Immersion heater poor pressure All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[bat]

Hi
i have a just bought flat with no gas. The hot water is provided by an immersion heater.

The immersion heater element is broken and it will be replaced soon by a plumber.

The water pressure on the cold tap in the kitchen and bathroom is fine, but the pressure from the hot tap is really very weak/poor.

Can you plese advise what could be thee reason ? Is it because the hot water tank is cold due to the faulty immersion heater. Will the pressure improve once the immersion heater is replaced and the system fully working ?

[htg engineer]

No it will not improve with a new immersion heater fitted. Where is the tank in relation to the problem tap ?

There'll probably be a plastic cap in the end of the tap outlet, pop this out with a screwdriver, see if the pressure improves, if not:

If the tank is upstairs and the tap downstairs, check the tank is full (adjust ball valve)

Check for isolation valves on the hot water pipework.

Check tap washer / seating / spindle aren't worn, split etc.

If the tank is on the same level as the tap, for example both upstairs. Then this is a problem you will have to put up with, or move the tank to a higher position for example to the loft.

[bat]

hi thanks for reply. upon investigation the tank is a 2 part unit. The top part is a cold water header, with a feed running down the side entering the lower tank at the bottom. The whole unit is lagged.

The flat has no loft (ground floor) and clearly this was the only way of positioning the cold water tank above the taps. Clearly the fundamental problem is a lack of height.

A plumber friend has reccomended installing a Stuart Turner Monsoon Extra pump on the hot water outlet pipe.. Its expensive but in theory it will improve substantially the pressure...

Do you have any eperience any comments
thanks

[johnb]

hi bat if you use any pump the header tank will run out of water very quickly you need a mains pressure unvented cylinder £600-800 this will give mains pressure h/water all the best john