Domestic taps - a little advice please.

[jac-in-a-box]

Into the final stages of kitchen design and just noticed a potential hiccup with the kitchen taps. Reading the spec sheet for this grossly overpriced item, it states "only suitable for high pressure water systems - min pressure 1bar"

No problems with cold water pressure, but HW I reckon is well below...comes from HW tank upstairs so just gravity fed and not pumped.No issues with HW flow, just don't think it's anywhere close to 1 bar!

What would be the consequences of fitting this tap and what is it in a taps contruction that makes it only suitable for "high pressure" use?

"She's" majorly miffed that this may not be viable!

[Road2Ruin]

Not knowing your house I would say your hot water pressure is probably .5 bar from a header tank, maybe a little less. The consequences I would think are poor flow rate through the tap. I would be surprised if it didn't work at all but you are unliely to get a good mix and a poor flow.

[b19rak]

jac-in-a-box said:

Into the final stages of kitchen design and just noticed a potential hiccup with the kitchen taps. Reading the spec sheet for this grossly overpriced item, it states "only suitable for high pressure water systems - min pressure 1bar"

No problems with cold water pressure, but HW I reckon is well below...comes from HW tank upstairs so just gravity fed and not pumped.No issues with HW flow, just don't think it's anywhere close to 1 bar!

What would be the consequences of fitting this tap and what is it in a taps contruction that makes it only suitable for "high pressure" use?

"She's" majorly miffed that this may not be viable!

I had the exact same problem with my new kitchen. I stuck one of these on to the hot supply for the tap under the cupboard. Works a treat. No problems at all a year on.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Taps+Showers/Showe...

[Gingerbread Man]

A very common problem with most modern taps these days. Most are meant for high pressure (mains) use.

[Simpo Two]

jac-in-a-box said:

Into the final stages of kitchen design and just noticed a potential hiccup with the kitchen taps. Reading the spec sheet for this grossly overpriced item, it states "only suitable for high pressure water systems - min pressure 1bar"

What would be the consequences of fitting this tap and what is it in a taps contruction that makes it only suitable for "high pressure" use?

You get 0.1 bar per metre of height between tank and tap so for the average house only taps rated up to about 0.4 bar work decently well. My kithen tap is 0.4bar and it's OK but I wouldn't want it much less.

In short, you will get very low flow, I'd suggest not very usable. Suggest you look for new (low pressure) taps!

It's a bugger because most of the nicest/sexiest designs are not suitable for low pressure systems.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 21st April 18:26

[b19rak]

Small world Jac, I think your the guy on the TT Forum. You were going to detail mine but we didn't but you did do my brother inlaws Megane Sport in Mansfield.

Anyway, pm me your email and I'll send you a video of the tap/pump combo in action.

Trust me it works fine. My hot water pressure is crap.

[jac-in-a-box]

Thanks for replies guys - it looks like a pump will have to be added to evergrowing list as well. I assume the pump works off some kind of pressure switch and cuts in when tap is opened?
Her mind is made up and can't find an alternative LP version.

For b19rak - yes, that's me. I remember your BiL in Mansfield...not sure what hapened to you though. The logistics of planning a trip around UK, taking into account folks availability, weather etc can be difficult. I probably get close to 100 "invites" each year from out off Scotland, it's ineviatable some don't get seen, sorry!

Email is in my profile if you'd like to send video clip please

[b19rak]

jac-in-a-box said:

Thanks for replies guys - it looks like a pump will have to be added to evergrowing list as well. I assume the pump works off some kind of pressure switch and cuts in when tap is opened?
Her mind is made up and can't find an alternative LP version.

For b19rak - yes, that's me. I remember your BiL in Mansfield...not sure what hapened to you though. The logistics of planning a trip around UK, taking into account folks availability, weather etc can be difficult. I probably get close to 100 "invites" each year from out off Scotland, it's ineviatable some don't get seen, sorry!

Email is in my profile if you'd like to send video clip please

I'll email it tonight. The pump has an internal switch/sensor thing. As soon as you open the tap if fires into life and stops when you close the tap. Please make sure you only buy a Salamander pump. Very reputable.

[Ferg]

b19rak said:

Please make sure you only buy a Salamander pump. Very reputable.

Salamander make great pumps, BUT please ensure that you don't cut any corners on the installation. Unless it's installed EXACTLY to the diagram in the installation instructions, Salamander will walk away from the warranty.
Other manufacturers are much more forgiving.

[chris_w]

My plumber recommended Bristan taps for our old victorian place, said the British made stuff was better suited to low pressure than the continental alternatives.