Electric shower / water problem - ideas appreciated.
Discussion
We have a problem at one of our rental properties - a shower on the top floor is becoming scalding hot when water is in use elsewhere in the property. I believe it's a water volume issue.
Our plumber says there is insufficient height in the loft for a tank to act as a reservoir and that a low pressure shower is unlikely to be effective.
He says the only way out is to put in a second water supply (we are not keen to do this) or possibly a pumped solution. He says that even with a fairly expensive pump and new shower there is no guarantee of success.
Has anyone here experience of this type of problem and a possible solution to it please?
Hi Manks
Plumbers aren't necessarily good at solving engineering problems, even if they are a first class plumber.
Your problem is to work out how the shower is fed - it would appear there is insufficient cold pressure
(remember cold pressure is always lower the higher up you go) - if this comes directly from the mains then a small pump could solve the problem.
How does the shower get its hot feed? (and to some extent how is the water heated?).
JK
Plumbers aren't necessarily good at solving engineering problems, even if they are a first class plumber.
Your problem is to work out how the shower is fed - it would appear there is insufficient cold pressure
(remember cold pressure is always lower the higher up you go) - if this comes directly from the mains then a small pump could solve the problem.
How does the shower get its hot feed? (and to some extent how is the water heated?).
JK
Yes we have a duty of care, now that we have been made aware of the problem.
In terms of them "wising up", the property is in multiple occupation so the tenant at the top probably doesn't know when someone else is going to run a tap.
I gather that it is not a water pressure problem, but a water volume problem. If that makes any sense.
I wonder if the thermostatic shower might work.
As far as I am aware the shower has a single cold feed and heats the water internally. It is likely to be a Galaxy Designa or similar.
Not sure if it is relevant, but not only is the building a 3-storey it also sits above ground level by 5ft or so and it is one of the higher properties on a reasonable hill. So the water is going a long way upwards.
We have a number of properties with the same shower on the top floor and no other reported problems.
caziques said:
Hi Manks
Plumbers aren't necessarily good at solving engineering problems, even if they are a first class plumber.
...if this comes directly from the mains then a small pump could solve the problem.
JK
And a first class engineer can't solve plumbing problems! Plumbers aren't necessarily good at solving engineering problems, even if they are a first class plumber.
...if this comes directly from the mains then a small pump could solve the problem.
JK
You can't pump the mains matey.
If the shower is an electric shower, it's typically mains fed and runs off a single cold mains water input.
The water runs through a can with an immersion type heater in it. This provides the heat to the water.
The shower temperature is controlled thermostatically. If you cut the cold main, the shower would stop, if you reduce the mains pressure going in, the pressure coming out would reduce.
Sounds maybe if the main isn't up to the job. You could try beefing up the pipe which could possibly help matters.
As for alternative solutions.
What hot/ cold water setup is installed in your flat? Is the entire flat mains fed, combination boiler prehaps? Or do have have low pressure hot and cold to taps via a cylinder? Etc, etc?
The water runs through a can with an immersion type heater in it. This provides the heat to the water.
The shower temperature is controlled thermostatically. If you cut the cold main, the shower would stop, if you reduce the mains pressure going in, the pressure coming out would reduce.
Sounds maybe if the main isn't up to the job. You could try beefing up the pipe which could possibly help matters.
As for alternative solutions.
What hot/ cold water setup is installed in your flat? Is the entire flat mains fed, combination boiler prehaps? Or do have have low pressure hot and cold to taps via a cylinder? Etc, etc?
Edited by Gingerbread Man on Friday 3rd June 08:21
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