Problem with shower????

Hi,

We have a pumped electric shower in both our ensuite & main bathrooms. However, literally from day one, the main shower has never worked UNLESS you start the shower in the ensuite first - which seems to start off the pump. The pump or water will not start in the main bathroom shower on its own accord.We use the ensuite shower on a daily basis and the other is only used when we have people staying. Can anyone suggest the cause/solution of this. We did call a plumber out to it recently and (typically) the day he came out, it worked first time - but never has since so dont really want to call a plumber out in case the same thing happens again.

I appreciate any ideas/advice!!

Hi Guido,
I'm confused by your post, can you clarify and give some more details and I'll try to help?
Have you got one pump (maybe located in the hotpress) and two seperate shower outlets?
OR
Have you got two separate pumped electric showers?
What are the manufacturers names and model numbers on all your equipment?
Did this system ever work consistently? is it a new build? have you just moved in etc?

Hi Jetblue, thanks for replying...sorry not at home at the moment so will check the make and model later.....But yes, there is one pump located in the hotpress with two separate shower outlets. We moved into a new build 3.5 years ago and the shower in the main bathroom never worked properly - and as I said it did work the one time we got a plumber out. It also works fine when the en suite shower is in use and will continue to work once the ensuite shower has been switched off - But try the main bathroom shower on it's own without starting the ensuite and there is no water no pump sound...Hope this explains it - as I say will post the make and model asap.....Many Thanks again for replying....

I kinda have the same problem, I have a shower in the en-suite and another in the main bathroom, but neither start until i turn the sink taps on and leave them on slightly running?

Ok, what I reckon you have is some model of flow switch pump, ie. it relies on the flow of water through it to initially switch the pump on.

Assuming that this is the setup, I would suspect that you have sufficient header pressure in the shower in the en-suite to trigger the pump but are lacking this pressure in the main shower.

A simple way of proving this is to (if possible) lower the shower head in the bathroom to as low as possible and see if the pump operates when you turn on the water. If it does then this is your problem. To remedy it you will have to either permantly lower the shower head or find some other way of increasing the unpumped flow through the shower.

1- See if the pump allows for any adjustment to trigger it at a smaller rate of flow.
2- Increase the header pressure (not too easy)
3- (not sure if this meets all regs) On the mains feed to the tank fit a low pressure by-pass tap with regulator and non return valve to help trigger the pump.

Obviously make sure the water is not being restricted in the shower....semi blocked head, kinked pipes, etc

Hi Jetblue and Sparkrite - thanks for the replies...
Unfortunately the make and model are not visible as only the chrome pieces of the shower can be seen sitting against the tiles. I tried lowering the showerhead to no avail....even when you release the shower head from the holder and bring it to the floor of the shower tray the water barely trickles out, not engaging the pump - don't think that there is any problem with the water being restricted by pipes because it works perfectly when started by setting off the ensuite shower first....Will gladly try any other suggestions? Many thanks again......

Hi Guido,
Sparkrite's post seems spot on to me.
Some info off the pump might allow us to get some details on how it is triggered. There should be a small nameplate on it somewhere, you may have to use a mirror and torch to locate it though.
As in Manto's case, does your pump switch on when you turn on the ensuite or upstairs bathroom taps.(i'm assuming that you live in a house, not an apartment.

I'd be very disappointed in your plumber, he should have at least explained how the system worked to you.

Thanks Jetblue....Will check the pump later - Your assumption is correct, we live in a house not appt. And I have tried the taps before - this has no effect on the main bathroom shower - it's just using the ensuite shower that will start it. And yes I am very disappointed with the plumber and kicking myself that I didn't do more about this at the outset as it never worked properly. Thanks again and I will get back with the model and make.....

Hi Jetblue and Sparkrite, the make of the pump is Phoenix (based in Cork) and the model is a Wasp 65B - I'll try to post a photo later if that's any help.... I can't see anything on the actual pump to adjust....thanks again.....

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http://www.taps4less.co.uk/pdf/Watermill%20Twin%20Impeller%20Low%20Voltage%20Shower%20Pumps.pdf

Hi Guido, have a good read of the document at the link above, I think your pump is a Watermill, lots of useful info on this page.

Thanks Jetblue - Shower is working now albeit just when it is set to zero degrees on the temp dial....but once it works we can increase the temp so its a good workaround - thanks for your help on this....