The Ultimate Guide to Mixer Showers 

Mixer showers help you achieve your perfect shower temperature by combining hot and cold water, giving you complete control of your shower routine. Our ultimate guide covers everything you need to know about our Mira mixer showers, from how they work to which model is right for your bathroom. Read on to learn more. 

A mixer shower combines hot and cold water to deliver your ideal temperature. They often produce a stronger flow than electric showers and are compatible with both gravity-fed and mains-pressure systems. Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for a wide range of bathroom setups.  

Mixer showers connect directly to your home's hot and cold water supplies, drawing from both simultaneously. Inside the shower valve, the two streams mix to create your chosen temperature. Mixer showers deliver higher water pressure than electric showers, as they use existing hot water rather than heating it themselves. 

If you're unsure how to choose the best shower for your bathroom, we've broken down the two main types of mixer showers below:  
 

• Exposed mixer showers, like the Mira Form Dual Exposed Mixer Shower, have the shower control mounted visibly on the wall or on a single riser bar, including adjustable inlet connections to adapt to existing pipework.  

• Built-in mixer showers offer a minimalist aesthetic with controls built into the wall. The Mira Excel Concealed Rigid Mixer Shower provides ultimate reliability and safety thanks to its sleek built-in design.  

Mixer showers are also available in single-, dual- and triple-outlet options, giving you flexibility in your shower experience. Single outlets, such as the Mira Apt Exposed Bar Mixer Shower, offer a timeless shower solution, while the Mira Atom Dual Bar Mixer Shower features two powerful showerheads.

A thermostatic mixer shower is a type of mixer shower which uses a valve to maintain a constant water temperature. The valve automatically adjusts to prevent hot or cold bursts when someone turns on a tap or flushes a toilet while you're showering, making them a safe option for families with children. Unlike manual mixer showers, which require constant temperature adjustments, this type of mixer shower automatically maintains your preferred setting.

Our mixer showers feature our patented Mira Magni-flo™ technology, so you can say goodbye to feeble flows and enjoy a drenching shower with water pressure as low as 0.1 bar. Our system optimises the valve's internal waterways, delivering up to 3x the flow of other showers on the market.    

With multi-generational homes on the rise, bathrooms need to accommodate a variety of ages and mobility concerns. All Mira mixer showers feature our innovative CoolShield™ technology. The valve doesn't get hot during a shower, reducing accidents and making showering safer for the whole family.

Mixer showers and combi boilers are highly compatible. Combi boilers provide a high-pressure hot water supply on demand, making them ideal for mixer showers. You won't need a shower pump if you have a combi boiler, as they already deliver water at mains pressure. 

A thermostatic mixer shower works well with a combi boiler, providing the safety of temperature control and the strong flow of combi systems. When choosing the best mixer shower for your combi boiler system, look for models that can handle mains pressure and offer thermostatic control for the most consistent results.  

Mira's range of mixer showers includes numerous options that can work perfectly to maximise the performance of combi boiler systems. 

We always recommend professional shower installation, but here's what the installation involves: 
 

• Plumbing access – The installer needs access to both hot and cold water supplies, ideally behind the shower wall.  

• Valve fitting – The mixer valve gets positioned at a convenient height and securely fixed to the wall or mounting board.  

• Connecting feeds – Hot and cold water feeds connect to the appropriate inlets on the valve. These connections must be properly sealed and tested to prevent leaks. 

• Outlet installation – Showerhead outlets are connected to the valve's output. For built-in systems, this may involve running pipes through the wall. 

• Sealing and testing – All joints must be sealed and the water supply can be turned back on. The installer can then test performance and for leaks.  

If you're looking to upgrade your shower or replace an existing mixer shower, we offer installation services to ensure your shower works safely and efficiently from day one.

Knowing when and how to replace your mixer shower can prevent unexpected problems. The replacement process follows similar steps to installation, though removing the old shower comes first. Here are the key signs it's time for a replacement: 
 

• Persistent leaks – If your shower valve or connections leak despite repairs. 

• Reduced flow – If you've noticed a change in your shower's flow rate and cleaning or descaling hasn't improved it.  

• Temperature inconsistency – If your thermostatic shower no longer maintains a consistent temperature. 

• Visible wear – Corroded fittings, damaged chrome or cracked components indicate it's time for an upgrade. 

• Upgrade opportunity – Sometimes, replacement is simply about wanting better performance, more features or a fresh look for your bathroom. 

If you're struggling with a low-pressure system, you can create an intense, fast-flowing shower by combining one of our mixer showers with a shower pump. Our twin-ended pumps boost your flow rate by up to 32 litres per minute, providing a consistent showering experience. 

If you live in an area with hard water, limescale can build up inside your mixer showerhead and valves, disrupting the flow and performance. Use a water softener to descale your showerhead and valves regularly. 

Choosing a Mira mixer shower doesn't limit you to just one type of shower. We offer a range of designs, styles and configurations to suit any bathroom. Explore our full range of showers or contact us today to learn more about our services, replacements and repairs.