Do I need a shower pump?

[inneedofhelp]

Hello,

A plumber recently converted our bath tap into a shower mixer. The plumber advised me that there was enough pressure for the shower to work. After doing so we discovered that there is not enough hot water pressure for the shower to work. He is now suggesting a shower pump. We have a big boiler in a closet on the ground floor of our flat. The plumber is suggesting putting the shower pump close to the boiler. Will this solve the problem? I have been calling plumber and been getting mixed answers. Please advise.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

What sort of boiler do you have ? Is it a combi?

 

[IDCHAPPY]

I'm guessing you have a system boiler and a hot water cylinder.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

I'm guessing you have a system boiler and a hot water cylinder.

I am hoping this is the case but why put the pump close to the boiler?



Do you have a hot water cylinder in the house with a cold water cylinder above it or in the loft?

 

[inneedofhelp]

It's not a combo boiler. It's one with a big tank that takes up a lot of space.

 

[inneedofhelp]

Hello Tom,

Not sure why he wants to put the pump so close (maybe that is the easiest. I just need the hot water in the bathroom. Regarding your question of cylinder, not sure how to find that out. It looks like there is cold water coming through to the top of boiler and another pipe leaving the boiler (which I assume is the hot water). Sorry, I hope this makes sense.

 

[T & H Plumbing]

big tank of what?

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

pic of your cupboard with the cylinder would help. pump would probably be situated there.

 

[inneedofhelp]

Yes I think that is the case.

 

[inneedofhelp]

water. I think it is a system boiler.

 

[inneedofhelp]

So the shower pump will increase the hot water flow to the shower? We have a system boiler.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Photo of your cupboard with hot water cylinder will confirm all to us.

Pump is best to be sited in there and then 'push' the water on dedicated feeds to the shower. Is the 'shower mixer' actually a shower mixer or is it a bath tap as well?

 

[Ray Stafford]

Hello,

A plumber recently converted our bath tap into a shower mixer. The plumber advised me that there was enough pressure for the shower to work. After doing so we discovered that there is not enough hot water pressure for the shower to work. He is now suggesting a shower pump. We have a big boiler in a closet on the ground floor of our flat. The plumber is suggesting putting the shower pump close to the boiler. Will this solve the problem? I have been calling plumber and been getting mixed answers. Please advise.

There are a number of possibilities here. Can we get some terminology straight first? When you say "BOILER" do you mean actually mean the boiler (the box where gas or oil is burned to make heat) or do you mean the cylinder - a (usually copper) container where the hot water is heated up?


1) If the cold water to your mixer comes from the main, and the hot water comes from a gravity fed cylinder, then any solution is likely to be a bodge. Even a well fitted pump won't guarantee a solution, as the mains pressure will vary.

2) If the cold water to your mixer comes from the same cold-water storage tank that feeds the cylinder (assuming that you have one) then a properly sited and well fitted pump should work nicely

 

[inneedofhelp]

Here are photo's of the tap and boiler. Please let me know if I should take detail photo's of the boiler with the cylinders. Thank you.

 

[Ermintrude]

Yep u need a nice Stewart turner pump or if your on a budget get a Graham's own brand one 'altec' it's a salamander in a different suit.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

that isn't a boiler it is a hot water cylinder

 

[inneedofhelp]

Thank you. Learned something new.

 

[inneedofhelp]

Hello Ray,

Sorry to take so long to respond. The plumber informs me that the cold water comes from the main. So should I not bother with a shower pump?

 

[E4gas]

Hello Ray,

Sorry to take so long to respond. The plumber informs me that the cold water comes from the main. So should I not bother with a shower pump?

You need a twin pump ,

 

[SimonG]

Find a new plumber.