Water Pressure Question - Combi Boiler

[rrocker]

is there is relatively inexpensive remedy to ensure that water pressure in the bathroom does not drop when say another tap (kitchen tap) is being used ?

 

[greemyamochop]

Not really, depends on your relatively inexpensive budget??

 

[ianniann]

Fatter pipes. That may not exactly be inexpensive though. You can see this clearly in that your water pressure doesn't drop when you neighbour turns on a tap because of the much fatter mains pipes feeding the separate properties. If you had pipes like that throughout then you could run as many taps as you want and hardly notice, but it isn't exactly practical and not usually necessary.

Is your problem actually with water pressure though? You mention a combi boiler. Do you have a problem with cold water pressure dropping in the bathroom, or just hot? Perhaps most noticeable in the shower?

 

[rrocker]

don't see much of a drop in cold water pressure when another tap is being used or if the neighbour uses cold water from tap..yes,the most annoying issue is drop in shower pressure (hot water) when another tap in the house is used for hot water.

appreciate your advice.thanks

 

[ianniann]

It sounds like your pipes could quite easily supply as much hot and cold water as you could ever want at the same time, but a combi boiler can't. Depending on the power of the boiler, it will only be able to heat about 10-15 litres/min. So if you turn on another hot tap the boiler won't be able to supply enough hot water for both the tap and your shower. Depending on the type of shower, you may experience a drop in water temperature or a drop in the amount of warm water coming out of the shower.

The "solutions" are not cheap because you have to replace the boiler. A more powerful combi boiler would help some, probably enough to keep the shower running while someone draws hot water elsewhere. Or you fit a system with a hot water tank, which would be able to supply hot water as fast as you can open taps (until the hot water cylinder is empty!). You would probably also need a shower with a built-in pump, although you can also get pressurised (unvented) hot water cylinders.

 

[Agile]

The is a cost free solution to your problem.

That is to ensure no body else uses hot water while you are in the shower.

The only equipment you might need is a strong stick but you could probably pick that up in the woods for free if you are near the countryside.

It really does have to be understood that for most uses a combi boiler can only supply just one outlet at a time without affecting the useability of each one.

Tony

 

[skratoop]

What about mains pressure electric showers? We have much the same problem, but the problem is there's not enough pressure to the electric shower if somebody runs a tap elsewhere. Bigger pipes would help of course, would fitting a cold water accumulator somewhere close to the shower help?

Cheers,
Matt