Showers made simple

 
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Our extensive range of showers are styled to suit traditional or contemporary suites with manual shower mixers, thermostatic shower mixers and pressure balancing mixers available in recessed and surface mounted options, in addition electric showers and integrated power showers are also available and for those who require that little extra touch a wide selection of pumps can be added to create the perfect power shower. Installation of our shower valves and mixers require standard 15mm or 22mm fittings available at any DIY store or Plumbers Merchant.  All taps are guaranteed against defect in manufacture for a minimum of 5 years*.

This page has further information about plumbing systems and a simple guide to shower terminology. Two further pages are available with more information about specific types of shower:

Further information about mixer showers (manual, pressure balancing and thermostatic)

Further information about electric and power showers

If you are unsure or need any assistance please feel free to call our Helpline on 020 8265 2211


Plumbing systems & compatibility

Within our ranges of taps are basin taps, bath taps and bathroom mixers to suit any type of plumbing system with some requiring more specific requirements. Such systems are:

Gravity fed systems - hot and cold water tanks

Gravity / Mains systems - hot water cylinder and cold mains

Pressurised / Unvented Systems - as above but hot pressurised by cold mains supply

Pumped systems - gravity system with pump to boost water flow

Combination boilers - instant water heater (no hot/cold water tanks)

If you are in any doubt regarding your plumbing system see our ‘Identify your plumbing system’ information page.


Terminology

 

Mixer shower

Shower using both hot and cold water supplies to obtain showering temperature, generally give improved flow rates over electric showers. Can be used on any system providing water pressures are reasonably balanced and within recommended pressure range.

 

Electric shower

Shower requiring mains cold supply only, thus no requirement for stored hot water. The higher the rating the better the performance. A qualified electrician should be consulted during the wiring of these products.

 

Power shower

Showers using both hot and cold water supplies pumped from gravity fed systems to give high flow rates. Cannot be used with Combination or unvented mains systems.

 

Water pump

Used to create a power shower in gravity fed installations. Available in a variety of pressures to suit single shower or complete bathrooms. Integrated pumped shower mixers are also available. A qualified electrician should be consulted when wiring these products.

 

Manual mixer

Showers utilising ceramic disc cartridge with only one handle to control flow and temperature. This type of valve does not react to pressure or temperature changes in supply and is therefore manually controlled.

 

Pressure balancing mixer

Showers using a pressure sensitive cartridge giving added safety benefits when compared to manual mixer, again using only one handle to control flow and temperature. This type of shower provides a stable showering temperature despite fluctuations in supply pressures and also includes safety shut off upon failure of either supply.

 

Thermostatic mixer

Showers using a temperature sensitive cartridge giving further benefits when compared to manual and pressure balancing mixers, generally two handled control (dual control). Safety features include safety shut-off upon either supply failure or constant showering temperature upon fluctuations in supply temperature and pressure.

 

Sequential

Single handled thermostatic mixer shower. No control over flow, only on/off and temperature. Otherwise performs as above.

 

Recessed valve

Shower hidden within finished wall hiding all but operating handles and concealing plate.

 

Surface mounted valve

Shower fitted directly to finished wall with all parts visible. Supply pipes can be either exposed or concealed.

 

Fixed head

Shower head fixed to wall for use with concealed pipework and recessed showers.

 

Rigid riser

Showerhead fixed to wall with exposed pipework from valve for use with surface mounted showers.

 

Adjustable riser

Shower kit and handheld showerhead with height adjustment to suit varying user requirements.

 

Compression fittings: Standard method of connecting pipework, consists of nut and olive to create seal on pipework.

Push-fit fittings: Simple method of connecting pipework without the need for tools.

Wall mount fixings: Fitting used to ease the installation of bar showers and wall mounted bath fillers or bath shower mixers onto/into walls. These are available in both exposed and concealed pipework versions.

Balanced supply: A balanced supply is one that has equal pressure for both the hot and cold water supplies. e.g. Gravity feed hot and cold or mains feed hot and cold.

Mechanical valve: Traditional type valve that uses a rubber washer to create a watertight seal.

Ceramic disc valve: Valve that uses hard wearing ceramic discs to create a watertight seal. Popular due to low maintenance and easy quarter or half turn action to operate.

Ceramic disc cartridge: Cartridge utilising cleverly made hard wearing ceramic discs to create taps with single lever operation. Becoming more popular due to low maintenance requirements and ease of operation.

Check valves: Check valves (or Non Return Valves) are required to comply with Water Bylaws on certain fittings. They allow water to flow in only one direction. Please contact your local water authority for details.

Pressure reducing valves: Sometimes required on systems using mixers and with a high pressure imbalance. (greater than a ration of 5:1 generally)

Minimum pressure: Pressure required so that fitting performs adequately. Pressure depends on type of fitting and type of plumbing system installed. As a general guide, low pressure systems are gravity fed and less than 1.0 bar (1.0 metre vertical distance between shower outlet and base of cold water tank is approximately 0.1 bar), high pressure systems are mains fed, pumped or combination boilers.

Maximum pressure: Maximum safe working pressure. If this is exceeded all guarantees are void and fitting may get damaged.

Water Bylaws: All fittings must be installed to comply with these to ensure basic safety and legal compliance. Please contact your local water authority for details.

WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme): A product approval process whereby fittings are checked for mechanical reliability and material safety.

If you are in any doubt or need any assistance please feel free to call our Helpline on 020 8265 2211




 

 

 

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