USA Unvented cylinder - water pressure

[Tim0212]

Hi, looking for advice about unvented cylinder. I had one installed as part of a horrific modular loft conversion that was recently finished. The water pressure in the bathrooms is poor, probably worse than when just had combi and I cant use two showers/bathrooms at one time which was the point in having it installed. When first installed it seemed good but then there was a leak in the system. Leak was fixed but pressure now poor. The tested cold incoming measures at 22 lpm and 3 bar but when i check this in bathrooms its less than 8lpm. The plumber is refusing to return as loft company arent paying him(think theyre going under) and his only advice is that the incoming supply is the issue. Im not convinced though due to rate during test and i've recently tested outside tap and its 3 times quicker than inside. The new shower in loft occassionally has fluntuating pressure that you can see by eye. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Tim0212]

Also the hot outlet on the side

Explain further?

 

[king of pipes]

Seen it all now get em back thats not fitted correctly or report em to gas safe they will force them to put it right or give you your money back so you can employ another engineer to sort it, do you have a compliance certificate ? Kop

 

[Riley]

They clearly weren’t G3 qualified then as it’s a right hash and hadn’t speced the right pipework changes or a horizontal cylinder

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Explain further?

Horizontal cylinders have all the connections on the top so they can be serviced easily and have internal dip tubes so they don't suck cold water

 

[Riley]

The guys clearly not a plumber not to have spotted it

 

[Tim0212]

No i have nothing from them. Apart from vertical cylinder can you explain other issues? I would be surprised if loft company would have used them if not gas safe as all part of contract for sign off and commissioning. Could they get away with it by saying they didnt specify cylinder (the loft company did?)

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No i have nothing from them. Apart from vertical cylinder can you explain other issues? I would be surprised if loft company would have used them if not gas safe as all part of contract for sign off and commissioning. Could they get away with it by saying they didnt specify cylinder (the loft company did?)

They installed it in that manner the buck falls with them

 

[Riley]

Somantics it’s a vertical cylinder fitted horizontally. IF he’s qualified he should know

 

[Tim0212]

Horizontal cylinders have all the connections on the top so they can be serviced easily and have internal dip tubes so they don't suck cold water

Would this be the reason why pressure low. Sorry, no idea about plumbing! Sucking cold water - what does this mean?

 

[Riley]

Based on the pics I’d say not qualified

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Would this be the reason why pressure low. Sorry, no idea about plumbing! Sucking cold water - what does this mean?

Yes and the 15mm service

 

[Riley]

It’s a typical builder install

 

[Riley]

Text the plumber now with what we’ve said then you have a record

 

[Scott_D]

Would it now be impossible to remove the cylinder?

 

[Tim0212]

I seriously cant believe this. Should i highlight anything other than the cylinder direction. He had discussed putting a pump on the cold water(under the stairs)? Is the pressure on outside tap good because all on 15mm pipe? If cylinder pipework was 15mm would it have been better pressure?

 

[Chuck]

Is that a vertical Tempest cylinder that has been turned on its side and mounted horizontally?

If so, WTF???

Time to get a new, G3 qualified, plumber in to survey the installation and quote for fixing any issues.

I hope you haven't paid the loft conversion company yet... :-(

 

[Tim0212]

Would it now be impossible to remove the cylinder?

Was just thinking that. Would have to remove eaves plasterboard wall

 

[Tim0212]

I owe loft company 2k for ongoing issues...looks like thats gone.

 

[Riley]

He’s a cowboy. Should’ve done the cold feed right at the start. An accumulator or similar could help solve your problem but it certainly shouldn’t be at your expense. And no. Pressure and flow rate are key don’t drop to 15

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I owe loft company 2k for ongoing issues...looks like thats gone.

At a minimum