Low pressure and variating heat problem

[UVKutt]

Good morning everyone,

Never done any plumbing so bare with me...

There is little pressure in all three showers in my house, even when nobody else is using the water (and its worse when someone else is...). And that's about the same with the hot water that seems to follow the same sharing rules, and takes time to come to the tap when first used in the morning or whenever it hasn't been used for over an hour or so.

I moved recently a hundred yards away from my former house, where in there the pressure was fine, so i don't think it has anything to do with

As I don't have a clue about plumbing, could someone tell me what I would need to get good pressure (and if possible instant heat that doesnt vary if more than one user is on it), how long it would take to fix/install, but also how much it would cost.
As i don't have much free time, i'll get a plumber to do the work, unless we're talking about a 2 hours job.

I know how basic and newbie-like my question may seem, and am aware this is not a quoting forum.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[weareleeds]

Have you got a combi or traditional system? is your main stop tap turned on full? do you live in an old house with lead water pipes etc? do you have a pressure reducing valve fitted?

 

[UVKutt]

Sorry I don't really know and will look into it (it's not really my house but i'm trying to do a favour for someone).

The house is not that old, i'd say less than 20 years old. And as for the boiler, if it's any help, it's one of those that go "WOOSH" and the bottom lights up when someone tries to use the hot water or when the heating's on.
I hope you're not lost in all the technical lingo..

As for the main stop tap and the valve, i'll have to check on that: where can I most likely find them?
Also, to anticipate, what if the main stop tap is turned on full or if i don't have a water pressure reducing valve, where else could the lack of pressure come from?

Thanks for your quick reply by the way.

 

[simond]

Combi boilers do have a limited hot water performance, in terms of the volume of water.

Older combis take a while to start up on detection of a tap being opened, leading to latency of hot water being delivered.

Newer units have a preheated small store to give near instantaneous delivery.

The water supply may be restricted to the property, check all the valves etc are wide open, and check the static pressure.

Solutions involve getting the water main replaced or fitting an accumulator. Both will have a cost greatly in excess of the equivalent of 2hrs work, just to forewarn you.

 

[Agile]

Good morning everyone,

Never done any plumbing so bare with me...

There are no nudists on here!

Your boiler can only give about 9 litres of hot water per minute. Its possible that you are just expecting too much.

You can measure the hot water flow and see what it is. You need a jug of known volume and a seconds hand watch.

if you cannot deal with it yourself then you will need an experienced person to diagnose whats wrong, if anything. That could cost between £20 to £80 !

Tony

 

[boabcelt]

Agile, how do you know that a "woosh' boiler only supplies 9 l/m?

 

[Agile]

95% of existing combis are only 24 kW so I am 95% likely to be correct!

Tony