Why does my shower cut out - water pressure?

[OttersPocket]

So, the new house keeps throwing up all sorts of weird and wonderful issues for me!

Three story terraced house (top floor is an attic conversion), bathroom on first floor and shower room in attic conversion. Heat-only boiler, hot water tank on second floor, cold water tank in attic space.

The issue is that when the tap in the kitchen is turned on (even a little bit), the shower in the bathroom stops working and refuses to work for the next 15 minutes or so whilst emitting a loud beeeeeeping sound! Is this a water pressure thing? Is there anything I can do to remedy this? I have to admit I'm clueless when it comes to these things, first ever house I've owned and learning quickly....!

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Not a clue. Sorry. Mine has been running for about 10 minutes then shuts off. No idea why either.

I'll be having someone in to check and repair/replace it. No playing around with something that combines electricity and water. Leave it to the professionals.

[PigletJohn]

Is it an electric shower? Or one with an integral pump? Or is there a separate pump?

What colour is your hot water cylinder?

You have a plumbing design problem.

[OttersPocket]

It's an electric shower with an integrated pump. The hot water cylinder is beige.

It sounds like I need a plumber then?

[PigletJohn]

If it has an integrated pump, it should be sucking water from the cylinder and the cold water storage tank. In which case running the kitchen cold tap should not affect it.

It sounds like the shower is instead connected to the incoming cold supply from the water main, so is starved when you run the kitchen cold tap.

[OttersPocket]

Thanks PigletJohn, that makes sense now. I'll speak to the plumber when he comes to do some work in my kitchen next month. Much appreciated!