No water from hot water taps. Pump not working?

Ivenus

Hi

There is no water coming from the hot water taps in our bathroom and only a trickle from the hot water tap in the kitchen. The hot water pump isnt switching on. Usually when you turn the hot water tap on, the pump kicks in.
We live in an apartment.

Any suggestions as to how to fix it?

thanks!

jeepers101

Does the pump in question only pump the hot water or does it pump cold as well? How many flexible hoses are connected to the pump?

Buford T Justice

Can you take a pic of the pump, it sounds like it may be an airlock

Ivenus

Yeah, the pump only pumps the hot water. There is seemingly on the ground floor a seperate pump which pumps cold water to all the apartments in the block. There is a hot water pump in each of the apartments.

Im unable at the moment to post a photo of the pump. If it is a airlock, how would I get rid of it?

jeepers101

Usually to get rid of an airlock you would follow the information here

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Water/CustomerServicesEmergencyNotices/AdviceandUsefulInformation/GettingRidofAirLocks/

But if the pump has a non return valve this method would be futile.

If you have not ran out of water recently or your tank has not run dry it is fairly unlikely you have an airlock.

Do you have power at the pump? Or would you be confident enough to check this?

Ivenus

The power is on in the pump alright. There is a switch similar to a light switch on in the hot press and the wire going into that switch is attached to the pump. The light on the switch is on.

If its similar to a light switch could a fuse be gone in it?

jeepers101

Sounds like you have power alright. Is the pump above or below the cylinder? Would you be confident disconnecting pipes/hoses? If not I'd advise calling someone to have a look.

Ivenus

the pump is below the cyclinder. Its to the side of it on the ground.

TBH, i wouldnt be confident myself to be pulling at the wires. I might know someone who would be more able to do something like that, than me. Would it be a complicated job for a lay person to do?

If i had to call a professional out, would it be a plumber or electrician. (Sorry for stupid question! I dont have a clue about anything like this.)

jeepers101

If you know someone thats handy with that sort of thing they might have a look. It sounds like the pump is knackered though. You could call an electrician or a plumber but let them know before you get them out whats involved and if they'll be competent to do the plumbing and the wiring.

Ivenus

thanks for all your advice JeepersI'll call out a professional to have a look. If the pump is wrecked, Im going to be majorly annoyed cause only 3 years ago more or less the same thing happened and the guy took the pump away for about a week and he fixed a part in it. Thats why i was thinking (hoping) that it must be something else rather pump cause the apartment is only 5.5 years old and this will be the second time the pump has to be fixed. Surely they are meant to last longer than a couple of years

jeepers101

Yes and no I suppose. You would expect to get a long time out of it but then again manufacturers give a 12 month warranty for a reason. What make is it out of curiosity?