Stuart Turner Monsoon and Showermate shower pumps are amongst the quietest available. However, regardless of your pump choice there are things that you can do to minimise the noise that your shower pump makes!
Place the shower pump on a purpose designed 'anti-vibration mounting pad'
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Their dual density laminate foam construction also reduces the transmission of vibration to the floor on which the pump is located.
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To view and purchase an anti-vibration mounting pad for your pump, click here
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Never remove the rubber feet from the pump and do not screw the pump down.
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Make sure that there are no loose floor boards or panels underneath the pump. If convenient, placing a concrete slab underneath the pump can help to create a stable shower pump mounting platform.
Shower pump pressure rating - don't 'over-specify' the pump
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It's tempting to purchase the most powerful pump available but remember that a 4 bar pump will always make more noise than a 2 bar pump.
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Select the pressure rating best suited to the shower type or appliance concerned.
Shower pump location - will it be heard?
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Try to avoid installing the shower pump over a bedroom.
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If installing in an attic, try and locate the pump over the shower or bathroom.
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If the pump is to be installed under the bath (not a preferred option) or in a cupboard you can fix a sound reducing / absorbing material box over the pump. Ensure you leave a minimum 80mm clearance around the pump for ventilation.
Hot water supply - making the connection
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It's suprising just how much more noise a pump will make if it is installed in a way that allows it to draw in air.
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The pump should ideally be sited by the base of the hot water cylinder as this will allow the pump to be in flooded suction. This will help reduce air movement and noise.
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The pump must be supplied with a dedicated feed direct from the hot water cylinder or storage tank, ensuring an air free connection to the pump.
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The pump must be free to vent at all times. Making the connection by one of the approved methods in the installation manual will assist the air generated whilst the water is being heated to rise up the vent out of harms way, helping to reduce noise.
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Ideally use a suitable hot water cylinder flange connection such as the Stuart Turner Top Cylinder Flange here.
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For more details on the correct way to connect a Stuart Turner Monsoon or Showermate pump to the hot water supply see the appropriate product installation guide in the downloads section.
Anti-Vibration connecting hoses - use them properly
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Always use the flexible hoses supplied with your pump to connect to surrounding pipework.
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They are supplied because they have a dampening effect and reduce the transmission of mechanical vibration from the pump to the joining pipework, but do not bend them by more than 30º otherwise this dampening effect will be reduced.
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These hoses should never be used to create a convenient elbow bend connection.
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Overbending the flexible hoses also risks creating a 'kink' in the hose, creating additional water flow restriction and increasing the chances of 'pump cavitation', which in itself can cause more noise.
Surrounding pipework - things to remember
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The pipes to which the anti-vibration hoses are connected should be securely supported and fixed to a wall or structure using suitable pipe clips.
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Drawing swept bends in the pipework rather than using elbow fittings will also help to minimise water turbulence and flow restriction.
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Should inverted 'U' bends be formed it would be advisable to install a stub pipe on the top of the inverted 'U' bend with manual air vent.
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Any horizontal pipe work should be angled to fall away from the vertical pipework to alleviate air entrapment and a stub pipe should be installed with a manual air vent.
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Should the pipework run through the floor/ceiling void and or run through notches in joists we would suggest that lagging be put on the pipework to isolate them from the joists. This method can also be used if the pipework is clipped using larger clips to walls.
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If pipework is clipped to a stud and plasterboard construction then we suggest the cavity be filled with fibre insulation or inject expanding foam. This will fill the air gap created.
For further guidance you can always contact our TechAssist team freephone 0800 31 969 80 or use the web contact form here - contact us.