Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

"MM" wrote in message
...

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

I had a similar problem with my kitchen mixer tap, I was advised to fit a
one-way valve to the hot side because when I used a hosepipe, the (mains)
cold water was pushing the hot back to the tank and out of the overflow
outside when the hosepipe "stop" valve was on and the taps fully open.


Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

But would it really take longer? Unless your hot water is above scalding or
you take very cold baths, you wouldn't need more than 50% cold water so with
the (gravity) cold running at the same rate as the (gravity) hot, they'd
both take the same amount of time at worst, surely?

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

MM wrote:

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

There's a better solution that that:

A pressure *equalising* valve - has two waterways:

http://www.bes.co.uk/products/110.asp

item 16711

Not cheap though.

I thought lots of "mixer" taps presented hot and cold right at the end of
the nozzel to avoid this back pressure problem - or maybe that's just
kitchen mixer taps?

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

And something will be siezed... Get a proper tap spanner, it will help.


MM
--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:20:45 +0000, MM wrote:

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where the
cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once the
mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Water regs say that I have to run the flexible pipe for the shower head through a hole in the soap dish to prevent
water from the bath getting back up the shower. It also means you can't use the shower head to get water up
your whahoola to rinse the soap off. That is, Water regs might make sense, but sometimes only sort of.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB:

If you can run 22mm pipe from the tanks to the bath/shower, especially if you avoid elbows and bend the pipe
instead, this can significantly add to the flow-rate to both bath and shower.


--
Terry Fields

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 14:33:09 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
.. .

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

I had a similar problem with my kitchen mixer tap, I was advised to fit a
one-way valve to the hot side because when I used a hosepipe, the (mains)
cold water was pushing the hot back to the tank and out of the overflow
outside when the hosepipe "stop" valve was on and the taps fully open.


Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

But would it really take longer? Unless your hot water is above scalding or
you take very cold baths, you wouldn't need more than 50% cold water so with
the (gravity) cold running at the same rate as the (gravity) hot, they'd
both take the same amount of time at worst, surely?

Well, sure, but running a new pipe from the loft to the bath is not an
"instant replacement" of just the individual taps for a mixer
tap/shower, which is what I thought the job would be. Good job I asked
and was patient to wait until after the hols, because I had a mixer
tap/shower attachment lined up on Amazon and it was 20 quid cheaper
than B&Q. No worries, this was only going to be a temporary thing
anyway while I recover from my op. I actually prefer a bath and hate
showers! (But I can't have a bath for at least ten days after the op.)

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Jan 2, 2:20*pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

I was just thinking that. Actually, surprised nobody has invented a mains
cold powered pump that will transfer extra pressure to the hot so although
it would not be as fast as the mains, it would be faster than the gravity
method.

OK should I rush out and patent it now do you think?

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Mentalguy2k8" wrote in message
...

"MM" wrote in message
...

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

I had a similar problem with my kitchen mixer tap, I was advised to fit a
one-way valve to the hot side because when I used a hosepipe, the (mains)
cold water was pushing the hot back to the tank and out of the overflow
outside when the hosepipe "stop" valve was on and the taps fully open.


Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

But would it really take longer? Unless your hot water is above scalding
or you take very cold baths, you wouldn't need more than 50% cold water so
with the (gravity) cold running at the same rate as the (gravity) hot,
they'd both take the same amount of time at worst, surely?

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20*pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

"MM" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
...
I was just thinking that. Actually, surprised nobody has invented a mains
cold powered pump that will transfer extra pressure to the hot so although
it would not be as fast as the mains, it would be faster than the gravity
method.

OK should I rush out and patent it now do you think?

Worth a try.. I prefer showers and don't use baths much but I reckon I use
2/3 hot water to 1/3 cold water in a bath, so it doesn't matter how fast the
cold comes through, it's always going to be the hot that takes longest.

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 02/01/2013 17:24, Brian Gaff wrote:
I was just thinking that. Actually, surprised nobody has invented a mains
cold powered pump that will transfer extra pressure to the hot so although
it would not be as fast as the mains, it would be faster than the gravity
method.

OK should I rush out and patent it now do you think?

Brian

Google "Venturi Shower"

SteveW

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 02/01/2013 15:28, Terry Fields wrote:
On Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:20:45 +0000, MM wrote:

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where the
cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once the
mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Water regs say that I have to run the flexible pipe for the shower head through a hole in the soap dish to prevent
water from the bath getting back up the shower. It also means you can't use the shower head to get water up
your whahoola to rinse the soap off. That is, Water regs might make sense, but sometimes only sort of.

As our shower is gravity fed and the cold tank forms an air break, I'm
not going to get dirty water back into their mains, so they can sod
right off with their ridiculous regs on short shower hoses; and
non-return valves that'd strangle the flow completely.

SteveW

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 02/01/2013 15:28, Terry Fields wrote:
On Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:20:45 +0000, MM wrote:

I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where the
cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once the
mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Water regs say that I have to run the flexible pipe for the shower head through a hole in the soap dish to prevent
water from the bath getting back up the shower. It also means you can't use the shower head to get water up
your whahoola to rinse the soap off. That is, Water regs might make sense, but sometimes only sort of.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB:

If you can run 22mm pipe from the tanks to the bath/shower, especially if you avoid elbows and bend the pipe
instead, this can significantly add to the flow-rate to both bath and shower.


But all you'd have to do is fit a longer shower hose. (Yes - you could
obviously re-route it avoiding the soap-dish arrangement. But the longer
hose is a very reasonable thing for anyone to do - especially as a 2m
Lidl one is cheaper than a 1.5m from many other sources.)

--
Rod

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:28:40 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Yeah, but this was going to be a fifty quid job I did myself. Once a
plumber is involved -- and Plumb Center reckoned it could take two
to three hours just to replace the two taps with the mixer tap and
install some kind of check valve or other -- we're looking at a
considerably higher cost than 50 quid.

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 03/01/2013 07:25, MM wrote:
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:28:40 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Yeah, but this was going to be a fifty quid job I did myself. Once a
plumber is involved -- and Plumb Center reckoned it could take two
to three hours just to replace the two taps with the mixer tap and
install some kind of check valve or other -- we're looking at a
considerably higher cost than 50 quid.

MM

As it's only a temp job, find a shower that pushes onto the taps & bin
it after.

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

Phil wrote:

On 03/01/2013 07:25, MM wrote:

Plumb Center reckoned it could take two to three hours just to
replace the two taps with the mixer tap and install some kind of
check valve

As it's only a temp job, find a shower that pushes onto the taps & bin
it after.

My thoughts exactly, a Woolworth's student special ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//310310367602

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:24:47 +0000, Phil
wrote:

On 03/01/2013 07:25, MM wrote:
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:28:40 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Yeah, but this was going to be a fifty quid job I did myself. Once a
plumber is involved -- and Plumb Center reckoned it could take two
to three hours just to replace the two taps with the mixer tap and
install some kind of check valve or other -- we're looking at a
considerably higher cost than 50 quid.

MM

As it's only a temp job, find a shower that pushes onto the taps & bin
it after.

Tried that. Cold water pressure pops the hose straight off. Ruddy
useless.

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 03/01/2013 11:21, MM wrote:
On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:24:47 +0000, Phil
wrote:

On 03/01/2013 07:25, MM wrote:
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:28:40 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Yeah, but this was going to be a fifty quid job I did myself. Once a
plumber is involved -- and Plumb Center reckoned it could take two
to three hours just to replace the two taps with the mixer tap and
install some kind of check valve or other -- we're looking at a
considerably higher cost than 50 quid.

MM

As it's only a temp job, find a shower that pushes onto the taps & bin
it after.

Tried that. Cold water pressure pops the hose straight off. Ruddy
useless.

MM

Jubilee clip?

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On 03/01/2013 11:27, Richard Conway wrote:

Jubilee clip?

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

That was last year...

--
Rod

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:27:37 +0000, Richard Conway
wrote:

On 03/01/2013 11:21, MM wrote:
On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:24:47 +0000, Phil
wrote:

On 03/01/2013 07:25, MM wrote:
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:28:40 -0000, "Mentalguy2k8"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:22:30 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote:

On Jan 2, 2:20 pm, MM wrote:
I thought I'd hold off ordering anything until after everyone is back
from the Christmas/New Year break, so this morning I enquired at two
separate places this morning, the local family-run bathroom supplier;
and Plumb Center in Spalding.

Both told me the same thing independently of each other: Water regs
prevent swapping out two separate taps for a mixer tap/shower where
the cold water is at mains pressure, which mine is. Apparently, once
the mixer is installed, when the cold and hot are turned on, the high
pressure cold water will overwhelm the gravity-fed hot.

Two solutions: One is to fit a pressure reducing valve in the cold
feed, but the Plumb Center chap said this would have to be screwed
right down to minimise the pressure.

Better (both suggested this independently): Run a new length of copper
pipe from the cold water tank in the loft to the bath and cap off the
existing mains-pressure cold supply to the bath. NB: The cold water
tank currently only replenishes the copper cylinder in the airing
cupboard. Disadvantage: The new gravity-fed cold feed to the bath
would mean that the bath would take ages to fill. Not sure how much of
a disadvantage that is, although I will say that it DID take ages to
fill a decent bathful at a relative's house over Christmas. They have
gravity-feed. Only mains pressure to the kitchen cold tap.

Finally, the Plumb Center bod was very helpful, spending a good five
minutes going through the options. he said one thing I'd need to be
aware of: Getting the old taps off is a dickens of a job as one has
only minimal space on the underside of the taps.

MM

Or fit a check valve (non-return) on the hot water pipe.

Whichever way you look at it, it's no longer a simple job. Maybe I'll
seriously consider a proper shower, though I don't know where to put
it. Builder's estimate for a "small" shower room (brick) built on to
the rear of the property?

Assuming a check valve is the same as the one-way valve that I mentioned, it
shouldn't cost much to get one fitted. Pretty simple and quick job for a
plumber I reckon.

Yeah, but this was going to be a fifty quid job I did myself. Once a
plumber is involved -- and Plumb Center reckoned it could take two
to three hours just to replace the two taps with the mixer tap and
install some kind of check valve or other -- we're looking at a
considerably higher cost than 50 quid.

MM

As it's only a temp job, find a shower that pushes onto the taps & bin
it after.

Tried that. Cold water pressure pops the hose straight off. Ruddy
useless.

MM

Jubilee clip?

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

The tap section is square-ish. Mind you, I DO recall my mother's
Bendix washing machine from about 1970 and she connected it to the
taps via hoses that had little chains on the ends that one hooked
around each tap. Maybe something like that exists still, but I haven't
found it on Google.

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:57:43 +0000, MM wrote:

The tap section is square-ish. Mind you, I DO recall my mother's
Bendix washing machine from about 1970 and she connected it to the
taps via hoses that had little chains on the ends that one hooked
around each tap. Maybe something like that exists still, but I haven't
found it on Google.

I've just seen this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-Indoo...bxgy_diy_img_y

Could work...

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:27:37 +0000, Richard Conway
wrote:

Jubilee clip?

Kinda!

This is what I bought yesterday from Wilkinson for £12.50.

http://www.croydex.com/products/239-secura-spray.aspx

Looks as ugly as a dead dog, but I tested it and the hoses stayed on
the taps. As an stop-gap whilst I get over the op it'll do.

MM

Update on mixer tap/shower attachment for bath
 

On Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:55:01 +0000, polygonum
wrote:

But all you'd have to do is fit a longer shower hose. (Yes - you could
obviously re-route it avoiding the soap-dish arrangement. But the longer
hose is a very reasonable thing for anyone to do - especially as a 2m
Lidl one is cheaper than a 1.5m from many other sources.)

Be aware of the stupidly small bore size on many shower hoses.