Shower Pump - In the loft

[Palmist]

Hi Guys,

I have finally decided to get a pump installed. It is a standard gravity fed system with Cold water tank in loft and hot water tank in airing cupboard [same floor as shower].

I have had two Plumbers around to quote me on the work.

1. Suggested installing pump in airing cupboard and then piping it to loft then back down to shower.

2. Suggested installing pump in loft with no additional piping

Option two seems less messy and the plumber did say that the pump will be slightly expensive.

Any ideas which is best way forward and what sort of pump I should be looking at.

Work will be done by a professional plumber but I have had no previous experience so I want to gain some knowledge and ensure it is done correctly the first time.

thanks in advance

 

[Palmist]

bump

 

[muggles]

If you just want to pump the one shower you'll need dedicated supplies to it, this includes a special fitting on your cylinder to prevent air being drawn in (either an Essex or Surrey Flange). Your pump normally needs to be at least 600mm below the base of your loft tank so unless that's already raised up putting the pump in the loft won't be an option. You need to follow manufacturers instructions, these will normally suggest placing the pump at the base of the hot water cylinder, as plumber 1 has said. P2 sounds like he might not know what he's talking about.

Use Stuart Turner pumps, preferably the Monsoon range with a five year warranty. Power is up to you, I'd say go for the best that you can afford, there's not normally a huge difference in cost between the lowest and highest power one anyway

 

[HERTS P&D]

Plumber 1 is correct, the pump needs to go next to the hot water cylinder, with it's own cold water supply from the loft and own hot water supply frpm the cylinder.

Andy

 

[muggles]

:-

 

[HERTS P&D]

Damn you Muggles, I can't type any faster.



Andy

 

[muggles]

 

[Palmist]

Plumber 1 is correct, the pump needs to go next to the hot water cylinder, with it's own cold water supply from the loft and own hot water supply frpm the cylinder.

Andy

thanks Andy, Plumber 1 says work involves extra piping up in to loft and then back in to shower again. He said this is because of the existing layout.

Shower and bath tap got same connection.

Also are salamander no good?

 

[HERTS P&D]

NO.

Get a Stuart Turner pump:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stuart-Tu...DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3a80011c40

Andy

 

[Palmist]

It's almost double the price of a salamander....plumber is already charging 550 for installation.

Is the price justified

 

[HERTS P&D]

Yes, it's the best!

Andy

 

[Palmist]

Thanks....I will consider it.

 

[kvsalamander]

Its debatable which pump is better, that is just personal opinion.

With our pumps, its fine to have them in the loft so long as there is an Essex flange fitted in the cylinder and the pump is 600mm below the bottom of the CWST. You also need to make sure the highest point in the pipework/shower head is 600mm below the bottom of the cold water tank or it will be too close to provide the minimum flow rate to lift the flow switch, meaning a negative head pump is required.

It would be best to not simply go for he most pressure you can afford as a three bar or four bar pump on a small shower head would be overkill.

1.5bar should be fine up to around a 3" shower head
2.2bar up o 5"
3 bar and above would be for a 6" and above diameters.

regards and hope this helps

 

[Palmist]

Its debatable which pump is better, that is just personal opinion.

With our pumps, its fine to have them in the loft so long as there is an Essex flange fitted in the cylinder and the pump is 600mm below the bottom of the CWST. You also need to make sure the highest point in the pipework/shower head is 600mm below the bottom of the cold water tank or it will be too close to provide the minimum flow rate to lift the flow switch, meaning a negative head pump is required.

It would be best to not simply go for he most pressure you can afford as a three bar or four bar pump on a small shower head would be overkill.

1.5bar should be fine up to around a 3" shower head
2.2bar up o 5"
3 bar and above would be for a 6" and above diameters.

regards and hope this helps

Thanks Ken, I am going with a 1.5 Bar Salamander and getting it installed in Airing Cupboard.

Will update the thread in a week or so on performance.

 

[neiltheplumber]

I have just took on a job prev plumber messed up, monsoon pump in loft. Had to fit Surrey flange. Works fine it's a 2 bar pump. Normally go for salamander though. Sometimes fitting in airing cupboard can mean poor clearances for associated pipe work and airing cupboards also are used or chucking junk in, then again so are lofts!