Mend > Baths and Showers

Increasing water flow from taps?

I live in a rented flat. The cold water for the kitchen sink is provided from outside. This runs very fast! But the water that comes from the tank/boiler (on the same level as the flat - we have it in a small airing cupboard space) runs very slowly. So slowy and without enough pressure that i cannot stand up and take a shower as the water just won't go up that high! The shower hose will only work up to 3 feet in the air. The same goes for the hot water in the kitchen. Its very hard to get washing up liquid bubbles etc!
The boiler does not provide central heating as there isn't any - all the hot water is done by an immersion heater. Theres no problem with the water temprerature though. Its only the internal pressure thats a problem.
As i mentioned my flat is rented and the landlord said that he had the same problem when he lived there and he thinks it's from when the flats were built. But being rented theres not necessarily a lot that we can do. But is there anything we can to improve the situation???

Hils Parker
October 2003

Bathroom Appliances, Baths and Showers Water Cold Kitchen Sink

The outlet pipe on the top of you hot water cylinder is blocked.
Turn off the water supply open a hot water tap until it stops, remove the connection and you will find it and possibly the pipe is solid with scale.

Derek
June 2004

I helped someone with a similar problem, that had me baffled. I started by clearing the scale from the ends of the taps, but this had no effect.
Turned out that a bit of fibre wadding from the header tank insulation had dropped into the water in the tank, and ended up stuck on the tank outlet. One cold wet arm later - problem solved.

BobG
May 2004

This is a simple case of the head from the supply cistern being to low to give enough flow.

The solution is simple get someone to install a shower pump! Cost about £200-£300.

Tony Glazier

Tony Glazier
January 2004

cheers, will look into that, thanks!

Hils
December 2003

On the main water inlet to the boiler or water heater you can add a pump to increase water flow into the boiler/heater .. the problem is that there not enough pressure to push it out when showering/ use.. to refill it. Check your local plumbing store for booster pumps and flow switches this might resolve your issues. The only other possibilities is the iron deposits due to heavy water has built up and not allowing good flow.. This you might have to replace lines/ pipes.

Bob
November 2003