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Author Topic: low pressure hot water  (Read 6250 times)

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Offline myles

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low pressure hot water
« on: March 05, 2012, 07:28:21 PM »
Hi plumbers,


I have the same problems as meny others in this forum. reallllly low hot water pressure.

we have just brought a house really old with really old plumbing, it has a low pressure (well i think its a low pressure) rheem alpha hwt with a coal range wet back and a header pipe thats probably 5m from the top of the tank at the most. also has a header tank. The hwt doesnt have a sticker i can see on it to say how high the header pipe can go??

i have been asking around and have been told that getting rid of the header tank and getting a "ajax" valve on the inlet and making the header pipe higher might help?

is this the case and or would a low pressure water pump on the outlet (was looking on trademe) help?

thanks for any help,     myles
 

 



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Offline myles

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2012, 07:39:47 PM »
correction""

"header PIPE thats probably 5m from the top of the tank" not header tank!!!

Offline Plumber

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2012, 08:37:34 PM »
That is certainly an option just need to be careful what else the header tank feeds before its removed. Most plumbers offer a free quote and advice on what solution is the best in your situation click the link below and get a few quotes in your area. A site visit by a qualified plumber is definitely required to give you reliable advice.

http://www.plumbers.co.nz/business/
Please note that the advice I am giving is only my opinion and not necessarily a fact.  Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Offline myles

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2012, 04:40:06 PM »
cheers, header tank only feeds the hot water cylinder. would just making the header pipe up to its maximum height make any difference?

Offline myles

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2012, 05:57:44 PM »
oh and the hot water pipes running through the house are galv steel, i have also been told that they corrode and block. is there anything (chemicals etc) that i can flush through them to make sure there not blocking water pressure and flow? 

Offline integrated

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 06:49:06 PM »
I would keep the header tank - I think people are all to quick to get rid of them...


nothing wrong with having a reserve of water in times of need...

I would suggest hot water boost pump - they work best with a header tank and the benefit is you wont put any additional strain on that old HWC like you would if you went to a PrV setup

those pumps on trademe are ok - just a bit noisey - have tried and tested a few - cant beat the grundfos/wilo bronzes IMHO

you should see immediate result with either, but I would suggest replacing as much of the galv as you can - any additional pressure on pipe runs risk of prematurely failing the pipe - just something to be wary of..

as suggested a plumber on the spot to inspect will give a much better idea...

Offline myles

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Re: low pressure hot water
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2012, 08:59:22 PM »
Awsome thanks for that.

will get a plumber to have a look, hope we dont have to redo the piping its all through the walls, theres no room under the house  ???



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