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    nitefoll's Avatar
    nitefoll Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 1, 2004, 06:56 AM
    Loss of pressure in bathroom shower
    Hi All

    Need help. The electric shower in my bathroom has recently had a severe drop in water pressure, so much so that it is no more than a trickle of water now.

    I have checked the plumbing and there doesn't appear to be any breaks, leaks or blockages. Every other tap in the house has normal pressure. The water is heating up no problem.

    Do electric showers having a pump units fitted or do they rely on water pressure?

    It is a Gainsbourgh model that was installed roughly 6 months ago.

    Any help, at all, would be great thanks.

    nitefoll
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #2

    Nov 2, 2004, 05:53 AM
    Electric shower
    Electric showers have nothing to do with pumps or pressure. Electric showers preheat the cold water with a heating element. Try this, unscrew the shower head and turn the water on. If you get a full stream then the shower head's clogged. If the shower head has a small black wafer with holes around the edges then it's equipped with a "water saver". Pry it out and toss it for a better flow. Let me know how you make out. Are you located in England or New Zealand? Cheers, Tom
    nitefoll's Avatar
    nitefoll Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Nov 2, 2004, 11:57 AM
    Hi Tom

    Thanks for the response. I'm in the UK.

    I've unscrewed the shower head and unscrewed the hose from the shower unit, both are free from blockage and neither has any kind of water saver device. Both have small black rubber washers, which I would expect to find to prevent water leakage, but not enough to restrict water flow. Besides it was working fine previously.

    I tested the shower with the shower head detached and water pressure is still poor, enough so that I am able to stop the water flow with my thumb.

    Q: Are electric showers normally connected to hot or cold feeds?
    -Mines is connected to cold, which I think is correct.

    Q: Are electric showers normally connected to a water tank or directly to the cold water main feed?
    - I think mines is connected to the main cold water feed, as I don't hear the water tank filling after I test the shower.


    Model: Gainsborourgh 9.5 Delux
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    Nov 3, 2004, 08:00 AM
    Electric Shower
    I went into the manufactures web site but could not pull the technical data I required. While I can't be specific I can give you a general idea of what to look for. You have a one handle control and that means a cartridge is involved. That's where I would check first. Shut the water/electricity off and open up the valve. Remove the cartridge and check the inlet port for clogs or blockage and replace if necessary. Before you reassemble turn on the water and flush the supply line out through the open valve body, note the volume of water. You should have a full stream.). Now, reassemble and test. Your electric shower connects to the cold water supply, (feed) and not the hot water line or the tank. Good luck and let me know what you find. Regards, Tom
    Carl Super-Hooper's Avatar
    Carl Super-Hooper Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Feb 6, 2006, 10:39 AM
    I have exactly the same problem with exactly the same model of shower - is this a known problem with this shower that can be easily fixed?

    Any info would be appreciated!

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