Bathroom Design Ideas

Choosing a pump to power your shower or water system, may not seem like a big issue. Perhaps not, but you need to find a pump which best meets your needs.  So you need one which suits your budget and your system.

If you have a water system which has poor water pressure, then you may need a pump to boost the water pressure between the shower head and the water system. Or it may be that you want to have more than one shower head, in which case you will possibly need a dual pump.

Pumps can vary in quality, size and noise levels, so try to acquire the best possible pump you can afford.  Whilst the initial cost may be slightly higher, you will find that you reap the benefits over time, with increased performance and the pump lasting for a long time. Cheaper pumps can soon burn out; can be noisy or even let air into the shower system, which affects the temperature of the water.

Stuart Turner pumps are generally regarded as efficient and they have been in existence for over one hundred years, enabling the company to enjoy an enviable position as one of the leading forces in the shower pump industry and one which deals with both domestic and commercial premises.

Pumps are available for a wide variety of applications and with Stuart Turner’s extensive experience their products have been designed to overcome most problems associated with either reduced water pressure or simply householders’ demands for increased pressure.

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.

A low flow showerhead is quite a recent invention, but it is growing in popularity as we all become more aware of both saving the planet, in terms of reducing energy consumption, and reducing the amount of water we use.

A low flow showerhead reduces the volume of water that is consumed and this means a saving in both heating costs and water use. Some people shy away from this type of showerhead, because they think that they will end up with a shower that just trickles, rather than providing a proper jet of water.

This is not the case, since the low flow head will not reduce the pressure of your water, so your shower will still pack a real punch. Most traditional showerheads will deliver water at between five and eight gallons per minute, but the low flow model still has the same water pressure, which it delivers at between two or three gallons per minute. If you are a family of four, then these savings really start to add up.

As with everything, there are some models that are better than others. You may, for example, choose one that has a pause button, which means that you can stop the flow while you apply your shampoo etc, thus giving you real control over the volume of water you use. If you do decide to buy a low flow showerhead, then make sure that you buy one that will suit your own particular requirements and aim for a model in the middle of the price range, so that you aren’t compromising on quality.

Tiled walls are a very popular choice for the bathroom, since they can help repel water, are easy to clean and with a fantastic range available it is really easy to attain a very stylish look. You can have a professional do the work, but it is also possible to do it yourself.

Before you start the tiling, make sure that your walls are flat and clean and that there are no little bumps of plaster or dampness.

The main thing to bear in mind when tiling a bathroom is that you must use a tile adhesive which is waterproof, otherwise the humid and damp conditions will mean that your tiles might soon drop off. You should also be sure to use a waterproof grout between them, so that they are fully protected.

Due to the number of pipes and fittings you have to cut around, bathrooms can be fiddly to tile. The best way to do this is simply by trial and error, using a good quality tile cutter to cut your tiles so that there is a perfect fit. It is always best to allow some extra tiles in case some of them break, are damaged, or you make a wrong cut. Just be patient, hold the faith and you will find that with a little practice you will be able to cut the tiles to fit around the most awkward pipes.

When you grout, be sure to omit the gap between the bath and the tiles or the shower tray and the tiles. For this you need a special silicon sealant, which is widely available in DIY stores.

Reference is often made to minimalist bathrooms, which are frequently highlighted as being contemporary or ultra modern. But what is a minimalist bathroom? It is a design concept that is based around simplicity and being true to form. For example, pipe work may be exposed rather than being hidden by ornaments or vases. The whole bathroom will also be very crisp and not cluttered by anything that will either detract from the form of the room, or undermine its purpose.

The emphasis might be on very angular corners, with a very rectangular bath, which features quite sharp corners. This is the form of the bath; it is rectangular and it is for bathing. Therefore the minimalist ethos has been achieved. 

It is possible, within a minimalist bathroom, to have some accoutrements, but these have to perform some duty or have a role, not simply be there to decorate, since decoration detracts from form and function. Shelves are ‘allowed’, but only with clean and crisp lines and with the ability to perform a function. Clutter and trinkets are obviously not in keeping with this design philosophy.

Minimalism is very much a modern concept that has really evolved since the 1960’s and looks as if it will be with us for some time to come, since it becomes more popular with each passing year. It is also viewed as providing a very calm space for people, since there is little to detract the eye, just a feeling of calm and quiet and simplicity.

The choice of a shower curtain or panel is one on which many people are governed by price.  Shower curtains are much cheaper than a panel, with prices starting at less than £5.  This obviously makes them the least expensive option and, if money is tight, a shower curtain is the obvious choice.  One of the major drawbacks of buying a curtain is that they are somehow more awkward to clean and they can need replacing every couple of years, since they can look unsightly if they are kept for many years.  However, they are functional and are particularly affordable; recent innovations have resulted in shower curtains becoming available in a range of different colours, designs and materials some of which can be machine washable.

A shower panel does tend to look more stylish and is a good investment for your home, since it gives a very modern look to a bathroom and they are quite easy to keep clean, looking sparkling and fresh, with a good range of products on the market which you simply spray onto the panel and then leave, alleviating the need to spend ages polishing the panel.

Shower panels or enclosures are, also, not as expensive as you may think and are available for less than £100.  If space is very restricted and you have the shower and bath combined, then a screen is the obvious choice to enhance the appearance and give the bathroom a modern and sleek look.

When you decide to install a shower, you need to carefully consider two issues.  First of all there is the issue of whether the water pressure will cope with the addition of a shower. Secondly, you need to think about drainage for the unit and its associated piping. It is always worth checking these points out before you buy the shower and if you have any doubts consult a professional.

If your water pressure is low and your water supply is often quite weak in terms of flow, then you need to think about how things can be improved. First of all you could lift the cold water cistern at least 150mm to see if this makes any difference, (it usually does).

If this does not help, you may have to fit a pump, which acts as a booster. This usually does the trick and you will find that your new shower will work perfectly.

Once you have addressed any water pressure concerns, you need to think about pipes and drainage. There is one golden rule when thinking about drains and pipes, ‘the shorter and straighter, the better’. Basically, you do not want unnecessarily long pipes and drains fitted, so always try to make sure that you can link into nearby existing services, which will also minimise the cost. Short and straight pipes will also give you the maximum water pressure available, so it is worth making sure that you carefully plan the route they will take. 

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.

Showers are increasingly becoming a hot topic, as more and more people become more environmentally aware of the implications of using too much water.  Most showers will allow you to control the flow of the water and the temperature, to ensure that a shower meets your own, very specific requirements.

However, from this very basic idea, the sheer variety and range of showers is simply immense.  Showers range from very basic ones, which deliver a good jet of water; are very competitively priced, but somewhat basic, to state of the art and extremely expensive, ‘wet rooms’ where the shower (or showers) are the key features.

Most people choose to have something in the middle of this range, so that they can have a shower and a bath in the bathroom, thereby affording the luxury of a bath, with the practical benefits of a quick shower.  So in other words, you get the best of both worlds.

Even if a bath is not ‘your thing’, you should be aware that properties which combine a shower and bath facility will sell much better than those which are fitted only with a bath or a shower.  Thus having both may ensure that your property is more appealing to a prospective buyer.
 
You should also consider your water pressure when choosing a shower (for purely practical reasons).  If your home experiences poor water pressure, then you should consider getting a relatively powerful shower, just to ensure that you get the maximum efficiency in terms of water output from the shower.

A power shower is not only a great way to wake oneself up in the morning it is also a fantastic way to unwind after a hard day’s work. The variety of power showers on the market also means that deciding which to choose is not an easy one.

You can have a power shower fitted if you have a water supply from both a cold-water cistern and a hot water cylinder. The power shower is actually fitted with an electric pump, which drives the water at you, but you can regulate both the temperature of the water and the pressure. You therefore have the choice of a cold but gentle shower, a very hot, extremely powerful shower, or any combination in between.

This flexibility makes the installation of a power shower a very convenient and useful addition to your bathroom. If you prefer, it can just be a normal shower, then you simply turn on the power as and when you please.

There are two main drawbacks to a power shower being fitted in the domestic bathroom. Firstly, if you currently have water heated by the shower unit alone, then it may not be possible to install a power shower easily. Secondly, you need to have a 50mm waste water pipe, which it is not always possible to retro-fit in an existing bathroom; otherwise the water simply won’t drain away quickly enough. 

If you have got the facilities to install a power shower, they really are well worth the investment.