Electric Shower Heater Problems: What to Check Before You Call a Plumber

Electric showers are common in many Kent homes because they heat water on demand and do not rely on stored hot water. When they work well, they are simple and convenient. But when they go wrong, the symptoms can be frustrating.

From our experience, customers often call us because their electric shower is either too hot, too cold, cutting out, losing pressure or constantly changing temperature.

Common electric shower problems

The most common issues we see include:

• Shower running extremely hot
• Shower running cold
• Temperature going hot and cold
• Poor water pressure
• Water flow dropping suddenly
• Shower cutting out
• Burning smell or signs of overheating
• Water leaking from the unit
• Shower making unusual noises

Some problems are simple. Others may be electrical or safety-related and should not be ignored.

First things to check

Before assuming the shower unit has failed, there are a few things worth checking.

### 1. Is the water pressure low?

Electric showers need enough incoming cold water pressure to work properly. If the pressure drops, the shower may overheat or cut out.

Check whether other taps in the house also have low pressure. If they do, the issue may be with the mains supply, stopcock, pipework or local water pressure.

### 2. Is the shower head blocked?

In hard water areas like much of Kent, shower heads can block with limescale. This restricts flow and can cause the unit to run too hot.

Try removing and cleaning the shower head. If the temperature improves, scale may have been part of the problem.

### 3. Is the hose kinked or blocked?

A kinked or blocked shower hose can also restrict flow. This can cause overheating or poor performance.

### 4. Has the power setting been changed?

Some electric showers have high, medium and low power settings. If the setting has been changed, especially between seasons, the water temperature can feel very different.

### 5. Is the unit old?

Electric showers work hard. Over time, heating elements, flow valves and internal parts can wear out. If the shower is older and becoming unreliable, replacement may be more sensible than repeated repairs.

Important safety warning

Electric showers involve both water and electricity, so safety matters. If there are signs of burning, overheating, electrical smells, tripping electrics, leaking from the unit, or exposed wiring, stop using the shower and get it checked.

Do not remove the cover or attempt internal repairs unless you are qualified to do so.

Our advice

From our experience, many electric shower issues are caused by scale, poor flow, low pressure or an ageing unit. In a hard water area, regular cleaning of the shower head and hose can help, but if the shower is delivering very hot or very cold water, cutting out, or behaving unpredictably, it should be checked properly.

At Cousin's Plumbing and Heating Kent, we can inspect the shower, check the water supply, advise whether repair or replacement is the best option, and fit a suitable replacement where needed.

Electric shower problems in Mid Kent?

We help customers across Mid Kent, including Ashford, Maidstone, Tenterden, Faversham, Canterbury, Sittingbourne and surrounding villages. Whether your shower is too hot, too cold or not working properly, we can help diagnose the issue and recommend the right fix.