Over 3 mins to get hot water in kitchen - is this normal?

[Riley]

I'm still very confused by your ridiculously poor flow rate at the kitchen tap

 

[LCV]

and I think you've hit the nail on the head. Due to the plumbers poor English I suspect that the builder has been answering a lot of these questions when he's not qualified or knowledgable enough to do so. Some builders are ace and know a lot but many know building and no other trade and will talk the talk in order to win work and will worry about the consequences afterwards. I think you already said earlier that the plumber did recommended a secondary circuit and obviously I realise that due to cost you didn't go for it. Makes me question why the builder is undermining his plumbers advice. Could be a costly mistakes. I would still be pushing to see your plumbers qualifications as it does set alarm bells ringing that none of the benchmark paperwork is filled out. If he's not qualified then it does add additional weight to your argument which could be useful. I'm not really backing either side here but it sounds to me like a right communication cock up

Just for the record, the plumber never recommended a secondary circuit. This is the e-mail that the builder sent to me in July 2015.

"..speaking to plumber today I should ask wether you required hot water circulating ring. This is not necessary required as is only for comfort. I have not quoted for it and should you require would be £1150 extra. Circulating ring sometimes useful if some clients wants instant hot water. It can be switched off or it also can be put on timer. To explain in short, when you open hot water tap in shower, hot water will start running in about 20-40 seconds depending on how far are they from the cylinder and how long time ago it was used. With circulating ring on hot water would appear in few seconds."

The shower he is referring to relates to the shower in the loft en-suite. There was no indication that the taps for the rest of my house would be affected.

From his e-mail, especially as he then later wrote that "it is not really required" made it feel there was a choice and it was not a necessity.

 

[Riley]

Just seems odd that they'd even suggest it if it wasn't suitable. I still think part of your problem is flow related

 

[Scott_D]

Flow restrictors may be fitted at taps.

 

[Riley]

Maybe but under 5lpm at kitchen taps is insane

 

[mfgs]

On any system of that size I would spec and quote for a secondary return as standard and would only agree to not fit it if the customer put it in writing to me that they don't want it. Its poor system design to not have it.

 

[Best]

I always thought on the flow at tap might be part of the problem. Especially as new plumbing has been done or if it is a new kitchen tap. Could be debris in the tap airator, or check valve or isolating valve. Always check the simplest and most obvious thing first. I am sure the OP won't mind extra water flow from the tap to increase the speed of hot water delivery.

 

[Riley]

I agree with the above. Flow is obviously a big issue but a secondary hot water circuit would've been the simple choice

 

[Howsie]

Probably a kinked flexi under the sink.

 

[mfgs]

I thought she just wasn't opening the tap fully.