We have put together a simple guide to help you select the correct products for your bathroom, and to help you understand some of the terminology.
Plumbing systems & compatibility
Some taps require more specific requirements. Such systems are:
Gravity fed systems - hot and cold water tanks
Gravity / Mains systems - hot water cylinder and cold mains
Pressurised / Unvented Systems - as above but hot pressurised by cold mains supply
Pumped systems - gravity system with pump to boost water flow
Combination boilers - instant water heater (no hot/cold water tanks)
If you are in any doubt regarding your plumbing system see our
Plumbing Systems Simplified information page.
Terminology Pillar tapsSeparate hot and cold taps for two hole sinks.
Monobloc mixerMixer tap requiring a sink with one hole.
Single lever mixerMixer using only one handle to control flow and temperature.
Deck mounted tapFitting required to be installed on horizontal surface.
Wall mounted tapFitting required to be installed onto a wall surface.
Bib tapsSeparate hot and cold taps to be installed onto wall surface, optional upstands for two hole sinks.
Mechanical valve: Traditional type valve that uses a rubber washer to create a watertight seal.
Ceramic disc valve: Valve that uses hard wearing ceramic discs to create a watertight seal. Popular due to low maintenance and easy quarter or half turn action to operate.
Ceramic disc cartridge: Cartridge utilising cleverly made hard wearing ceramic discs to create taps with single lever operation. Becoming more popular due to low maintenance requirements and ease of operation.
Single flow: Hot and cold water mixes within the mixer body. To comply with Water Bylaws fittings such as this require single check valves fitted to each inlet.
Dual flow: Hot and cold water mix at the outlet of the tap, thus no check valves are required.
Check valves: Check valves (or Non Return Valves) are required to comply with Water Bylaws on certain fittings. They allow water to flow in only one direction. Please contact your local water authority for details.
Pressure reducing valves: Sometimes required on systems using mixers and with a high pressure imbalance. (greater than a ration of 5:1 generally)
Minimum pressure: Pressure required so that fitting performs adequately. Pressure depends on type of fitting and type of plumbing system installed. As a general guide, low pressure systems are gravity fed and less than 1.0 bar (1.0 metre vertical distance between shower outlet and base of cold water tank is approximately 0.1 bar), high pressure systems are mains fed, pumped or combination boilers.
Maximum pressure: Maximum safe working pressure. If this is exceeded all guarantees are void and fitting may get damaged.
Water Bylaws: All fittings must be installed to comply with these to ensure basic safety and legal compliance. Please contact your local water authority for details.
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme): A product approval process whereby fittings are checked for mechanical reliability and material safety.
And, now for the legal bits - All information and details given within these pages are for information purposes only, Tap-advice.co.uk cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any preparation work that is undertaken based on such specifications or information shown on our site. We always recommend that you obtain advice from a suitably qualified plumber before making a purchase or arranging any installation. Remember it is always best to employ a professional to complete works.
