| Tips and advise when buying your bathroom suite: | | | | overflow which flows back into the toilet bowl if |
| (part 1)POTTERY:Also known as sanitary ware, | | | | the ball valve fails. This makes them easier to |
| ceramics, porcelain and ware. | | | | install. This is called an internal overflow.BASINS |
| There are four basic areas that affect the | | | | (sinks)Basins are often referred to as sinks. This |
| quality of pottery and its expected lifespan: | | | | is incorrect. Sinks are fitted in kitchens and basins |
| The depth of the glaze: | | | | are fitted in cloakrooms, bathrooms and |
| The glaze is the glass-like surface coating which is | | | | ensuites.The term basin came from the use of a |
| fired onto the pottery in the kiln when it is made. | | | | jug and basin in the days when these were used |
| The glass enables the pot to be waterproof and | | | | to wash yourself in the bedroom. There are six |
| protects it from chemicals, such as bleach etc, | | | | main type of basin available in the UK.These are |
| over its life. | | | | basin and full pedestal, basin and semi-pedestal, |
| The thicker the glaze generally the longer the life. | | | | cloakroom, semi-recessed, counter top and |
| Once this glaze goes, wears out, the pot | | | | under-slung.Basin and full pedestal:This where the |
| becomes porous, absorbs water and eventually | | | | basin sits on full size pedestal and is the most |
| cracks. | | | | common type in the UK. Normally the waste pipe |
| The more you use and clean the pottery the | | | | and hot and cold water pipes run through the |
| faster the glaze wears out. | | | | pedestal and into the floor.Basin and |
| To make the glaze thicker you have to apply it a | | | | semi-pedestal:This is where the basin sits on a half |
| layer at a time and each time fire it in the kiln. | | | | height pedestal which does not reach the floor. |
| This process results in breakages within the | | | | They are very common in Europe and becoming |
| kiln.For example, if I fire 100 pieces of pot once I | | | | increasingly popular in the UK.When recommending |
| may get 99 back in one piece, so the 99 pays | | | | this type of unit care should be taken to ensure |
| for the 100. | | | | that you have the type of pipe work |
| If I then fire the 99 again I may get 80 back in | | | | arrangement necessary to install the basin. Please |
| one piece, so now 80 have to pay for 100. | | | | consult your local plumber or bathrooms installer |
| If I then fire the 80 I may get only 50 back in | | | | for more advice.Cloakroom:These are usually |
| one piece, so now 50 have to pay for 100. You | | | | fitted without a pedestal, as they are normally |
| get the gist of this by now. | | | | very small basins. There are some available with |
| If you assume that each layer of glaze lasts | | | | pedestals but you are best to check first. Wall |
| approximately 5 to 7 years you can soon see | | | | hung basins are normally fitted with a decorative |
| how the system works. | | | | bottle trap.Semi-recessedThis type of basin has a |
| If you glaze once you get a less expensive cost | | | | bow in the front but the underside has been cut |
| to manufacture but the product does not last as | | | | away to produce a flat area. This is because this |
| long in a house. The thicker the glaze the longer | | | | type of basin is usually fitted into a |
| the pottery lasts.Quality of the clay:The quality of | | | | worktop.Counter top: |
| the clay that is used to make the pottery is very | | | | This type of basin is either round or oval and fits |
| important. | | | | into a hole cut into a worktop.Under slungThe |
| The reason for this is that the finer the clay the | | | | type of basin is fitted under the hole in the |
| smoother the finish will be on the item being | | | | worktop. This means that the worktop has to be |
| made. | | | | a solid surface material, such a marble or |
| If you use a poorer grade of clay it will have | | | | stone.TAP HOLES: Basins come with one, two or |
| more grit in it and the surface will have a more | | | | three tap holes.One tap hole:This type of basin |
| rippled appearance. | | | | uses a mono bloc mixer, which normally |
| You may also find that because of the increased | | | | incorporates a pop-up waste. The water is |
| grit content the pottery is heavier than an item | | | | controlled either by a lever on the tap or a |
| of the same size made with a finer grade of clay. | | | | separate hot and cold handle on either side of the |
| | | | spout.Two tap hole:The most common type of |
| The finer the clay the more tonnes of rough clay | | | | tap configuration has a separate hot and cold tap |
| you have to use to refine down to make it. | | | | with a plug and chain waste. The hot tap is |
| It is therefore less expensive to produce pottery | | | | normally fitted on the left hand side of the |
| with a coarse grade of clay.The overspray or | | | | basin.Three tap hole:There are two type of tap |
| colour: The white colour, or whatever colour it | | | | arrangement that can be fitted to this type of |
| happens to be, is applied to the pottery before | | | | tap-hole arrangement. Either a three-hole mixer |
| the glaze. | | | | which is a hot and cold valve head and a separate |
| Each manufacturer mixes their own colour to try | | | | spout, usually fitted with a pop up waste. |
| to match it to the colour of the acrylic baths. | | | | Or you could fit a pair of basin taps and what is |
| The white colour of the acrylic bath is a | | | | known as a chain stay waste. A chain stay waste |
| worldwide standard set by the acrylic | | | | uses a plug and chain but the chain is held in place |
| manufacturers. | | | | by a disc, which is fitted into the middle of the |
| You need to be aware of this if you client tries | | | | three holesBIDETS:Bidets are not that common in |
| to mix and match pottery from different | | | | the UK as we are not normally raised to use |
| manufacturers. | | | | them. However for those that do have and use |
| Its usually acceptable to have a toilet and basin | | | | them there are a few points to consider.For a |
| from one supplier made to match the bath but if | | | | bidet to work effectively they have to be fitted |
| you put a basin | | | | next to a toilet-not at the other side of the room |
| from one supplier and a toilet from another and | | | | or several feet away.A UK bidet now come with |
| then the bath together it will stand out like a sore | | | | the tap fitted on the top and is usually a mono |
| thumb. | | | | bloc mixer. There used to be bidets in the UK, |
| The thicker the colour is applied, the less fading | | | | which came with an up-spray or fountain spray as |
| on the edges takes place and the colour is even | | | | it was known. |
| over the whole of the item. | | | | This type of bidet is no longer |
| The colour as with the glaze is applied in layers | | | | available.BATHS:There are four main types of |
| and then has to be left to set before the next | | | | material used to manufacture baths in the UK. |
| coat can be applied. | | | | These are cast iron, pressed-steel, glass |
| The fewer coats the quicker the product can be | | | | reinforced plastic (GRP) and acrylic.Cast Iron:This is |
| made and the less cost is involved.The design of | | | | the material from which most baths used to be |
| the item:The more intricate the design the more | | | | made and is now most commonly used for free |
| expensive the mould is to make and the more | | | | standing baths. There are two commonly held |
| chance there is that you will not always remove it | | | | misconceptions concerning cast iron baths.The |
| from the mould without damage. | | | | first is that they are too heavy. The weight of a |
| Plainer shapes are usually less expensive. You | | | | standard cast iron bath filled with water is in the |
| should also note that basins, toilets and bidets are | | | | region of 25 stones. The bath is usually fitted with |
| made as matched sets. | | | | four legs which means that the weight on each |
| You will often find that the foot of the pedestal | | | | leg on the floor is approximately 6.25 stones.As |
| on the basin matches the foot of the toilet pan | | | | we walk across the floor foot to foot we actually |
| and that the back of the basin matches the toilet | | | | weight more that this. |
| cistern lid.One general point to be made is that | | | | The second misconception is that they are cold. |
| pottery is often sold in what is known in the | | | | This is because years ago when we all used cast |
| trade as a four-piece set. | | | | iron baths the houses did not have central heating. |
| That is a basin, pedestal, pan and cistern. | | | | The bath can only reflect the temperature of the |
| Unfortunately the retail customer sees the set as | | | | room that it is in. |
| two pieces: the basin and the toilet. | | | | If the room is warm the bath is therefore warm. |
| If you use the term four-piece set to a retail | | | | There is, however, one possible exception. If the |
| customer they may think you mean a basin, | | | | bath is fitted in with a panel as apposed to free |
| toilet, bath and bidet. | | | | standing it may be that the air temperature under |
| So always explain what you mean by four pieces | | | | the bath is cooler due to the holes left by the |
| if you should choose to use the term.PRODUCT | | | | plumber. If this is the case, insulation under the |
| TYPES:TOILETS & WC'S:There are five types of | | | | bath will solve the problem.Pressed Steel:This is |
| toilets currently available in the UK. | | | | where a layer of steel several millimetres thick is |
| These are Wall hung, Back-to-wall, Close-coupled, | | | | coated with a stove-enamelled surface. They are |
| Low level and High level.Wall hung:This type of | | | | most commonly used in hotels and commercial |
| toilet has the pan hanging on the wall and the | | | | premises.As the material of the bath is very thin |
| cistern concealed in the wall behind it. | | | | they tend to cool down very quickly. They also |
| More common in mainland Europe, it has become | | | | tend to be very plain in shape due to the |
| increasingly popular over recent years as more | | | | manufacturing restrictions of the material.Glass |
| people travel abroad. | | | | Reinforced Plastic (GRP) :This was the first type |
| You do however need to ensure that the pan is | | | | of plastic material used to produce baths and was |
| supported properly when fitted either by the use | | | | used by almost everyone until the invention of |
| of special floor mounting brackets or the use of a | | | | Acrylic. |
| framework.These frameworks, which support the | | | | It has very good insulation properties and enables |
| pan and provide a place for the cistern, are | | | | baths of many shapes and styles to be easily |
| available from several suppliers. | | | | produced.The two main difficulties with this |
| This type of WC allows ease of cleaning and as | | | | material are as follows:1. As the colour for the |
| the pan is the only visible piece of pot it minimises | | | | bath is produced in batches there can sometimes |
| the impact of the WC on the design of the | | | | be problems with the match to the pottery.2. If |
| room.Back to wall:This type of toilet is normally | | | | the bath is fitted in direct sunlight they are prone |
| used mainly when having fitted furniture. As with | | | | to the plasticiser leaking out of the surface and |
| the wall hung toilet the cistern is concealed inside | | | | crazing of the surface texture |
| the furniture but the pan is sat on the floor.Close | | | | occurring.Acrylic:This is the most common material |
| coupled:This is the most common type of toilet in | | | | now used to produce baths in the UK and Europe. |
| the UK. This type of toilet has the pan and cistern | | | | It has the same characteristics as GRP in that it |
| joined together. | | | | insulates well and can produce great |
| It is often confused with the low level toilet, so | | | | shapes.However, as it is produced to |
| make sure you are clear that you mean a toilet | | | | internationally agreed standards of colour it is now |
| with the pan and cistern physically joined | | | | what every pottery supplier uses to obtain their |
| together.The advantage of this type is that the | | | | colour match. |
| pan has a splash back built onto it where it joins | | | | Acrylic comes in several thicknesses most |
| the cistern, so that when men and boys stand at | | | | commonly 3mm, 5mm, 8mm and 10mm. There is |
| the toilet and miss there is not so much mess. | | | | a common misconception that the thicker the |
| Toilets are meant to be sat on not stood against. | | | | acrylic the stronger the bath.This is not so. The |
| If you want to stand up you should buy a urinal. | | | | acrylic is there only to hold the colour and maintain |
| This toilet is easily maintained and is therefore | | | | a waterproof barrier. You will normally find that |
| ideal for downstairs cloakrooms and main ensuites | | | | the thicker the acrylic the plainer the style of the |
| where they are likely to get a lot of use.Low | | | | bath.The strength of the bath comes from the |
| level:This type of toilet has a freestanding pan and | | | | glass-reinforced plastic, which is sprayed on the |
| the cistern sits approx 900mm or 36inches up the | | | | underside of the bath. You should always look for |
| wall with a short flush pipe in between the two | | | | a full encapsulated baseboard.This is where the |
| pieces.Before the advent of the close-coupled | | | | chipboard base that supports the bottom of the |
| toilet this was the most common and is still what | | | | bath is fully enclosed to prevent it from coming |
| most people with older houses have. | | | | away after a few years of use. |
| This is why they confuse them with the close | | | | The sides of the bath should also be reinforced |
| coupled. They are now most commonly sold with | | | | to prevent them from bowing out when the bath |
| traditional bathrooms and have a chrome or gold | | | | is filled with water.If the bath does bow out in the |
| flush pipe.The difficulty with this type is that if | | | | middle the result is often that the top ledge will |
| men or boys use them they are apt to miss and | | | | drop producing a gap between the tiles and the |
| the pipe goes green. | | | | bath.BATH SIZES AND SHAPES:There are a |
| Once this happens there is nothing that can be | | | | multitude of bath shapes and sizes available in the |
| done to repair it. They are generally priced at | | | | UK at present but they break down into several |
| 50% to 60% higher in price than a close coupled | | | | groups.Rectangular baths - Single Ended:This is the |
| and are bought more for their aesthetic value | | | | most common style of bath with the taps at one |
| than practicality.High Level:This type was popular in | | | | end and is ideal for one person to bathe in on |
| the Victorian era and is associated most closely | | | | there own as it usually has a gentle back slope |
| with bathrooms of that period. | | | | which offers good back support when |
| The pan is free standing and the cistern sits on | | | | relaxing.The most common size is 1700 x 700. |
| the wall approx 1800mm or 6 feet up the wall | | | | They are however produced in sizes ranging from |
| with a chrome or gold flush pipe and a chain pull | | | | 1200 x 750 to 2000 x 1200. When a client comes |
| flush. | | | | in saying that there bath is 1680 x 680 this is |
| It has the same disadvantages as the Low level | | | | usually because they do not realize that the bath |
| when used by men and boys. | | | | is fitted into the plaster work when installed so |
| In terms of price, this type is normally 50% to | | | | that a bath that is 1700 x 700 straight out of the |
| 60% more than the Low level. Sold mainly for the | | | | box is often small when fitted.Rectangular baths - |
| aesthetic value, all toilets in the UK now have to | | | | Double Ended:This type of bath is common with |
| flush using 3 and 6 litres of water. | | | | people who prefer to bathe with a partner as the |
| It makes no difference which type you buy, | | | | taps are mounted in the middle of the bath. They |
| they all use this amount and as a consequence | | | | are becoming a lot more popular in the UK. |
| the high level and low level flush no better than | | | | However to make extra room for the two |
| the close coupled.TYPES OF FLUSHING | | | | people the two back slopes on the bath can often |
| MECHANISMThere are two main types of flushing | | | | be at quite a severe angle and therefore make |
| mechanisms: the syphon and the dump | | | | the bath less comfortable for one person to lie |
| valve.Syphons:Syphons have been used for many | | | | out. |
| years in the UK as the means of flushing the | | | | Once again they come in a multitude of sizes, |
| toilet. They work with the use of a lever or pull | | | | from 1700 x 750 to 2000 x 1200.Corner |
| chain. | | | | baths:There are two mains types of corner bath: |
| When this is pushed a small amount of water is | | | | equal sided and offset, where one side is longer |
| forced over the syphon in the cistern, which | | | | than the other. Two equal sided corner baths are |
| creates inertia that draws the rest of the water | | | | usually available 1100 x 1100, 1200 x 1200, 1300 x |
| along with it and flushes the toilet.They are very | | | | 1300, 1400 x 1400 and 1500 x 1500.The first |
| effective with high levels of water in the cistern | | | | three sizes are more commonly used as shower |
| but become less efficient as the water level falls. | | | | baths as the bathing area is too small for most |
| In the past toilet cisterns originally contained 12 | | | | people to use effectively. The 1400 and 1500 are |
| litres of water, then 9 litres and now 6 litres for a | | | | big enough to use by most people for bathing. |
| full flush and 3 litres for a half flush .People who | | | | The offset corner baths are usually available in |
| now have a 6 litre flushing syphon type toilet | | | | two sizes 1500 x 900 and 1500 x 1000. They are |
| often complain that they have to flush the toilet | | | | not very effective as a bath for most people less |
| twice to get it to work.Dump valves:In recent | | | | than 5 feet 4 inches tall due to the internal length. |
| years dump valves were not allowed in the UK, | | | | They are available with or without a seat in the |
| but with the advent of new legislation they are | | | | corner.Shower Baths (Ophelia, Ianthe):These baths |
| now fitted in most new toilets. | | | | have a larger area at one end to allow for more |
| The dump valve works by means of a push | | | | room for showering. They are usually supplied |
| button, either a single or a double one. As you | | | | with a bath screen made especially for the shape |
| press the button it lifts a valve that instantly | | | | of the bath.Space Saver baths:These baths are |
| releases all the water down through the toilet. | | | | made to a special shape usually thinner at one end |
| This makes this type of flushing mechanism very | | | | to allow for more room to fit furniture or make |
| effective with low levels of water.Overflows:Most | | | | more room for pottery or even a shower |
| old types of toilet have an overflow which let the | | | | cubicle.Written by Neal Baker on behalf of and |
| water flow outside the property if the ball valve | | | | |
| mechanism fails. This is called a visible | | | | online retailers of bathroom furniture, bathroom |
| overflow.Most new types of toilet have an | | | | suites and bathroom accessories in the UK. |