What type of shower

A_Novice · 18 Jul 2019

Hi guys,

Having an extension and an extra shower will be added.

We currently have an old potterton 24 eco combi boiler with a mains flow rate of 6 litres per minute which is quite low.

We already have an electric shower so assumed the new one should be that.

Could someone guide as to the best choice between an electric or mixer shower please?

The boiler may be being changed as part of the work.

Thanks.

terryplumb · 18 Jul 2019

Generally speaking ,a thermostatic mixer shower valve fed from a combi boiler will outperform any electric shower. Having said that ,with 6 ltrs per minute flow from what you have is pizz poor !! Time to consider a new and more powerful boiler. What is your incoming water mains pressure and flow rate?

A_Novice · 18 Jul 2019

Hi,

I don't know the mains pressure but the flow rate is 6 litres per min. This was calculated using the cold tap located directly by the incoming mains water.

terryplumb · 18 Jul 2019

Explore the possibility of having the supply upgraded ,that's poor ,are you living on top of a mountain !!

A_Novice · 18 Jul 2019

terryplumb said:
Explore the possibility of having the supply upgraded ,that's poor ,are you living on top of a mountain !!

I assume that is expensive?

Are main water pumps any good?

terryplumb · 18 Jul 2019

Depends on the reason why you have such a poor flow.Is the mains water pipe ( the underground supply) Lead by any chance ? Does the area / neighbours also suffer from the same problem ? You should engage a plumber to have a look and discuss your options.

A_Novice · 18 Jul 2019

terryplumb said:
Depends on the reason why you have such a poor flow.Is the mains water pipe ( the underground supply) Lead by any chance ? Does the area / neighbours also suffer from the same problem ? You should engage a plumber to have a look and discuss your options.

Thanks. I'll speak to my neighbours and find out.

Houses were built in the 60's.

Unfortunately I don't have any details other than it runs from the curb under to the back of the house.

I'm not an expert but I assume it must be the main supply as the cold tap in our make shift kitchen is next the to stopcock so rules out any internal probs.

I also checked the water meter outside and the valve was fully open.

Madrab · 19 Jul 2019

Yeah, check with the neighbours and see what they get at the tap, you could have a half shut mains stop tap or a problem with the mains. most suppliers these days will supply at least 9L/Min as part of their contract with you. If not then it's for them to sort out, unless it's an issue with your supply pipework after the boundary/meter.

A_Novice · 19 Aug 2019

Though I'd report back.

Water board came out. Flow at the road was 16 l/min. Flow at outside tap in garden was 12 l/min. Flow at the kitchen sink was 6 l/min.

Now there isn't much pipe work between the stopcock and the two taps mentioned above.

Plumber is going to investigate. Surely this rules out the pipe from the road to the stopcock?

Thanks

terryplumb · 19 Aug 2019

Yes it does ,to a degree.The kitchen tap, or the pipework to it ( possibly flexible hoses maybe ) is restricting the flow.

A_Novice · 19 Aug 2019

Interestingly the taps everywhere in the house have poor flow except the outside tap.

The plumber is replacing the stopcock as its old and leaking.

A_Novice · 8 Oct 2019

Thought I'd update this.

So the plumber has replaced the old stopcock and also an isolator valve which was nearby as he though the restriction of the valve might be affecting the flow.

He has replaced it with a lever type stopcock and if anything the flow is worse!!!

Help!!!

terryplumb · 8 Oct 2019

Does the copper pipe that rises vertically from the lever valve go directly to the kitchen cold tap ,and is that worse than what it was ?
I can understand everything else being worse as the " plumber" has used plastic pipe / stiffeners and reduced the internal bore substantially ,which will of course reduce the flow.

JohnD · 8 Oct 2019

better pics of the valve and stopcock please.

Full-bore ones are rather fat.

A_Novice · 8 Oct 2019

Thanks for your replies.

Photo of lever.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/krt6q9k1fCkwYKiTA

This is a quick vid of the route for the cold.

The cold ends up on the plastic pipes going to a temporary sink we have setup.

Measured it quickly and the flow is probably the same at 6 litres per min.

The outside tap which you can see on the vid going out the wall gets 9 litres per min. Was 12.

Maybe that's all I can get and the pipe under the house is naff.

Not sure I can afford to get that done !

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What type of shower

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