Leaky Hansgrohe ibox (shower valve)

[Porthole]

Hi All

 

Be really grateful for your comments on this one please.

 

We've got our tiler coming on Wednesday to do 3 bathrooms but the builders are struggling with first fix. We came to site yesterday and the Hansgrohe ibox was dripping - looked like it was from the top but could be a leak from the bottom of the ibox - not clear. 

Please can I ask what is generally done in order to test the pipes and connections to one of these? I spoke to our bathroom shop and they said that the top cover of the valve is needed to test the ibox for leaks, as it is not watertight without it and it will leak.  I'm just very nervous about whether the pipes are going to be water tight before the tiles go on. The builder said they had tested the pipes so when we saw the leaks, we were rather concerned. (Some of the leaks in the photo are from the caps put on the end of the pipes, so nothing to worry about, but the ibox one was quite worrying) 

 

Thank you very much!!

 

[Nickfromwales]

Hi. 
Use a screwdriver to remove the white dust cap and then take another pic. Should then look like this under the dust cap

 

That internal white plastic insert gets removed and disposed of when 2nd fix occurs.
 

It’s primary use is to create a X bridge connecting cold in > bottom outlet and hot in > top outlet. The idea is, that you cap / blank off both outlets where they emerge from the tiles and turn on the hot and cold supplies and allow water pressure to equalise so the installer can prove all input and output connections and pipe work are sound / leak-free. They can also remain pressurised until boarded and tiled so you know if anyone screws through a pipe. 

Upon 2nd fix, the installer should switch off the water and connect flexis to both outlets. Then they should run the hot and cold supplies to flush all pipe work debris out before installing the thermostatic facia, eg to prevent debris from getting into it and causing damage and voiding your warranty.

Remove that dust cap and see if you can see exactly where the leak is coming from. Try tightening the Allen bolt at the centre of the plastic X piece if it looks like it’s leaking from inside the green body.