Month: July 2014

5 Steps to fitting a Rainfall Shower

The installation of a rainfall shower head in place of a standard head can create a wonderful new feel and luxury to your shower experience. This type of shower head can be attached to a wall outlet shower to enhance your daily shower and it is a straightforward process. 

Rainfall Shower pumps

Step 1
Measure the height of the existing shower head from the ceiling of the bathroom. A rainwater shower head requires an extra two to three inches of head height compared with a standard shower head. Some models of rainwater showerheads require at least 11 inches of clearance from the ceiling. If this is not available above users’ head height, they may find that the water coming out of the shower will be at chest height.

Step 2
Make sure that there is a clear space between the shower head and the user. Remove any soap dishes, handles and bars so that there are no obstacles between the water fall and the user.

Step 3
Decide on the water pressure required for the new shower head. A larger-diameter shower head will have a smaller outlet pressure than a small-diameter version. Choose a booster pump to maintain the pressure. Anchor Pumps has a wide range of home booster sets, including Grundfos, Stuart Turner, Salamander, Lowara, Calpeda, Flotec and DAB models.

Step 4
If the existing shower head is attached to a shower arm that allows for all of the necessary clearance, the changeover is simple. Start by removing the old shower head. If it is not too old an installation, the head may be easily removed by unscrewing a bolt. Otherwise, it’s best to use an adjustable wrench. Take care not to use too great a force and that the pipe is not damaged. Dust, dirt, rust, limescale or other deposits inside the pipes should be cleaned out thoroughly. Allow the pipe to dry out and fix the new rainwater shower head on to the pipe. Use the wrench if necessary, but tighten the head by hand.

Step 5
Install a new shower arm if necessary and attach the rainwater shower head. Test that the shower head is fitted correctly by turning on the water. If the water leaks, tighten up the shower head attachment by hand until the dripping stops.

Do you have any top tips for shower installation? Please share below in the comments box..

New Salamander Pump ranges – CT Xtra, CT Force & Home boost

Late last year, the new and improved range of shower pumps from leading brand Salamander Pumps was launched to the public under the CT label. The new CT range of shower pumps is now also available as brass ended under the new CT Force branding.

We still receive many questions regarding the pump upgrades – with many customers searching for the old product names. Therefore, we spoke with the expert team at Salamander to take a closer look at the new CT ranges and the improvements the manufacturer has made to this popular product range.

ctcollage1

CT Xtra and the brass ended CT Force is the new family of robust, regenerative shower pumps which boost hot and cold water supplies to all types of shower mixer valves or to any single tank- fed appliance. Enhanced technological and design features across all models, which remain at existing prices, make the new CT range the most reliable, straightforward and best value pump solutions for homes that require more consistent pressure and higher flow rates.

CT Xtra – What’s New?

The new Salamander CT Xtra range includes;
• Advanced design features
• New range of single and twin ended shower pumps
• Reduced noise operation
• Constantly rated motor
• Greater flow and pressure
• Compact dimensions to help improve installation in tight spaces.
• Performance ratings at 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 bar pressure.

The new range includes the CT50 Xtra, CT75 Xtra, CT55 Xtra and CT85 Xtra – all available to purchase online at Anchor Pumps.

CT Force – What’s New?

The new Salamander CT Force range includes;
• Delivers more pressure & flow that the old FORCE range
• New “laminar flow” float switch for accurate switch on
• Solid Brass end caps and/impellers for extra robustness
• Compact size – branded as the smallest shower pumps with the biggest performance.
• Contently rated motor with improved efficiency
• Extremely quiet
• 1.5., 2.0 and 3.0 bar pressure. Pumps within the new CT Force range can also be used for whole house applications and are suitable for both negative and positive head installations.

View the range of CT Force shower pumps available to purchase online at Anchor Pumps.

Improved Home Boost Pump

Salamander’s pioneering HomeBoost pump has been the catalyst, allowing the trusted manufacturer to apply the same innovative technology to other ranges. The critical area of development has been the motor pump integration to lessen vibration and improve cooling for greater pump efficiency (patent pending). The new integrated design also means much lower noise and a more compact footprint for easier, more flexible fitting.

The distinctive HomeBoost housing has been adopted for a ‘one family’ look and technology symbols show at a glance the product features and benefits, making product selection much easier.

Click here to shop the new range of Salamander Homeboost pumps.

What do you think of the new Salamander range? Share your comments below..

5 ways to improve water pressure in the home

Pipeline leaks, new buildings and high occupation densities in homes and commercial buildings all contribute to a decrease in mains water pressure. The team at Anchor Pumps often receive numerous phone calls from customers asking questions about improving water pressure, therefore our expert team have put together the 5 ways we suggest improving your water pressure at home, along with the products we would also recommend to do so.

water pressure

The first step is to check pipes in the home for any leaks and corrosion. This is a common occurrence in an older home. In hard-water areas lime-scale deposits will clog up inside pipes.

If there is no serious breakage or corrosion, the problem can be solved by cleaning out the pipe with a solution of vinegar and sodium carbonate. Don’t use shop-bought chemical cleaners, as these can aggravate the problem. In the case of breakages, call a plumber to replace the pipes.

Check all the water outlets in the home, such as interior and exterior taps, shower heads and the like, and clean out any dirt or lime scale. Sometimes deposits can accumulate around a tap, allowing only a pin prick of water flow.

The next step is to check the pressure of water from the mains if the house has a water meter. (Some older properties in Britain do not have water meters.) Replace or reset the regulator to allow for a higher water pressure.

If these steps do not solve the problem, then it’s time to install a booster pump. However, building regulations in Britain expressly forbid the installation of a booster pump directly to the mains. The solution lies in the installation of a break tank. This should be installed next to the stop tap and as low as possible so that it can fill faster without having to work against gravity. Make sure that the outlet from the break tank is at least 22 mm in diameter. The outlet should be located as far as possible away from the filling ball valve.

Then choose a booster pump – here at Anchor Pumps, we have a wide range of booster pump sets that can help boost the water mains pressure to 1.4 bar and work on a 240-volt electric mains. Some pumps such as the Grundfos Max-E are capable of boosting water pressures to 5.0 bar. There is also a wide range of accessories for Grundfos, Lowara, Salamander and Calpeda, along with other well-known pump brands, to help you solve the problem.

Why should I invest in Rainwater Harvesting?

Water is the most valuable natural resource on the planet! Although almost three-quarters of the globe is covered by water, the vast majority of it is unsuitable for drinking purposes or for making use of in other ways. Water that can be utilised for human benefit is often in short supply, with expensive man-made resources such as dams and reservoirs required to meet demand. However, there is another way of harvesting natural water supply at home which also happens to be relatively inexpensive — Rainwater Harvesting.

rainwater harvesting

What is Rainwater Harvesting?

The practice of rainwater harvesting involves the collection of rainwater from surfaces such as roofs, the subsequent storage of that water and finally filtering to make it suitable for either consumption or utilisation. The advantages to using rainwater in this way are many – as it is a safe, highly economical and, above all, sustainable water solution.

What are the advantages of Rainwater Harvesting?

Rainwater can actually be considered safer than the water which is supplied through domestic mains. After all, mains water has been stored in dams and then treated with various chemicals in order to eliminate any bacteria present. It then has to negotiate its way through a huge network of pipes before finally arriving at its destination.

The cost of maintaining a rainwater harvesting system is minimal. Whatever small costs that may be involved are soon more than offset by the subsequent reduction in water bills. By making use of a natural resource that is free, homeowners can keep gardens well watered and clean cars without worrying about how much their next water bill is going to be. The non-polluting nature of rainwater means that the vast majority of garden plant life will flourish when fed with water collected in harvesting systems.

The very real problem of flooding can also be lessened by more people installing rainwater harvesting systems. During very heavy rainfall, storm drains can sometimes struggle to cope with the sheer amount of water trying to escape. The extra run-off facility of harvesting systems can help to ease that burden and reduce the damage that flooding can cause.

Making use of natural resources such as rainwater is nothing new, but it is certainly a practice that is beginning to once more increase in popularity as the need to protect the environment continues to grow.

Find out more about the selection of rainwater harvesting pumps available at Anchor Pumps from leading brand KSB.

Have you recently installed a rainwater harvesting pump in your home? Would you recommend this water saving solution to others? Share your thoughts and tips below..