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]

Pretty noisy as well

 

[Riley]

Where does it attach to the cylinder? Looks like central heating pump

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Pretty noisy as well

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View attachment 35435

That pump is a secondary return pump

Only way they could install it is from the cold cylinder connection to the hot

But that won't work on your cylinder

If it's plumbed into the cold eg cold is flowing from the stop tap to this then out to your cylinder then that would add some restriction

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Any chance on getting a bit more light in there ?

 

[Riley]

That’s a bronze pump??????

 

[ShaunCorbs]

That’s a bronze pump??????

Yep

 

[Riley]

Sorry mate. Now I’ve zoomed in I agree

 

[Riley]

Either way won’t make a jot of difference to his issue i suppose. If it’s loud it could be dry

 

[Tim0212]

Yeah its a dark space. Hopefully these help

 

[ShaunCorbs]

being used as a strat pump which with your cylinder doesnt do anything

 

[Riley]

I’d be intrigued to know what installer says

 

[Tim0212]

I’d be intrigued to know what installer says

About the cylinder or pump? He said the pump was needed to increase amount of hot water available. He said without it we'd only get 50l.

 

[Tim0212]

Just googled it. Is it that theyve used wrong pump? What type of pump should be used in a 300 litre unvented hot water cylinder? | Heating & Plumbing Monthly Magazine (HPM)

 

[Riley]

He clearly doesn’t understand what he’s installed

 

[Riley]

I mean I’d be intrigued how he explains it all. I would ask him for a formal written explanation

 

[Tim0212]

He was trying to mske out he was dping me a favour for getting loft firm to agree to pump!

 

[Riley]

Maybe after he saw the cylinder and thought
$#%\ how am I going to fudge that

 

[Riley]

If he was using it just as a secondary pump it could be to ensure no huge water draw off before you get hot at a tap

 

[Tim0212]

If he was using it just as a secondary pump it could be to ensure no huge water draw off before you get hot at a tap

He did say when i complained about noise that i could put on for couple of hours during day on a timer

 

[Riley]

It shouldn’t be noisy

 

[Tim0212]

Another interesting part of the puzzle is that he said that loft firm owe him 10k and were trying to get him to sign contact retrospectively which said they were just an agent and the contract was between me and him. He was saying there was no way hes going to sign it...not sure where this leaves me legally!

 

[Riley]

These are the questions you need to ask. I would still say as he’s physically installed there is liability. Particularly as he’s installed it so wrong. Also it’s funny that he’s coming up with the excuses already

 

[Scott_D]

These are the questions you need to ask. I would still say as he’s physically installed there is liability. Particularly as he’s installed it so wrong. Also it’s funny that he’s coming up with the excuses already

Doesn't help the home owner but if the loft company put the wrong cylinder up there before the plumber started. They owe him money and are about to go bust and told him to make it work or he will never see his money
He may be stuck between a rock and hard place.

 

[Riley]

I see your point mate but to do a dangerous install doesn’t exactly exonerate him

 

[Scott_D]

I see your point mate but to do a dangerous install doesn’t exactly exonerate him

No I agree but I don't think we know the full story