Shared Water supply issue, new boiler and bathroom suite needed, help
Posted by Paul Holdaway, on
Our family home is an ex council 1930 Victorian semi and we have a shared water supply, with a nice neighbour, shame previous occupier didn’t take up free option to have own supply dug in years ago. The main is near top of hill 90 metres away and there are 8 houses in our in adopted old road, its flint stone and we unlikely to mole or dig a new supply in, costs and time factor too..
my neighbour has put a pump in on his system to help his shower issue. We have good pressure here, but flow rate is poor. We have 10 rads, the loft is easly access and converted for 2 small rooms, 2 main bedrooms first floor and we have a kitchen extension, its a naturally chilly house in the winter !.
Our Worcester boiler is nearly 20 years old, we have lived here 9 years and needs replacing; BGas charge to maintain – will change that !. The wife and 2 kids- 6 n 8 they deserve a new bathroom suite and to be safe to bathe in, currently the water can be ok, cold or scalding or in between or non existent if neighbour draws on water too.
We’ve had a few plumbers come and quote, and a couple of good plumbers come and quote for new boiler and also put in a new bathroom suite.
The 2 good plumbers advice differs a bit so wanted to get good advice before we commit to works in the new year.
1 plumber has recommended go back to conventional boiler, tank in loft, easy space for it in store cupboard in converted loft.....
Cylinder in bathroom makes a airing cupboard, will take up some space though, he is now also going to quote for installation of bathroom suite, he is recommended in the area, he then said we could add a pump to the boiler installation as an after thought.
Would we get a descent safe shower out of that.........its a bit going back to old times and we only get the hot water the boiler heats up......obviously good tank full of water in loft....what would be best option power shower and or on a pump or not?....confused...i don’t know about plumbing yet!....but at this rate I might!!...
The other younger plumbers have suggested a new combi but with an all singing Accumulator 660, I can see the logic in this, but the accumulator has been suggested located in down stairs store cupboard, (where we could fit a 2nd toilet and shower for when kids turn into teenagers ! or I get old!....) the Accumulator guy is helpful and can be a bit flexible on location, but size maybe have to be reduced and hence performance.....and then as an add on he too suggested a pump too !.... a combi would get its constant flow from the accumulator I assume, but that would need to refill etc during usage..... me confused.....
My aim is to just get a constant better than current supply for a hot shower and a nice bathroom suite for the family, if I need to compromise fair dos.....and I am prepared to pay fair rate to get the problem sorted to its best improvement, I know we wont cure it completely but just need an expert opinion...to get the best outcome.....
I would value your advice or you might pass this email to a colleague in the know,
Best regards, Paul Canterbury.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Paul. Both plumbers are right. Both options will work. It’s down to you as the home owner to pick the best choice for yourself, money wise and operation wise; If you want constant hot water, the 2nd option is likely more suitable for you.
I hope this helps!
J Ireland Plumber
