USA Unvented cylinder - water pressure

[Tim0212]

Hi, looking for advice about unvented cylinder. I had one installed as part of a horrific modular loft conversion that was recently finished. The water pressure in the bathrooms is poor, probably worse than when just had combi and I cant use two showers/bathrooms at one time which was the point in having it installed. When first installed it seemed good but then there was a leak in the system. Leak was fixed but pressure now poor. The tested cold incoming measures at 22 lpm and 3 bar but when i check this in bathrooms its less than 8lpm. The plumber is refusing to return as loft company arent paying him(think theyre going under) and his only advice is that the incoming supply is the issue. Im not convinced though due to rate during test and i've recently tested outside tap and its 3 times quicker than inside. The new shower in loft occassionally has fluntuating pressure that you can see by eye. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Tim0212]

The loft company came round to test it sometime ago. Thats when they specified it.

 

[Riley]

Also you can buy a cheap pressure tester that will screw on at your washing machine valve

 

[Riley]

They were clearly naive though as they should know about the need to upgrade mains

 

[Tim0212]

J have done. Kitchen sink comes straight from boiler and hot is about 8lpm. Same as shower in loft. Test on outside tap is consistent with their test. Was definitely over 20lpm

 

[Riley]

And to be fair the incoming is the least of your worries with the abortion cylinder install

 

[Riley]

I may be hedging my bets here but is there a chance that these cowboys have actually accidentally bypassed the cylinder and your hot water is all coming from the Combi still

 

[Tim0212]

I will get somebody onto it. What are the main risks of having it on side?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

J have done. Kitchen sink comes straight from boiler and hot is about 8lpm. Same as shower in loft. Test on outside tap is consistent with their test. Was definitely over 20lpm

Cold water test the cold please

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I will get somebody onto it. What are the main risks of having it on side?

No warranty could split due to not designed for that

Have they allowed for the weight load in that area

 

[Riley]

It’s not installed to spec. It won’t heat correctly, your drawing off hot water from half way up so it won’t be hottest if cylinder is going through a reheat

 

[Tim0212]

I may be hedging my bets here but is there a chance that these cowboys have actually accidentally bypassed the cylinder and your hot water is all coming from the Combi still

Thats exactly what i thought had happened because shower in loft hardly works when kitchen tap on

 

[Riley]

It wouldn’t as the water will take the easiest route and that’ll be to the kitchen tap

 

[Riley]

Turn on the shower does the boiler fire up

 

[Tim0212]

No warranty could split due to not designed for that

Have they allowed for the weight load in that area

It does sit on a huge 'I' beam and this loft firm have done hundreds of these. Doesnt mean their installers haven't been completely useless!

 

[Riley]

It does sit on a huge 'I' beam and this loft firm have done hundreds of these. Doesnt mean their installers haven't been completely useless!

Based on what you’ve told us I wouldn’t trust any of it and would be getting it independently signed off

 

[Tim0212]

The boiler doesnt come on when either showers are on but it does come on with kitchen tap.

 

[Tim0212]

Based on what you’ve told us I wouldn’t trust any of it and would be getting it independently signed off

I will do. Thanks for your advice. Its much appreciated. What i still dont understand though is why when i first used the shower on first floor it was like a power shower!

 

[Riley]

I will do. Thanks for your advice. Its much appreciated. What i still dont understand though is why when i first used the shower on first floor it was like a power shower!

I don’t think it matters mate. Get it fixed properly and safely. Let us know how you go

 

[Tim0212]

I will do. Thanks again.

 

[Tim0212]

Just one further question. The plumber put a pump on the cold water supply because he said without it i wouldnt get many showers worth. Is this kind of pump needed on vertically installed units or did he know what he was doing was rubbish and decided to get the best out of it? He advised at the time that he was going to tell the loft firm that it needed one.

 

[Scott_D]

A secondary return pump?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Can't pump mains water

 

[Riley]

Pic please

 

[Tim0212]

So pump on cold water end of cylinder

 

[Riley]

Can’t pump a cylinder. God this just gets worse