Archive for the ‘Mixer Showers’ Category

NEW Salamander Force Pumps

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

 

Salamander Pumps, the market leader in the manufacture of shower pumps in the UK are delighted to bring this exciting new range of brass ended shower pumps to the UK and Irish markets. As manufacturers of shower pumps for over 25 years we have used our considerable expertise to bring this robust, installer friendly new range to market.

FORCE 15

A range of brass ended 1.5 bar shower pumps – ideal for boosting shower performance

FORCE 15 PT 1.5 bar twin brass ended positive head shower pump

FORCE 15 TU 1.5 bar twin brass ended positive and negative head universal shower pump

FORCE 20

A range of brass ended 2.0 bar shower pumps – ideal for providing powerful shower performance

FORCE 20 PT 2.0 bar twin brass ended positive head shower pump

FORCE 20 TU 2.0 bar twin brass ended positive and negative head universal shower pump

FORCE 20 PS 2.0 bar single brass ended positive head shower pump

FORCE 20 SU 2.0 bar single brass ended positive and negative head universal shower pump

FORCE 30

A range of brass ended 3.0 bar shower pumps * – ideal for powerful showering and multi outlet applications 

FORCE 30 PT 3.0 bar twin brass ended positive head shower pump

FORCE 30 TU 3.0 bar twin brass ended positive and negative head universal shower pump

FORCE 30 PS 3.0 bar single brass ended positive head shower pump

FORCE 30 SU 3.0 bar single brass ended positive and negative head universal shower pump

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Stuart Turner Showermate Eco continues to go from Strength to Strength

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Since Stuart Turner introduced Showermate Eco last year, it’s most competitive shower pump so far, it quickly established itself as one of the most popular entry level shower pumps available today, more than meeting its original brief to provide ‘economy without compromise’. It provides the ideal solution to boost shower performance quietly and efficiently with its neat, compact design. The Showermate Eco, which is of course WRAS approved, features a peripheral pump head design making it extremely system friendly and ideal for upgrading and refurbishing new and existing showering facilities. Not only that, it also comes with a 2 years guarantee for maximum reassurance and happy showering when you register your pump online.

Always one to want to improve, Stuart Turner has further improved the specification of its eco range with all models now supplied with built in isolation valves on the inlet hoses. Available in 1.5 or 2.0 bar twin and 2.0 bar single performance options, installers can specify the eco model in a wide range of situations such as smaller and confined spaces, which can be more difficult with larger pumps.

For maximum quality and reliability, the Stuart Turner Showermate Eco supplies the excellence you expect from the Stuart Turner brand.

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Mira Realm – Traditional Showering at Traditional Prices

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Mira are introducing a new and revised range of Mixer showers in response to increasing customer demand and market trends for traditional styled products. This builds on their success and popular aesthetics of the current range combined with feedback from customers and resellers alike.

The Realm range has brought together much of todays modern showering technology but recast it in the shape of something gloriously traditional. With the long thin riser rail neatly finished in Chrome, it looks and plays the part of that of an older shower, whilst maintaining the standard and performance of a new one. The deluge head delivers unprecedented streams of water in both quantity and area of coverage, with 21cm of showerhead, this is something that would be tough to beat.

Each and every one of Mira’s showers come with details and touches to create your showering experience one to enjoy look forward to. They have taken the time and effort to produce shower after shower with attention to detail, safety and environmentally friendly features and of course affordable and fair prices.

Look no further than Mira Showers to add the finishing touches to your bathroom. Whether it be a smaller more compact shower or a large flamboyant one, Mira are sure to provide you with something you need.

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Mira adds a new twist to shower design

Friday, June 10th, 2011

The new Element SLT from Mira Showers is the most advanced Single Lever Thermostatic (SLT) shower on the market and takes advantage of a unique Mira design (patent pending). It is a premium addition to the existing Element range of single control sequential showers, bridging the gap between single sequential control and the dual control thermostatic mixer shower valves with a single lever control for both flow and temperature.

It also has an “Eco” setting that gives the option of saving up to 30% of water used. The element SLT is approved to TMV2 standards for temperature stability and it is suitable for all water systems and pressures (0.1bar to 5 bar). Backed by a five year guarantee, the Element SLT comes in three models – the EV, BIV and BIR, which has a 18cm diameter single mode showerhead.

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The NEW Element SLT Mixer Shower

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

It’s and Element with a twist

Best performing single lever mixer shower on the market

One single lever control for flow and temperature

Reversible and replaceable one piece cartridge

Adjustable fixing centres on EV and BIV kits, plus a larger 110mm shower head

Works on all systems and pressures

5 Year guarantee

     

 

MIRA ELEMENT SLT More control with New Lift and Twist Technology

At Mira Showers they are always working hard to create amazing products, And that’s exactly what they have done with the new Element SLT. It truly is the best performing single lever shower on the market and, what’s more, it puts you in full control of flow and temperature, And because it forms part of the existing Element range, you can be sure that it has a great heritage behind it, too.

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CHOOSING A SHOWER

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010


The simple shower – a bathroom object often regarded as a convenient, quick alternative to a long soak in the bath. It’s easy to assume a speedy shower is all business and no pleasure, but thanks to a vast range of shower head choices and the growing availability of trendy body jets, a shower can be just as relaxing and spa like as a whirlpool bath. There are three main decisions to make when it comes to a new shower – which shower tray? What kind of enclosure? And which shower unit? It can seem daunting, but by understanding your properties heating and water system you can choose a stylish and functional shower to suite your property.

The foundations of a good shower can only begin at the bottom with a good shower tray, typically slim line and low profile trays are proving most popular for a contemporary, minimalist feel. Available space is likely to be the biggest influence in what shower tray and enclosure you decide upon. You can’t fail to find a shower tray that will fit whatever space you have; with a choice of rectangular, square, quadrant or offset quadrant shapes. In a small space a quadrant tray will fit snugly into any corner, while a classic rectangular or offset quadrant tray will form the base of a spacious, luxury shower. If you are considering a minimalist wet room a shower tray is not used, but think carefully about your tiles choices for the floor and walls. A walk in shower can have a tray if you wish. Either option provides an eye catching modern focal point in any bathroom.

When it comes to the unit itself you will have to make a decision over electric, mixer or power shower. Electric showers are the most common choice for households across the country; they only require water from the mains cold water supply and don’t rely on stored hot water. This makes the electric shower ideal for the busy family household where there is a limited supply of hot water, a convenient type of shower that would also suite a new en-suite where shower plumbing may have not existed before. An electric shower might have once meant a plain white box and shower head but market leaders have recognised a wish for more stylish units designing a range of electric showers in stylish materials including chrome, coloured or patterned glass and even granite tile meaning a modern, sophisticated look can still be achieved with an electric shower.

Mixer showers do what they say on the tin and mix hot and cold water to your required temperature. Most mixer showers can be installed on a number of systems: on high pressure systems i.e. combination boiler or low pressure systems i.e. cold water storage tank. A mixer shower relies on a balance in pressure from the cold and hot water feed to perform to its best. Manufacturers are much more creative in their designs when it comes to the mixer shower because they don’t have electrical parts to contend with. If you have the cash there is a good range of extravagant shower heads to choose from: a wall mounted fixed head paired with a concealed control provide a sleek minimalist design statement without the traditional ‘shower cord’ getting in the way. No shower is an enjoyable wake-up call without a good shower head, and there are styles to suit every bathroom and user. Strategically placed body jets can massage your body for spa like luxury. Both practical and luxurious, body jets will undoubtedly enhance a showering experience. They can be used at the same time as the shower head or with the use of a diverter if you wish to choose a body wash whilst keeping your hair dry. To make a statement with your shower unit a designer shower tower will give the best showering experience – these bold designs usually consist of a shower head, body jets, thermostatic control and automatic shut down if either water supply fails.

For a truly exhilarating shower people have often opted for a Power Shower, these too consist of a hot and cold feed, both from stored supplies and an integral pump. The water supply always needs to be above the unit so the pump is primed to do its job. Shower options have also kept up with a technology era – thanks to wireless technology a digital shower can set your water to the perfect temperature before you get in. Most digital showers and their control panels can be installed without the need to damage existing tiling.

A shower enclosure will complete the look of your shower and will also be determined by your choice of flooring or shower tray. If you have space saving at the top of your agenda a bi-fold shower door won’t interfere with other bathroom fittings in the way a fixed door might. If you have chosen a quadrant shower tray to fit snugly into a corner, a sliding quadrant glass door won’t take up extra space and will make the room appear larger. The traditional hinged door can still be sleek and elegant, particularly with the choice of a frameless shower door for a seamless contemporary shower space. Walk in showers and wet rooms make a bold design statement, bringing a taste of a high end hotel to your own bathroom. Stylish and stunning glass screens can be purchased from a range of size options. Most come with a protective shield to keep the glass sparkling clean and optimising a light and airy feel in the room.

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Showers and Enclosures

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Showers


Showers are more economical than baths, and many people prefer them for their speed and ‘wake up’ qualities. However there is nothing exhilarating about stepping in and turning one on to be presented with a small trickle down your neck – especially if it veers from being an icy trickle one minute to one that scalds you the next.

The installation of a good pump is essential for most showers, but if you have a combination boiler then you may not be able to fit one. You need to have about a metre (yard) between the bottom of your water storage cold tank and the top of the shower head if you are not using a pump – the greater the distance (fall) for the water, then the better the pressure is going to be.

Take some advice from your plumber about whether you are going to need a pump, and if you do, whether it needs to pump the whole bathroom (which is unlikely unless your bathroom is in the attic) or just the shower. If your bathroom takes hot water from the tank and cold water direct from the mains, then the pump may not be able to handle the difference in pressure between the two.

The Head and Controls

Of course no shower is halfway decent without a good shower head. These range from hand-held ones (very good for washing hair in the bash and rinsing down animals), to those on slider bars, to types fixed to the ceiling or wall. They come in styles to suit every type of bathroom. Strategically placed body jets can massage your body in much the same way as a whirlpool bath does. Steam showers are also available.

Shower controls also offer a bewildering choice, but the important thing is to have a thermostatic control to maintain the water temperature no matter what other appliances are being used in the house. 

Shower Cubicles

If you have the space, install a separate shower cubicle rather than having one over the bath. If you have no choice but to combine the two, then you should choose a bath that is as wide and flat-bottomed as possible.

Shower cubicles come in a range of styles and materials, some with accessories such as shower seats and towel rails, but cubicles can be difficult to integrate well into an existing bathroom. Take a look at your plan and see if there is a niche that could be utilized for a shower.

Position the controls near the door so that you can pre-set and turn on the shower before you get in, and make sure that the walls, floor and ceiling of the shower are waterproofed and that the rest of the bathroom is also protected from the splashes.

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Installing a New Triton Mixer Shower

Friday, August 6th, 2010


Here are some of Triton Showers Support Teams most frequently asked questions.

I am replacing an old manual mixer valve and the hot supply to it is on the right. The new Triton bar mixer shower I am fitting has the hot connection on the left. Can I connect the hot supply to the cold inlet and change something on the mixer valve to suite?

There is no provision on a bar mixer shower to alter the thermostatic cartridge inside and have hot water entering the cold-water inlet. It will be necessary to alter the pipe arrangements and have the hot water supply on the left.

Do I need to use a cylinder flange when installing a Triton mixer or power shower?

It is not necessary to use a cylinder flange when installing our mixer and pump products. Teeing into the inclined section of pipe from the top of the cylinder is the preferred method of connection.
Providing the tee is pointing down, air released from the heated water in the cylinder will bypass the tee and escape out of the expansion pipe.

If it is not possible to fit the tee in this fashion it can be installed in the falling supply to other outlets, providing it is below the expansion pipe tee and is the first take off point before other taps.

Do you make a mixer shower that I can install onto a gravity hot water supply and mains cold water supply?

We do not recommend installing our mixer showers onto unbalanced supplies of this type. While most of our mixer showers incorporate a single check valve in each inlet there is always a risk that debris may enter the mixer and prevent the check valve in the hot inlet from sealing off. Should this occur mains water at pressure will flow into the hot supply forcing water in the cylinder back into the cold water cistern potentially causing water to overflow from the cistern and damaging property.

Does Triton have a range of mixer showers with tamper proof controls?

Triton’s Elina range of mixer showers has tamper proof controls. A tool to remove the controls is supplied with the valve.

How can I determine the pressure and flow I will get from a Triton mixer shower connected to gravity supplies?

The principle is that for every 1 meter head of water, (as measured from the base of the cold water cistern to the top of the showerhead) there will be a pressure into the mixer of 0.1 bar. This is a theoretical pressure as restrictions within pipe fittings and the shower mixer valve will reduce the pressure to a degree.

Providing only minimal restrictions are present in the supplies and terminal fitting the additional measurement (height) of water within the cistern will usually compensate for pressure losses in the supplies.
Where flow-rate is quoted for mixer valves at 0.1 bar this is an open outlet figure i.e. flow of water from the mixer outlet without the shower hose and showerhead fitted.

How do I find out what flow rate I will get from a Triton mixer shower before purchasing?

Firstly you will need to establish whether the mixer shower you are interested in is suitable for the water system in the property i.e. a low – pressure or high-pressure system.

By accessing the fitting instructions for the product you will be able to establish the flow rate from a graph detailing the open outlet flow rate at various pressures i.e. flow that will be available from the mixer outlet without the showerhead connected.

Alternatively you can contact our customer service team on 0870 067 3333 who will be happy to provide the information you require.

How many mixer showers can be fed from a Thermal Store hot water system?

The output from a thermal store unit depends on its size (stored volume), heat transfer capability and the water pressure entering the unit. Some are only capable of delivering sufficient hot water to one mixer shower whereas others can supply 3 or 4 showers simultaneously. Always check the specification of the thermal store before selecting any mixer shower to ensure that the capacity of the heating appliance is compatible with the shower and required usage.

I want to install a mixer shower in a loft conversion where the cold water cistern is lower than the showerhead. Which product do you recommend?

The easiest product to install would be the Satellites Sirona with LP mixing unit and Metis shower kit .  The mixer unit can be installed just below the cold water cistern. Pumps in the mixer unit will deliver water at pressure to the showering area located above.

Is your pressure compensating mixer shower compatible with a thermal store hot water system?

The pressure-compensating valve is compatible with this type of high pressure system. This shower is designed to maintain the set showering temperature when a pressure change occurs in either the hot or cold supply i.e. when another tap is turned on in the property. However this type of mixer shower does not respond to any changes that occur in the hot water supply temperature.

Providing the thermal store unit is capable of maintaining a constant water temperature when other taps are operated, then the pressure-compensating valve can maintain comfortable showering temperature. Where there are noticeable fluctuations in domestic hot water temperature then a thermostatic mixer valve should be specified.

What do I need to check most when selecting a replacement for my existing mixer shower?

Check that the mixer shower you select is compatible with your water system i.e. low or high pressure.

Check that the mixer you select is thermostatic in operation if you want optimum temperature control.

Check that the inlet fittings on the new mixer offer the same measurement between them as the existing mixer, if not it will usually be necessary to alter pipework to suit.

Check that the existing hot and cold supply will connect to the correct inlets on the new mixer i.e. hot on the left and cold on the right, if not it will be necessary to alter the pipework to suit.

What do I need to check most when selecting and installing a built in mixer shower?

Check that the wall structure can accommodate the routing of water pipes and the building in depth of the selected mixer.

Check that hot and cold supplies enter the correct inlets on the mixer before making good the wall.

Ensure when plastering and tiling around the mixer shower that filters and check valves are accessible for future maintenance

What size cold water cistern and hot water cylinder do I need to supply a low-pressure mixer shower?

The minimum size cold water tank (cistern) we recommend for one shower unit is 115 liters’ (25 gallons). Hot water storage will depend on a number of factors such as, time in the shower, flow rate of the shower and the stored water temperature and recovery time of the hot water cylinder. As a rule of thumb a low-pressure mixer shower will deliver a flow rate of 5l/m and will use around 3 liters’ of hot water a minute. Therefore, this will use up the contents of a domestic hot water storage cylinder containing 117 litters of which 93 litters is useable, in approximately 30 minutes.

If a booster pump is fitted to improve shower performance then the hot water used can be in the region of 12 l/m, which means showering time will be reduced to approximately 8 minutes  

The larger the hot water cylinder the better.

When installing a thermostatic mixer shower in a care home, are there any special requirements I should be aware of for this type of situation?

Care homes generally follow NHSE guidance on the delivery of safe hot water temperature to outlets. Fitting a TMV3 mixer valve shower will fully meet the requirements for the delivery of safe water temperature in this type of establishment.

In addition to the shower, appliances such as basins, bidets and baths will also require TMV3 thermostatic control on the hot water outlets.

Should you need further information on installing a Triton Mixer Shower you can contact the Triton customer service team on 0870 067 3333.

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