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Long story made short(er): We had a leaky shower, I tried to replace cartridge with largest could get from Bunnings, but found it was not a standard size (it needs a 46mm HANSA-specific cartridge rather than the standard 40mm/35mm).
I also bought a replacement shower mixer tap from Bunnings and found that the pipe where the mixer tap attaches is also larger at 5cm (most at Bunnings seemed to be a smaller size and similar to each other). It also has 4 pipes rather than 3 behind in the unit, so I'm assuming even getting a plumber in wouldn't allow us to use the smaller shower mixer tap unit - though I'm happy to be corrected on this.
Does anyone have advice on what we can do? We are happy to buy a new mixer tap unit and pay for a plumber, we just don't want to pay for a call-out just to be told that it is non-standard unit and that the plumber needs to order parts in.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @NDir. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about replacing a mixer.
It does sound like you'll likely need a plumber to attend, especially given the non-standard fittings and the specific requirements for the cartridge. Even though you’re happy to purchase a new mixer tap, it’s important to ensure that whatever you buy will fit properly, which might be tricky in your case given the unusual pipe size and configuration. Since the current mixer tap setup seems to have non-standard parts, a plumber would be best suited to assess the situation and confirm exactly what’s needed.
While I understand the hesitation to pay for a call-out fee only to be told that parts need to be ordered, having a plumber inspect the setup will likely prevent any costly mistakes, like purchasing incompatible parts. You might be able to discuss your concerns with a plumbing service ahead of time to see if they have experience with this type of fitting, which could save time. This way, you won’t be stuck ordering the wrong components and waiting for a second visit.
In short, while it's an extra step, having a plumber involved from the start might actually save you some headaches down the line.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
