Bathroom Design Ideas

A shower timer serves a dual purpose. First of all, it limits the length of time you are in the shower, usually to three minutes. This restricts the volume of water you consume, which in turn helps to keep your energy bills down and assists with the conservation of natural resources.

Timers are also a good way of giving a gentle reminder to those who would rather spend time languishing in the shower, than being ready for work on time. So, as long as you are self disciplined enough to get out of the shower when it goes off, you won’t run as late as you might otherwise do.

The timers are specially designed to withstand the damp and humid conditions of the shower and should therefore last for a number of years. Some people find it easier to locate the unit just outside the shower, especially if they tend to lose track of time. That way, rather than just switching it off, you have to physically step out of the shower in order to reset it.

Because they do not like to waste time, water or energy, there are many people who use the timer when having a shower at any time of the day and not just in the morning, when they are concerned about the possibility of being late for work.

So if you want to do your bit for the planet, as well as ensure that you keep to time in the morning, then a shower timer may just be the gadget you are looking for.

The choice of a WC may seem like a straightforward one; you like the look of it and you like the price of it, what more is there to think about? Well there are some basic considerations to bear in mind when you are thinking about a new WC. Obviously the look of it and the price are two of the main considerations, but you also need to think about other things, such as the type of cistern. The cistern can be high, (which is a very old fashioned style, but if your bathroom is in a period or Victorian house, then this could be very appropriate), low-level, or close-coupled.

Today, a low-level cistern, which sits to the back and just slightly above the WC, is the most common form of toilet. A close-coupled cistern is actually joined onto the back of the toilet, making effectively a single unit. Close-coupled cisterns are usually used where space is an issue. There are also space-saving cisterns available, which can be a real plus in a very small bathroom.

You should bear in mind that the cistern can be concealed. This can look particularly effective where you have a bathroom in which the other facilities are ‘boxed in’ or hidden. If you are considering having a concealed cistern you should remember that there are sure to be times when you need gain access to it, particularly for repairs, so do not make it completely inaccessible.

A good pump can create a really powerful shower, even if you live in a very large house where water pressure may be affected by the size of the house and usage at peak times.  One of the best types of pumps which you can fit is known as a salamander pump.  This pump will actually give the water pressure a real boost, so that you find your shower suddenly is a real deluge of water, whereas before it was a very gentle experience!

One of the benefits of the salamander pump is that it is very ‘plumber friendly’ and is marketed with the strap line ‘fit and forget’.  This means that it is easy for a plumber to install, making it quite a straightforward process and reducing plumbing bills and also it is so reliable that it will perform its function simply, without you having to keep calling a plumber back to rectify any problems. 

Whichever type of shower pump you choose, salamander or another type, make sure that it will reduce any possibility of aeration. Aeration is a term used to describe air getting into a system when you fit a pump to the cylinder or storage tank.  If aeration occurs you may find that the temperature of your shower can fluctuate or find the pump somewhat noisy.  Salamander pumps will usually remedy this problem as part of their design, so they may be worth the extra cost, but be sure to check out the risk of aeration prior to choosing a pump.

Installing a new bathroom or indeed the repair of an old bathroom can be a daunting task. From deciding which shower or bath to buy or which bathroom furniture to store your towels in, it can all be stressful.

Help is at hand with this new Plumbing guide. We take you through the best bathroom products and give you advice on some of the very best bathroom manufacturers.