New bathroom plumbing help please

[Taryn Hauritz]

Hi there,

I'm very new to plumbing and have successfully put in two sinks and a shower/bath from scratch without any leaks (it did take a long time). The problem I seem to be having at the moment though is that when I use the mixer valve to fill the bath something weird is going on with my water pressure. It starts slowly and then after 10-30 seconds the water pauses very briefly and then full pressure starts.

I haven't noticed a problem with the bathroom sink, but when I turn on the hot water in the kitchen the pressure drops compared to just cold water. I'm not sure if these two issues are related.

Any idea as to what might be happening and how I can attempt to fix it? I had a new boiler installed. Could it be that or my dodgy plumbing???

Much appreciated,

Taryn

 

[joni os]

You missed the bit about taking out the check valves and flushing the pipework leading to the valve.

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Yes!! Lesson learned. Hopefully I can post good news tomorrow that I've resolved the issue - thanks for all the help!!

 

[kris]

That valve is just for a shower with two outlets , a fixed head and a sliding rail, did you say it feeds the bath or am I picking u up wrong , ???

 

[kris]

It's not designed to feed a bath just , fixed, rail or jets ,

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Yes, it has a temperature control and two outlets. One for the shower head and one for the bath. I have two of these in my home...both working well. This is the first time I've installed myself though!

 

[stevetheplumber]

Yes, it has a temperature control and two outlets. One for the shower head and one for the bath. I have two of these in my home...both working well. This is the first time I've installed myself though!

then youve answered your own question as to where the fault is

 

[hammers4spanner]

A weeks full of free advice and still scratching your head

 

[kris]

Yes, it has a temperature control and two outlets. One for the shower head and one for the bath. I have two of these in my home...both working well. This is the first time I've installed myself though!

If you read the specifications for the shower it's designed for two outlets to run simultainesly , either a shower fixed head , shower sliding rail or shower jets , it's not designed for a bath just a shower , the flow rates will probably take ages to fill,

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

So I have exactly the same shower valve mixer in my house in two bathrooms and have used for two years without a single problem. I get that I'm totally new to plumbing and will keep trying until I figure it out but even if the product is not designed for this purpose, there must be a way of making it work like the two in my house?

Anyway, I'll stop posting and try some of the good advice that has been posted previously.

 

[Staffy85]

If you read the specifications for the shower it's designed for two outlets to run simultainesly ,

I read that in thinking it gives you the option too run at the same time, pretty sure the top and bottom valves are just 1/4 turn stop valves? , agree like you say poor flow rate for bath filling,

Taryn is there any chance that you have piped up the hot to the cold on the valve?

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

No.

 

[AMW]

You say you have 2 installed already but are they not just supplying showers and if there is a bath are you sure they are not pipe separately which is why you don't have issues with the others??

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Good point. I'll ask my friend who installed the first one - I'm seeing him tomorrow and see if he can shed some light in the issue. Thanks.

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Actually, on further reflection I'm not sure how they'd be plumbed in separately as the temperature control works for both shower and bath filling!

 

[Staffy85]

No.

you sound confident, was the hot pipe actually the hot pipe though

 

[AMW]

Maybe a picture of the others and do the others have baths?

 

[kris]

So I have exactly the same shower valve mixer in my house in two bathrooms and have used for two years without a single problem. I get that I'm totally new to plumbing and will keep trying until I figure it out but even if the product is not designed for this purpose, there must be a way of making it work like the two in my house?

Anyway, I'll stop posting and try some of the good advice that has been posted previously.

How does it fill the bath , is there a fixed outlet above the bath or a single tap ?

 

[hammers4spanner]

Just phone an expert!!!

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Honestly, what's the point of having a forum if I'm just going to be told to get an expert in? I discovered I really enjoyed plumbing and as a beginner I thought this would be the place to get some helpful advice.

I have always said on my posts that I'm a beginner and honestly I'm really proud of the plumbing I have achieved (having never done ANY before). I talk to all of my friends about how cool plumbing is and they always laugh. But then, the consistent attitude on this forum of "you're obviously incompetent and need a professional" is really putting me off asking for advice. Perhaps I'll just go back to my local plumbers merchants....where they're nothing but helpful.

Sorry for the rant but as a plumbing enthusiast I'd really rather be encouraged to learn from my mistakes rather than give up at the first sign of a problem. If I had that attitude I would never have installed a kitchen, bathroom, flooring, walls and shelving in my new flat by myself.

If I mess up completely and have to call a professional in, then that's my choice, my expense and my responsibility.

Nothing worth doing was ever easy.

Taryn

 

[hammers4spanner]

Or watch and learn

 

[Dotty]

Don't let it put you off if you want to do it yourself, Taryn, it's just that we've seen similar threads go horribly wrong, and also go fantastically right.

If you're that determined to keep on at it, please do and most of us will help where possible. There will also be some of us holding the opinion you should've got someone in ages ago. That's based on their experiences

 

[joni os]

Stay with us Taryn, after 50 posts there is bound to be some comments, but we all want you to succeed.

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Thanks croppie. Some of the help in here has been amazing and I couldn't have plumbed in my kitchen without it.

I think that's what I like about plumbing the most. When it goes wrong you seriously know about and and have to find an immediate solution...but when it goes right it's incredibly empowering. Flooding my kitchen when I hadn't turned off the stopcock was a particular highlight but I got through it and now feel like it's a badge of honour.

Thanks again.

 

[Taryn Hauritz]

Thanks joni. Much appreciated.

 

[lame plumber]

got to start somewhere...

 

[kay-jay]

Bit of crap stuck at the faulty outlet. Bouncing around and restricting flow?
Remove and flush pipework

 

[rocketmanbkk]

I've been reading this with interest

It's been running for 10 days now & still not fixed.

It could be time to call someone in & pay for a fix. It's sometimes a lot easier to fathom issues out when you're looking at the system.

You'll also learn the fix when the plumbs there so you'll still learn but it'll cost you a fair price.

 

[oz-plumber]

Gee Rocketman,

As the chinese would say, 'Your going to cop a borrocking'.
( they substitute the 'l' with an 'r' )

 

[rocketmanbkk]

I'm a waiting!! But I think it's the truth!!!!

 

[jtsplumbing]

The OP seems very keen on DIY' and has took a particular interest in plumbing, maybe he could inquire about local evening classes in basic plumbing or other trades, Who knows he may even think about a change in occupation !