I've got a new power shower that worked fine for the first month but then would start to lose power after a couple of minutes. After turning it off, there'd but a bubbling in the pipes and eventually I could start it up again. It's gradually getting worse. All the connections seem to be good. Any idea how air is getting into the system?
Air in the power shower
- Thread starter barrymale
- Start date
Probably through the hot connection , air is entering via the open vent from the cylinder ?? as a general rule the hot connection should be taken off the cylinder , surrey , or essex flange , another prob' might be your storage capacity is not enough ?? e.c.t e.c.t ????
It's a big tank...the plumber suggested - and fitted - a one way valve to the vent (where he thought air might be getting pulled in) but it got worse and has now on two occasions disrupted supply to the hot water taps in the bathroom, so the air is getting into the main system.
I dont like these one way valves you can fit to vent pipes (butterfly valves i think). They are a bad idea in my opinion. If they fail or get stuck your HW Cylinder is basically unvented and a bomb waiting to explode(implode). As previous poster said , an Essex or Surrey flange is the recommended method of joining in a Power Shower to the Hot Watersystem as they eliminate air intake.
Also depending on the way it has been piped up , perhaps a couple of automatic air valve are required on the pipework going to the shower.
Ifit was me i'd get rid of the valve on the vent pipe.
Also depending on the way it has been piped up , perhaps a couple of automatic air valve are required on the pipework going to the shower.
Ifit was me i'd get rid of the valve on the vent pipe.
I need some detail of the system & layout;
Exactly what size H & C water storage tanks do you have & where are they located?
What type/make/size of pump do you have & where is it located?
What type of HW cylinder do you have?
What type of flange do you have on the HW cylinder?
What size is the feed pipe from the HWS tank to the pump?
What size is the feed pipe from the CWS tank to the pump?
Where is the CW feed located in the bottom of the tank relative to the ball valve?
What is the distance between the bottom of the CWS tank & the shower head?
Do you have any up & over pipe loops from the pump to the shower head?
If you do, what is the distance from the bottom of the CWS tank to the pipes?
If you up & over loops, are they fitted with vents?
Do you have any up & over loops in the supply pipe work from the tanks to the pump? If you do then you shouldn’t!
As stated a one way valve on the vent pipe is a bad idea & is not going to cure it, you have another basic problem somewhere. Essex flange is best IMO but lets see what else youve got gong on there; a sketch or even some photos would also help.
Exactly what size H & C water storage tanks do you have & where are they located?
What type/make/size of pump do you have & where is it located?
What type of HW cylinder do you have?
What type of flange do you have on the HW cylinder?
What size is the feed pipe from the HWS tank to the pump?
What size is the feed pipe from the CWS tank to the pump?
Where is the CW feed located in the bottom of the tank relative to the ball valve?
What is the distance between the bottom of the CWS tank & the shower head?
Do you have any up & over pipe loops from the pump to the shower head?
If you do, what is the distance from the bottom of the CWS tank to the pipes?
If you up & over loops, are they fitted with vents?
Do you have any up & over loops in the supply pipe work from the tanks to the pump? If you do then you shouldn’t!
As stated a one way valve on the vent pipe is a bad idea & is not going to cure it, you have another basic problem somewhere. Essex flange is best IMO but lets see what else youve got gong on there; a sketch or even some photos would also help.
The HWS cylinder looks to be a reasonable size; but the CWS tank doesn’t look that big to me, (can’t really tell from the pic), you really need 250 litres minimum. I can’t see where the ball valve water entry is but the CW feed to the pump should be on the opposite side & as far away as possible to avoid aeration problems. You could do with more height on the CWS tank; it looks to be enough to maintain a positive head on the system but it could be contributing to your aeration problems; check the gravity (un-pumped) flow rate at the shower head is at least 1 litre/min.
As others have already said, the HW take off is almost certainly what’s causing your problem; any proprietary take off flange should be at least 1.2m from the underside of the CWS tank & in the case of a direct take off from the vent 1.5m; a vent take of must also be at 45 degrees incline, not at 90 degrees as yours is or it’ll draw in air. You need to fit a proprietary anti aeration flange & because of the height of the CWS tank, a side entry Essex flange would be the most suitable IMO. This will also give a dedicated supply to the shower & is the best solution.
I’ve got to say it’s hardly the neatest of installations & certainly not one I’d be proud of!
As others have already said, the HW take off is almost certainly what’s causing your problem; any proprietary take off flange should be at least 1.2m from the underside of the CWS tank & in the case of a direct take off from the vent 1.5m; a vent take of must also be at 45 degrees incline, not at 90 degrees as yours is or it’ll draw in air. You need to fit a proprietary anti aeration flange & because of the height of the CWS tank, a side entry Essex flange would be the most suitable IMO. This will also give a dedicated supply to the shower & is the best solution.
I’ve got to say it’s hardly the neatest of installations & certainly not one I’d be proud of!
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