Low water pressure in ground floor apartment

F

FTB1975

Registered User
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Hi Folks,

Apologies if the answer to my query is somewhere on AAM but I've done a search and can't find something to help me!

I've just moved into an AH property at the weekend and the water pressure is very low and non-existent in some taps.

Kitchen: good pressure from cold-tap, not a drop from hot tap
Main B/room (Sink): dribble from cold tap, not a drop from hot tap
Main B/room (bath): decent pressure from cold, bit better than a dribble from hot tap
En-suite (Sink): merest dribble from cold tap, nothing from hot tap
Ensuite (Shower): nothing at all only fresh air!!

Being a newbie to apartment living I haven't a clue.....there is a pump in the hot-press but I've no idea if it's switched on or not.....it does have a series of letters (N, P......and a few more I can't remember) that look as if they should light up, presumably as the pump pumps.....but at the moment the N seems to be lit up....so I'm guessing it's on..or does the N mean "Not on"....ie off???!!!!!:confused:
There's a switch beside the thermostat which is switched on, not sure if this relates to thermostat or pump. I did switch it off and back on again and there was a faint noise coming from the pump but not a pumping noise....more a hissing sound. As it was closely followed by a kind of smokey smell I ducked out of the hot-press pronto but after a few mins the smell was gone.

I've been onto the Managing agent...they said contact DCC. The apt was snagged and water pressure was highlighted, and was rectified. I've spoken to the guy who snagged the apt this morning and he confirmed everything was ok with pressure when he re-inspected.
As its an AH property I didn't get any kind of user manual or anything for the pump/thermostat or immersion in general so I'm kind of in the dark. It might be something simple like turn on a valve/switch but with no manual I don't want to go messing around with it. Also, not sure if I should turn on the dishwasher or washing machine.....I'm assuming they'd be ok as they'd be fed from the mains but again not 100% sure and don't want to chance it.

Excuse the long-winded post but despite the humid weather 2 or 3 cold-baths is about as much as I can handle.

Anyone with any ideas.....send them my way,
Cheers
FTB1975
 
To be honest if the guy who snagged the apt and said that everything was rectified must either be lying or he switched off whatever valves he was checking after inspecting it ... which would be a nonsense.

Have you checked the taps at a certain time of the day, see if the pressure is any different at those times?

If you can get the number off the immersion you might be able to find the manual online to see what way the valves need to be switched.

The burning smell you might have got could have been due to the fact that it's really been the first time that the immersion was used and after that you shouldn't smell it again.

Hope this post has been of some no help to you.
 
So much not happening and you're only just moved in.
Once over from a friendly plumber/electrician mightn't hurt.
 
Hi guys,

Doesn't matter what time of day...same thing, no water. Yeah figured the burning smell was probably just dust or something on the pump that burned off when I flicked the switch off and on.

Good tip about searching for an online manual....I'll check that out this evening. Failing that I'll have to get a plumber or someone out to look at it...just hope it's not something glaringly obvious that'll have me looking like a right girly girl in front of some blokey plumber :eek:

FTB1975
 
have you any neighbours you could compare settings with before getting a plumber etc in ?
 
yeah, I htink that the last resort would be a plumber, best to have a fiddle with it yourself or even check with a neighbour to see what their pump settings are like. No point in wasting money AND looking foolish :)
 
I'm not an expert on the Affordable Housing scheme, but my understanding is that you own half of it and DCC own the other half, but in practice you are the effective owner. In other words, don't let the Managing Agent pawn you off on DCC, they have nothing to do with it. If you're paying a management fee then they answer to you, your AH status is not relevant.
 
If the pump is switched on you will hear a (hopefully low) humming noise from it when you turn on the taps. If not, that's most of the problem, and the professional who did the snagging has a responsibility. Otherwise it sounds like the valves are turned off. This may have been done after the snagging. Turn the valve levers anti-clockwise and run the water. Hopefully that'll do the trick. My understanding is that the management company's responsibility is with issues of public areas, not private appartments. Let us know how you get on.
 
Hi,
Yes, Mgmt co are only responsible for faults in the common areas so no joy there. I spoke to the guy who did the snag and he said water pressure was fine when he went back to inspect. DCC have said "We'll get back to you".

I had a look at valves etc the other night and noticed a pipe labelled Mains with a tap-valve thing that appeared closed so I opened that and when taps were on you could hear water gushing into the tank so I left that open.

There's no humming noise coming from the pump at all.....but it does look as if it's switched on cos there are a series of lights on it N, P, 1, 2, 3....and the N is lit up. It's a Salamander pump and the N indicates Negative pressure or something according to the installation manual. Couldnt find an operating manual on the net and no trouble-shooting guide either :(

I've someone coming to have a look this week so I'll update with any further developments.
Thanks
FTB1975
 
HI,
Quick update:

Got water pressure sorted yesterday....it seems to have been an air lock or something so back in business now.

Thankd for the suggestions
FTB1975
 
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