Shower pump issue?

[Amelia1730]

We have a Monsoon pump in the airing cupboard for our shower. Just lately when we turn the shower on there has been a hesitation before the water comes out. Just a slight hesitation initially but now 3 or 4 seconds. Is it on the way out? No fall in pressure that we've noticed. Any suggestions?

 

[Madrab]

Does the water run without the pump kicking in for that couple of secs? May need the filters cleaned.

 

[Amelia1730]

The pump kicks in but the water doesn"t come out immediately as it normally does. As I said, there's a pause of 3 seconds before it comes through.

 

[Madrab]

Does the pump sound change note when the water starts to run?

 

[Amelia1730]

Sounds as normal.

 

[Amelia1730]

We recently had heating engineer in to do some work on CH and he drained the system down. Is it possible he did some damage then? Maybe he didn't turn the pump off before hand.

 

[Madrab]

Nope, the pump doesn't use the ch system, it only uses the hot water from the cylinder if it's single and hot and cold if it's a twin.

If the pump still sounds the same and it's not surging/pulsing or there's no air being pushed out of the shower at the start then I would suggest there isn't an issue with the pump and may only need the filter(s) or switch(s) looked at.

I'd leave it just now and if the pump starts making different noises or it starts to have problems starting then get a professional in to check.

 

[Amelia1730]

I realise it's not part of CH but he drained the system down to change valves and had all the taps open to do so, without switching pump off. Am I right in thinking the pump has a run dry cut off?

 

[conny]

A pump may have a thermal overload but I had a similar problem to this in the last house I rented. Problem with the heating so the engineer drained everything completely, all rads drained and cold water storage tank in the loft drained which involved opening all taps and turning mains stopcock off.
Did what he needed to do and left. Shower started 'spurting' when first turned on and then settled down during use. As time went on the 'spurting' and time for the water to come through got longer and longer until one day nothing happened. Called out a different engineer and he said we had a major airlock in the system and unfortunately it had burnt the pump out. (It was a twin feed pump and as I am an armature winder by trade I was able to confirm it had burnt out).
New pump was sourced and fitted and engineer managed to remove the airlock but recommended to landlord that pipe system was a shambles and needed re-routing. Don't know if it was ever done as we vacated shortly after due to numerous other problems.

 

[Madrab]

Am I right in thinking the pump has a run dry cut off?

As commented, it will have a thermal cutout, where it would trip if it overheats.

If it was run dry though, it could have caused damage prior to it overheating and tripping I'm afraid. The plumber should have been aware of the pump if he was draining out the hot and cold water circuits and turned it off and then commissioned it again properly. You may be lucky and it may just be an air issue and just needs bled but I'd be getting him back out and giving him the option to put it right.

 

[Amelia1730]

Thanks Rob and Conny.
Looks like it was an air problem.

I turned off the pump.
Ran cold water through the hose (minus shower head) for 5 mins. Turned to hot and ran for 5 mins. Switched off the water running from the shower hose and waited for 30 minutes before switching the pump back on.

Seems to be back to normal.
Cheers