Posts Tagged ‘Showers’

Shower Pump For all jobs

Looking for a shower pump for my house I soon realised that it was not going to be easy, there is so many models and brands, I was being told by my plumber that I should get a shower pump as I would not have enough pressure “get 2.0 bar twin” he said, the local merchant told me that I had to use a bigger pump as they were the only pumps that would do the job, the more I looked the more confused I got.

I then called Tim at Tapstore.com he is their technical man, I explained that I needed to pump my shower in a new loft room and also a bathroom on the first floor, I am rather confused as one guy said just get a 2.0 bar twin and the other said that I needed more and felt that everyone I asked advised something different?

Tim’s answer was to go for a technically brilliant product a Electronic Sensor Pump he explained that ” because my shower head was higher than the cold water storage tank in the loft (negative head) there will not be the flow to start up the pump I needed, and with the downstairs shower there was no real issues about the flow to start the pump (positive head)”. In the end I went for a pump that did everything both the showers, my whole first floor bathroom and my hot kitchen tap which had also given me flow problems.

What I now know is a pump is simply not a pump for any job and each pump has a specific purpose apart from the one I bought. I bought a Salamander Electronic Sensor ESP 2.25 bar CPV twin pump and it does just the job perfectly, it is designed to work in positive and negative head with independent hot or cold supplies, WC even my dishwasher and washing machine.

RRP £599.00 Tapstore.com price £341.00 Inc VAT and Delivery.

Bristan Chill Bathroom Taps

Bristan’s chill bathroom taps and showers are one of the best ranges they produce with the full individual flair in the Danish design, The flatness of the spouts within the range are inspiring, on the handle is a engineered square grip which doubles its function as a flow control.  Chill basin mixer tap is sure to excite you into creating a truly contemporary bathroom.

It is not a huge range but it will satisfy most bathing and showering requirements the first and most sold item within the range is the monobloc basin mixer as pictured on the right it is available with or without a pop up waste and also in a taller version without a pop up waste, there is a two hole basin mixer option as well with a neat square escution plate for mounting both the spout and the control valve, you can also use a version with a rectangular base plate to join the spout and the control valve together.

For the bath there is a standard bath shower mixer and five different ways to fill the bath, you can use a simple wall mounted control and spout two versions of a deck mounted bath filler both designed to match the basin mixers. or you could use either the shower valve with built in diverter and a bath filler over flow or the three way shower valve with a stop cock and diverter so you can add a pull out hose for rinsing out the bath or just washing your hair.

Bristan Chill Showers.

There are four opinions for the shower, the first option pictured to the left is a thermostatic shower valve that can be mounted either on the surface or recessed into the wall, it comes complete with a riser rail kit and a really neat stylish single function shower handset.

In the recessed only options which are also thermostatic you have the choice of a dual function with a flow control and a temperature control handle ideal for either a shower kit or a fixed position shower head, then there is a shower valve with diverter so two items can be controlled and my favorite the three way valve (pictured right) which is the same as the diverter option with the added bonus of a stop cock on/off control fitted below the thermostat that can be used simultaneously with either of the top outlets or individually on its own. 

There is also a matching range of Chill bathroom accessories, Best Buy From Tapstore.com

Crosswater Stream Bathroom Taps – A Luxury Waterfall

Crosswater have long since put the wow factor in the brass ware market being one of the leaders when it comes to design, well the Stream bathroom taps are no exception to the rule, I think they are a love them or hate them range, I was not sure at first but when you feel the quality in the flesh I feel most unsure people will be convinced.

The range for basins consists of the Stream monobloc basin mixer, a mini basin mixer, a tall basin mixer, a two hole wall mounted basin mixer where the control handle sits above the spout on a rectangular backplate.

For the bath you have a 3 hole bath filler, a 5 hole bath set or you could use a set of hot and cold deck mounted panel valves and the separate bath spout, you also have the option of using a manual shower valve or a manual shower valve with diverter which could be used with a bath filler overflow and shower handset.

For showering there are choices of a Crosswater Stream thermostatic shower valves for a shower head or riser rail and handset or you have the same thermostatic shower valve with a built-in diverter which can operate two separate items independently, a portrait and landscape shower valves with two stop cocks for operating two items simultaneously, and finally within the showering range will be a 3 way thermostatic shower valve again both portrait and landscape orientation.

RRP £319.00 Best Buy Save 30% Taptore.com £223.00

Bristan Quadrato Bathroom Taps – eco water saving

Water saving taps do not have to be ugly as the Quadrato from Bristan now proves, the well designed angular lines of the range is a winner when its comes to looks and now with its eco credentials you can save water as well.

At 0.3 bar pressure the basin mixer will still produce 5.9 liters per minute when needed but use the Eco click control and you will get a flow rate of 1.9 liters per minute, even at 1.0bar pressure the eco click cartridge will at full flow produce 10.5 liters per minute and just 3.9 with the eco click control. Tapstore.com’s green policy means that you can get a flow restrictor for higher pressure systems that will make the maximum flow just 9 liters per minute free of charge.

Who said you cannot look good saving the planet.

Products within the Bristan Quadrato range will be a monobloc basin mixer with pop-up waste £109.00, a monobloc basin mixer with no waste £84.00, a bidet mixer with pop-up waste £93.00, a pair of basin £98.00 and bath taps £117.00, a bath filler £192.00, and a bath shower mixer £236.00.

For special promotional deals Tapstore.com currently running a water saving special on eco taps where you get a massive 30% off RRP and if you mention The Bathroom Designer and buy more than one item from the range you can get an extra 5% till June ’09′.

Techflow Pumps – Turbo Range

The Techflow Turbo Range of brass ended pumps are a great choice for the professional plumbers, If you are wanting to install a pump that wont leak or fail electrically then this is the beast for you. they are built with strong induction motors with solid brass impellers so durability is the key word in its design and if you compare these pumps with other brands it is a quiet alternative.

A great little feature of this product is that there is a flow switch sensitivity adjustment on the outlet of the pump which gives you a small amount of movement in how much flow activates the product.

There has been no compromise in the construction of the impeller casing using a thicker casting of brass making a quieter pump. I have used the 1.0 bar single impeller fitted in a cupboard in my office and I can hear it, when I previously had a Stuart Turner pump fitted and I could not say the same.

These are suitable for shower installations whole house pumping and if you select the negative head pumps version loft conversions alike and in my mind I would not fit anything else.

The Techflow Turbo range consists of a 1, 2, 3, and 4.0bar options in both single ended and twin ended with the choice of both positive and negative head.

If you are interested in further information and prices then look at the full selection on the link here.

RS2 Bathroom Taps – From Tapstore.com

The RS2 Range of bathroom taps are the latest tapstore own brand range of bathroom taps designed to give the discerning consumer the highest quality brass ware for a very reasonable price.

No compromise has been made in bringing this range of taps and showers to the market the angular lines cut by the range are sharp and concise.

The RS2 basin mixer with pop up waste as seen in the image on the left is going to be on sale for £139.00 which is amazing value for the quality of this product.

In the range will also be a tall monobloc basin mixer a basin mixer with a side lever, three hole wall and deck mounted basin mixers, separate basin and bath taps, there is also a monobloc bidet mixer.

For the bathing area there are lots of great choices starting with deck mounted bath filler and bath shower mixer, 3 and 5 hole bath sets, even a freestanding bath shower mixer ( as in image ) or you can make up your own configuration with the separate diverters and side bodies.

With showering always in tapstore’s mind they have made sure that the RS2 comes with all you would need to complete the design in full, there is a recessed thermostatic shower valve options from 1, 2, or 3 way or a surface mounted thermostatic bar shower valve, or the stunning RS2 deluxe multifunction shower with its rectangular shower head and showering handset (as shown).

To see the complete range visit Tapstore.com if you decide this is the range for you mention the bathroom designer and grab an extra 5% discount.

Shower Head – Choices for your Bathroom

A fixed shower head is now one of the most important features you will choose for your shower or bathroom so lets look at whats available to get the best showering experience for you.

Multifunction shower head choice

If you are looking for an exhilarating shower the a multifunction shower head is for you there are so many out there that you really need to consider what is the right one for you. The spray patterns that are available are massage, mist, pulse, rain, drench, and water saving mode.

Most consumers that purchase a multi function shower head do so leaving the shower head in the rain pattern all of the time ask your self this question first as a multi function shower head simply does not perform as well in a rain pattern as a single function shower head.

Single function shower head choice

The single function shower heads are rain or drench pattern only, they are the best at giving a good volume of water which for a practical shower is really what most people desire, they generally operate at lower pressures and can work as low as 0.1 bar pressure and still give you the function required.

There are now many water saving Eco shower heads on the market that will split or atomise the water flow to give a good spray pattern but higher pressures would be required to obtain the correct function.

Large fixed shower head choice

Previously these were called traditional shower roses available in 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and even 12″ diameters you can still get the traditional shower roses and they are great but they have limitations, the water jets are a series of drilled holes that can get lime scaled up easily, and they do tend to use a vast amount of water and can either drain all your hot water or if you are on a mains fed system it cannot supply enough water.

The new generation of fixed shower head is both stylish and practical there are some many designs to choose from a round fixed head to square fixed heads, flat chunky you name it its available to you. The added benefit of choosing a modern designed fixed shower head is that you get a large showering drench head without using a huge volume of water. The way the jets are designed they will always hold back some flow even under pressure, the other main benefit is that you will get rub clean jets and that stop lime scale build up and gives the product durability.

With the large shower Heads you will need to choose either a wall arm of at least 300mm or a ceiling arm to connect to the shower head. By having a large fixed shower head you will need to consider the one down side as is with all fixed heads you will not be able to rinse out or clean the shower enclosure or bath that easily so the addition of a handset is always a good idea so it is worthwhile buying a thermostatic shower valve with a built in diverter so that one you have finished invigorating yourself a quick jet from the handset and your done!!!

Water Saving Showers – Satinjet Awatea from Deva

Deva have launched the award winning Awatea Satin Jet water saving shower head, what’s new about this eco water saving shower head I hear you ask?

Well its not a simple case of restrictive flow as with most water saving shower heads it is a truly new concept, I first saw this shower head in London at the bathroom show and I was fully impressed with its performance, that’s what makes it different, how it works is by using it’s twin jet technology, The twin jets oppose each other water smashes into the opposing jet stream creating 3000 tiny water droplets per second delivering a wide spray pattern giving a truly drenching feeling. It also encumbers a massage setting if the soft drenching is not suiting your mood the then just switch over with the push button.

Whilst in the water saving mode the handset will only use 9 liters per minute, it is available as both a shower handset and a fixed shower head.

To the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, Awatea means moving from darkness to light, the awakening of a new dawn.

RRP £80.00 Awatea Shower Handset, RRP £99.00 Awatea Fixed Shower Head

The One – Crosswater Bathroom Taps

The One from Crosswater is a new concept in basin mixers, the idea is when the body of the tap is pulled towards you the water flow is turned on and when swung to the left its hot and to the right its cold.

A design innovation in brassware from Crosswater and the One monobloc basin mixer certainly is that.

You will need a high pressure water system 1 bar minimum to get the best performance from the One bathroom taps, in the range is a tall basin mixer, a 3 hole basin set, 2 wall mount basin mixers one with a shelf, bidet mixer, a wall mounted bath shower mixer, there are also manual valves for showering and bath filling operations.

The One Monobloc Basin Mixer RRP £349.00 tapstore.com £279.00.

If you mention The Bathroom Designer you can get another 5%.

Led Shower Heads – Rio from Crosswater

 Crosswater’s Rio Led Shower head will defiantly impress your guests, a new experience for all with the coloured lights appearing to move around the streams of water, It is 400mm in diameter mains powered and comes with an electronic key pad that controls the 96 LED lights with 12 different program modes.

The shower head is made from Chrome plated solid brass and is an ultra thin design and manufactured from the highest specification. It requires 3.0 bar pressure as a minimum pressure.

The Crosswater Rio Led shower head comes with a 15 year Guarantee.

RRP £2499.00