Shower pump problems

[rwothers]

Hi all. I'm new to DIYnot so hello to everyone! I'm a complete newbie to all of this so excuse my terminology.

I hope you can help. I've recently moved into a flat which is all on the same level and has an old looking hot water tank with a cold storage tank behind - all in the airing cupboard.

Situated below the tank is a twin shower pump which is connected to both hot and cold taps, toilet and bath/shower mixer. It all used to work fine - albeit VERY noisily.

Yesterday evening I noticed that when I used the toilet the pump didn't turn on noisily. Finally, when I went for a shower this morning the pump worked but then gave up halfway through the shower (leaving me shampoo'd to the max with no shower!)



I'm keen to learn new things so had a scout of the web and did a little investigating. When I hit the pump with a hammer lightly it seemed as if the pump turned but then gave up (almost like the pump is failing).

The pump is wired in to the isolator along with one of the elements for the hot water tank and the fuse light is on so I'm relatively confident the pup still has power. Also without the pump the water still flows out - just not powerfully.

My question is this - does it look like I need a new pump? If so, is this something I can change myself? I've seen a lot of chat about regulations and things? And what the heck is a negative head pump??!!

Secondly is there a way I can check the pump filters or something like that to see if that's what the problem is?

When a faulty pump is reported what is the usual mental checklist to check out?

As you can see I'm completely dumb when it comes to these things so please excuse me. But any help would really really be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[seco services]

to exspain everything you want to know we'll be here all night.

check the filters, check the flow switchs.
wire it in properly not to the immersion.
negative head is when your shower head etc is above the cold water storage tank.

 

[rwothers]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I realize I was asking a lot of questions.

When you say flow switches and filters are these located on the pump itself?

Will having it wired in with the immersion cause a problem - it worked before?

 

[crockett]

I would say that if you've got to hit a pump witha hammer, whether it's lightly or not, this should tell you something............ i.e. the pump is on it's way out! Yes, you could check the filters, and, if its a decent pump ( Stuart Turner) you can test its operation with the aid of a magnet on the flow switch. But I think you may be purchasing an new pump.

 

[rwothers]

Tried the magnet but no luck. I've noticed when i turn the water on lightly it ticks - doesn't sound healthy. I've just spotted a slow leak on the old oione anyway - time for a new one i think!