Shower pump

rshort1987 · 10 Dec 2019

Hi

So, we moved into a new house last year. The previous occupiers told us that they had a pump installed to increase the pressure to the shower. This has always worked fine but been very noisy. Yesterday it appears to have stopped working as the pressure has vanished. It still makes a noise but nothing like it did and there is a smell when it is active.

- does it sound like the pump is knackered?
- I have attached some pictures of the pump, details etc. any advice about a decent pump which may replace this one?

Thanks

Jajodu · 10 Dec 2019

I'd recommend Stuart Turner pumps.

Just noticed the disconnected pipes, has it always been like that?

If so that will break the pump very quickly, if you don't need a twin impeller pump then buy a single.

rshort1987 · 10 Dec 2019

Hi Jim, thanks for the response

Do you think this pump would be ok? what are the factors i need to be looking for to ensure compatability and an easy switch - regenerative/centrifugal, positive/negative head , are terms I've seen banded abuot but not sure how it applies
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stuart-t...-regenerative-single-shower-pump-2-0bar/58748

It has always been like that (since we moved in anyway), doesn't surprise me that it was not done well, been the story of this house so far...

Thanks!

Jajodu · 11 Dec 2019

It's positive head only which means it needs the supply to be higher, as long as you're aware of that it should be fine.

Taylortwocities · 11 Dec 2019

Hmm. First picture shows the original supplier as Wren Bathrooms. In my experience, not a premium supplier.
As above, it looks like you only need a single impeller pump. The noise/failure may be because the unused side has been running dry for a long time.
Stewart Turner best choice, and fit a water softener if you need one in your location.

rshort1987 · 11 Dec 2019

Jajodu said:
It's positive head only which means it needs the supply to be higher, as long as you're aware of that it should be fine.

The cold water tank is in the loft above the bathroom that the pump is in, so that pump should be ok to use?

Thanks

rshort1987 · 11 Dec 2019

Taylortwocities said:
Hmm. First picture shows the original supplier as Wren Bathrooms. In my experience, not a premium supplier.
As above, it looks like you only need a single impeller pump. The noise/failure may be because the unused side has been running dry for a long time.
Stewart Turner best choice, and fit a water softener if you need one in your location.

I guessed that, cannot seem to find much about them as a supplier, appears to have a logo of Salamander on the side too.

That makes sense. This house ...

the guy seemed to think he could do everything, my favourite/worst was a wooden frame to hold up the sheet above a multi fuel stove, when we removed this it had charred and burnt, so close to a chimney fire

I'll go for Stuart Turner and see how I get on.

Thanks

Jajodu · 11 Dec 2019

rshort1987 said:
The cold water tank is in the loft above the bathroom that the pump is in, so that pump should be ok to use?

Thanks

Yes it's good.

rshort1987 · 14 Dec 2019

Hi
So I fitted the pump this morning and all went ok. However, now it is back on the pump is 'pulsing' when the shower is on and only running intermittently.

Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks

Madrab · 14 Dec 2019

What pump did you install, was it a single ended pump?

You may have a restriction in the pipework.shower, take the head off the shower and try running and see if it pulses. There may also be residual air in the system, run the shower cold then hot then cold again for a few minute, without the pump powered on.

rshort1987 · 14 Dec 2019

Thanks for the quick response. It was air in the system.
I had turned the shower on (before switching the pump on) to pull water through and clear it, but had not turned the cold water supply back on, so guessing that put air back in the system?
I turned it on, pulled more water through and it appears to have fixed the problem. Thanks for your help.

The only issue I had with the install was in removing the flexi hoses which were there already and replacing with the new. I did this on the outlet pipe, but not on the inlet. I didn't as the hot water was still coming through from the tank and I couldn't work out how to turn this off (other than the isolating thing on the flexi pipe). I do want to switch this over to the proper one, where am I likely to find something to turn off the hot water supply? Or would it be more likely to be something on the tank in the loft?
Thanks

Madrab · 14 Dec 2019

rshort1987 said:
to pull water through and clear it, but had not turned the cold water supply back on

Yes, that could have allowed a bit of air to be drawn in, once it gets into the impeller then the pump can pulse until it's cleared.

If you look at your hot water cylinder and trace the cold supply pipe running from the bottom of it that will run up to the cold water cistern there should be a gate valve (red handle or another type of valve) that once turned off will stop the cold flow to the cylinder and subsequently through the hot water pipework. Just remember to run the system without the pump powered for a few minutes to, again, expel any trapped air.

rshort1987 · 15 Dec 2019

Madrab said:
Yes, that could have allowed a bit of air to be drawn in, once it gets into the impeller then the pump can pulse until it's cleared.

If you look at your hot water cylinder and trace the cold supply pipe running from the bottom of it that will run up to the cold water cistern there should be a gate valve (red handle or another type of valve) that once turned off will stop the cold flow to the cylinder and subsequently through the hot water pipework. Just remember to run the system without the pump powered for a few minutes to, again, expel any trapped air.

Thanks, really appreciate the help.

So, I went up in the attic and found that there is a valve directly off the cold water tank. Its a red circular handle that I assume turns. I took a picture but it would not upload. Is it likely that this would be ok to turn off, swap the flexi pipe and turn back on?

Thanks

Madrab · 16 Dec 2019

If it's on the pipe that runs to the HW cylinder then yes. Test it out. Turn the valve off, turn a hot water tap on or the outlet of the pump and if it's nice and dry then that's you.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Shower pump

rshort1987

Attachments

Jajodu

rshort1987

Jajodu

Taylortwocities

rshort1987

rshort1987

Jajodu

rshort1987

Madrab

rshort1987

Madrab

rshort1987

Madrab

DIYnot Local

Similar threads