Shower pump location

[Tarragonrookie]

Hi experts

Can you tell me please if I can install a shower pump directly into the hot water supply pipe that is in the airing cupboard and connected to the loft vent pipe or must I fit a Surrey flange or similar. I am only looking at 1.5 bar guest bathroom use.

Also, can you tell me what is the most reliable make of pump we can fit.

Thank you.

 

[stem]

The power shower pumps don't like air bubbles going through them as it can cause cavitation. When the water is heated in the cylinder, air bubbles rise up to the top and collect and travel up the vent pipe, so using water from there should be avoided. The Surrey / Essex flanges are one way. There are others. The diagram below shows another way by making the connection below the vent connection.

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• stem
• 1 Feb 2011
• 5

Another method is to slope the pipe that leaves the top of the cylinder upwards at 30 degrees or more to the vent pipe so that the air rises up freely, then 'tee' into the sloping part of the pipe dropping straight down into the pump inlet.

Regarding the pumps. Stuart Turner are generally seen as the top end of the market, but shower pumps are not rocket science, I've had experience of several and even the cheaper plastic ones have all been OK. Once you get used to the noise that is.

 

[longdogs]

Go for a pump that doesn't have to be connected by a flange. Not all manufacturers inforce it. All the pumps I have come across that have problems have always been flanged, whereas ones I have fitted myself directly into the angled DHW pipe are still going strong with no problems.

You can connect any pump into the DHW pipe but some manufacturers say you invalidate your warranty.

No doubt others will disagree with me but that's just in my experience.

 

[vulcancontinental]

Sorry OP but squeaky's sig made me laugh and I wanted him to know it.