Shower pressure in new house

[devon shower]

The shower has an unexceptable flow (bit like a crap shower abroad!)

Is the shower pressure just as it should be in relation to the downstairs cylinder arrangement and relying on the general water pressure? (therefore we need to get a pump fitted) or is it some other reason?

1) Boiler make / model (gas or oil)

Gas, glowworm 30SXI, powering unvented heating and feeding to a ground floor unvented cylinder (OSO indirect 210) to provide first floor ensuite with shower. The mains feed pressure is 2-2.5 bar.

2) What is / is not happening.

The shower has an unexceptable flow (bit like a crap shower abroad!)

3) Has ANYTHING else been done or changed recently.

New build

4) When did the problem start?

Always been like

5) When does it happen? eg, heating coming on or going off.

All the time. Gets worse if other taps etc are used.

6) Anything else you feel may be of relevance.

The plumbers have been back and checked out the system made sure any valves are open and took of mixer to check blockages etc but found nothing that has increased pressure.

 

[Softus]

What is the mains flow rate?

 

[devon shower]

The kitchen tap is slower than our previous property (longer time to fill up the dogs water bowl etc)-- wouldnt the 2 bar give a good pressure at main taps?

 

[devon shower]

looking at OSO website they say 20 litres a minute input, going to my taps in kitchen i took off 9 litres in a minute, doesnt look good!

 

[devon shower]

Looking at the literature and previous posts is there a way to increase my flow to get a good shower? ie pump to shower etc

 

[Softus]

The kitchen tap is slower than our previous property (longer time to fill up the dogs water bowl etc)-- wouldnt the 2 bar give a good pressure at main taps?

Static pressure is a very different thing to flow rate - clearly they're related, but the latter is more important in the context of your problem.

Looking at the literature and previous posts is there a way to increase my flow to get a good shower? ie pump to shower etc

Well, you can't fit a pump to the mains. (Strictly speaking you can, but you'd need permission to install one with a flow rate greater than 12l/m, and doing it illegally is VERY unwise and potentially unhealthy).

Unless you find that your flow rate is a lot worse than your neighbours', AND you find a way of improving yours, then you have only two remaining options:

1. Change the shower valve for one that isn't so restrictive;
2. Fit a break tank in the loft to supply an electric shower or a pumped shower.

You may wish to involve your solicitor in discussions with the 'plumbers' who created your mess.

 

[Gasguru]

This is a new build so the main should be of reasonable size. Have you got an outside tap? If so measure the flowrate here. Have you got a pressure reducing valve perhaps under the kitchen sink...the strainer may be blocked of the pressure setting gone off.