power shower pump

[john c 41]

my power shower pump does not work, however when i move the shower head down the pole it starts and works fine. is it air in the system.

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

remove the shower head and run with pipe laying in bath.

 

[john c 41]

will try it. would that get the air out ?

 

[holty]

is this a new istallation? if the problem occurs,could be the pressure switch.

 

[Breesey]

Probably not air.

Clean out the filters to the pump and shower valve.

 

[john c 41]

i think that there is air in the system . how do i rectifiy it ? when i turn on the shower i can either lower the head and the pump will start working or i can turn the bath tap on and off quickly and the pump will start working

 

[ChrisR]

Often an installatioin problem where the head of the storage tank isn't high enough to cause sufficient flow unless you lower the hose.
Solution is to fit a Negative Head pump.
Now you have it though, either live with it, or fit a momentary action ceiling type pull switch to bring the pump on, or an air switch, ditto.

 

[john c 41]

water tank is in the loft and storage tank is in the cupboard which is the same level as the pump and bathroom e.t.c . i have fused spur for the pump , and i understand that the pump comes on through water pressure?

 

[ChrisR]

water tank is in the loft

SHouldn't need a neg head pump then.

i understand that the pump comes on through water pressure

Not quite, it's FLOW, when you open the tap.
You should get some flow even with the pump off. If not, check the head for being scaled up.
If you DO have some flow, the flow switch(es) might be sticking/clogged.
Check for any filters in the line.

 

[john c 41]

sorry , im at bit green when it comes to plumbing . where is the head located??? i installed the shower pump myself and tapped of the pipes going to the bath taps. its a thermostatic mixer type. when i installed the pump it worked fine for about a week and then the problem started.

 

[john c 41]

sorry just realised what you were talking about . the shower head is fine and i am getting some flow when i turn it on , but it doesnt seem to be enough flow to activate the pump , so i have to either lower the shower head or quicklly turn on and off the bath tap which then seems to pressure the pump to work . maybe its air i dont really know