:(

I have an increasingly fast dripping leak coming from the pipe that attaches to the shower head. The pipe is mostly 'hidden' behing a tiled wall, with about 2 to 3 inches poking out of the wall. (I've removed all the shower head unit but that didn't stop the leak... its definitely coming from the pipe).

The plumber at B & Q told me that as it was coming from the pipes, the best thing for me to do was to remove some of the tiles and re-fit the pipes. I told him that I would probably get a plumber to do it, but he suggested that would be very expensive and it was quite a straightforward job. The thing is I don't know how to work out which part of the system is the problem... just that its leaking from the pipe! At the moment I turn the water off at the mains before I go to bed as the leak is so bad it keeps me awake and this is the only way I can stop he noise.

Any advice would be extremely welcome, as I'm happy to have a go myself as I am indeed Tryingtosaveafewquid.

Thanks very much.

My suggestionis call a plumber. It sounds like you have a washer in your shower valve that needs to be replaced. I would need more info on what kind of valve you have weather it is a single handle valve or a 2 handle valve also is it a tub and shower combo or is it just a shower. If you can get the name of the valve would help also.

"The plumber at B & Q told me that as it was coming from the pipes, the best thing for me to do was to remove some of the tiles and re-fit the pipes."

Well yeah! That's where leaks come from, water pipes, Duhh!!

"(I've removed all the shower head unit but that didn't stop the leak....its definately coming from the pipe)."

That's because the problem's not in the shower raiser, the chrome curved pipe or the shower head.

The problem that you have is a leaky shower valve. If it were operating properly there would be no water escaping up the shower raiser and out the shower head.
This could be as simple as replacing a washer or as complicated as replacing the valve itself.
To tell you more I would have to know the brand name of the shower valve and its approximate age.
Question? What's a "B & Q" and why would anyone who you call a "plumber" miss the boat on a simple call like this??
Waiting to hear from you. Regards, Tom

Appreciate the info. Absolutely fair point about the B&Q plumber too!
Its an Aqualisa shower, about 5 to 6 years old. I don't know how to tell if it's a single handle or 2 valve handle... I don't even know what a valve handle is!! But I do know its just a shower and NOT a bath / shower combo.

Thank you very much.

Click on; http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/...sa-showers.asp
And tell me if you see your shower valve. Thanks, tom

Cheers Tom

Thanks, the one it looks most like is aqualisa-aquavalve-609-thermostatic-semi-recessed.

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/...alve-white.asp

Thanks

Based upon your description your problem is in the control valve for the shower. You didn't say whether the shower is part of a bath tub/shower combination or if you have a shower only set up. The fact is you still have water running through your pipes after you turn the shower off. This isn't the fault of the pipes. Your seal in your shower control valve is worn and won't hold against your water pressure. To correct this you will have to cut off water to the shower. You may have to cut off water service to your entire house to accomplish this, but it isn't hard. Just find your water meter and cut off service by turning the valve off in the meter box. If you have an old fixture with a hot and cold valve, it may be a simple as ging to the hardware store and buying a universal washer kit and simply replacing the worn out washers with new ones, If you have a single control that regulates hot/cold water mix and on/off, you will have a more complex problem. First you must determine what brand of control valve you have so you can determine what kinds of parts you might need. After you determine the brand get on the internet and see what you can find out about the valve. Most brands have exploded diagrams on the internet and you can usually determine from these what needs to be replaced. It will usually be the cartridge or cartridges with accompanying washers. Be careful dissembling the unit, paying particular attention to how tight fittings are so when you reassemble you don't over tighten. THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT if you have some experience. The most frustrating part is finding out what kind of control unit you have and rounding up replacement parts. Don't take anything apart until you have replacement parts in hand. Good Luck