Now bear with me; I realise the title of this article isn’t exactly the most exciting thing you have ever read. However, the showering experience provided by a high pressure shower most certainly is. Please note, there are a few technical considerations to be made when it comes to pressurising your shower using a pump. First of all, a pump cannot legally be fitted to your mains cold water supply. When fitting a pump always fit isolation valves on both ends and include removable couplings. This will facilitate maintenance at a later date. Shower pumps (twin impeller versions) can be used to force water at a higher rate of flow through the pipework and out of the shower heads. They work together with the shower unit, which regulates the temperature by controlling the flow of hot and cold water through the pump. The water is already heated elsewhere. In the same way that the cold must be taken from a break tanks or cold water storage cistern, the hot water must be drawn from a hot water cylinder with a refill rate almost equal to the flow rate of the pump, otherwise you will end up in a situation where you deplete the stored water and draw through air. This will burn out the pump much faster and will draw air into the storage vessel. If the vessel is a closed system, you may end up with negative pressure problems.

To summarise, a shower pump combined with a suitable shower unit will provide the most exhilarating showering experience; even so far as a massage like quality together with a good flow of water for improved hygiene and faster bathing, but a hot water storage vessel and a cold water storage vessel will be required, each of which form a break with their respective supply pipe (mains).

Click Bathrooms supply both the shower unit and the shower pump and will be happy to give you advice. My father bought his shower enclosure and shower pump from this supplier and having used his shower, the electric point of use “jobbie” we have at home simply doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. It’s like driving a Ferrari and then jumping back into your Ford Fiesta to return home. There is a noticeable difference and I highly recommend this option – truly the ultimate in affordable domestic showering.

Click Bathrooms have a range of mixer showers to use with your new shower pump.

When designing your bathroom it can present issues and problems due to limited space and a tight budget to work with. It would be wonderful to have a large bathroom suite, double sink units, spa baths and a luxury shower enclosures. If you have to sacrifice your bath or showers consider the pros and cons of each.

The advantage of showers:

A shower is eco friendly compared to taking a bath which uses more water and take more time to use and fill. Showers also take up less room compared to a bath and so are great for a smaller bathroom space. Using a shower allows you to use the space for other things such as bathroom furniture and other necessities.

Showers are quick and easy to use and install, ideal for busy bathroom spaces. They are stylish and work well within modern bathroom settings. Electric showers are great as they instantaneously heat the water and provide a refreshing shower time and time again.

The advantages of baths:

Baths are great if you are wanting to relax and unwind in the comfort of your home. Airspa and whirlpool baths are ideal if you want to create a luxurious bathroom setting, ideal for two bathers at once.  Baths are the ideal way to wash smaller children and babies, when there is no bath washing children can be more difficult. 

When the months get colder and longer having a bath is the ideal way to warm up and relax the muscles in peace. Aromatherapy oils and candles can be used when having a soak, creating the ultimate relaxation time. Shower baths can also combine both a shower and bathing space which is ideal for smaller bathrooms, the p shape design creates more space to relax and unwind.

If you have the advantage of having a bathroom which is large enough for both then this will help to appeal to more people if you should ever come to sell the property at some point. Keep in mind the advantages and if you have to sacrifice one or the other make sure it is the right choice to suit your lifestyle.

When it comes to bathroom furniture and cabinets, people either tend to be in favour of them and others tend to avoid them. Perhaps the latter is because they simply don’t know what is available and remember the old days of a strictly functional airing cupboard. I would never have considered bathroom cabinet or bathroom furniture until I had a look at what is now available. I thought it took up space, was ugly, was another thing to get damaged by water and provided yet more crevices for dirt to accumulate. This is not the case.

Bathroom cabinets and bathroom furniture are perhaps the most versatile aspects of the bathroom, offering favourable aesthetics as well as a means of reducing clutter. The materials you can opt for are almost unlimited; marble, marble lookalikes, stone, wood (many to choose from), steel and other composites in an array of colours and textured finishes.

Even in a small bathroom, the space beneath the sink is often left open, but is of little practical use. A cabinet beneath, or a flush cabinet in which a vanity basin is set not only provides a place to store bathroom essentials, but looks impressive, clean and modern. Whichever material you opt for, the surface finish will be waterproof and scratch resistant, so unless you are filling your bathroom like a swimming pool, the cabinet will last for many years and will be easy to wipe down and keep clean.

Mirrored cabinets are a convenient head–height means of storage too. Before designing your bathroom I would highly recommend visiting a showroom either online or in person to ensure you have a good idea of what your options are and what is available. Back-lit options are also available, which improve lighting and give a little sparkle to your bathroom.

Compact options are available too, which incorporate a wash basin, a WC pan, a cistern and a storage cupboard, all with access for maintenance in a small and neat single piece unit that is modern, clean and durable.

There are so many designs to choose from when it comes to cisterns that you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. Let’s consider the main types. Choosing is based upon your intended purpose or bathroom design, but it is far easier to choose when you know what is available. I hope this information is useful to you.

High Level Cistern

This style of cistern is old fashioned, but often practical. Flush pressure is strong and the cistern can be located in the loft space or above head height out of the way. However, if they are on show, they are a little unsightly as it is difficult to hang ornate or high quality sanitary ware on walls at any height, without having to use equally unsightly heavy-duty brackets.

Standard Low Level Cistern

The most common domestic WC cistern is the low level version which is situated close to the WC pan. A short flush pipe connects the two. They are available in porcelain, acrylic, metal, stone and cast iron, although the most common is porcelain (china like material).

Compact Low Level Cistern

Where space is limited, a small plastic cistern is always an option. They can be purchased in a range of colours, but do tend to look a little on the cheap side. If bathroom appearance means a lot to you, this is probably not in your best interests. The means of activating the flush mechanism is a lever or push button mounted onto the cistern itself.

Concealed Cistern

In effect, a concealed cistern is a type of low level cistern, but one that is hidden behind a panel or in a cupboard close to the WC pan. It doesn’t matter how heavy duty it is or how it looks as it will never be on show. Concealed cisterns are therefore inexpensive. The lever or push button is mounted on show and activates the flush mechanism using hydraulics or pneumatics. Remember to provide access for maintenance.

Close-coupled cistern

Close coupled cisterns are an integral part of the WC pan. They are often seen in disabled bathroom suites as the cistern also forms a back rest for the user. The flush pipe is eliminated as the pan and cistern are connected directly. They often come as separate items for ease of installation, but for one integral whole in practice. The lever or flush button is mounted onto the cistern directly. A range of designs are available. This type of cistern also saves a little space as the flush pipe is vertical rather than vertical and then sweeping for some distance until it reaches the pan as is the case with a standard or compact low level cistern.

I could have included Jacuzzi in that title too as there is often much confusion when it comes comparing the three. Essentially, it should be remembered that each of the aforementioned are different approaches to hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is a relaxation and stress-relief technique using pressurised water, air or a combination of the two to produce a soft and relaxing external body massage.

In basic terms, whirlpool baths re-circulate the water from one point to another. Using a dedicated water pump, they draw water from one point in the bath, put it under additional pressure and release it back into the bathtub via jets or nozzles. Unless the bath is large and symmetrical i.e. circular or square then it is not, strictly speaking, going to produce a true whirlpool. A true whirlpool would cause the surface water to visibly revolve and with large symmetrical whirlpool baths with well positioned jets, this is the case. The nozzles are located in the sides of the bathtub.

Airpool baths force pressurised air into the water from below the occupant – the nozzles are located in the bottom of the tub. Again, strictly speaking, a true air spa bathtub does not circulate water around the bathtub or from one point to another, it produces a hydrotherapeutic effect using air bubbles to massage and soothe.

In modern day hydrotherapeutic bathroom appliances however, it is very common to see bathtubs capable of both. They should more accurately be called Whirlpool Air Spa Baths. In the real world however, they all tend to get lumped together and called Jacuzzi’s or whirlpool baths, but as described they actually operate using different mechanisms and methodologies. A modern day luxury bathtub will massage the occupant with a pressurised air and water mix from around the sides and the same from below. A side mounted controller allows the occupant to turn the various functions on or off individually or all together. This is achieved using valves in the pipe work below and around the tub.

Jacuzzi is actually a trade name – the surname of the inventor in fact. Jacuzzi’s tend to incorporate both whirlpool and air spa functionality and have patents covering a unique nozzle design which they claim distributes air into the water more efficiently. I have not verified this myself via personal experimentation, but I think we can all agree that the brand is well recognised and is synonymous with whirlpools and air spa technology. That said, due to ever improving manufacturing techniques and standards, any whirlpool or air spa type bathtub will help ease the tension after a long day at work. There are many different options to choose from and if you have the space, some designs are truly inspiring and aesthetically brilliant.

The majority of bathroom vanity basins and washbasins have individual taps for hot water and cold water and most tend to be of the shrouded spindle head type. Tap heads are typically made from metal or plastic.

The important thing to remember is that taps can be fashionable as well as functional and they are available in a huge variety of designs. The most durable are chrome-plated brass taps, but these are obviously more expensive than their plastic or chrome finished non-brass counterparts.

Rising spindle taps are the traditional version. Turning the head raises or lowers the actual height of the tap head and the rubber washer attached to the other end of the spindle inside the tap body. These taps are simple, rugged and last for many years.

Non-rising spindle taps are the more modern approach, but whilst they exhibit less wear on the internal washer, they have a finer internal thread than the traditional rising spindle tap and as a result they suffer from misalignment. After a number of years, it is not uncommon to see the taps dripping and this cannot be solved by further tightening the tap head. The internal mechanism is relatively easy to replace however at little expense, provided an isolation valve is locally available.

Ceramic-disc taps make use of two precision ground ceramic discs to control the flow of water rather than a rubber washer. One disc is fixed and the other rotates until the holes or water pathways through each of them line up. There is minimal wear as scale from hard-water is unable to interfere due to the close fit of the ceramic discs. Even when a problem does arise, the entire internal cartridge can be replaced.

Single-lever mixing taps operate in a different way altogether. Lifting the lever controls the flow of water, whilst turning the lever controls the temperature. When the tap is centrally aligned hot and cold water flow equally. When turned towards the hot water indicator, the hot water aperture is increased and the cold water aperture is decreased leading to a hotter overall water temperature. The opposite is also true. Mixer taps such as this generally have smaller connections, so adaptors will be needed to connect them to the hot and cold water supplies.

On that note, always check the aperture size on your existing or proposed wash basin or vanity basin. Bathroom Taps do not suit the holes on all sinks in terms of quantity and diameter. The tap and washbasin supplier will be able to advise you on this and it is probably wise to purchase both from the same place with a guarantee to avoid any headaches. I have encountered this very problem whilst working as an engineer in the plumbing and heating industry.

This article offers simple tips on how actual space and a feeling of spaciousness in your bathroom can be increased.

Many people prefer to have a bathtub in their bathroom for comfort reasons, but with bold steps being made on a daily basis towards the establishment of an energy efficient and “green” society, a shower is the more environmentally and economically friendly option. A shower also takes up far less space and when the bathtub is replaced with a shower, a truly elegant walk in shower becomes a viable option, offering style, a convenient means of bathing and utility bills savings.

On the other hand, if you already have a separate bath and shower and wish to retain both, space can be increased by combing them. Using the bath as a shower tray will eliminate the need for a separate shower, thus freeing up space.

If you have a solid shower door or bath screen, opt for a clear glass as this gives the impression of increased space. Alternatively, make use of a shower curtain instead of a solid barrier, as when not in use a curtain can be pulled back and tied up, increasing the volume of apparent free space.

Mirrors are a clever means of increasing the feeling of space. Placing reasonably large mirrors opposite each other on facing walls creates the illusion of spaciousness. How we perceive things is often more important than how things actually are.

Installing a smaller wash basin is another means of increasing physical space and the feeling of space. A range of sizes are now available to us in the 21^st Century.

Retiling the bathroom floor with large floor tiles gives the illusion of increased space and also provides an opportunity to install textured tiles, thus reducing the risk of slips.

Remove clutter from your bathroom, such as unnecessary decorative plant pots, ornaments and rugs which only decrease the feeling of space and the amount of actual space within your bathroom.

With increasingly stringent regulations arising in the fields of health and safety and equal opportunities it is ever more important to cater for the needs of everybody. This is certainly true of public facilities, retail outlets and places of work, but our homes have not had such legislation imposed upon them. What makes a home suitable for a tenant with a disability depends largely upon the nature of said disability, but there are general areas in which safety and accessibility can be improved. This can be achieved with little capital expense.

Statistically, the most common causes of accidents in the workplace are still slips, trips and falls. This can be verified by visiting the Health and Safety Executive website. As formal reporting is not required of householders, such statistical data is not available en masse for the domestic environment, but common sense dictates that the abovementioned causes will still score high on the hypothetical “reasons for injuries in the home” list.

Here are a few basic ways of both reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls within the bathroom. Some of the same measures also help to reduce the severity of any injuries that are incurred.

Non Slip Flooring

Having the entire bathroom floor made from an anti-slip material is a good place to start, but this is not always an option for an existing bathroom. In this case, anti-slip mats or grids (available in a range of materials) are an inexpensive, but effective solution. Even simple textile mats help prevent slips as they absorb water that could otherwise become a hazard, but there have been many cases, where the mat itself is the object that slips, particularly if it is not of the anti-slip type.

A more hardcore option is to apply a rubber coating. Such coatings have a slightly sticky feeling when they have dried and are applied in the same way a typical paint is applied. They are very effective at preventing slips and being clear, they are not immediately noticeable or visually distasteful.

Eliminate Clutter

It is a good idea to remove all free-standing objects from the bathroom floor, such as plants, rugs, tables and other decorative items. Such objects can be knocked over, stood upon and bumped into. They are potentially trip hazards. For individuals in wheelchairs, it is important to provide sufficient space for them to turn around without catching things. In this case, a downstairs bathroom would be assumed.

Hand Rails & Supports

When it comes to the appropriate use of handrails, it would be sensible to consult the DDA Regulations. These regulations concentrate on toilet and wash basin accessibility and ease of use. Rails should be placed so as to facilitate the movement of an individual from their wheelchair to the toilet seat. Heights are specified in the DDA Regulations. A vertical handrail on the wall above the wash basin is also advised so that a solid anchoring point is available for individuals who have trouble standing freely.

With regard to bath accessibility, it would be sensible to opt for a tub designed for this purpose specifically. There are tubs with side doors, which open to allow easy access, but the cleanest and most convenient option, given adequate space is available, is a seated shower with wheelchair access. These are referred to as “Document M Showers” as they meet the requirements of Document M of The Building Regulations (Access to and Use of Buildings).

Slips & Falls in the Shower or Bathtub

Many people slip whilst in the shower or bathtub. With limited space in typical homes, the bathtub often forms the tray for the shower too. There are a number of ways slips in the shower or tub can be avoided. One simple means is an anti-slip mat, which when designed for this purpose has suction pads on the underside to secure it in place and a non slip upper surface for standing on. Another is to ensure the shower tray or bathtub have been mounted correctly, so that water runs toward the drainage point and does not collect under and around the feet for a prolonged period of time. When shower gels and soaps collect in such pooling situations, a slip is far more likely. Washing the tray or bath after use will help prevent the build-up of scum and limescale, which when wet may lead to slimy, slip-prone surfaces.

When replacing taps it is sensible to make use of the existing plumbing, but disconnecting the existing taps from the hot and cold water supply can prove difficult if not almost impossible, especially where fittings have corroded and fused together.

Penetrating oil can be obtained from any plumbers merchants and helps loosen up seized fittings. Apply it to the tap connectors both on the upside of the sink and underneath. Whilst the oil works its magic, isolate the hot and cold water supplies. Hopefully there will be two service valves close to the taps. They have a flat head type screw which if the groove is in line with the pipe work the water is still on.

It is not always possible to reach the tap back-nuts with a standard wrench, so you may need to invest in a special cranked spanner designed for reaching nuts in awkward and confined spaces beneath basins and sinks.

Even once you have removed the taps you may find that they are difficult to separate from the wash basin. This is likely due to a silicon sealant between the seat of the tap and the wash basin surface. With enough force this will come loose, but if you cannot find the necessary muscle power, try tapping the taps from the underside up over using a wooden mallet. Be careful not to miss and bash the basin or bash the tap up into your own face. Believe me, these things happen every day. A metal hammer generally requires more accuracy and will do more damage to the basin if you miss, hence the wooden option.

Once you have removed the taps, clean the residual putty or silicone from the tap holes and place the new taps loosely in the designated position, you may find that the tap tails do not extend long enough to connect to the hot and cold water supplies and if this is the case visit your local plumbers merchants and ask for adapters to take up the gaps. It may be sensible to measure the depth and diameter of the holes in your wash basin and to take the taps with you.

From a practical point of view, having a double vanity basin is ideal for couples who get up at the same time (where a second bathroom is not an option). On the same note, kids can brush their teeth together and this makes before-bed-activities a shared event. It also helps to eliminate competition and squabbling, which is the last thing any parent want s and the end of a stressful day at work.

Double vanity basins are not very common in typical dwellings and are a real showpiece as well as a practical time saver.

The larger worktop into which the double vanity unit sits provides ample space for toiletries, eliminating the need for a separate shelf.

Double vanity basins are available in a range of sizes and designs, such as wood, porcelain, stone, and marble. They are of course larger than their single basin counterpart and this means all bathrooms won’t be able to accommodate a double vanity basin. The recommended space for a single basin (for comfortable use) is 700mm from the back of the basin to the back of the user and 500mm from the centre of the user’s back to his or her left and 500mm from the centre of the user’s back to his or her right. This is considered enough to bend the elbows and get over the sink so as to splash water over one’s face.

With the additional counter top space, a larger mirror is necessary. Well you could look at it that way, or you could look at it as in a larger mirror wouldn’t look out of place, which would be the case if placed above a single basin. The added benefit of a large bathroom mirror is that it further increases the perceived size of the bathroom, offering a feeling of spaciousness.

As with any item of sanitaryware, it is a good idea to check out the types available before making any purchase. A little bit of research and planning leads to new ideas you may never have thought of and helps to avoid installation pitfalls. Always make sure you have enough space before purchasing any large item of furniture or sanitaryware for your bathroom.