Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek


#269985 18-Apr-2020 14:31
Send private message

Have got an old Topliss mixer in our shower, it's been leaking a little bit as long as we've been in the house, but just recently has got a lot worse - pics below of the mixer, and a few short videos here showing the leak. 

 

As you can see in the second video, there is a lot of play in that main 'shaft', and when it's pulled out as far as it can go, the leak is not nearly as bad.

 

Normally I'd just rip into it and see what's going on, but right at the moment I'm not so keen to do that in case I stuff it entirely, as replacement bits probably won't be as quick to get hold of as they normally would be. 

 

Anyone familiar with these and has any suggestions? Thanks. 

 

Click to see full size

 

Click to see full size


Create new topic
RunningMan
8953 posts

Uber Geek


  #2464777 18-Apr-2020 14:40
Send private message

Maybe go straight to the source - they might answer an email with some info for you.

 

http://www.topliss.co.nz/contact-us/




PoHq
466 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2464897 18-Apr-2020 15:48
Send private message

I had a leaking one of these a year or so ago. Bad news you’ll find it hard to get into these without the right tools and skills. I got as far as you and stopped and the plumber we eventually called said your average DIYer does not want to attempt to get into this mixer. I actually put it all back together before the plumber arrived and the leak was worse. More bad news cost was about $350 from memory. Good news, they still make these units in Nelson I believe so readily available. If you call a plumber send him a pic of the mixer so they can pre order. Guy told me whole new mixer set is required for these. Individual kit parts not available.

Hope that helps

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek


  #2464899 18-Apr-2020 16:00
Send private message

Thanks, disappointing but good to know. I'll definitely leave it alone for now. 




jandal160165
170 posts

Master Geek


  #2465006 18-Apr-2020 18:14
Send private message

 

 

Give them a ring.  I got a refurbed one for my place from Topliss direct.

 

http://www.topliss.co.nz/products/servicing-information/

 

 

 

The servicing info on this page would indicate there is no plumbing miracles inside.

 

 


mattwnz
20141 posts

Uber Geek


  #2465018 18-Apr-2020 18:31
Send private message

We had one of these, and my dad fixed it. You need to take the chrome plate off, as that covers the mixer unit.  I think there is a kit you can buy that fixes it. 


mattwnz
20141 posts

Uber Geek


  #2465020 18-Apr-2020 18:33
Send private message

PoHq:  Guy told me whole new mixer set is required for these. Individual kit parts not available.

 

 

 

I think there is a kit you can buy. Or at least you could buy it at one stage. Looks like they do have service and washer kits at http://www.topliss.co.nz/products/servicing-information/

 

My dad fixed our one that was leaking with a kit and he is not a plumber. But maybe it isn't the sort of thing people do these days.


wooda2
35 posts

Geek


  #2465077 18-Apr-2020 21:01
Send private message

They are a pain to do. Try tightening up the back nut a bit, closest to mixer body (not the one that holds the wallplate on). Dont force it.

 

Its often easier to take mixer out to service. A new one is around 200 so thats maybe easier. Or the refurb ones from topliss.

 

As well as gland nut theres lots of goodies you can service on these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://topliss.co.nz/pdf/TOPLISS_BROS_Gland_bush_replacement.pdf


 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
GGJohnstone
86 posts

Master Geek


  #2465191 19-Apr-2020 08:54
Send private message

It is a shame major hardware stores are closed. Price there seen less than post and packaging.
The leak is either worn o rings or debris. My mixer had stop cocks so it could be done "key hole". The estimate price is easy for you to work within if you are allowed to turn off all water to remove the valve. 3 pipes and some screws. This will reduce the dropsy problems. Best plan is key hole if the stop cocks can be turned and space under the work filled with towels. A friendly plunder might sell you the valve kit and offer support if it goes wronk. Saving travel and administration costs looking like 75% of estimate.

GGJohnstone
86 posts

Master Geek


  #2465196 19-Apr-2020 09:05
Send private message

It still is working as shower. If your house manager is not kept awake at nights by the dripping water this is not $350 urgent work. Exercise the valve by turning quickly. This might help reseat o rings especially over debris.

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek


  #2465339 19-Apr-2020 11:31
Send private message

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Does look very doable, just need to get hold of the bits. Topliss actually have great info on their site showing exploded diagrams etc etc, honestly I'd not really thought to check there haha. A lot of other manufacturers could take a leaf out of their book in that regard.

 

The leak is primarily when the shower is on, so it's not a really pressing thing as it might be if it was leaking like that when it was off. This mixer I suspect was installed in the early 70s and probably hasn't been touched since. The water here is pretty feral too, so could easily be some debris in there, but I suspect the seal is knackered. Looks like the TB4,5 or 6 ELP mixer (probably 4), and will probably be #22 'Gland Packing Bush' that I need I think. 

 

Cheers everyone. 


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.