Water Pressure All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[jase_72]

Hi

I have a flat on the top floors of a five story Victoria terrace in London. There are 2 other flats in the building. My kitchen and bathroom are on the fourth floor. A new boiler was fitted 6 months ago - its a Vokera Linea HE Combination boiler. There are no tanks or pumps. Water pressure is generally ok however at peak times it can cut out completely. Thames water have said that they have checked the pressure and that it is adequate.

Can anybody advise a solution to this problem ? Can a tank/pump be fitted to a combination boiler ? Would this have any effect if the supply in is failing ?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[ALDA]

As long as you have the required space above (ie loft space) you could have your system altered to a LOW PRESSURE SEALED SYSTEM.

This is an alternative method of filling the system.
It would be from an independent make-up vessel or tank
mounted in a position at least 1-metre above the
highest point in the system and at least 5-metres
above the boiler.
The cold feed from the
make-up vessel or tank must be fitted with an
approved non-return valve and stopcock for isolation
purposes.
The feed pipe should be connected
to the return pipe as close to the boiler as possible.

ALDA

[jase_72]

Thanks Alda

Unfortunately there is no loft space (mansard roof). However the boiler is on the fourth floor. Would it be possible to fit a tank on the top fifth floor). This would not be 5 meteres above the boiler.

Does a low pressure sealed system hold a buffer of water ? Can it be used for drinking water ?

Cheers

[ALDA]

J,

IS THE FIFTH FLOOR PART OF YOUR PROPERTY?
IS 5th FLOOR ACTUALLY THE MANSARD?

IF SO, THEN IT IS POSSIBLE PROVIDING YOU CAN GET THE TANK TO THAT STATIC HEAD 5 METRE HEIGHT THAT I THINK IS REQUIREMENT FOR YOUR TYPE OF BOILER.

CONTACT MANUFACTURER FOR CONFIRMATION AND FURTHER ADVICE.

WHAT ARE THE FLOOR TO CIELING HEIGHTS OF THE ROOMS?

A STANDARD ROOM HEIGHT OF 8ft*2=16ft+FLOOR /CIELING THICKNESS OF SAY 1ft GIVES TOTAL HEIGHT AVAILABLE OF 17ft OR 5M.
BASED ON THESE ASSUMPTIONS, IT MIGHT JUST SQUEEZE IN.

DONT THINK ANY OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS CARRY BUFFER STORAGE!

STORAGE TANK OR MAKE UP VESSEL ONLY FOR HEATING SYSTEM!

REGARDS, ALDA.

[jase_72]

Thanks again Alda

the fifth floor is the mansard and part of my property so may be enough height.

iI understand that a sealed system will improve water pressure however will it solve the problem of no water at peak times ?

Cheers
J

[ALDA]

J,

HEATING.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MAKE UP TANK IS TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO FILL THE HEATING SIDE OF THE SYSTEM ONLY!

DHW

AS YOUR BOILER IS DESIGNED TO TAKE MAINS PRESSURE COLD WATER AND HEAT IT INSTANTAINIOUSLY TO DELIVER HOT WATER TO TAPS, I DONT THINK AN ADDITIONAL SUPPLY FROM A SEPERATE COLD WATER STORAGE TANK IS AN OPTION WITH THIS TYPE OF BOILER.

DHW

IN THEORY, IF THE COLD WATER SUPPLY IS AT THE REQUIRED PRESSURE THE BOILER WILL OPERATE WETHER THAT SUPPLY IS MAINS DELIVERED OR STORED WATER TANK DELIVERED.
IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ONE OR THE OTHER (MAYBE IN COMBINATION???)

ONLY VOKERA CAN REASSURE YOU OF THE DO'S AND DONT'S.

ALDA

[jase_72]

Thanks for your advice Alda.