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Pumped electric shower - are they worth it and any recommendations?

11 replies

JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 09:31

I have shockingly bad water pressure it appears (new house and only just got the bathroom useable) and a shower mixer tap thingy just doesn't work. I'm going to have to invest in an electric one I think, and have been looking at the pumped ones. Do they work well?

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PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 10:06

Have you got a combi boiler or a hot water cylinder? What colour?

JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 10:24

I've got an Ideal boiler thing in the kitchen, a Seagull hot water tank in the airing cupboard and a cold water tank in the loft. None of which are working properly since the bathroom was fitted for some reason (possibly an air lock or something? Just keeps switching off). What kind of shower would work on this? I bought a shower mixer for low pressure systems and it's absolute pants!

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PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 10:55

What colour is the hot water cylinder?

Go to the bathroom. Turn on the basin cold tap. Put your thumb over the spout. Can you stop the flow? Now do it with the hot tap. How does it compare?

PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 11:03

Go to www.gledhill.net search for Seagull and see if yiu can find yours. How old is the house?

How big is your loft tank? Is it black plastic?

JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 11:06

This is my hot water tank, if that helps?

Pumped electric shower - are they worth it and any recommendations?
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JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 11:09

House is 1950's. Boiler was fitted in 2009 according to the paperwork I have. Yes tank in loft is black.

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PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 11:11

And what size?

What happened when you did the thumb test?

JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 11:14

Without going up in the loft, I'm not sure of the size as it's partially hidden behind boarding. I can stop the hot water with my thumb but not the cold.

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PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 11:29

OK.

As I suspected, the cold water comes at high pressure from the watermain, and the hot at low pressure from the loft tank. You cannot get a satisfactory blend from an ordinary mixer.

If you have any ceramic mixers with a single lever or joystick, they may get worn and develop internal leaks causing the cold tank to overflow. Mixers with two knobs or capstans will be ok.

You can have a pumped shower, but it must draw the cold water from your loft tank. The loft tank must he big enough for your bath or shower without running dry.

Start by asking around for a well-recommended and experienced local plumber. As soon as possible, and before s/he comes, use a green nylon washing up scourer to clean all those green and scaly marks off the pipes. If they come back, the joints are still leaking.

The pipework is quite whimsical. The plumber will need to see it all, but afterwards, use Climaflex or similar stiff plastic foam pipe lagging to reduce energy wastage.

Also, send your photo, with any identification on the labels, to Gledhill and ask them what model it is. Also ask if they have an approved local installer/repairman in case it needs skilled attention in future.

PigletJohn · 25/02/2015 11:34

P.s.

I was expecting your Seagull to have its own cold water tank built in. If it does, the loft tank may be a small one to top up the boiler and radiators, so the size is important.

Knowing the model of your Seagull, you can probably download a brochure or installation instructions, which will be useful in future.

JingleBellsJuliet · 25/02/2015 11:39

Thank you :) I've got a plumber coming on Friday to look at why the boiler keeps cutting out, so I'll ask him about the shower situation as well. The guy who fitted my bathroom didn't have a clue!

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