Poor shower pressure

Question

How can I increase the pressure in my 2nd floor shower as the tank is on the 1st floor. I was considering buying a pump but no idea where to install it. The 1st floor bathroom/shower has okay pressure but it's not what we're used to. The heating system isn't a combi boiler I don't think as it has a water tank, emersion switch and a boiler separate in the next closet. The heating system says 1.6-2 bar when off and on so not sure it's a pressure issue. The shower is tiled over and behind the wall so I maybe assume the pump goes in the attic space somewhere. Thanks in advance if anyone could shed some advice.

Farhan · Accepted Answer

Hi Micheal
Hope you are doing well. Just to double check it’s not an electric shower? 
Non electric showers are fed from either the tank or Combi boilers. 
If Combi boiler isn’t present then it must be hot water tank which means we can increase the pressure by installing a pump but it would be best to check if the shower isn’t faulty. 
Thanks
Farhan

Billy · Answer

You'd definitely need a pump installed to increase the performance of your bathroom outlets. If there is room by the cylinder, there's an option to put it there, if not then it could go in the loft, as you suggested.

Michael · Answer

Hi, a pump would be easiest and cheaper, or a mains fed pressurised cylinder which would give increased water to all of the house.
The pump can be installed in the cylinder cupboard or loft, but the loft would be negative pressure so kind of defeats the purpose. 
Is the incoming water good pressure?

Daniel · Answer

A shower pump would increase the pressure of your shower if you have a gravity fed system and not a combi boiler. Most common place to fit this would be in the airing cupboard next to the hot water cylinder. You're heating pressure that you mentioned won't have anything to do with the hot water side of things and are run on separate circuits

Cristian · Answer

Hi,

The pressure in the second-floor shower is low because the water tank is at the same level or lower. The system appears to be a traditional one with a hot water cylinder (not a combi boiler), which means the hot water pressure is gravity-fed and decreases the higher the shower is located. To increase the pressure, you should install a negative head shower pump with a pressure switch. Ideally, the pump should be installed next to the hot water cylinder, inside the airing or utility cupboard, not at the shower itself. Alternatively, it can be placed in the attic, but only if the water supply is adequate and properly vented.

Kind regards, 
Cristian

Gareth · Answer

you require a negative head model -either single or twin model

David · Answer

Yes a pump is required either fitted at the side of hot tank or you could have individual ones fitted ones that work of 12 volt set on the pipes that service the shower valve

Ayden · Answer

Hi there, if your tank is on the floor below and your supply is gravity fed, you have what is called a negative head of pressure above it, water will only naturally climb the pipe as high as the fill level of your storage tank, ideally the pump should be installed just off the cylinder feed with a non return valve before it. the other option is to upgrade to a combi if that's in your budget.

Martin · Answer

Hi was way to increase the pressure used to fit a pump. Hope this helps 
Let me know if you need any help choosing or fitting one 
Regards 
Martin

Balazs · Answer

The best solution for sorting your water pressure issue is to upgrade your hot water system to an Unvented Hot water cylinder. This will deliver the same hot water pressure as is your mains cold water pressure to all taps in the house. They can usually be fitted in the hot water cylinder cupboard replacing the old cylinder and you can get rid of your cold water storage tank in the loft at the same time. 
Alternatively, a cheaper solution is a shower or bathroom pump. There are different types depending on location and requirements. The so cold "negative head" pump will work with no pressure at all in the location it is fitted.

Poor shower pressure

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