Shower not working without sink tap being on to 'start' it.
Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.21 PM
Hello, had new ensuite bathroom fitted recently where we've found the shower will only start when the sink tap is switched on, once the shower is started the sink tap can be switched off.
As part of the new bathroom we got a pump fitted too to help with the water pressure, essentially when starting the en suite shower, the pump doesn't start until the sink tap is switched on and then the shower will flow fine.
Any ideas why this wouldn't be working right?
Incase it's relevant there's another bathroom where the shower works fine without any need for opening taps etc., thanks!
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
My brothers been a plumbing and heating engineer for 17 years and he said wrong pump has been installed , it needs a negative head pump he said
Answered6 March 2019
1
Anonymous user
It’s most likely that the cold water storage tank in the loft isn’t high enough above the shower head when it’s at its upper position. The distance from the header tank to the shower head is usually around 500-600mm which would explain why the pump starts when you turn on the tap.
You need one of two things you either need the cold storage tank raising up higher or you need a negative head pump. I would in the first instance get your fitter back to discuss the issue. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon issue with shower pumps.
Is this electric shower? If so, its wrong one for the set up. You other change shower for low presure one, or disconect pipe that feeds it from the pump and connect directly from the tank. Otherwise need more details.
It sounds like problem with a flow in your shower which can be fix with negative head pump and only this will help if you have fixed shower head. If you have shower head on hose as a cheaper option it may help to replace shower hose for ''full bore shower hose'' and shower head designed for low pressure (ask in good plumbing shop). Also lowering shower head next to shower tray can help to trigger pressure sensor.
