bath tap pressures

donetello · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:46 pm Post Subject: bath tap pressures

just had new bath room fitted and now getting very slow hot water flow from both taps.Have tried forcing out air and this is not the problem.Water tank and cylinder are in airing cupboard about 2 foot above taps.Plumber has used a short piece of 15mm plastic pipe on hot bath tap.Cold feed to tank also seems ok although gate valve is siezed open.Could the taps be the wrong ones,how do you tell the difference between high and low pressure taps.Any help greatly welcomed.

hi-spec plumbing heating · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:56 pm Post Subject:

if they are quart turn taps or cartridge taps not the old washer type taps they 9/10 times will only work on mains pressure.

as you have gravity system why has your plumber stuck 15mm on the bath tap should be 22mm

donetello · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:25 pm Post Subject:

Not sure why hes used 15mm probably to be the easiest as hes also used push fit connections on all taps and pipes,Taps are 1/4 turn and I think these require high pressure to work ok.

hi-spec plumbing heating · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:37 pm Post Subject:

yes sounds like you need to change to gravity taps.
and get rid if the 15mm put it back to 22mm

while your doing that get a plumber not a muppet that can't use copper pipe.

any descent plumber would advise you of these problems before fitting them.
not when he's been paid.

donetello · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:49 pm Post Subject:

Cheers foe the advice mate I will be doing this myself this time.Could lifting the cold water tank into the loft increase flow from taps,and how big a job would this be,or is it better to install a pump and where in pipe work do you fit this.Again thankyou.

hi-spec plumbing heating · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:55 pm Post Subject:

for what height you can lift tank won't gain you much pressure.

to install pump is a expensive way round. can you not change the taps ?

ChrisR · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:56 pm Post Subject:

You have maybe 2 - 3m head and you need 10m or more for HP taps, so lifting won't make a lot of diff.

A pump will at least give you a decent shower.
Lots online, eg
Here

donetello · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:03 pm Post Subject:

Yes will be changing taps for normal ones.I just thought if i moved tank into loft and increased its size I could get a better flow rate as well.Thanks to all who replied.Very helpful people.

hi-spec plumbing heating · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:13 pm Post Subject:

tank moving won't gain enough to worry about.

donetello · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:22 pm Post Subject:

Ok mate cheers ill try altering it all back first and see how that goes.

IUK · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:25 pm Post Subject:

I have 1/4 turn bath taps but they work fine on my low pressure system. Maybe it's the push fit connectors, some of them are not full-bore, they restrict the flow quite a bit, the 'cuprofit' ones are the only full-bore ones i've seen.

hi-spec plumbing heating · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:30 pm Post Subject:

just because they are quart turn don't mean they are mains pressure. some good makes will work on low pressure.