Bathroom taps made simple

Our extensive range of bathroom taps and bathroom mixers are styled to suit traditional or contemporary suites with basin taps, bath taps, bathroom mixers and wall mounted tap configurations available. Installation of our taps and mixers require standard tap connections and fittings available at any DIY store or Plumbers Merchant.  All taps are guaranteed against defect in manufacture for a minimum of 5 years.

We have put together a simple guide to help you select the correct products for your bathroom, and to help you understand some of the terminology. If you are unsure or need any assistance please feel free to call our Helpline on 0845 064 5907 or .

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

		Basin taps Separate hot and cold taps for two hole basins. example product: Java basin taps
		Bath taps Separate hot and cold taps for two hole baths. example product: Prism bath taps
		Monobloc mixer Mixer tap requiring a basin with one hole. example product: Rio monobloc basin mixer with pop-up waste
		Single lever mixer Mixer using only one handle to control flow and temperature. example product: Storm monobloc basin mixer
		Deck mounted tap Fitting required to be installed on horizontal surface. example product: Hey Joe bath filler
		Wall mounted tap Fitting required to be installed onto a wall surface. example product: Mike 3-hole wall mounted basin set

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.

Single flow: Hot and cold water mixes within the mixer body. To comply with Water Bylaws fittings such as this require single check valves fitted to each inlet.

Dual flow: Hot and cold water mix at the outlet of the tap, thus no check valves are required.

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 .

*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 August 2005. © copyright 2005 Tapstore.com all rights reserved