Thermostatic Cartridge Shower Bar

[AKMild]

I have an old (2003-ish) Bristan Artisan shower which has recently only ever given me a lukewarm shower, however much I set the thermostat to high. The taps in the same bathroom give nice, hot water, so I don't think it's a boiler problem and a bit of online research is pointing me to a faulty thermostatic cartridge. The current one is the original as far as I know, but we have a water softener so limescale shouldn't be a problem.

Not wanting to invest in a spare if it's not going to solve the problem, I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions as to what might be the cause so I can investigate first.

[The Builder]

Usually the cartridge, AK. Bristan list spare cartridges at around £50, but I'll bet that's only for current models. Do ring them to find out though. Their spares dept. is very good.

To be honest, I would go for a new one completely. If you replace the cartridge, then something else will have gone wrong as well. Possibly even something as simple as a bung-up on the hot water side. You can't tell.

[gingejbee]

The silver lining in this particular cloud is that showering in warm water is so much better (than hot) for your skin.
(Years ago my GP warned me off hot water and I have used warm only since then).

[Mosaic]

I'm with The Builder on this one. Many of the older Bristan cartridges are brass and they cease totally solid in the casing, never ever to be released this side of kingdom come. Bristan thermostatic shower taps can be picked up very economically and new on ebay, and because the fixtures are all standardised replacing like with like will be very simple either for you or for a plumber / handynan.
You can get on to Bristan and argue the toss if you think it's still in guarantee but TBH I'd just get on ebay and buy another.

[AKMild]

Thanks for the help, folks. I took the old one out and despite many years of having used a water softener, the cartridge was encrusted in limescale (which probably came about during the occasions when I forgot to put salt in the softener). Have sourced a new cartridge and await delivery.