flexible Hoses handy to make pipework alterations and final connections less of a faff.
The Basics: Understanding Showers
The main thing to understand is where the hot water comes from and how the shower handles pressure. Get that wrong and even a decent unit will feel poor in use.
1. Electric Showers
An electric shower heats cold mains water as it passes through the unit. That means it does not rely on the property's stored hot water, which is why it suits en suites, rental upgrades and homes where hot water demand elsewhere can be a problem.
2. Mixer Showers
A mixer shower blends the existing hot and cold supplies to reach the set temperature. When the house has decent pressure and a sound hot water system, this usually gives a fuller shower and more natural flow than a basic electric unit.
3. Power and Digital Showers
A power shower is designed to boost performance on low-pressure systems, while a digital shower changes how the controls are managed rather than how water is heated. Digital units are about cleaner operation and control, not fixing a poor supply on their own.
Shower Accessories That Save Time on the Fit
A few sensible extras stop snagging, leaks and return visits once the shower unit is on the wall.
1. Flexible Hoses
A decent set of Flexible Hoses can save a lot of messing about when pipe centres are awkward or the existing setup is slightly out. They make final connections easier without forcing pipework where it does not want to go.
2. Sanitary Sealants
Use proper Sanitary Sealants around trays, enclosures and wall edges. Skip this and you are asking for water tracking, mould and the sort of leak that shows up downstairs a week later.
3. Tile Adhesive & Grout
If the shower area is being rebuilt or patched after first fix, keep the right Tile Adhesive & Grout close by. It saves holding up the job while someone disappears to find matching materials.
4. Bathroom Taps
On full bathroom refits, matching in the shower with new Bathroom Taps gives a cleaner finish and avoids leaving tired brassware next to a fresh install.
Choose the Right Shower for the Job
Use the property setup to narrow it down quickly.
| Your Job | Shower or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing a basic unit in a home with mains cold feed only | Electric shower | Heats its own water, straightforward replacement option, no reliance on stored hot water |
| Refitting a family bathroom with decent hot and cold pressure | Mixer shower | Better flow, familiar controls, works well with sound combi or balanced supplies |
| Improving shower performance on a low-pressure gravity-fed system | Power shower | Built-in pump support, stronger flow, suited to poor pressure where compatible |
| Finishing a high-spec bathroom with cleaner wall controls | Digital shower | Remote or separate controls, tidier finish, precise temperature setting |
| Fast swap-out in a rental or managed property | Like-for-like shower unit | Quicker fitting, less making good, fewer supply and cable changes |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Choosing a shower before checking the property's water system is the big one. A mixer shower on the wrong supply or a power shower on an unsuitable setup will only lead to poor performance and a frustrated customer.
- Swapping to a higher kW electric shower without checking the circuit is asking for trouble. Always confirm cable size, isolation, breaker and overall capacity before fitting a larger unit.
- Assuming low flow means the shower is faulty wastes time. Check incoming pressure, blocked heads, isolation valves and filters first because the problem is often elsewhere in the system.
- Reusing tired seals and poor finishing materials around the enclosure nearly always comes back as a leak. Seal it properly and make good the wet area while you are there.
- Buying on looks alone instead of service access can make future maintenance a pain. If it is going into a busy family bathroom or rental, pick a unit with sensible controls and accessible parts.
Electric Shower vs Mixer Shower vs Power Shower
Electric Shower
Best where you need a self-contained shower unit that heats cold water on demand. Good for en suites, rentals and straightforward replacements. Flow can feel less generous than a mixer if the incoming cold and kW rating are limited.
Mixer Shower
Best when the property already has a solid hot water setup and decent pressure. Usually gives a fuller shower and simpler daily use. It is only as good as the hot and cold supplies feeding it.
Power Shower
Best for low-pressure systems where a standard mixer would be underwhelming. The boost in flow is the point, but it must suit the plumbing arrangement. It is not a cure-all for every weak supply.
Digital Shower
Best for neater finishes and more precise control in modern bathroom refurbs. It improves the user experience and layout options, but it still depends on the right underlying water system and proper installation.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Head Clean
Limescale blocks spray plates faster than most people realise, especially in hard water areas. Clean the shower head regularly or performance drops off and users blame the whole unit.
Check Filters and Inlets
On electric shower units especially, blocked inlet filters can choke flow and upset heating performance. If the unit seems weak, inspect the simple bits before assuming a major fault.
Watch the Seals
Keep an eye on seals around trays, screens and wall junctions. If they start lifting, staining or cracking, cut them out and redo them before water gets behind the finish.
Do Not Ignore Early Faults
Temperature swings, noisy pumps or weak flow usually start small. Deal with them early and you may save the unit. Leave them and you often end up replacing more parts than you needed to.
Replace Worn Parts Sensibly
Hoses, heads and seals are worth replacing when they are tired. If the main unit is obsolete, leaking internally or not economical to repair, change it out instead of throwing time at it.
Why Shop for Showers at ITS?
Whether you need a like-for-like shower replacement, a higher kW electric shower, or a full mixer or digital shower setup, we stock the range that gets bathroom jobs moving. From straightforward shower units to options for low pressure and modern refits, it is all in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery.
Shower FAQs
What is the difference between an electric shower and a mixer shower?
An electric shower heats cold mains water inside the unit, so it does not depend on the property's hot water system. A mixer shower blends the existing hot and cold supplies, so it usually gives a better flow if the house already has decent pressure and a sound hot water setup.
What kW electric shower do I need?
Higher kW generally means better hot water performance and flow, but only if the electrics can support it. Be honest about the install and check cable size, breaker and supply before choosing. Do not fit a higher rated electric shower just because the old one felt weak.
Are power showers suitable for low water pressure?
Yes, that is exactly where they earn their keep, provided the property setup is suitable. A power shower is designed to improve flow on low-pressure systems, but it still needs to be matched properly to the plumbing arrangement rather than used as a guess.
Can I replace an electric shower with any other electric shower?
Not always. Pipe entry points, cable entry, kW rating and overall size can all change the job. Some swaps are straightforward, others need making good or electrical upgrades, so check the details before you promise a quick changeover.
Will a digital shower fix poor pressure on its own?
No. A digital shower gives better control and a cleaner finish, but it does not magically improve a weak supply. If the pressure is poor, sort the system issue first or choose a shower designed for that type of setup.
Do I need to check more than just the shower when replacing a failed unit?
Yes. Check the incoming pressure, isolation valves, hose, head, seals and the condition of the surrounding finish. A new shower unit will not hide blocked filters, bad pipework or failed sealing around the enclosure.
