probs with shower not getting hot.

hardpressed

I have a shower that runs off the hot water system, water is heated either by the boiler or immersions heater. For a while it has only been getting luke warm despite there being plenty of hot water. However if I take the shower head and lay it in the bath it runs hot, it seems as if the hot water can get up high enough, the pipes go up from the tank in the airing cupboard across the loft and then directly down to the shower. I'm in a bungalow. Can't think that anything has changed as it used to work fine.

Hayesmyth

This is a problem that is quite common. It' really about gravity and pressure.

You have been given a clue in that hot water emerges when the shower hose is laid in the bath; the hose is below the level of the hot water tank(immersion). When it is raised to normal shower level, it is higher than the tank and nature is only working with the tools it has been given. You do not have enough 'head' above the shower.

For example, if the hot water tank was in the loft, about 3 feet above the level of the shower head, you would be getting hot water, but not at great pressure (just adequate). No doubt the plumbers will go into more detail but in simple terms, you will probably have to assist nature :

1. Move the hot water tank - a most inconvenient solution with only moderate improvement.
2. Change your heating system to a combi-boiler system. - very expensive.
3. Fit a pumped shower - the most cost effective and least disruptive solution.

There are many pumped showers on the market, suiting every situation and budget.

Is there is a friendly plumbers merchant near you? Some of them either have experienced staff or even an advisory desk.

Hayesmyth

Sorry I missed your last point - it was working fine before.

It may be that over time the hot water supply pipes have furred up with scale and/or there is some debris in the pipework, including the shower hose/outlet. Gravity fed heating systems that rely on hot water being drawn from a tank can be easily impeded by furring(limescale) as there is little pressure.