shower install/plumbing question please

downs523

my mum wants a shower installed in her bathroom. she has a combi boiler and we want to know if a pump is required for the shower or if it can be done without.

what type of shower can she have there?

what water pressure is needed to not want a pump?

were looking at a thermostatic mixer shower so far, dont really want a power shower.

thanks

latecomer

Normally with a combi boiler you will have sufficient pressure for a standard mixer shower. If you want it checked out you either need to get a pressure guage or a plumber

Ebe_Scrooge

Agree with Latecomer - you should have sufficient pressure from a combi as it is. In fact, you CAN'T have a pump with a combi boiler. Your other option is an electric shower, which takes its feed from the cold water only and heats it up as it goes. You'll need an electrician to run the power to the shower unit, but other than that the installation is very simple ( I've installed many electric showers myself over the years, before the electrical regulation were tightened up, and it's quite a simple DIY job ). The advantage to this is that you then have an independant source of hot water should your boiler ever break down - you can at least have a shower whilst you're waiting for the boiler to be repaired :-)

Those are your 2 realistic options, best to ring around some local plumbers and get some quotes, see which you fancy. It's easy enough to research for yourself the price of the actual shower units, though you may find that a plumber can actually source it cheaper for you through the trade. But at least if you get an idea of the retail price you'll be able to make an informed decision.

downs523

ok so if i do an electric shower with cold feed only does it come from the mains pipe or is it from the tank in loft pipe? which is right behind where i need it installed?

or do i branch off from where it feeds the bath tap??

latecomer

It would have to come from the mains as you wont have enough "head" of water to get the required pressure from the tank if its on the same level. You may also need a pump if your mains pressure isn't great.

latecomer

And if you go with the electric shower you're not allowed to do the electrics unless you are qualified.

andyhop

even the most basic of combis will flow more water than a mira sport max electric shower

downs523

the tanks in the loft, not sure how high above the point where it will connect to the shower, is there a certain height it should be for enough pressure?

andyhop

every metre from the bottom of the water tank to the top of the applience/tap/ shower head equates to 0.1 bar

Mains water pressure varies but you get at least a 1bar supply

downs523

ah, i reckon its only about 2m above if that, will have to get it attached to the mains pipe then!!

andyhop

latecomer wrote: »

It would have to come from the mains as you wont have enough "head" of water to get the required pressure from the tank if its on the same level. You may also need a pump if your mains pressure isn't great.

you can not pump mains water, nor can you pump the hot water from a combi