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Hello,
I am looking for advice on my current situation with low water flow in my flat. The situation is as follows: I live in a 1900's tenement block on the top floor(the 4th floor), 16 flats in the block. I have lived here for about a year and a half. The previous owner removed the cold water storage tank and the hot water cylinder and installed an instant hot water heater, Ariston aures slim multi, in the kitchen to provide hot water to all the taps(kitchen, toilet and shower basin). The cold water comes down from the attic, into the water heater, then back up into the attic to go up and across to then come back down for the hand basins. There's the kitchen sink, 2 hand basins, 1 toilet and 1 electric shower in my flat. I'm connected to the riser for the block in the attic, its a 15mm connection, and from what I can see the riser in the attic could be 15mm all the way up, but I'm not sure, its certainly 15mm coming up from the floors below.
My normal water flow has been around 6 - 7L p/m, with a water pressure of around 1 bar. About 2 months ago my water flow significantly dropped to around 2L p/m, water pressure remained about the same. During this 2 month period the water flow has come back twice, when I was in, once for a few days, and more recently for a day, then it has dropped back down to the 2L p/m. When it has come back up, my shower and water heater start working again. I contacted Scottish Water and they said there are no issues reported in the local area or any works that would affect it. They also said they wouldn't do anything because after the street it's my responsibility. I believe the rest of my neighbors still have their cold water storage tanks, at least on the top floor, and no one has said they are noticing a drop in flow, although I think lower down they may not be as affected.
Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing the low flow?
I had a plumber come in to look at the system, try and see what was wrong and offer a solution. They said its low water flow and I'd need a booster pump, but didn't offer a reason to the cause. They quoted £1700 for these works, which I was adverse to pay. Scottish water believed there should be a communal pump for the block, and that may no longer be working or faulty, however I've never seen one or heard of anyone talking about one. The water riser comes up between my flat and next door, and our flats are at the front of the block.
If there was a communal pump in this old tenement block, does anyone have an idea of where it's likely to be located?
I have done a lot of further research on a solution to the low flow, I also talked to Grundfos about it, they recommended the SCALA2 3-45 pump, as I am top floor and so high from street level, I estimate approx 20 - 25m to the attic. I know this pump is a lot more powerful than for instance, the Salamander Home boost, and I'd need permission from Scottish Water to connect to the mains. Albeit, I don't think I'd adversely affect their water systems, I only need a flow of around 8L p/m to be satisfied. Another solution could be a product like Powertank compact 125L, to have a buffer water tank and then a pump to keep my system pressurised at 3 bar.
Does anyone have advice on possible solutions?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I am looking for advice on my current situation with low water flow in my flat. The situation is as follows: I live in a 1900's tenement block on the top floor(the 4th floor), 16 flats in the block. I have lived here for about a year and a half. The previous owner removed the cold water storage tank and the hot water cylinder and installed an instant hot water heater, Ariston aures slim multi, in the kitchen to provide hot water to all the taps(kitchen, toilet and shower basin). The cold water comes down from the attic, into the water heater, then back up into the attic to go up and across to then come back down for the hand basins. There's the kitchen sink, 2 hand basins, 1 toilet and 1 electric shower in my flat. I'm connected to the riser for the block in the attic, its a 15mm connection, and from what I can see the riser in the attic could be 15mm all the way up, but I'm not sure, its certainly 15mm coming up from the floors below.
My normal water flow has been around 6 - 7L p/m, with a water pressure of around 1 bar. About 2 months ago my water flow significantly dropped to around 2L p/m, water pressure remained about the same. During this 2 month period the water flow has come back twice, when I was in, once for a few days, and more recently for a day, then it has dropped back down to the 2L p/m. When it has come back up, my shower and water heater start working again. I contacted Scottish Water and they said there are no issues reported in the local area or any works that would affect it. They also said they wouldn't do anything because after the street it's my responsibility. I believe the rest of my neighbors still have their cold water storage tanks, at least on the top floor, and no one has said they are noticing a drop in flow, although I think lower down they may not be as affected.
Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing the low flow?
I had a plumber come in to look at the system, try and see what was wrong and offer a solution. They said its low water flow and I'd need a booster pump, but didn't offer a reason to the cause. They quoted £1700 for these works, which I was adverse to pay. Scottish water believed there should be a communal pump for the block, and that may no longer be working or faulty, however I've never seen one or heard of anyone talking about one. The water riser comes up between my flat and next door, and our flats are at the front of the block.
If there was a communal pump in this old tenement block, does anyone have an idea of where it's likely to be located?
I have done a lot of further research on a solution to the low flow, I also talked to Grundfos about it, they recommended the SCALA2 3-45 pump, as I am top floor and so high from street level, I estimate approx 20 - 25m to the attic. I know this pump is a lot more powerful than for instance, the Salamander Home boost, and I'd need permission from Scottish Water to connect to the mains. Albeit, I don't think I'd adversely affect their water systems, I only need a flow of around 8L p/m to be satisfied. Another solution could be a product like Powertank compact 125L, to have a buffer water tank and then a pump to keep my system pressurised at 3 bar.
Does anyone have advice on possible solutions?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
