SHOWER VALVE INFORMATION
The type of shower you choose and its performance will be influenced by your water system. For example, if you have a gravity fed system (cold water storage tank and hot water cylinder) and want to install a shower, you might also need to consider fitting a pump to boost flow and pressure. However, if you have a mains fed water system (a combination boiler / unvented mains hot water cylinder, you will not be able to add a pump to your installation but should find that the mains pressure is sufficient. Mains pressure will vary from region to region, time of day and the time of year.Typical average mains water pressure will give approximately 1.5 bar.
There's a shower to suit everyone, but taking time to identify your water system and type of shower now can save a lot of time and expense in the future. A qualified plumber should be able to give advice and for further guidance please see below and also the YOUR PLUMBING EXPLAINED section of the web site. All showers are as standard for the U.K market and any fittings required can be purchased from your local plumbers' merchant or DIY store.
TYPES OF SHOWERS AND VALVES
ELECTRIC SHOWERS
Electric showers are connected to the mains cold water and an element within the shower heats the water as it passes through the unit. Electric Showers are the perfect practical choice for busy bathrooms and are ready to use any time of day or night providing instantaneous hot water.
MANUAL SHOWER VALVES
The most basic type of shower valve, normally with a single lever operating both flow and temperature. Inexpensive and simple to use, however any fluctuation of the hot or cold supllies will result in the change of water temperature.
THERMOSTATIC SHOWER VALVES
A thermostatic shower will provide the safest form of showering by keeping the temperature constant even when there is a fluctuation of the hot or cold water supplies to the shower valve. An example of this is if you were to imagine taking a shower and a toilet were flushed elsewhere in the home which shared the same supply of cold water, although there would be a reduction in the flow of water at the shower, the shower valve will self adjust to keep the temperature constant, preventing the temperature of the shower from becoming too hot and more importantly a person being scalded.
THERMOSTATIC SHOWER VALVE WITH INTEGRAL DIVERTER
Some thermostatic showers also incorporate a built in diverter which will switch the flow of water to a different outlet or outlets depending on the particular valve.
So for example you may want to have a fixed shower head and a bath filler. A 2 way diverter shower valve will allow you to divert and thermostatically contol the flow of water to each of these outlets.
CONCEALED VALVE
Concealed shower valves have their valves fitted into the wall. This means that the wall must be excavated to accommodate the shower’s valve. The controls will be neater and more compact and are a good choice for a smaller showering enclosure where every inch of space matters. When purchasing a concealed valve you will also require a shower walloutlet elbow if using a slide rail kit.
EXPOSED VALVE
Exposed showers can be fitted directly on to the wall. This makes the product easier to install as there will be little disruption and no need to excavate the bathroom wall. However, it’s worth remembering that an exposed shower valves controls are normally larger and could encroach upon a small showering area. To make installation easier, consider opting for a showerhead with a surface mounted kit, rather than concealed pipework.
UNBALANCED WATER PRESSURE
Some shower valves require a balanced water supply in order to work correctly. This is when both the hot and cold water supplies are of equal pressure. An example of unequal pressure would be when the cold water supply is from a cold water storage tank ( Normally located in the loft space ) and the hot water is produced by a combination boiler.
PRESSURE EQUALISING VALVE
A solution to the problem of unbalanced water supplies, this valve is designed to supply both hot and cold water supplies at equal pressure, regardless of any pressure variations in the incoming supply.
The valve equalises the pressure by automatically adjusting the higher hot and cold pressure to the level of the lower pressure. Pressure between the hot and cold supply must be between 0.2 bar and 10 bar.
Applications-
SHOWER MIXERS
SINGLE LEVER MIXERS
BATH SHOWER MIXERS
BIDET MIXERS
MULTIPOINT / COMBINATION OR FULLY MODULATING GAS BOILERS
GRAVITY SYSTEMS
MAINS PRESSURE HOT WATER CYLINDERS OR ANY HOT WATER SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES CONSTATNT TEMPERATURE OUTPUT
If you require any further information about our products or any technical assistance please do not hesitate to contact us either by telephone - Freephone 0800 783 78 76 or email sales@clickontaps.co.uk |
|
