Wet rooms: the modern day alternative to the shower cubicle?

Today’s wet rooms have come a long way, and are now a modern, stylish alternative to the traditional shower cubicle.  So what are the reasons behind this surge in popularity?  Here are just a few of those reasons:

Easy style

Whether designed with nothing to separate the shower from the rest of the room, or utilising a shower screen or dividing wall to keep the shower and the rest of the bathroom apart, wet room design is now sleek and modern.  Wet rooms make the most of the space available, and do not box off the shower with a traditional cubicle, allowing the space to flow flexibly.

Easy maintenance

One of the great perks of a wet room is the ease of cleaning; after all, even if the wet room has a screen or dividing wall, there is no shower cubicle or tray to clean.  What’s more, wet rooms often feature wall-hung toilets and sinks, which adds to the easy maintenance, and tiled floors are better protected from water as they are designed to be 100% water tight.

Easy access

For those with disabilities or mobility issues, and indeed the family as a  whole, one of the biggest advantages of a wet room is the fact that the floor is on one level – there is no dangerous step into the shower or bath, and the floor will be designed to be non-slip too; designed, therefore, with safety in mind.

Things to consider when adding an additional bathroom to a property

Whatever the reason is that tempts you to add an additional bathroom to your home – be it squabbling teenage fights over who gets the shower first, wanting to accommodate guests more easily or simply for the luxurious convenience of it – it’s important to consider some of the following aspects before committing yourself to the build:

Where will your new bathroom go?

You could decide to build an extension to your home to accommodate a new bathroom, but there are probably existing places within your home you could convert.  For simple cloakrooms, try the space under the stairs or even a large entrance porch.  Alternatively, how about a basement or loft conversion, or even converting an empty corner of an existing room?

Do you require planning permission?

Planning permission is generally not required when installing a bathroom, unless it is part of a new extension.  However, remember that you will need to consult with your local planning authority if your home is listed, and if you’re installing a bathroom where there wasn’t one previously, you will need to comply with building regulations, so get a professional plumber involved.

What do you need to think about when planning the room?

Obviously there is the all important design and layout to think about, but also consider researching into heating options, shower doors (you need to have enough space to open them easily!) and flooring – you don’t want the bath to end up in the kitchen because the floor isn’t watertight! Similarly, consider windows and ventilation, visibility from the outside and soundproofing – all aspects which your professional plumber will be able to advise on.

The benefits of installing underfloor heating

There are many benefits to underfloor heating, making it easy to see why it’s becoming so popular as a heating choice.  Here are just a few reasons why you should consider installing it as a heating system:

Space saving and comfort

One of the biggest benefits of underfloor heating is the amount of space it saves within a room - up to 15% - as unsightly radiators are not needed.  Furthermore, as underfloor heating is evenly spaced underneath the floor, the heat surrounds you rather than rising to the ceiling which is what happens with a radiator system – this means that it creates a much more comfortable living environment.  You can even eliminate the shock of cold floor tiles in the morning as these will be heated too!

Low installation and running costs

In a new build property with a screeded floor, underfloor heating often works out cheaper than a radiator based system.  What’s more, it can be up to 15% - 40% less expensive to run and is more environmentally friendly too, as it uses water at a much lower temperature, making it perfect to be powered by alternative fuel sources.

Hygiene

Dust mites are not so inclined to live in a house with underfloor heating as the moisture content produced is much lower than that created by traditional radiators – it’s therefore perfect for allergy sufferers and those with asthma.

Underfloor heating control and maintenance

Underfloor heating is thermostatically controlled in each room, so every room in the house can be heated differently.  What’s more, unlike a radiator system, there are no joints in the floor with underfloor heating as all the pipes return to a central manifold, allowing for easy access and easy maintenance.

Warm Air Heating - should you convert to central heating?

Warm air heating systems in the UK aren’t terribly commonplace, and many of these systems are being replaced with central heating.  But do you really need to convert it completely, or is it just time for an update?

How do warm air systems work?

Warm air systems work by drawing cold external air in through ducts.  This is then pulled into a warm air heating unit and blown across a heat exchanger by an electric fan.  The warmed air is circulated around the rooms via ducts, with vents in each room instead of radiators.

What are the disadvantages?

One of the main criticisms of warm air heating systems is that rooms can be heated unevenly, creating some spots which are warmer than others.  It can also be the case that pollen and allergens are drawn in with the air from outside, so if you are an allergy sufferer, this type of heating may irritate your allergies.  It has also been said that the ducts take up wall space and the systems can be noisy, so this is something to consider, particularly if wall space is precious in your home.

But what are the advantages?

It has to be said that many of the above criticisms are now seen as outdated.  Indeed, in America, warm air heating is often the heating system of choice!  Modern systems now have electronic controls which provide stable room temperatures and a quieter operation.  They also often feature an electronic filtration system which cuts down on the allergens being passed into your home, removing up to 95% of particles, and have improved fuel efficiency.  It may be time to ask your professional plumber to update, rather than replace, your warm air heating system!

Everything AND the kitchen sink!

When it comes to kitchen design, a sink isn’t just a sink – there’s lots of choice for the modern kitchen nowadays, and this choice doesn’t revolve around washing up either!  If you’re having a professional plumber remodel your kitchen, here are some novel sink ideas to consider:

Oversized kitchen sinks

Does exactly what it says on the tin: these oversized sinks are perfect for big families or those that like entertaining.  Got a large wok or baking tray that needs washing?  Stick it in your oversized singular bowl sink, or opt for an extra wide double sink!

Stone bowl sinks

The durability of stone means that it is becoming an increasingly popular material of choice for kitchen sinks.  Stone sinks also add form and style to a kitchen, often coming in two types: vintage farmhouse-style or boutique-hotel-type stone bowl prep sinks – something, therefore, for the traditional and the contemporary.

Staging sinks

What could offer better convenience than a sink with interchangeable preparation areas?  Colanders which fit neatly over the side of the sink to keep hands free, stepped side platforms for preparation of fresh produce and even in-built chopping boards: that’s exactly what staging sinks are all about.

Steamer sinks

The ultimate in kitchen gadgetry, combined sink-cook centres offer an integrated cooking vessel for steaming, poaching, boiling and blanching – perfect therefore for both healthy eating and serious home chefs!

Party sinks

Ok, so this sink’s probably not for everyone, but if you’re a serious entertainer, what could be more fun than a narrow  prep sink installed in an island countertop which can be filled with ice ready to store lemon and drinks?!  It really is time to ‘sink’ again when it comes to kitchen sinks!

Water saving tips for times of drought

Despite the wet weather we’ve had recently, much of the UK is currently in the midst of a drought.  Even with recent rainfall, reservoir levels still remain low.  Here are some water saving tips, therefore, to help you to do your bit in conserving this precious resource:

Make your home leak-free

It may sound obvious, but any leaks in your home are wasting water.  If you discover a leak, either through taking meter readings, listening for hissing sounds, being vigilant towards damp patches or checking for extra-green areas within your lawn, ask your plumber to fix them as soon as possible.  Not only will this help the environment, but also your wallet, as it will save on water bills.

Tap into water saving

Dripping taps are one of the biggest water-wasters within the home.  A tap that drips at a rate of one drop per second wastes up to 2,700 gallons of water per year!  Therefore, ask your plumber to fix any dripping taps by replacing the washers.  Plumbers can also fit tap inserts and aerators which introduce air into the water flow of the tap to maintain pressure but use less water.

Shower-savvy

Just like the tap aerators, water-saving shower heads can be fitted to your existing shower to cut the water use by up to 60 per cent, but not affect its efficiency.   They work in exactly the same way as the tap inserts by mixing air into the water, but remember to check with your plumber as to whether your shower and boiler are suitable to have one fitted.

Toilet Cistern Devices

Using 24% of a household’s water consumption, a flushing toilet uses a lot of water!  If you do not have a modern dual-flush toilet, either think about replacing the whole cistern or ask your plumber about fitting a Save-a-flush or a Hippo device to your toilet to save between 1 – 2.5 litres per flush.  Furthermore, if your toilet flush handle is permanently in the flush position, the water will constantly run, so ask your plumber to replace or adjust it.

Common causes of Low Water Pressure and how to fix them

If your household suffers from the annoying problem of low water pressure, you don’t have to live with it. Yes, sometimes the location of your property will affect the water pressure (such as if your house is located on top of a hill – the pressure in this instance is likely to be less than the properties at the bottom of the hill receive), but here are some ways that common water pressure problems can be fixed:

Pipe corrosion

Corrosion of pipes is a big problem when it comes to low water pressure. Corrosion restricts the water flow, and therefore many households are replacing their old pipe work with new MDPE pipes.

Stop taps

Check that any stop taps, both inside the home and ones shared with neighbours outside the home aren’t partially closed. By gently opening the stop tap, the water pressure should increase, but remember that stop taps should not be fully opened – they should always be turned a quarter of the way back to stop them from seizing up – ask your plumber if you’re unsure.

Heating appliances and showers

The layout of your showers and heating appliances within the home can affect the water pressure, which is why it’s always wise to have a professional plumber fit them. With old showers, try cleaning the lime scale off of shower heads regularly, as a build up of lime scale can affect the flow. New showers, however, often need a minimum level of flow to work effectively, or need to be plumbed into the mains rather than a tank, so check with your professional plumber whether your plumbing system is suitable to support a new shower.