Which type of shower pump do I need?

[theflyingpig]

I've no experience of shower pumps, and need to install one to enable a downstairs bathroom to be used while we renovate upstairs...
The hot water cylinder is vented, and very svlixated on a first floor bedroom cupboard. The pressure at downstairs bathroom taps is insufficient for a shower...
Any recommendations gratefully received!

 

[HERTS P&D]

You need one of these:

Stuart Turner Monsoon Standard Regenerative Twin Shower Pump 2.0bar - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Positive head. 2.0bar. Premium quality brass twin pump designed for installation into vented systems to pump both hot and cold water supplies, boosting both equally. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

or one of these for the whole house:

Stuart Turner Monsoon Standard Regenerative Twin Shower Pump 3.0bar - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Positive head. 3.0bar. Premium quality brass constructed twin pump designed for installation into vented systems to pump both hot and cold water supplies, boosting both equally. Suitable for showers or the whole house. FREE next day delivery available, free...

www.screwfix.com

Andy

 

[oldbuffer]

While I agree with Herts P&D re. getting a Stuart Turner pump, if:
a. the renovations are not going to take long (< 1 year)
AND
b. the pump will be redundant when renovation completed

then a cheaper pump like the Stuart Turner "Showermate" range would probably suffice.

 

[theflyingpig]

Thanks. All being well well need to use the pump for about 6 months.
Is a 'twin pump' "one that pumps both hot and cold? The cold is mains pressure so I assume this doesn't need pumping? Does this mean I just need a single pump?

 

[fixitflav]

The pressure at downstairs bathroom taps is insufficient for a shower...

Have you bought the shower? If you have a CWST in the loft you should have at least 3m head available, which with an appropriate shower head ought to give an adequate flow.

 

[theflyingpig]

There is a header tank for the hw cylinder in the loft but surprisingly little pressure at ground floor taps...

 

[fixitflav]

There is a header tank for the hw cylinder in the loft but surprisingly little pressure at ground floor taps...

I suspect you mean low flow at the ground floor taps. If you want to run the shower from existing pipework, which might be 15mm, it could be a problem. But in that case the pumped solution needs a bit of care to ensure it won't cavitate. If it's possible to run new 22mm pipes gravity would likely be OK.
Also the hot and cold for the shower should come from nominally equal pressures, do you have water from the CWST downstairs, or just mains?

 

[theflyingpig]

Just mains downstairs. I think I'll start by putting some mixer taps on the old bath downstairs and see what happens....

 

[fixitflav]

Just mains downstairs. I think I'll start by putting some mixer taps on the old bath downstairs and see what happens....

I don't think it's acceptable for a shower to have cold from mains, hot from pump or gravity, but perhaps pros on here can confirm, or otherwise.

 

[theflyingpig]

Turned out the pressure was fine without a pump. Phew.

 

[fixitflav]

Turned out the pressure was fine without a pump. Phew.

Good to hear that, but I'm not surprised. Did you fit a shower mixer, or just use hoses from the bath taps (as it's a temporary set-up)?

 

[theflyingpig]

Fitted a mixer... The steel bath is so old it's got square tap holes so had to knock up some washers...

 

[fixitflav]

Fitted a mixer... The steel bath is so old it's got square tap holes so had to knock up some washers...

Great!