New combi boiler but hot water pressure problems

preciousb

We have recently just had our combi boiler fitted in. Not sure if this is right but when one tap is on E.g the sink tap in the bathroom then no water will come out of the bath tub tap. Is this how it is meant to be because i really am not sure?

Also the pressure downstairs in the taps seems to be really good but the pressure from the bathroom taps is alot less. The force is nothing compared to downstairs and takes ages to fill up a bucket of water. Spoke to the company who installed the boiler and they are saying that there is enough pressure coming through and told me to contact severn trent.

I did this and have been told that i need to get a plumber out because it might be something in the pipes. But when we had the new boiler installed we also had new pipework done.

Not sure what to do next because we are planning on having a new bathroom done and want to fit a shower in. But am scared that we will have one fitted and will have no water coming through. What do people reccomend? Can you fit an external pump with a combi boiler at all?

I hope this makes sence and someone can help me.

Owain_Moneysaver

You cannot fit an external pump with a combi boiler as you are not allowed to suck water from the mains.

Having no water coming out of the sink when the bath is running is ridiculous; I would accept some reduction in flow but not nothing. Whoever installed the boiler and the new pipework is incompetent and I don't know why they would tell you to get a plumber out - aren't they plumbers?

Tell them they have 14 days to rectify the situation or you will get another plumber in to report on their workmanship (use one that's a member of a trade association like IPHE or Snipef) and remedy any faults and then sue them for the costs.

C_Mababejive

And did you previously have a system boiler with hot water cylinder?

If so then you can generally expect a reduced flow from the combi.

You may need to get your incoming water pressure checked. Alternatively,it might be just how it is.

Cardew

Are we talking hot water pressure(flow) here?

DVardysShadow

What is the pressure like on the COLD water in the bathroom?

preciousb

The pressure on the cold water is absolutely fine. I am talking about the hot water flow. We had a system boiler with a hot water cylinder. Someone suggested to change the taps which might be causing the problem. Any other suggestions?

C_Mababejive

preciousb wrote: »

The pressure on the cold water is absolutely fine. I am talking about the hot water flow. We had a system boiler with a hot water cylinder. Someone suggested to change the taps which might be causing the problem. Any other suggestions?

Thats your problem then. You are used to a plentiful supply of stored hot water probably driven by a nice big tank in the loft providing a good head of water.

Now you have no storage..your combi throttles the flow as a mega 30 plus Kw burner throbs to get it up to temperature.

You might just be stuck with it. Many combis can only supply one tap at a time.

I am a great advocate of stored HW.

What make/model is your boiler? Maybe you need to have a hot water cylinder fitted?

Cardew

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Thats your problem then. You are used to a plentiful supply of stored hot water probably driven by a nice big tank in the loft providing a good head of water.

Now you have no storage..your combi throttles the flow as a mega 30 plus Kw burner throbs to get it up to temperature.

You might just be stuck with it. Many combis can only supply one tap at a time.

I am a great advocate of stored HW.

What make/model is your boiler? Maybe you need to have a hot water cylinder fitted?

I am also a fan of a hot water tank.

However, the OP is getting a good flow of hot water downstairs, so he should at least be getting the same flow upstairs.

I had a new bath and sink upstairs and the new taps(smaller bore) virtually stopped hot water flow - from a hot water tank - whilst the mains pressure cold water to the same mixer taps was fine.

I had to get a pump fitted which cured the problem.

So it might well be that his taps are the problem???

preciousb

Should we try and change the taps?

Also if you have a combi boiler, I thought you are not allowed to have a pump fitted?

Cardew

preciousb wrote: »

Should we try and change the taps?

Also if you have a combi boiler, I thought you are not allowed to have a pump fitted?

I wasn't suggesting that you can get a pump, I was making the point that to overcome the problem I had with new taps restricting hot water flow, I needed to have a pump fitted.

If you have a decent flow of hot water downstairs, it doesn't seem that the problem is the inability of the Combi to heat sufficient water(although of course that is the Achilles heel of combi's - particularly in winter)

You really need to get the company who fitted the boiler out and get them to sort out your problem. If it is a water pressure problem, they shouldn't have fitted a combi.

If they won't address the problem, get Trading Standards involved or take them to the Small claims court.

Bettie

That is how mine is. Also in winter the water is nowhere near as hot as downstairs but then that is to be expected. I've had multipoints for the last 25 years, they have all acted that way. I don't have a 'proper' shower like an electric one but have those taps that the centre pulls up and turns into a shower. There has never been a problem with pressure as long as no other water in the house is being used.