Showers Made Simple
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 0845 064 5907 or email us. 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. example product: Fusion recessed shower
		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. example product: New Team  8.5kW Electric Shower
		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. example product: New Team  NT1500 XT power shower
		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. example product: New Team Duraspeed shower pump
		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. example product: Design shower mixer
		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. example product: Kai thermostatic valve
		Sequential Single handled thermostatic mixer shower. No control over flow, only on/off and temperature. Otherwise performs as above. example product: Bristan Prism Single Lever Thermostatic Shower Valve with Adjustable Riser
		Recessed valve Shower hidden within finished wall hiding all but operating handles and concealing plate. example product: Prism showers
		Surface mounted valve Shower fitted directly to finished wall with all parts visible. Supply pipes can be either exposed or concealed. example product: Aqueous showers
		Fixed head Shower head fixed to wall for use with concealed pipework and recessed showers. example product: Go shower head
		Rigid riser Showerhead fixed to wall with exposed pipework from valve for use with surface mounted showers. example product: Square rigid riser
		Adjustable riser Shower kit and handheld showerhead with height adjustment to suit varying user requirements. example product: Shower kit 1

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 0845 064 5907 or email us.

*All showers are guaranteed for a minimum of 5 years, except electric showers which are guaranteed for 2 years, against defect in manufacture.

	All information and details given within these pages are for information purposes only, Tapstore.com cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any preparation work that is undertaken based on such specifications or information shown on our site. We always recommend that you obtain advice from a suitably qualified plumber before making a purchase
Last updated October 2008. Copyright © 2005-2008 Tapstore.com all rights reserved worldwide If you wish to reproduce this information in whole or in part you may do so providing that you include a visible credit to Tapstore.com within the page