Fluctuating water pressure

aqeel · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:37 pm Post Subject: Fluctuating water pressure

I have a thermostatic Mira electric shower in my bathroom.

When I first moved in 8 weeks ago the water pressure was ok I would only get the low warning light occasionally when the shower was on high (the spray not the temp). a every now and again on the lower setting.

Now constantly the pressure fluctuates regardless of the time of day.

I have a conventional boiler in my attic with a header tank up their also.

Do I need a pump or should I change the mains pipe, or is their another cheaper solution?

ChrisR · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:45 pm Post Subject:

Isn't just the switch is it?
Thames W have turned the pressures down a bit . Are you on a shared main?
Phone TW to ask what your pressure should be and see how close it is to t he shower min spec.

aqeel · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:25 am Post Subject:

I live in Uxbridge so I think I might be three valleys water. I live on a road of terraced houses and the meter is at the start of my drive so I assume each house branches off the main pipe running along the road.

What is really weird is this morning I had a shower with the flow on low and the pressure was good for 5 seconds then it cut out then I put it on again and it turned of after 5 seconds then it was ok for the next 10 minute while I quickly showered?

My wife told me this happened to her last night also perhaps cutting out ¾ time altogether

Direct plumbing · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:18 pm Post Subject: Fluctuating water pressure

Take my word on this.
I live in an end of terrace 1900 house, and I suffer from the same problem. This is only due to not getting into the shower before your next door neighbour. Or them turning on their washing machine, dishwasher, hosepipe, bath, or anything else that uses cold water before you.
I asked Anglian Water to fit me a metre, but I was told, that this would only reduce the pressure even more.
Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this. But you will get used to it after 12 years or so. I did.

simond · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:26 am Post Subject:

You could fit an accumulator if your standing pressure (when no water is running) is 1-1.5bar.

It is not a 'cheap' solution but if you meet the criteria above it will work.

We are an installation specialist for accumulators and fit one or two each week. They are a simple solution to a problem that will not go away; outdated water mains and more people using 'direct fed' combis and unvented cylinders putting peak load stress on the water distribution network.

If you know what you are doing some independent merchants can supply you.

__________________
Simon

Softus · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:30 am Post Subject:

simond wrote:

We are an installation specialist for accumulators and fit one or two each week.

Now then - why would you feel it necessary to mention the fact you are an installer?

For example, did any of the heating engineers who posted on this topic mention that their are a heating engineer? Do you find subliminal adverts embedded in each electrician's post on the Electrics forums?

No. But you continue to suppurate adverts on the forum. You're a salesman, and you can't drop the slimy sales mentality for more than a few waking moments. There must be therapists who specialist in this area.

simond · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:15 pm Post Subject:

The OP is in Buckingshire and therefore a good few hundred miles outside our installation area; moreover we do not supply parts in any case and therefore I suggested using wholesalers where he/she could source their own.

By mentioning we were installers of this technology I merely wanted the OP to be confident that our knowledge was based upon practical experience of installing these things.

My contribution is infinitely more positive than using cut and paste on other peoples posts and offering advice without any qualifications or experience.

Yes, I mean you, Softus. If I have broken any rules go tell the moderator, otherwise, I suggest you put up or shut up.

__________________
Simon

Softus · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:33 pm Post Subject:

The following is achieved without cutting and pasting anything...

simond wrote:

The OP is in Buckingshire...

...but the majority of other readers aren't, as well you know.

Quote:

By mentioning we were installers of this technology I merely wanted the OP to be confident that our knowledge was based upon practical experience of installing these things.

Quite so, but you conveniently neglected to mention that you're a salesman, not an installer.

Quote:

My contribution is infinitely more positive than using cut and paste on other peoples posts

I disagree.

Quote:

...and offering advice without any qualifications or experience.

I agree. But you don't have the first idea about my own qualifications or experience.

Quote:

If I have broken any rules go tell the moderator

Er, no. I prefer to address the problem directly.

Quote:

...otherwise, I suggest you put up or shut up.

An interesting suggestion; I shall be doing neither, but if you value your your own advice then you should heed it.

simond · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:43 pm Post Subject:

A cut & paste tour de force, you have surpassed yourself.

No help at all to the OP, but it must massage your ego. Any suggestions of worth for the OP - or are you wasting everyone's time?

__________________
Simon

Softus · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:06 pm Post Subject:

Softus wrote:

if you value your own advice then you should heed it.