Plumbing Questions and Answers
Some plumbing questions answered.
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Pumped electric shower
Overflowing ballvalves
Shower temperature problem
Air locked shower
Plumbing a washing machine and dishwasher to the sink waste pipe
Washing machine taps
Question:-
I live in an area with low water pressure and my central heating system is combination boiler (no stored hot or cold water) Is there available a pumped electric shower that can be plumbed straight to the water mains (high kilowatt preferred)
Thanks
Reply:-
Both Triton and Mira produce pumped electric showers but the cold water feed must come from a storage tank and not directly from the cold mains. As far as I'm aware there is no shower that can be pumped directly from the mains. But with a combi why not use a mixing valve?
DAVID
No liability can be accepted for advice which is given in good faith.
Question:-
I have recently had a new toilet installed into our apartment as the pan
in our old toilet had cracked. Our new toilet does not have an overspill
pipe and now the overflow pipe outside our building is constantly
dripping.
Can you tell me why?
Reply:-
It could be that turning the water off to replace the old wc allowed grit or
scale to travel along the pipe and get stuck to the ballvalve washer or it
could just be old and worn out.
It should not be an expensive job to re-washer or replace the ballvalve.
DAVID
No liability can be accepted for advice which is given in good faith.
Question:-
The overflow pipe just outside my downstairs toilet is now constantly dripping. I have made reference to DIY books etc but cannot find a definitive answer to the problem. I think it may be something to do with the ball valve in the cistern of the toilet causing the water level to be too high. Would that sound probable ?? Thanks for your help - regards Mark
Reply:-
Almost certainly the ball valve in the wc cistern needs rewashering or replacing. Moderately difficult DIY job but with the potential to become much more of a problem if things go wrong, but depends on a number of factors, 1) is the ball valve plastic, 2)is it bottom entry or side entry to the cistern 3) is it brass and corroded etc, if you are not sure I can only suggest you call a plumber!
DAVID
Reply:-
As you say, new wc cisterns do not have overflow pipes, so with the new
cistern no longer connected to the overflow pipe you should check for
another source of the dripping. Maybe there is another wc connected
to it or perhaps it's the roof tank. Could it be from an adjoining
property? It shouldn't be to difficult to find.
DAVID
No liability can be accepted for advice which is given in good faith.
Question:-
I’ve recently installed a Bristan shower mixer (thermostatically controlled)sited inside the bath, but the hot water pressure is not very good as the hot water storage tank is in the loft (economy 7 water heater with its own built in c/water header tank )& the cold is mains pressure, at present the cold water is over riding the hot & all I am getting is high pressure cold water & a lukewarm shower, can I install a pump which to try & increase the hot water pressure as the cold water pressure is fine. If so can you recommend which pump & is it easy to install hope you can help in this matter, thanks
Reply:-
I don't know if the Bristan shower is suitable for tank fed hot and mains pressure cold, please check this carefully in the installation instructions, but if it is try fitting a pressure reducing valve to the cold supply. They are obtainable from plumber’s merchants and would enable you to equalize the pressures. If not fitted to the shower you should also fit non-return valves to the supplies to stop reverse flow and back syphonage. Pumping the hot water is not an option.
Regards
DAVID
No liability can be accepted for advice which is given in good faith.
Question:-
There was a mains water burst in our area which resulted in a loss of water supply to my house. My wife attempted to use the shower during this time. The water supply has now been restored, however, there is no water coming out of the shower (Power Shower). I believe there may be an air lock somewhere but am unsure how to force the air out of a shower system (tap system/Hose pipe - yes). Any ideas David
Reply:-
Sorry to hear about the air lock problem. I imagine your wife emptied the cold water storage tank while the water was shut off allowing air into the pipes that feed the shower. The first thing I would try is to remove the shower head and drop the hose into the tray and turn on the shower in the hope that water will be drawn through. If this doesn't work you will have to follow the pipe work looking for high points breaking joints if possible and allowing air out. How ever you proceed the problem is lack of water pressure to clear the air, so try any thing that will aid the movement of the water but I don't think that a hose from a tap to the shower is a could idea, you can't be sure the shower will be happy with water forced the wrong way through it.
Good luck
DAVID
No liability can be accepted for advice which is given in good faith.
Plumbing a washing machine and dishwasher to the sink waste pipe
Reply:-
If the existing connection is beneath the sink just above the u-bend/trap you may have to change the trap to add another outlet connection for the dish washer. It may also be necessary to alter the waste pipe it self. Another option that is available is a clamp that fits around the waste pipe bolts together and has a connection from the dish washer waste. Go to a plumber’s merchant and ask for their help I'm sure that they will be able to supply what you will need.
DAVID
Reply:-
The flat sides of the "nuts" you refer to are parallel to a hole in the tap that allows water through. So if these are inline with the pipe water flows but at 90 degrees to the pipe water is shut off. I hope this is clear.
=====------==== ON
======!==== OFF
But these valves do not take much abuse before they need replacing.
Regards
DAVID