Shower too hot or too cold fluctuating temperature

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by TimStillwell1, Jan 17, 2020.

  1. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Hi all,

    We have recently installed a brand new bath shower tap where you have to pull the knob up to get the water to come out of the shower head.

    Our problem is we are struggling to maintain a constant warm temperature it is either boiling of or as soon as we touch the cold tap freezing cold. We can sometimes get it at just warm if we adjust the cold tap a few millimetres but then it just goes back fo freezing cold or boiling hot.

    I have tried to turn the cold main pressure down and this has helped slightly but still not solved the problem.

    The hot water is heated by a hot water tank heated by a Y plan boiler, there is no water tank in the loft and the cold water is mains fed.

    attached is the photo of the bath shower mixer we have

    Any help would be much appreciated
    Tim
     

    Attached Files:

  2. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    Is your hot water storage also mains pressure ?
    How have you tried to reduce cold mains pressure ,by what action did you take ?
     
  3. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    When just using the tap standalone and mixing water does the temperature remain stable.
    Is the fault only when trying to use the shower part?
     
  4. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    The hot water pressure is gravity fed but it’s on the same level so the pressure is not great. i have reduced cold main pressure using the mains inlet on the ground floor
     
  5. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    its with both. We have also tried replacing the shower head but that didn’t work
     
  6. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    It’s due to the unbalanced supplies.
    Mains cold and gravity hot on a standard mixer won’t keep a constant temperature due to the pressure difference.
     
  7. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Thank you for your reply. Is there anyway round this?

    Changing the tap is a big job due to the Bath being so narrow, when we put the taps in originally we have to completely take the bath out fix the taps and put it back into place.

    if there is not other solution wiLl a mixer shower do it or should we look at installing an electric shower
     
  8. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    A thermostatic mixer shower may work a bit better.
    Your could water pressure is constantly overcoming the hot. The only time your getting hot is once the cold is almost turned off.
     
  9. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Does that mean if we turned the cold pressure right down on the isolation value although we would loose the water pressure this would fix the problem?
     
  10. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    No it will not. That's not reducing pressure , just reducing flow.
     
  11. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Thank you what would you say the best solution was if the taps are hard to change?
     
  12. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    Pressure reducing valve on the cold before the bath tap, possibly.
    Where is the cold water tank ,that supplies the hot water cylinder ,is it immediately above it ?
     
  13. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    Boosting to hot supply may be an option.
     
  14. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Ahh ok would that work? Yes the tank is immediately above?
     
  15. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    What height is the shower head in relation to the storage tank?
     
  16. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    Thanks for all your help so far. It’s pretty much level with the tank.

    Would a thermostatic mixer do the job do you think even though we only have gravity fed hot water?
     
  17. Mike83

    Mike83 Screwfix Select

    If the shower head and storage tank are at the same height then the shower will never be a great experience.
    Either an electric shower or boosting the hot with a pump is what I would be looking at.
     
  18. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    I agree with Mike. Your hot pressure must be dire with the set up you have.
     
  19. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    yes it is. Thank you for all your help really appreciated
     
  20. TimStillwell1

    TimStillwell1 New Member

    thank you for all your help tonight. I will look at both of these options
     

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