Pressure too low for shower

RMM9

Sorry if I am repeating other posts but I did check the first 16 pages and didn't spot this query anywhere:o

Is there a cheap and easy way to improve shower? The shower is fed from mixer taps for the bath itself. While water pressure is fine when running a bath, it seems to disappear when you switch over to the shower. I spoke to a plumber over the phone who wanted me to spend 250 on a pump and 300 on a controller:( To put it in perspective an electric shower in an en-suite which isn't pumped has enough pressure for a decent shower. The mixer never stays switched to shower either and a lot of water pressure then comes out of the tap (as opposed to shower)

Thanks for any suggestions.

jeepers101

You can't really compare it to the electric shower as there is less resistance there.

If you're sure there's nothing blocking the shower head or hose, then the only way I can see to improving the flow is by installing a pump. Can't see what he means by a controller for 300 euro though. Maybe someone else could fill us in.

RMM9

Thanks for that. I originally thought that a pump might help but it was the plumber who suggested a controller. He then said that a pump would probably empty the hot water in 10 mins which didn't exactly inspire me with the possibility of water charges due to hit us all.:eek:

Joey the lips

You half have the answer without realinsing.

You either get a T90(PUMPED ELECTRIC) or a T80 (MAINS FED) or simply pump your own....

For my money i would go with a t90 or off course a mira elite...

it will cost you 700 in total though....You may not have that.

blacktalons

there are two sizes of hose available that connect between taps and shower head,make sure you use the one with the biggest INTERNAL bore. it will make a big difference in pressure,also clean out the valve between the taps as debris can get stuck there.:D

Joey the lips

blacktalons wrote: »

there are two sizes of hose available that connect between taps and shower head,make sure you use the one with the biggest INTERNAL bore. it will make a big difference in pressure,also clean out the valve between the taps as debris can get stuck there.:D

LMFAO....This has to be the best one i ever heard....There are 2 size hose available ie 1.25 and 1,50 meter. The 1.25 mtr is standard on 99% of Bath shower mxrs but sad to say they both have the exact same bore as they are manufactured the exact same just longer...and sadly the hose has no bearing on why pressure is low unless the head is located less that 1 mtr from the tank in the attic.

The ops pressure in the tap is too low its either pump the taps or a new shower.

blacktalons

Joey the lips wrote: »

LMFAO....This has to be the best one i ever heard....There are 2 size hose available ie 1.25 and 1,50 meter. The 1.25 mtr is standard on 99% of Bath shower mxrs but sad to say they both have the exact same bore as they are manufactured the exact same just longer...and sadly the hose has no bearing on why pressure is low unless the head is located less that 1 mtr from the tank in the attic.

The ops pressure in the tap is too low its either pump the taps or a new shower.

@g[/EMAIL] question,before u reply with such a retarded answer.

jeepers101

Joey just curious as to why you're advocating the t90 over the t80. I have a t90 and find it grand. I Installed a t80 a couple of months ago and found the performance is exactly the same. The kilowatt ratings available are the same so would the performance not be the same as well?

RMM9

Thanks for all the replies and mixed opinions. Just to clarify the pressure from the taps is excellent. It's only when I switch to shower does the pressure seem to drop. The same amount of water that comes out of the taps just does not come out of the shower piece. I have 2 electric showers already so I was hoping for a non-electric shower solution. To reiterate what I think I have been advised is to change the mixer?, add a pump? or put in a T80 (mains fed)?:o
Thanks again.

jeepers101

RMM9 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies and mixed opinions. Just to clarify the pressure from the taps is excellent. It's only when I switch to shower does the pressure seem to drop. The same amount of water that comes out of the taps just does not come out of the shower piece. I have 2 electric showers already so I was hoping for a non-electric shower solution. To reiterate what I think I have been advised is to change the mixer?, add a pump? or put in a T80 (mains fed)?:o
Thanks again.

Basically, yes, although a t80 is just another electric shower. Just out of curiosity, if you put the shower head below the level of the mixer taps and turn it on whats the pressure like?

RMM9

Thanks for that suggestion. I hadn't tried that.
The pressure is about the same. I did notice that there is a trickle of cold water out of the taps whether the shower is up above and down below the taps. If you hold the switcher (not sure what the technical term is) down it does help and the pressure does increase a little bit too which makes for an ok shower. Another thing I noticed is that no matter how far you turn the taps on the pressure remains the same out of the shower. This might be normal The more I explain the situation the more it sounds like I need a better mixer. Am I right?

Joey the lips

blacktalons wrote: »

he is looking for a cheap fix for his mixer taps, .

Calling peoples answers retarded is classed as abuse and you will receive a ban. Do you care to withdraw it. Be advised your next answer can determine your answer after that.

On the hose...You cannot buy a hose with a different bore.Its a standard bore.

jeepers101 wrote: »

Joey just curious as to why you're advocating the t90 over the t80. I have a t90 and find it grand. I Installed a t80 a couple of months ago and found the performance is exactly the same. The kilowatt ratings available are the same so would the performance not be the same as well?

Most people cannot use a t80 because of mains issues. I would fit a t80 as its cheaper but its not always the case that it works.

RMM9 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies and mixed opinions. Just to clarify the pressure from the taps is excellent. It's only when I switch to shower does the pressure seem to drop. The same amount of water that comes out of the taps just does not come out of the shower piece. I have 2 electric showers already so I was hoping for a non-electric shower solution. To reiterate what I think I have been advised is to change the mixer?, add a pump? or put in a T80 (mains fed)?:o
Thanks again.

The pressure from the taps is always fine because its 3/4" but the bore of the divertor and not the hose is very narrow and the divertor is set for high pressure and its factory set and cannot be changed.

To what you can do..... I would add a pump but you might choose a shower.

freddyuk

Can you swop the shower hoses from your electric shower and then compare flow? Just to eliminate the hoses. Check there is no flow restricter fitted in the head.

Joey the lips

freddyuk wrote: »

Can you swop the shower hoses from your electric shower and then compare flow? Just to eliminate the hoses. Check there is no flow restricter fitted in the head.

It does not work that way. There is no difference in hose bore in ireland. The restricted part is most likely the valve in the divertor not the head.

RMM9

Thanks for those suggestions.

freddyuk

Joey the lips wrote: »

It does not work that way. There is no difference in hose bore in ireland. The restricted part is most likely the valve in the divertor not the head.

Precisely why I did not suggest otherwise. I know the bores are the same size. It is wise to check the very obvious before going into stripping down more complicated parts. If there is some blockage or restriction in the shower hose a quick swap would eliminate that possibility; 2 minute job - unless you already know the problem?
So if there is no problem with any hose then the valve can be removed and investigated. It is a common approach to many problems rather than going in and changing expensive parts willy nilly when you can't be sure where the problem could be so check the easy bits first.