Shower Pressure

[Carlo247]

Hello,

I have a problem with my shower. To get my shower to work at a suitable temperature I have to first turn it to full hot, then gradually keep turning it colder so that it is not too hot. Then it goes completely cold and I have to turn it to full hot and then start turning it down. I normally repeat this cycle three times to have a shower.

I believe the shower is a manual mixing tap which is imbedded in the wall. The cold water comes from a tank in the roof which is shared by the six flats in the block. The hot water comes from a combi boiler. Originally the flat had an old back boiler, with a small header tank.

I thought the problem could be caused by the difference in pressures of the two water inputs.

Before I call the professionals in I wanted to do some research of my own.

Is it likely that the problems is caused by the water pressures?

What are my options to fix this. I see three and am really looking for the cheapest and most cost effective.

1) Replace the shower unit with a thermostatic mixer tap. (Least favoured as it involves removing tiles)

2) Get a pump installed.

3) Change the cold supply to be fed from the mains (most favoured)

Are there any other solutions? Is there any reason 3) cannot be done? Access to the mains supply seems possible.

Thanks in advance

C

 

[denso13]

You've covered the options pretty well there. Cold to mains sounds the best option depending on the shower valve, is it suitable? There are good shower pumps around but they would be my last option IMHO.

 

[xr4x4]

Ermm....

Your cold water to your shower comes from a tank and the hot water from the combi boiler?

Well where does the water to the combi boiler come from?

If the water to the combi is mains fed, then that's your problem, the supplys to the shower must be balanced.

Your hot will be mains and the cold from the tank.

The hot will always over power the cold, as it's at more pressure.

 

[TCCHeating]

Cheapest fix would be to link the cold mains feeding the tank in the loft (or the closest mains cold water pipe available) to the cold inlet to the shower.

To be honest, whoever installed the combi in the first place should have know better. Its basic plumbing and pretty unforgiveable for a registered installer (presuming he was!)

Up to ten bar mains hot pressure vs 0.5 bar cold if youre lucky, theres only ever going to be one winner there

 

[Carlo247]

Thank you to all for your input.

@denso13, looking online it looks like my shower is suitable for both high and low pressure systems.

@xr4x4, the combi is mains fed.

@TCCHeating, It was installed by a registered installer. Unfortunately I was renting the flat out at the time and was never told about the shower until I moved in. Too much time has passed to go back to the installer.

 

[Madrab]

Option 3 gets my vote!