Increasing water flow upstairs

drummer_666

I have had a Baxi Netatec boiler fitted.

The water flow downstairs in the kitchen is fine.


The water coming out of the bath taps upstairs is weak, but it gets very hot. The shower up there is ok (guessing coz its airated) but the bath would take a really long time to fill.


My flow isn't brilliant overall as there are 20 houses coming off the one supply. So esp if a few neighbours are using water at the same time

Will adding a header tank increase the flow for upstairs?

southcoastrgi

you have a combi boiler so you are thinking of a header tank for what ? your whole house runs off of the incoming mains

macman

The water pressure has nothing to do with the flow of hot water to the bath tap, the limiting factor is the flow rate of the combi. If it's not up to the job, you need a higher rated combi, subject of course to adequate pressure and flow from the mains.
What checks did your RGI do before specifying this model? What comments has he made about the current flow rate?
But if it is too hot upstairs, then it must be be even hotter downstairs, so why don't you turn down the hot water output temp setting a bit? That will increase the flow rate.
Unfortunately, if the flow rate is inadequate in September, it's going to be a lot worse come the winter.

drummer_666

i've just rang my builder, who recommended the plumber (who has always been good until this job!). my builder is excellent & will find another plumber.

the 1st plumber is not coming back in my house.

keystone

drummer_666 wrote: »

the 1st plumber is not coming back in my house.

Thats short sighted and cutting off your nose to spite your face. You've only just had this boiler fitted methinks and if its not fit for purpose you have a case against him but he must also be given the opportunity to correct his mistakes - even if that means replacing the boiler.

Cheers

macman

You don't want a plumber to install a gas boiler, you need a GSR RGI.
Have you tried turning down the output temp?
You have to give the 'plumber' an opportunity to rectify any faults, presumably you have not paid the balance yet, so give him a call.

keystone

macman wrote: »

Have you tried turning down the output temp?

That is a very pertinent question.

Cheers

drummer_666

this isn't the first issue with the plumber, it's the last straw.

We have had many issues with him. He's been messing me and the builder around for the last 2 weeks

(and he is GSR RGI)

keystone

Stop being emotional and think contractual. If he's screwed up then you MUST give him the opportunity to fix it. You case against him (if you actually have got one and you want to take it that far) is considerably weakened if you don't.

Try Macman's suggestion first though. If the temperature is up too high then the flow rate has to be reduced to allow the temperature you have set to be reached. Despite other problems you may have had with him it might be the way you are operating the boiler that is causing poor flow rate at the bath.

Cheers

macman

The fact remains that if you want any thing altered or checked without charge, you'll have to get him back in.
But I'm not sure he has done anything wrong, if you specified and agreed a certain rating of combi, and that is what he has fitted?

southcoastrgi

unless i'm misreading your points, then turning the hot water temp down on the boiler won't effect the flow rate at all, the flow rate will remain the same the temp will just be lower