Malfunctioning shower pump

[Bongowhack]

Hi all, I have a query about a shower pump and wondered if you could help.

We bought our-new build house 4 years ago and when we first moved in, the water pressure in the shower was terrible so we asked what could be done about it. The site foreman arranged for a pump to be fitted next to the hot water tank and it worked fine for a while but then started playing up.

The hot water tank is in the airing cupboard just next to the en-suite where the shower in question is located. The tank is fed from the cold water supply in the loft.

Early problems were relatively easily fixed - the pump wouldn't work straight away when you turned the shower on so we dropped the shower head down to the tray to allow a better flow of water and the pump would kick in.

When that failed, we'd turn the temperature all the way down to allow more cold water through the pump - it would then kick in and we'd adjust the temperature after it was running.

Now it's a right bloody pain as you have to turn on the shower and then increase the flow of cold water through the pump by opening the valve in the airing cupboard to get it to start. This isn't all though as the volume of hot water coming through the pump is so small that you then have to turn the cold water pressure down again as it's way too cold to comfortably wash in.

Having taken all of the above into account I assume it's something to do with the hot water supply going into the pump that I need to look at but I'm not sure what I need to do (I think I read somewhere that I may need a pressure release valve or something similar) so could do with some advice.

I'll upload a couple of images of the set up inside the airing cupboard to show what's there already and hopefully help me figure out how to sort this.

Many thanks,

Mike

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• Bongowhack
• 18 Apr 2013
• 1

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• Bongowhack
• 18 Apr 2013
• 1

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• Bongowhack
• 18 Apr 2013
• 1

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• Bongowhack
• 18 Apr 2013
• 1

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• Bongowhack
• 18 Apr 2013
• 1

 

[seco services]

Have you ever cleaned the pump filters ?

 

[muggles]

Filters blocked or flow switch knackered, cheap budget brand pump though so don't expect it to be too reliable

 

[Bongowhack]

I haven't cleaned the filters - I wasn't left a manual of any sort so didn't know how to maintain it.

Can you give me an idea of how to remove & clean the filters?

 

[seco services]

Isolate the hot/cold feed to pump.
And remove the 2 flexis on the sides of the pump and you'll see the filter in the end of the flexi.

Handy to have some old towels handy.

VARISPEED

 

[Bongowhack]

Fantastic response, thanks very much - I really appreciate it.

I'll have a crack at this at the weekend and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[seco services]

I'd alter that hot connection to the cylinder as well.
Like that your liable to airlocks in the hot pipe feeding the pump. .

 

[Bongowhack]

I'm sorry but I'm not 100% sure of what you mean. Is there a problem with the feed coming out of the top of the hot tank? And if so, what should I do with it instead?

 

[seco services]

Useally fit a surrey flange etc takes it's own feed from the cylinder.

Can be fitted like yours is on the horizontal section of pipe but take the tee downwards then across rather than straight across.

Yours going straight across is liable to draw air in before it reaches the vent pipe, causing airlock/restriction in the hot supply to the pump.

Or take the feed from the vertical section but below the vent ie down below the top of the cylinder.

 

[dann09]

Isolate the electric to the shower pump and the system pump, and then check that it's isolated - before doing anything else.