Botched mixer shower, no cold tap pressure!! Help!

[booglehoop]

I have a problem with the pressure of the cold tap on my bath.

Here is the situation:

We have an immersion tank and overhead cold tank in the loft. We recently had a mixer shower fitted over the bath, which required fitting a pump as the initial shower pressure was completely inadequate.

Since having the work done, the shower is great, however the pressure on the bath cold tap is non-existent. Literally it is a trickle. Every other tap in the house is the same as prior to the work.

The stop tap is fully open.

The pump has plastic pipes coming off it, which go up into the loft and back down into the mixer shower. I don’t know if this is just hot, or cold as well.

Obviously the plumber has done something which has reduced the pressure, but he has effectively disappeared and we can’t get hold of him anymore. I suspect he has done something fundamentally wrong and has legged-it as a result.

I am hoping someone can give me some advice as to where I might be able to start investigating the problem which doesn’t involve ripping tiles off the wall etc. I have no intention of doing this myself, but would like to get an idea of what I might be facing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[WHPES]

Sounds like an airlock. Can you shove some hosepipe onto the cold tap and blow it back using mains (eg from an outside tap)?

 

[booglehoop]

Er... this would be possible, but just clarify...

You mean attach a hose to the bath cold tap (on or off?) and the other end to the outside tap. Then open the outside tap? Then what?

Thanks.

 

[aph257]

just a thought, check the isolator valve to see if it's open. the screwdriver slot should be in line when it's fully open.

 

[WHPES]

I sort of assumed you had checked the isolation valve (could also be a wheel type instead of screwdriver type), but yes checl first.

yes ...........with the bath tap open.

Without seeing it I can't say for sure but the plumber will have emptied the cistern to fit the shower pump allowing air into the take-off for the bath tap.

Before you try the hosepipe trick have a look inside the cistern to make sure there's nothing obstructing the oultet for the bath. There's probably 3 outlets - one for the cylinder, one for the cold bath tap and another which is the new one for the shower.

I had a similar problem before Christmas which was caused by a dead mouse blocking an outlet so you MUST ensure the tank is fitted with a closed fitting lid with seals around the vent pipe and water byelaw hygiene kit. The shower should not have been fitted without lid and hygiene kit but sometimes they are.

 

[booglehoop]

No worries... have found a guide on the net!!!

Will give it a try - thanks for your help.

Cheers.

 

[yorkieplumber]

if cwsc is high enough a metre above your shower head it should work of gravity fine, pumps for me are a last resort they are very noisy, have you the correct shower valve fitted? your plumber has let you down on this one, have you paid him at all?

 

[WHPES]

Rubbish! A lot of people don't like the feeble dribble you get off a lot of showers which are a metre below the cistern.

A quality shower pump is a proper job. Fit loads of them. No problems at all.

 

[booglehoop]

Thanks guys. Am a bit lost on some of the plumbing terms, but should be able to research and check.

Was told by the plumber initially that the drop would be sufficient for the shower... now maybe he screwed up the install, but my god, it was pathetic - totally useless. After the pump was fitted, shower was great - although there is noise as you say. By that point in the install it was a choice between a pump or a useless shower (all fitted and tiled in).

Didn't want to go into a rant over the plumber initially, but he really let us down. There were some heated discussions over payment, though it was only after the pump was fitted that I discovered the pressure problem... haven't seen him since.

Just got to sort this cold tap and should be ok though.

Thanks again.

 

[yorkieplumber]

you have your opinion and i have mine, like i said who wants waking up in morning to the noise of a pump when someone has a shower, i avoid them at all costs, obviously unvented is the best way of a good performing shower.

Rubbish! A lot of people don't like the feeble dribble you get off a lot of showers which are a metre below the cistern.

A quality shower pump is a proper job. Fit loads of them. No problems at all.

 

[stevetheplumber]

one thing to check is under the bath has he used flexi connectors to the taps ? these can get kinked