I have a small bathroom containing a shower cubicle, WC and hand basin. The room has a window, an extractor fan and a central heating radiator. Although the room is kept very warm there is a considerable problem with condensation?
It sounds as though the room is to hot. Turn your heating down a touch and open a window to allow a free flow of air through the room. Condensation is caused through lack of ventilation and although you have an extractor fan (check to make sure it is in full working order), maybe a larger/stronger extractor is needed or it should help if you open your window and turn your fan on before you get into the shower.
Can an acrylic bath be damaged by the repeated filling with water of an excess temperature? If so how can this damage be avoided?
Yes. If extremely hot water is constantly used without cold water being added this could subject the bath to stress cracking. For safety reasons we would recommend that cold water is put into the bath before any hot water is added.
Do I need a special water supply to have a whirlpool bath?
No, whirlpool baths utilise standard hot and cold supplies found in all households.
Will my floor support a cast iron bath?
Yes, although they are the heaviest of the 3 main types of bath they can be easily supported by a correctly constructed 2nd level floor.
How do I keep my taps clean?
Use a non abrasive mild detergent and simply wipe occasionally using a soft damp cloth.
Should I buy a tray and shower enclosure at the same time?
It is advisable to buy them together to ensure that they are compatible and of the same size.
Will an acrylic bath that is specified as 8mm thick be the same thickness all the way around, or will the thickness vary in places i.e under the lip of the bath at the top?
It will vary. Acrylic sheet starts out at 8mm. When it is pressed or extruded into shape, (depending on the type of manufacture), the bath is thinner as it is formed into shape. The GRP (glass fibre reinforcing) then gives the bath added strength.
Does there have to be a separate vestibule area between my kitchen and WC areas?
In a domestic premises for personal use only, there is no provision in the building regulations for a lobby/ventilated lobby between the kitchen and the WC area. The door can lead directly from the kitchen to the WC providing there is a washbasin fitted in the WC area. If you are in any doubt, we suggest you contact your local building regulations department at your local council offices to double check.
Can I tile directly onto plasterboard?
It is feasible to tile directly to a plasterboard substrate as long as the following criteria are met. Plasterboard should be a minimum of 12.5mm thick and should be securely screw fixed, preferably at 300mm centres maximum, to a seasoned timber framework incorporating stiffening noggins where necessary. The board junctions should be fully supported and then taped and filled using the tile adhesive. The weight of tiling to a plasterboard background should not exceed 32kg/m2. The plasterboard substrate must be capable of supporting the rigid ceramic wall tile without any undue deflection. At all times the plasterboard and tile adhesive manufacturers recommendations should be followed. The type of adhesive to use would depend upon the type of tile that was to be fixed and the area that it was to be fixed to. If for instance it were a glazed biscuit bodied wall tile in a shower area, then new tiles may be fixed in a 3mm solid bed (i.e. ensuring no voids are left beneath the tiles). Where tiles are to be fixed in shower areas to plasterboard, some consideration should be given to applying a tanking membrane to protect the underlying gypsum substrate, this would depend upon the degree of use, type of shower etc. Please note that any change of material, substrate or service conditions will alter this specification.
I need to replace my old WC. Can I still obtain a white 'P' trap WC pan with low level cistern and connecting pipe?
Most WC's today are horizontal outlets but 'P' and 'S' traps in the form of adapters are readily available from your local plumbers/builders merchants.
The seal along my bath to the wall continues to crack. We think it is down to the movement of the bath - can we support it underneath without any damage or risk of cracking the fibreglass bath?
It may just be a case of adjusting the feet. Check the bath has been fitted correctly. Usually fibreglass baths either have adjustable feet or sit in a wooden cradle.
Condensation is a problem in my bathroom especially in the winter. Would it be better to install a wall extractor fan (through the external wall) or upgrade the ceiling mounted one I currently have?
Either of your ideas would work but an extractor fan fitted into the exterior wall would probably work more efficiently. Building work would have to be considered and could prove expensive therefore upgrading your current ceiling mounted fan could be cheaper and easier.
I have a spa bath that is used every 1 - 2 weeks. On each occasion, I get a bath full of black flakes. I assume these are fungal growths caused by the lanolin in the bath soaps/oils. What can I do to control them and where can I buy chemicals?
You assume correctly about the fungal growth but there are ways to cure this problem. Firstly you need to contact the manufacturer of the bath (we can help you with a telephone number if you email us back with their name). No two manufacturers will advise the same method for either getting rid off or maintaining your spa bath but once this problem has been sorted by using the correct type of cleaner for your type of spa, this problem should disappear. You need to obtain the right product under manufacturer guidance, to flush the pipes through and stop build up in the future. We advise that you do not use any type of chemical cleaner in your bath, especially bleach or bleach based product without contacting the manufacturer first as this may damage the bath beyond repair.
I have been told that it is possible to have a washing machine fitted into a bathroom, is this true?
Yes it is possible but it is not as straight forward as a simple Yes. The bathroom is split onto varying 'zones'. Each zone represents an area of the bathroom as per new electrical regulations affecting bathrooms. The majority of UK bathrooms do not fall within zone 3 as they are too small, e.g. electrical appliances in zone 3 must be 2.4 m away from a water outlet and as most UK bathrooms are 2.6 m, this is virtually impossible. However, firstly you must contact the manufacturer of the washing machine to ensure that the appliance is suitable for bathroom/shower room installation. Secondly the electricity supply must be protected by a residual operating current. Contact the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) for further advise or visit their website www.eca.co.uk
I am in the process of designing a bathroom (WC, sink & shower) under a staircase. How much ceiling height is required in front of the toilet?
We are unaware of any regulations which dictate the height required. WC's are available to suit all types of people and space available and manufacturers fitting instructions dictate the projection from the wall, but not ceiling height. New building regulations have now come into force which may impact on the work you are about to undertake, especially with regard to the Disability Act. We suggest you contact your local Building Regulators at your local Council to clarify your position. Alternatively, if you are not fitting yourself, an approved plumber will be able to offer you his expertise in the correct positioning of the WC.
I'm looking to refit my bathroom and I'm interested in space-saving baths, can you help?
We have products designed for smaller bathrooms. Please contact us on 0118 975 1144 and we can help.
My water tank is situated on the same floor as my bathroom so my water pressure is terrible. I am currently looking to re-fit my bathroom. What options do I have to achieve a high pressured shower?
If there is no option to moving your water tank to at least a header of 3 feet, then you could consider a pump which will help with the rate of flow of the water. It would be beneficial if you consider the hot water storage and central heating boiler when purchasing your new shower and pump as they will have to be compatible.
I have bought a house with a Victorian roll top bath and brass effect taps which are covered in lime-scale. I used a lime-scale remover product on them but it has taken some of the shine/coating off them. What can I do to restore them to their original condition without ruining them?
There are many products on the market which can do un-repairable damage to taps/baths, but unfortunately once the plating has been removed it cannot be repaired. However all may not be lost, the taps (if the value warrants it), can be re-plated. There are numerous companies that can re-plate taps and you should find one locally in your Yellow Pages or on the Web.
I have difficulty turning the tap, are there easier types available?
Yes, there are types with simple shaped heads through to special levers for disabled usage. Please contact us on 0118 975 1144 and we can help.
Do the patterns on shower trays make them anti-slip?
No, unless the manufacturer states this.
I have a small bathroom with limited space - are there space saving shapes and designs?
Yes, a lot of manufacturers produce compact dimension baths, which will help if there is a problem on space and availability of access. Please contact us on 0118 986 8660 and we can help.
What is the safest type of shower valve for my family to use?
A thermostatic mixer because the temperature and pressure is automatically controlled, preventing cold water shock or hot water scalding.
Is a whirlpool bath safe for children and the older person to use?
All systems have safety cut out devices if there is a problem during operation. However, children and the infirm should be supervised when using a whirlpool bath.
My cold water tank isn't high enough to give any water pressure what can I do?
Fit either an integrated power shower or a mixer shower with a booster pump.
What factors should I take into consideration when choosing a shower?
The type of water system in your home, the size of your tank and waste capacity, height of the showerhead and safety should all be considered. If in doubt, contact a qualified plumber.
Do shower trays move?
Not if installed correctly. It is important that the tray is installed to the manufacturer’s instructions and the feet are securely screwed to the floor.
