Looking for a Electric shower installation Electrician?

1) Electric Shower Installation in Gildersome – Safety Comes First

When customers call me because their electric shower has stopped working or is only heating intermittently, they're often surprised when I recommend replacing it rather than trying to repair it.

In many cases, by the time you've paid for fault-finding and replacement parts, a brand-new shower with a manufacturer's warranty is the more sensible option. It gives you a reliable installation and often costs little more than repairing a shower that's already reached the end of its working life.

Recently, I visited a customer in Gildersome, near Morley, whose electric shower was around 16 years old. It had become unreliable, so she asked if I could replace it with a similar model.

Where possible, I like to replace showers with a similar model that fits the existing footprint. It keeps disruption to a minimum, avoids unnecessary tiling work and usually results in a much neater installation.

2) Every Electric Shower Installation Starts with Safety Checks

Before I fit any electric shower, I always carry out a series of important safety checks.

I check the earthing, confirm the shower circuit is wired correctly, make sure the cable is suitable for the shower being installed and check that the circuit has the correct RCD protection.

One of the most important things I look for is an RCD (Residual Current Device). This is a safety device designed to switch the electricity off extremely quickly if a fault develops, helping to protect people from electric shock.

When I inspected the customer's consumer unit, I couldn't see any RCD protection for the shower circuit.

Rather than assuming everything was okay because the shower had been working for years, I carried out the correct electrical tests using my calibrated test equipment.

The results confirmed exactly what I suspected – the shower circuit had no RCD protection at all.

I also checked the main bonding to the incoming gas and water services, as these are an important part of your home's electrical safety.

3) Why RCD Protection Matters

Electric showers use a large amount of electricity, often around 9kW, supplied through a dedicated cable.

Because they're installed in a bathroom, where water and electricity are close together, it's essential that the correct safety devices are in place.

An RCD constantly monitors the electrical current. If electricity starts flowing somewhere it shouldn't because of a fault, it disconnects the supply in a fraction of a second, greatly reducing the risk of serious electric shock.

The customer had unknowingly been using the shower for around 16 years without this protection.

Thankfully, nothing had ever gone wrong.

But electrical safety shouldn't depend on luck.

4) Making Sure the Installation Was Safe

After explaining what I'd found, I talked the customer through the options and provided a quotation to install the missing RCD protection and the required bonding to the incoming gas and water services.

Fortunately, both services were close to the consumer unit, so the additional work was straightforward.

Once these safety improvements had been completed, I installed the new shower and carried out the necessary testing to make sure everything was working correctly and safe to use.

The customer now has a reliable new shower and, just as importantly, the peace of mind that the electrical installation has been checked, tested and brought up to today's safety standards.

5) Why I Don't Just Replace the Shower

Replacing an electric shower like for like is often straightforward.

However, simply fitting the new shower isn't enough for me.

I always carry out the appropriate inspection, testing and certification to make sure the installation is safe.

That includes checking things such as:

• The shower has the correct RCD protection. 
• The cable supplying the shower is suitable. 
• The incoming gas and water services are correctly bonded where required. 
• The protective devices operate correctly. 
• The installation has been tested before the shower is put back into service. 

Homeowners are advised to test their RCD every six months by pressing the test button on the consumer unit.

That's a useful check, but it only confirms that the RCD switches off.

When I test an installation, I use professional electrical test equipment that measures exactly how the RCD performs and confirms it's operating within the required limits.

It's another way of making sure the installation is genuinely safe rather than simply assuming it is.

6) "I've Never Had Any Problems Before"

One of the most common things customers say is:

"I've never had any problems with my shower."

Thankfully, that's often true.

Electrical safety isn't about waiting for something to go wrong. It's about making sure the correct protection is already there if a fault ever develops.

Customers also say things like:

"My plumber fitted the last shower and never mentioned any of this."

or

"The gas company left a card saying my gas pipe needed bonding, but I never realised how important it was."

Sometimes safety recommendations simply don't get acted upon. In other cases, installations that were acceptable years ago don't always meet today's safety standards.

That's why I don't assume.

I test.

If I find something that doesn't meet current safety standards, I'll explain exactly what I've found, why it matters and what your options are. There's never any pressure—just honest advice based on professional testing.

One of the nicest comments I hear is:

"I'm so glad you checked that. I had no idea until you pointed it out."

For me, that's what being a professional electrician is all about.

It's not just fitting a new shower—it's leaving customers with the confidence that it's been properly inspected, tested and made as safe as it should be.

7) Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Shower Installations

My electric shower only heats up sometimes. Should I repair it or replace it?

It depends on the age of the shower and what's causing the problem. In many cases, once you factor in the cost of fault-finding and replacement parts, a new shower with a manufacturer's warranty is the better long-term option.

Can I replace my electric shower with a more powerful one?

Not always. A higher-powered shower draws more electrical current, so the cable, protective device and electrical circuit all need to be suitable. I always check this before recommending a replacement.

Does every electric shower need RCD protection?

Modern electric shower circuits should have RCD protection because it helps protect against electric shock if a fault develops. During every shower replacement, I check that the circuit has the correct protection in place.

Will I receive a certificate when my shower is replaced?

Yes. Every shower replacement I carry out includes the appropriate inspection, testing and certification, giving you confidence that the work has been completed safely.

How long does it take to replace an electric shower?

A straightforward like-for-like replacement can often be completed within a few hours. If I discover something that needs attention, such as missing RCD protection or bonding, I'll explain everything before carrying out any additional work.

Why do you carry out so many safety checks?

Because I believe replacing a shower is about more than getting the hot water working again.

It's an opportunity to make sure the installation is safe for years to come.

8) Need an Electric Shower Installed in Gildersome, Morley or the Surrounding Areas?

If your electric shower has stopped heating, is becoming unreliable or has simply reached the end of its life, I can supply and install a suitable replacement while making sure the electrical installation is safe and meets today's electrical safety standards.

Every installation includes the necessary safety checks, professional testing and the correct certification, so you can have confidence that the job has been completed properly.

Whether you're replacing a faulty shower or upgrading an older unit, I won't just fit the new shower and leave. I'll make sure the wiring, safety devices and earthing are all checked, and I'll let you know if I find anything that needs attention.

If you're looking for a friendly, reliable electrician in Gildersome, Morley or the surrounding areas, I'd be happy to help.

Call GFS Electrical Services on 0113 403 1300 for a free, no-obligation quotation or to discuss replacing your electric shower.