Best option to get a working shower

[rmcgandara]

Hi guys

my name is Ricardo and I just moved in to a rented flat with my girlfriend in Bournemouth. She was the one that went house searching and totally neglected the fact that there was no shower!

So in my ingenuity I have replaced the single hot and cold taps with a basic bath shower mixer, only to realized that there was not enough pressure on the shower. After a little bit of researching I realized that the problem was the whole set up of the toilet.

I took some photos and would like some advice on what it will be the best and the most cost effective solution in order to get a working shower.

Some of you in this forum are probably professionals so if you can give me a rough quote on the job I would be grateful.

Regards

boiler

• rmcgandara
• 23 Apr 2010
• 1

Water tank

• rmcgandara
• 23 Apr 2010
• 1

Water tank just above the boiler

position of tank and boiler

• rmcgandara
• 23 Apr 2010
• 1

relative position of tank and boiler in relation to the toilet door (on the right.

pipes to bath

• rmcgandara
• 23 Apr 2010
• 1

the hot water on the left , and the cold water pipe on the right

Untitled

• rmcgandara
• 23 Apr 2010
• 1

 

[Red_Man]

Any signs of there being an electrical shower at any point?

 

[rmcgandara]

No. There are no visible signs of an electric shower being fitted there...

 

[Richard C]

Have you checked that the terms of your tenancy agreement allow you to carry out such work without the permission of your landlord?

 

[rmcgandara]

Hi Richard

Thanks for your concern. I want to know first what are my options. Then I will approach the landlord, I will obviously need the landlord approval.

Regards

 

[rmcgandara]

Any suggestions? Is an electric shower a good option?

 

[keego]

An electric shower is an option but you could also fit a pump to your existing set up. The problem you have is your cold water storage tank is at the same height as your shower head & that is why you have no pressure to the shower, if you lower the shower head down in the bath you will find that will improve the pressure, it's not a solution just something to prove a point.
If you want a decent shower at no cost stand under that old galvanised tank & wait for it to start leaking....... by the looks of it you wont have too long to wait.

 

[Richard C]

A basic electric shower plumber in to the existing bath supply is probably going to be the best & cheapest option for you. You can’t really get much cheaper than something like this;

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...wers,+taps+and+accessories+>+electric+showers

or there are more sophisticated/expensive models. You will need to add the cost of plumbing installation, tile work & it will require a separate & protected circuit & that may throw up more expense, depending on the age of the existing consumer unit. On the electrical side, it must be installed, tested & certified by a qualified Part P electrician.

A booster pump is another option but looking at the current set up, there appears to be several limiting factors; the age/condition/capacity of the system, the existing pipe work layout, the position of the CWS tank would mean a more expensive negative head pump &, unless I’m mistaken, the pipe work seems to be emerging from what looks like a concrete floor. Upgrading such a set up & fitting a booster pump is likely to be far more expensive, probably running well into 4 figures.

 

[rmcgandara]

I see that the landlord is not going to be happy with the quotes...

Do you think I could get a qualified electrician to prepare the wiring for a negative head pump and install the pump with the current layout?

Could the pump be placed just underneath the bathtub?

Regards

 

[Richard C]

I see that the landlord is not going to be happy with the quotes...

Errm, are you expecting the landlord to pay for this? I though they didn’t know your intention yet! If the bathroom is functioning perfectly well as it is, albeit with out a shower, why would the landlord pay for one unless you have already come to an agreement or can come to one that suits them? I certainly wouldn’t pay for it without expecting an immediate rent hike to recover at least 50% of the cost over a maximum of one year’s rental; if I was prepared to bother at all!

Do you think I could get a qualified electrician to prepare the wiring for a negative head pump and install the pump with the current layout?

Not sure what you’re asking but if it’s about qualified install of the wiring & DIY finish off then that’s a no; it’s a rental property & everything has to be done by the book. On the other hand, many pumps come with a 3 pin plug (or will work with one) anyway so powering the pump from a spur socket/fused spur box in the airing cupboard is not usually a problem. Your problem is going to be with the current system, tank, fittings & pipe work runs etc. not the wiring for a shower pump. From what I can see of the current arrangement, just hooking in a shower pump will give problems, that's why I suggested an electric shower.

Could the pump be placed just underneath the bathtub?

Sometimes it’s done but it’s not the ideal or usually the manufacturers recommended location; I wouldn’t do it.