Water that won't shut off, or keeps dripping after you turn the control fully, means the on/off cartridge inside the valve isn't seating properly any more, usually limescale on the seat or wear in the cartridge itself. Isolate the water at the isolation valves first, then deal with the cartridge.
Applies to: shower cabins and steam showers
INTRO HERE
Compatible with many shower cabin brands including
Quick diagnosis
If your shower cabin is showing these symptoms:
- Water keeps flowing even with the control turned fully off
- A steady drip continues after the shower is switched off
- Water only fully stops if you isolate the supply at the valves behind the cabin
Likely causes, most likely first
- On/off cartridge worn or not seating. On a non-thermostatic mixer this is a ceramic disc cartridge, and once the discs wear or debris gets between them, they stop sealing fully shut.
- Limescale on the valve seat. A buildup on the seat itself can hold the cartridge fractionally open even when the control is turned all the way.
Likely cause
This is almost always the cartridge that handles on and off rather than the one that handles temperature, and on a lot of cabins that's a separate ceramic disc part from the thermostatic cartridge.
Check this first
- Isolate the water at the isolation valves behind the cabin first; this is the immediate fix while you sort the part
- Turn the control firmly all the way to confirm it’s reaching its full stop rather than just feeling stiff
- Check whether it’s a steady drip or a full flow, since that changes how urgent the fix is
Which part fits your cabin
| Brand | Model / range | Part | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | INS, Shower Cabin and Steam Shower Cabin ranges … 14 models | 40mm Lever Tap Cartridge (SPS 188) | Photo-matched against Insignia’s parts (not on their per-model pages) |
This is a floor, not a full list … pull the old cartridge and check the measurements above before ordering.
How to identify your part
The ceramic lever tap cartridge used on non-thermostatic mixers measures 40mm across the barrel and 30mm in barrel height, with a 25mm collar and a 9.5mm x 10mm spindle, at 63mm overall length. It’s an internal part for the bottom section of the mixer and comes in a few different colours depending on the batch, which doesn’t affect fit. On a 3-dial valve, it’s the middle dial that handles on/off and flow rate rather than temperature or diverting … if that’s the dial that won’t shut the water off, the threaded barrel housing behind it (SPS 268) holds the cartridge in place and is worth checking too.
Parts that fix this problem
The following replacement parts usually fix this issue.
Not sure which replacement part you need? Send us a photo and we will help identify the correct replacement.
How to fix it
- Isolate the water at the isolation valves so the shower stops running while you work
- Remove the control handle to reach the on/off cartridge underneath
- Draw the cartridge out and check the ceramic discs for wear, cracks or trapped debris
- Fit a new cartridge if the discs won’t seat cleanly together by hand
- Turn the water back on gradually and check the control fully shuts the flow off before you call it done
Also described as
- Steam shower
- Steam shower cabin
- Hydro massage shower
When to call a professional
If isolating the water doesn't stop the flow either, or there's no isolation valve fitted to the supply, that's a plumber's job straight away; don't leave a shower that won't isolate.
