Technical Advice
What is considered to be low or high pressure?
How can I tell what system I have?
Should the plumber put something into my radiator to stop pinholing?
What are wall hung toilets or basins?
What is the difference between an exposed and a concealed shower valve?
Pressure is measured in bars (metric). In simple terms, a meter of water pressure is the pressure of having the cold water storage tank 1 meter vertically above the tap/shower outlet. Therefore, if the bottom of the cold water storage tank is 5 meters above the shower head outlet, this would give 5 meters head of pressure (0.5 bar). Therefore, 0.1 bar is 1 meter and 1 bar is 10 metres.
What is considered to be low or high pressure?
Low pressure is 0.1 bar to 0.3 bar, anything above is considered to need high pressure.
This measurement is taken from the base of the storage tank to the shower head or tap head. Combi boilers tend to give out between 1 & 1.5 bar pressure.
How can I tell what system I have?
Check if you have the following:
Gravity:
- A cold water storage tank (usually in the loft)
- A hot water cylinder (usually in the airing cupboard)
- Gas boiler – if you use gas central heating you should have a boiler
- Electric heating – the hot water cylinder will have an electric immersion heater to heat the water
Combination Boilers/Instantaneous Water Heaters:
- Wall-mounted boiler that fires up when you turn on the hot tap
- Unlimited hot water
- No hot water cyclinder
- No cold water storage tank
- You cannot use a pump with combination boilers!
Unvented (Megaflow):
- No cold water storage tank
- Pressure expansion vessel on top of the hot water cylinder
- The label on the hot water cylinder often says ‘Megaflow’ or ‘pressurised system’
No. When you purchase taps from us they can be either low or high pressure. Some taps are only to be used on high pressure systems, i.e. Combi boilers, which are considered to be high pressure. We sell you these on the basis of the information you provide us. It would be very advisable to seek further advise from your professional installer before you install your taps.
Should the plumber put something into my radiator to stop pinholing?
Yes. All towel-warmers and radiators must have an appropriate inhibitor installed to avoid pinholing. Your guarantee is subject to this condition.
What are wall hung toilets or basins?
Wall hung toilets are toilets that are mounted onto a wall off the floor via an internal frame & cistern combined to support the pan. The shortest length frame would be about 820mm and you would need approx 150mm depth. Access for maintenance to this cistern is through the flush plate.
Wall hung basins are basins which are mounted onto a wall rather than being sat on a pedestal. Wall hung basins can be heavy so consideration for good fixtures into the wall or stud wall are essential. Pipe work is chased or hidden in the wall to tap and waste connections. This makes messy pipe-work in a bathroom a thing of the past.
A semi pedestal would cover the waste and pipe work to the taps only; it would have no support value with the basin. A full pedestal supports the basin and should hide the pipe work to the basin.
This is a pan that is fitted up against furniture or boxing, and fed from a hidden cistern. Ideal if you have unsightly pipes that need hiding away.
What is the difference between an exposed and a concealed shower valve?
An exposed shower valve has only the pipe work hidden or chased into the wall. A concealed shower valve is recessed into a wall and thus needs 100mm depth, so this could be difficult to install on an external wall. In a stud wall an exposed valve needs an installation kit or various plumbing fittings to secure to the wall.
Not on a combi system or a pressured system! They are only to be installed on a gravity system with equal feeds to increase pressure on taps and showers etc.
Always let the plumber give advice or supply the pump because so many pumps do different things, every water system and your needs are different to others.
All electrical items should be installed by a qualified electrician. Island Bathrooms do not take responsibility for the siting or installation of electrical items. Any final decision about installation should be taken by a qualified electrician.
All pumps create noise, but some more than others.
These are zones where electrical equipment can be installed safely, see diagram:
For the purpose of safe lighting, the bathroom or shower area is divided into ZONES.
The zones are numbered accordingly to the distance away from a source of water:
Zone 0
Suitable for IP68 - Submersible
The ultimate in watertight fittings. Suitable for saunas, steam rooms or to be mounted underwater (down to 9 meters).
Zone 1
Suitable for IP65 - Jetproof
Should be fitted where the fitting may be subject to a jet of water, for example from a shower handset.
Zone 2
Suitable for IP44 - Splashproof
Should be fitted wherever the fitting may be splashed. Anywhere within 0.6 meters of a basin or similar water source.
Other Areas
Suitable for Other Areas
As long as there is no possibility that any lighting will be splashed with water, or steam will settle on the fitting, IP44 or IP65
rated fittings are not needed.
This information is intended as a simple guide only; Island Bathrooms takes no responsibility for incorrectly installed luminaries. Any final decisions about installation should be taken by a qualified electrician.
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