Plumbing help

Discussion in 'Getting Started FAQ' started by Chez Parton, Dec 2, 2019.

  1. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    i have a pressurised system boiler running at 1.5 bar and have purchased a hydro massage shower cabin that needs 2.5 bar to run. Can I increase the pressure to run my new shower or is there anyway to make this work or have I made a huge mistake. Retailer proving to be pretty useless other than it can be done with a pump by ‘specialist’ plumber but no advice on how to find one. Local plumbers say they don’t know or it can’t be done. Help by a knowledgable plumber please
     
  2. techie

    techie Screwfix Select

    The 1.5 bar number you mention for the boiler is not related to the water pressure to the shower head.
     
  3. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    What type of hot water cylinder do you have, vented or unvented?
     
  4. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    That’s the pressure on the boiler, where would pressure to shower head be?
     
  5. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    I don’t know to be honest what’s the difference? We have an Emerson heater but no tanks in the loft and a glow worm pressurised system boiler but not sure whether vented or unvented
     
  6. Heat

    Heat Screwfix Select

    Unvented cylinders are usually in a white casing and will have no cold water tank in attic or anywhere as are mains water fed.
     
  7. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    Then I think it must be unvented as it is a white coloured cylinder in airing cupboard and we don’t have any other tanks
     
  8. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    Sorry there is a small red expansion tank in the loft
     
  9. Heat

    Heat Screwfix Select

    Red vessel in loft probably is linked to your heating system as an external extra expansion vessel (if boiler is a system boiler).
    Get a heating installer to check and explain everything
     
  10. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    Yes I think it is. We have had 2 plumbers out and third coming this week but all say something different one said can’t be done the other said we need a buffer tank and retailer says we can have a pump but we need a specialist plumber which we can’t find so very confused
     
  11. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    Post a picture of your hot water tank then we'll know exactly what it is.
     
  12. Heat

    Heat Screwfix Select

    If your hot and cold water system is high pressure with a unvented hot cylinder, then you should have decent pressure. Has any of your plumbers tested the pressure and flow rates of your system?
    Just needs a test by connecting a gauge onto outside tap.
    It all depends on your mains water supply from road.
    Typically a unvented cylinder system will hopefully be running at 2 bar ideally at least and can be just over 3 bar pressure. But flow rates also critical
     
  13. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

     
  14. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    DA2B7253-8030-42E5-9249-5B69E8A9E424.jpeg Airing cupboard cylinder
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

  16. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    Can’t thank you enough for the advice guys much appreciated as I was feeling totally out of my depth and frustrated but whether it’s possible or not at least I am getting somewhere
     
  17. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    No one has even suggested testing the water pressure but have said if we even could increase water pressure to 2.5 bar we would run out of hot water with a few minutes ?
     
  18. BillyT

    BillyT Member

    I've fitted a couple of these type of shower pods and from memory they delivered about 15 litres per minute. That would give you about a 5-6 minute shower with the cylinder you currently have.
     
  19. Chez Parton

    Chez Parton New Member

    Erm, that’s not great. I have longish thick hair so wouldn’t be able to wash it in that time, hubby would be fine though
     
  20. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    The pressure gauge above the red tank in the loft shows the radiator system pressure, it has nothing to do with the hot water side of things.
    The good news is that you have definitely got an unvented cylinder which should be capable of supplying the necessary flow and pressure of water needed for the shower pod.
    The bad news is that at 90 litres its quite small. You should howether have enough stored hot water for a decent showering time of about 10-12 mins at 15l/m.
    The flow could be restricted to increase this time if you wished.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice