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