SHOWER PUMP INSTALLATION MISTAKES [how to fit a power shower like a pro]

Shower pump installation and fitting power shower and tank / cistern in attic.
We often come across shower pump problems. Most often a new shower pump isn't performing correctly, or needs premature replacement.
the problem is most often installation mistakes including air getting into the pump , no flange fitted, tank inlets and outlets incorrectly positioned, filters blocked, pipework not flushed , incorrectly sized tank / cistern, pipework problems and dirt in the tank or shower valve / shower pump .
I run through these issues and how to correctly install the shower pump , storage tank , pipework and complete power shower installation. including Salamander Surrey flange, Grundfos universal twin impeller negative head shower pump, Kingspan Ferham cold water storage cistern/tank .
#shower #showerpump #powershower
#plumbing #grundfospumps

[@markdransfield9520]

I feel like I just did an apprenticeship! Thanks very much. I learned a load in a short space of time.

[@simonjones9666]

Good thorough work very concientious of all aspects of your installation . You sir could teach most of the timed served tradesmen out there how its done correctly!! Keep up the good work !

[@zeidahmed569]

Top man, thank you Sir 👏. That is some tutorial I wish all my teachers/trainers where as thorough as you Sir. Keep them vids coming.

[@damianjanicki7529]

Holly cow, ive learned so much just in first 8 minutes mate.Great Job.Keep them videos coming please.

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks Damian. There is so much to take into account when fitting a shower pump. I'm glad this has helped you out.

[@geoffhaylock6848]

Best video I have found for fitting a shower pump. Needless to say, after checking the house we live in, some things are not correct. Thanks.

[@sharonstayblessed]

Thanks for this these guys are amazing it’s really a lot of work this plumbing job. Thank you for showing us what you guys do. And also if a job not done proper it’s expensive to the customers as a bad job done by a previous plumber cutting corners it’s cost the customers more to correct the original plumber bad job now needs to be corrected by current on-site plumber. Customers trust these professionals it’s clear there’s so good plumbers and there’s bad ones too pick careful.

[@LeeGoddard89]

Thank you for this video! KZbin suggested it as I’ve been looking up how to fit a pump and thankfully I’ve watched it before going ahead as I didn’t know about the Surrey flange which my system doesn’t have currently or to check the height of the hot and cold going into the loft tank to ensure the hot runs out first. Really helpful thank you.

[@JohnOsCreations]

What an excellent video. The amount of info provided is excellent. Now to fix the air in my shower pump. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@andys5482]

Really good video ,proper thorough meticulous and correct installation,first class tradesman 👍👍

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks Andy 👍🔧

[@AlexRocks24-7]

This is a 💯 professional installation 👌👏 Many thanks

[@johngreenaway5736]

Informative and concise. Many thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. Guess what todays job is....fitting a Surrey flange.

[@thornhillplumbing]

Make sure you get the outlets the right way around because a Surrey flange and a Warwick flange look very similar but the outlets are reversed 👍

[@patrickguyot1290]

Our system must be over 20 years ol and has gate valves everywhere wich i suppose are stuck solid,i think i can change them myself but your instructions are an excellent refresher

[@ionut4475]

Good tip is to use ball valv with strainer for pump feed so you protect thw pump from any debris

[@dimitar4y]

wow, awesome tip on the patina.

[@rickystephenson518]

So nice to see a proper job done

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks Ricky. Just trying to spread awareness as many do not know how to install a shower pump correctly, and the information is not easily available.

[@mickgoodbe235]

Good job! Mega thorough!

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks Mick. Most shower pumps fail prematurely, so do it right first time I say and it saves money and hassle in the long run.

[@samfirmin8495]

Excellent video

[@tirvplumbing]

That's a great video huge amount of useful information in there. This trainee plumber thanks you. 😊 You've got another subscriber now. 👍

[@thornhillplumbing]

Cheers mate

[@robertmurray1833]

Very informative. Great job

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks for your comment

[@andyking5670]

Agree a great quick to the point tutorial. Mine is not fitted correctly though. The pump sounds like a moped due to not having dedicated flow. Wish I saw this vid sooner.

[@thornhillplumbing]

We see it all the time unfortunately. Hence why I felt the need to make a video.

[@hadjarramouche3404]

Simply Beautiful

[@darrenclarke161]

Top notch work .👏👏

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks Darren. The most important thing when installing shower pumps is to ensure no air can get into the shower pump 👍

[@richardgarratt9497]

Top presentation

[@plumbertime]

Nice job. It’s amazing how many people have never read shower pump instructions. One to watch is for universal/negative if mixing with mains and not a positive. Not a fan of the flanges think they’re a rip off. They reduce flow to other outlets sometimes. Rather a downward tee. Does air even travel downhill in water?😂 Salamander let you tee of the cold supply now too. Stuart turner don’t tho,!

[@patrickguyot1290]

Suscribed…thank you for a brilliant video!

[@Davidg-wu5ur]

Yeah good video mate 👍🏽

[@sligmagy]

Excellent video, followed almost all aspects of video for my bathroom renovation with new attic tank and flange etc. One remark you made says that feed from pump to shower should go into attic and back down to shower, that wasn't practical in my case so goes up circa 4ft from pump, over and then into floor feeding shower from underneath. Have used pipe bender and just one 90deg bend on shower feed. Is that likely to cause problems?

[@mixey1]

Great video, thanks. I'm gonna run two showers off a 3 bar Monsoon pump, at what point do I reduce the outlet pipework to 15mm. Can I split into two 15mm just after the pump or would there be much benefit in going as far as I can with 22mm. Each shower is about 3m from the pump. Thanks.

[@valentinsava9744]

I have exactly the same situation and I will replace the positive pump with a negative one. Can you please tell me if I need a non-return valve as well? Thanks

[@dan8789]

How do you get the Surrey flange shower takeoff to line up when tightening? Use extra fibre washers? Cheers

[@simonstones1918]

What about if you want to boost the whole of the bathroom and not just the shower? Still the surrey flange?

[@TATEMANTRA]

Which pump is the best to use? I'm getting a replacement for a Salamander pump. ST or Grundfos?

[@bmouthboyo]

Great video and thankfully inline with what I understood needed to be done. Can you advise on how I can get a very powerful shower? If I buy a 3 bar ST pump and source a shower that takes 22mm pipework, will it deliver the pressure or is the 3 bar pump overkill for one shower? Basically I have tried a number of power showers, digital showers etc and not found one I think is powerful enough. Thanks

[@thornhillplumbing]

3 bar is too much for one shower in my opinion as would be a waste of water. 1.5 bar would be ample

[@johngellard1187]

Just one thing,you mention that the isolator valve must be the type with the handle,and not the other type that restrict's,but then the shut off valves at the pump end are not handle type's?So the flow is going to get restricted anyway?

[@dan8789]

Why do the outlet pipes need running back into loft?

[@jameslock9275]

I know you should use a flange but warranty also covers putting it on hot water coming off the cylinder. If u have no Choice but to come off hot water hipe is it best to come of the vertical or horizontal part of the hot water pipe?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Has to be at a 45 degree angle

[@jameslock9275]

@@thornhillplumbing thanks 👍🏼

[@24hrs365]

I am having pump issues myself with a 3bar negative head Stuart Turner not coming on, ( 2 years old). This all happened after I drained the cylinder so I could replace the emersion element, (side fitting).and refilled the cylinder but the pump won't come on. Checked the fuse, there's water in the pump, and water to all taps and shower. I checked the PCB board looks ok and has no sign of burning. (can they blow without obvious-looking signs?)The capacitor looks ok. I will use the wet vac method you showed in case it's a bad airlock. Anyway, great video good plumbers are hard to find, thanks. Best of luck in the soccer Tuesday......

[@thornhillplumbing]

I hope you had your issue resolved , it sounds like there is no power going to your pump, please update with the outcome thanks

[@24hrs365]

@@thornhillplumbing Filter on the pump was clogged with debris. All ok now thanks.

[@thornhillplumbing]

@@24hrs365 thanks for the update

[@voxpopneverdies2025]

Gosh, he's a good plumber.

[@TheGoat-oy1xc]

out of curiosity are those " tank fed systems still being installed in homes today?, or is it all changed over to combi / mains fed systems. is there any benefit of having one of those old style systems?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Greater flow of hot water via shower pump. A backup of water if the mains water gets cut off. Greater pressure water if you have poor mains pressure. Backup hot water (via immersion heater) if your boiler breaks down. Can run heating and hot water at same time (combi cannot do this) Run more than one shower at a time

[@thornhillplumbing]

Combi system is ideal for 3 or less people living in a house. More than 3 occupants will require stored hot water (vented system using tanks in the attic or unvented using pressurised cylinder)

[@emeldaify]

I have just had a Salamander CT 60BU (118237 , 28 PSI ,max bar 1.8 ) pump fitted to boost my shower pressure. The pressure is now at a satisfactory level but the intense noise is ear shattering, to the extent that my neighbours said they thought my walls were going to come through and I really do not want to fall out with them. It was suggested to feed a carpet piece under the feet to reduce the noise. I have since seen noise reduction mats on the net . I am reluctant to move any part of the pump for fear of dislodging any pipes. My shower installation has been somewhat of a saga and I thought that there was light at the end of the tunnel, but obviously not. I have found myself checking the KZbin site for information and advice .One subject that keeps coming up is the use of the flange system. I am no expert but I am sure this was not fitted. Also how important is it to had isolation valves to these pipes ? I would be very grateful if you could shed some light on this issue and advice accordingly. Show less

[@thornhillplumbing]

You must have a dedicated air free supply to the hot (Essex/Surrey/Warwick flange) or otherwise the hot can be connected via a tee on a 45 degrees downwards section of hot pipework near the cylinder. You will need to check the manufacturer's instructions. The shower pump may be causing vibrations through the feet or through the pipework if the pipework is not clipped correctly. There are ways of reducing vibration by attaching the pump to a slab of stone or by using an anti vibration mat. The inlets and outlets must have isolation valves for maintenance. Once again read the manufacturer's instructions which were included with the new pump and check everything has been done according to the instructions

[@emeldaify]

@@thornhillplumbing Thank you for your reply . I will do as instructed and see what happens.

[@AlexRocks24-7]

Mate, sometimes shower head has a pressure reduce filter in it so check and remove. That will put pressure on the pump and also recommend a bigger shower head to the client. I would also put Stuart Turner pumps and they are more quieter and last longer.

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks for your input Alex. Sometimes the flow restrictor can be useful. If shower is off a combi boiler and the shower doesn't get hot enough, then a flow restrictor will help as it will reduce the flow and the boiler can keep up with the hot water demand. I do agree thats a good idea to remove the flow restrictor if shower is off a shower pump, that's a great tip cheers.

[@AlexRocks24-7]

@@thornhillplumbing one more thing, also put in a large bore shower hose. Amazing job. One of the best I've seen on KZbin 👌

[@georgiosf.1223]

I want to replace the shower system. And I am puzzled as I don't know how to turn off the water to the shower.

[@richardgarratt9497]

I know this is a bad question to ask but would it be ok to add a 1.5 bar ST shower pump to the feeds that also feed washbasin and toilet. I understand the pump will be working 4 times as much in its lifespan pumping the sink as well but have an existing pump to use

[@thornhillplumbing]

I don't think Stuart turner would recommend this. You would better off use two seperate single impeller pumps of the same size, one on the hot and one on the cold, and check you have adequate stored water. I am assuming you are wanting to boost your gravity fed supplies as In no circumstances can a shower pump be connected to mains water , if you want to boost your mains water , you can boost to a maximum of 12l/min using a pump such as a salamander home boost.

[@richardgarratt9497]

@@thornhillplumbing Yes it for the gravity outlets with no access to feed the shower separately from the sink..Thanks alot for your reply and thanks for that great video very inspiring to do stuff properly.I will look into separate impellers

[@richardgarratt9497]

Spoke to ST having given them the serial of the existing pump which they ruled out as designed for only onne outlets. For a mixer shower valve they have recommended a showermate universal 2 bar( does up to 4 outlets )

[@thornhillplumbing]

@@richardgarratt9497 thanks for the update

[@barrymayes6712]

Great video-thanks. Why is the pump so noisy? I thought they would be quiet?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Shower pumps are not quiet unfortunately.

[@jameswest9800]

Very helpful, I have a very noisy shower, so enjoyed watching you clip, then you turned it on. Do you not think the pump is extremely noisy?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Yes shower pumps are noisy. One way the noise is reduced by placing an anti vibration mat beneath the pump. The pump can also be attached to a stone base which also helps.

[@jameswest9800]

@@thornhillplumbing Many thanks, is that reeling sound normal then? would you regard the pump in the video as being noisy, mine you cant't use past about 9.30 as the noise carries around the house and next door.

[@fireblade8905]

Is it okay for the hot and cold pipes to stretch apart from each other to connect into the pump ?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Yes should be fine 👍

[@shimmyshanka]

I think i counted the words "shower pump" 200 times 😜

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks for watching my shower pump video all the way and counting how many times I said shower pump. I hope this helped you with your shower pump

[@deacon7580]

How much did you charge for that fix

[@marcushull12]

Is there a stable near by ? I was just wondering where the previous installers tied up their horses 😅

[@thornhillplumbing]

I see it all the time , that's why I made the video as I'm fed up of explaining to my customers why their power shower doesn't work. More often than not these types of systems are fitted by incompetent people

[@yensabi]

I see problamatic showers all the time that the homeowner or bob from down the pub as fitted cheaply and they just don't work properly, then when I tell them how much it would cost to put it right they don't want to carry out the work because it's not worth it as the pump only cost £60 from B & Q I usually walk away laughing 😀 Will people ever learn...!

[@steveyboyXRP]

cold feed to pump from tank should be on the opposite side to float valve

[@thornhillplumbing]

Yes that's right. That's why I put inlet on opposite end of tank from the outlets

[@steveyboyXRP]

flexis should not be bent also

[@ge2719]

i think my system has absolutely everything wrong with it. will have to check exactly what things are done when i get the chance but yeah, keep having to buy new pumps way too often from them breaking, right now i have to turn the temp down on the shower to get flow, then slowly bring it up otherwise the pump turns off.

[@thornhillplumbing]

Very common that these types of system are installed incorrectly, unfortunately

[@ge2719]

@@thornhillplumbing just had a look and it seems to have the screw type isolation valve. Black plastic ones. If the spec sheet i found is the right one not only are they not full bore but they aren't nt suppped to be for hot water, as they are only rated to 20 degrees.... 😐 Also found a drip leak from a push fit connector in the loft so at least i can get that fixed too.

[@thornhillplumbing]

@@ge2719 thanks for the update

[@andrewgraham4838]

Having watched this video I can see things that have been done incorrectly on ours. It's a shame you are too far away from us otherwise I would have been asking you to fit us a new pump and tank. It's so bad that we have to take pot luck with plumbers as to the extent of their knowledge. It shouldn't be that way.

[@thornhillplumbing]

Thanks for your comments. I cover Poole, Dorset and it's surrounding towns, also Cardiff

[@rob5896]

Only forgot the tundish on the vent pipe!

[@thornhillplumbing]

What tundish can you elaborate? A tundish on the vent pipe would cause all of the water in the CWSC to leak out 😂

[@rob5896]

On the HW VP, not allowed to put that in the cistern anymore, at least in the UK@@thornhillplumbing

[@thornhillplumbing]

@@rob5896 I have never seen it done that way but can understand why it may be done on a commercial premises for legionella prevention.

[@rob5896]

Buddy of mine recently did a training course on legionella and they said all HWC no difference if it's commercial or residential and makes sense really, seems counter intuitive to be potentially dumping hot water into a CWST? @@thornhillplumbing

[@tommyharris5817]

Don't you need a plumber to install it?

[@thornhillplumbing]

This video is intended for plumbers to watch, or for our customers to know what to expect . This is NOT a DIY job. Best left to the experts.

[@greenMTN_boy]

Wtf is that Stone Age system?

[@mrrallyeman389]

Did you serve your time as a plumber ?

[@thornhillplumbing]

Yes I am a fully qualified plumber

[@mrrallyeman389]

We'll stop giving away your job knowledge

[@thornhillplumbing]

@@mrrallyeman389 this video is intended for other plumbers to watch and better themselves. I see a lot of shower pumps being installed incorrectly so wanted to put this out there.

[@tirvplumbing]

@@thornhillplumbing spot on. 👍

[@voxpopneverdies2025]

But, a poor electrician. Fixed electrics should be buy a spur not a socket outlet.

[@haydengoode9059]

It makes you wonder why they sell alot of new pumps with pre fitted plugs on if it has to be a spur only 🤔

[@nickstavrou7082]

Ffs video too long man

[@topfuelteddy]

Only watch a bit of it ?