Flood caused by shower pump flexible hose breaking - any advice?

[VictorDelta]

Woke up in the early hours of Sunday morning to hear our shower pump motor running... To cut a long story short, it transpired that one of the flexible hose connections had broken (between flexible pipe and screw connector) and so water was pouring in to the kitchen below (and had been doing so for probably about half an hour). Took a lot of cleaning up and we're still waiting for the ceiling and carpets etc. to dry out.

This is the second time in 15 years that we've had a leak involving the shower pump (Salamander) and I'm just grateful that we discovered both when we were in the house and, say, weren't out or away at the time. If it had been left running for a few days, the consequences aren't worth thinking about.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice how we could minimise the probability of this ever happening again. For example, are some flexible connectors better than others (including the ones that come with pumps)? Should I always turn off the 4 small taps on the pump when we go away etc just in case? Seems a lot of trouble to go to but don't want the problem again if possible.

 

[Crystalclear]

Where possible don't have flexible pipes installed; find a competent local plumber, who (doesn't drive a Mercedes to work) and get his to fix in copper pipes, or plastic ones if needs be so.

standard rules with Flexible pipes include: keep bends to a minimum, use quality rubber inner pipes, and always buy the flexible pipes yourself from B&Q, wickes, etc. plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

 

[longdogs]

plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

Maybe some plumbers do.

 

[Nige F]

If you've got room put the shower pump in a plastic tank and run a overflow sized waste outside to act as a warning pipe Or a bigger one if possible

 

[Crystalclear]

plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

Maybe some plumbers do.

I stand corrected. You're right. But it's the 'pull a fast one' culture that is making it hard for others.

 

[keego]

Where possible don't have flexible pipes installed; find a competent local plumber, who (doesn't drive a Mercedes to work) and get his to fix in copper pipes, or plastic ones if needs be so.

standard rules with Flexible pipes include: keep bends to a minimum, use quality rubber inner pipes, and always buy the flexible pipes yourself from B&Q, wickes, etc. plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

The problem with your quote is that Salamander pumps come with their own flexi's supplied so we can't put our cheap schite flexi's on & rack up the cost.

 

[Madrab]

Yeah, as keego mentions, most pumps now come with their own flexi pipe's and the warranty is invalid if you fix anything else to them. They're there for a good reason and need to be installed. The plumber won't be making any money out of them that's for sure.

Correct installation is the key, with the pump being level and square to the ground on it's rubber mount. To avoid issues in the future, regular monitoring the condition of the connections would be my recommendation and replace them every 5 years.

Nige's idea's a doosey too, if you can accommodate it

 

[Dan Robinson]

But it's the 'pull a fast one' culture that is making it hard for others

A problem with customer as much as, if not more so than tradesman.

 

[Newboy]

Where possible don't have flexible pipes installed; find a competent local plumber, who (doesn't drive a Mercedes to work) and get his to fix in copper pipes, or plastic ones if needs be so.

standard rules with Flexible pipes include: keep bends to a minimum, use quality rubber inner pipes, and always buy the flexible pipes yourself from B&Q, wickes, etc. plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

So your advice is to plumb in a shower pump with copper tube right up to the pump - brilliant!

And B&Q/Wickes etc. sell only the highest quality flexis - think again!

And as you, the customer, has supplied the parts it's your responsibility when they fail - brilliant!

As far as advice goes that has to be in the running for the least useful advice in a single reply - well done

 

[Dan Robinson]

Not to mention fixing a pump to rigid pipe work is a stupid idea.

Posts like that make you wish there was some kind of vetting of people giving advice on here.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

to the op, if you would like to isolate the pump it would be best to put a couple of full bore lever valves on the inlet the valve on the flexis are prone to leaking when touched.

Would also be useful to post a pic so we could advise on correct installation ect.

Also avoid budget pumps such as salamander you might save a few pounds initially but it will cost more in the long term.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

Where possible don't have flexible pipes installed

pumps don't use flexible pipes, they are anti vibration couplings and are supplied with the pump and are used for a reason, and should be installed without any stress being impossed on them.

find a competent local plumber, who (doesn't drive a Mercedes to work)

what a classist, arrogant thing to say god forbid a working class person does well in life. Reminds me of a customer (a dentist)nwho said he prefers tradesman to turn up in beat up old vans as he doesn't like the thought of them earning more money than him

buy the flexible pipes yourself from B&Q, wickes, etc. plumbers make a killing on buying cheap parts, and pocketing the difference.

i have been to a few jobs with burst flexi's and funnily enough they were all from customers that got them themselves from b and q and done a bit of diy

 

[bernardgreen]

Switch OFF the power supply to the pump when there is no one using the shower.

 

[VictorDelta]

Thanks for all the interesting comments - didn't realise what a heated debate my question would start!

Will certainly get flexible pipes replaced with a good quality version. Interesting comment by dean about not putting stress on them. Our pump is half an inch off the ground as the original plumber who installed it said that was the best way to avoid vibration etc. So the pipes each carry a quarter of the weight of the small pump. Perhaps this was part of the problem, even though it has lasted for many years ok?

Switching off power supply is a good simple solution but sadly would not have prevented our leak as water still poured out when the power was turned off. So, for peace of mind, I suspect I will switch off and turn off the 4 small taps at least in future when we go away - to isolate pump and flexible pipes.

PS Large plastic tank with waste pipe - pretty drastic (but effective) solution but not practical in our case.

 

[picasso]

And turn off the main water supply when you go on holiday.