Install of mixer shower but not enough flow rate / pressure into house

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Paul C

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Jan 21, 2019
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Morning all,

Looking for some advice please before I start on a DIY job at home.

I have VERY poor cold water pressure / flow at home. Increasing pressure at source is not an option. We’d like to install a mixer shower that has the ability to kick out a decent pressure as baths are getting a tad annoying lol.


The hot water tank is on the same floor as where the shower will be (loft room and second floor of house are the same level).


So, getting to the point, I am wondering if the below is practical – if people could share thoughts on my proposed design that would be great


  1. Install a shunt pump from hot water tank, on the 22mm between tank and shower pump feed

  2. Install shower pump

  3. Put enough cold water storage in a tank above the shower to feed the shower pump

I guess I’ll need to do the calcs on the flow rate of the pump to make sure I have enough cold water in the loft to cope with a couple of showers – one after another, without running out. If anyone has any particular views on pumps or solutions they have put in that would be much appreciated too..


I did considering boosting the pressure of the mains cold from inside the house (in line with all regs etc.) but the logistics don’t really lend themselves to this kind of installation.
Many Thanks
Paul
 
Paul C said:
Morning all,

Looking for some advice please before I start on a DIY job at home.

I have VERY poor cold water pressure / flow at home. Increasing pressure at source is not an option. We’d like to install a mixer shower that has the ability to kick out a decent pressure as baths are getting a tad annoying lol.


The hot water tank is on the same floor as where the shower will be (loft room and second floor of house are the same level).


So, getting to the point, I am wondering if the below is practical – if people could share thoughts on my proposed design that would be great


  1. Install a shunt pump from hot water tank, on the 22mm between tank and shower pump feed

  2. Install shower pump

  3. Put enough cold water storage in a tank above the shower to feed the shower pump

I guess I’ll need to do the calcs on the flow rate of the pump to make sure I have enough cold water in the loft to cope with a couple of showers – one after another, without running out. If anyone has any particular views on pumps or solutions they have put in that would be much appreciated too..


I did considering boosting the pressure of the mains cold from inside the house (in line with all regs etc.) but the logistics don’t really lend themselves to this kind of installation.
Many Thanks
Paul
Click to expand...
Not totally clear on a lot of what you are saying but none the less. Have you tested your incoming water service static(non-flowing) pressure? If so, you should also test the residual(flowing) pressure, while flowing a measured quantity of water.

When you considered boosting the pressure...What does "all regs" mean? also, why do the logistics not lend themselves to that kind of installation?
Are you aware that, depending on your water service capabilities, you may still be somewhat limited as to flow vs pressure capabilities of a booster pump?
 
Last edited:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I need to test the static and flowing pressure to start with so I know what I’m dealing with.

Didn’t mean to leave confusion above but as I mentioned in the first line, I’m a DIYer as opposed to a plumber. Maybe I’ll get the latter involved :)

By regs I meant that pumping directly from the mains isn’t allowed, and by logistics I meant that there is not an easily suitable location to site a whole house booster.

Agree on your comments on limitations (regardless of what can be pumped to a shower) which makes me start looking possibly a little bit harder at where I could site a whole house booster.

Just in principle though, drinking water from a static storage tank doesn’t feel as clean as from a flowing mains.

Thanks
 
Hi. After reading, replying and then going away to look properly at the options I think that the best option is a decent head of cold in the loft, shower pump with twin head, and drinking water coming just through the cold tap in kitchen. More simple and definitely cheaper. I have a vented system so need to pump hot and cold

Thanks for at least making me look at what I was proposing. That’s lrobabky all I needed! :)

Monsoon universal 3.0 twin have been recommended. However if there are other options / or manufacturers that people rate I’d be greatful for comments

Thanks
 
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