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Water Systems

Bathroom Manufacturers > Water Systems

A Guide To Water Systems and Water Pressure Introduction Traditionally, a hot water system consists of; a boiler to heat the water, hot water tanks to store the heated water for taps & showers, and radiators to heat the property using water from the boiler. Gravity Fed System Low Pressure System This is the traditional type of central heating system that was used in the UK. The gravity system consists of a cold water tank, which is usually found in the loft space, and directly below this is the hot water cylinder (usually in the airing cupboard). If the header tank is also in the airing cupboard, this will result in even lower water pressure and may be classed as negative head when a shower is fitted. If you have a gravity fed central heating you will have a gas boiler to heat the water, which is then stored in the hot water cylinder, and from this cylinder the hot water flows to the taps/shower etc. As the water in the hot water cylinder is used up, it is replaced with cold from the tank above, which in turn is ‘topped up’ from the mains water supply. If the water pressure in the system is not sufficient enough to provide a satisfactory shower then a water pump can be added quite easily to this system. In the case of nagative head situations, a special pump is required.

Pressurised Sytems Unvented Hot Water High Pressure System In this system the hot water tank is pressurised and takes in cold water directly from the mains supply, thus there is no need for a cold water storage tank in the loft. It’s easy to spot if you have an unvented system, as there will be a pressure expansion vessel on top of the hot water tank/cylinder, and it will say ‘pressurised system’ on the tank/cylinder itself. Combination Boilers (or Instant Water Heaters) High Pressure System Combination Boilers do not require a hot water cylinders or a cold water storage tanks. This is because the boiler heats the water, as it is required, direct from the mains water supply. A combination boiler is easy to spot, as the boiler will fire up each time you turn on the hot tap. A good modern combination boiler, combined with average mains water pressure, should provide hot water at approximately 1.5 bar, which is adequate for both high and low pressure taps and shower valves. This boiler runs direct from the mains water supply, making it unsuitable for the addition of a water pump. (The pressure guage shows the central heating pressure, not the domestic hot water pressure).

Tap Operating Pressures Plumbing systems can sometimes suffer from poor flow rates. The UK is unique in that many homes are still using the more traditional, low pressure gravity fed plumbing systems. European manufacturers tend to design taps suitable for more modern plumbing systems which can often cause problems when installed in a typical UK home, resulting in a disappointing flow rate when using the taps. Low Pressure taps operate at 0.1 bar or above (0.1bar is equal to 1 metre head of water). In plumbing terms this means, for a gravity fed system, if the base height of your water tank is 1m above a tap, then you will have 0.1 bar of water pressure at the tap. If you are unsure, we recommend you seek advice from your plumber who will advise you on the plumbing system you have and the likely water pressures it can achieve. If pressures are lower than 0.1 bar you can increase your water pressure using a suitable water pump. Please note: Low Pressure Taps can be used on both Low and High Pressure systems. High Pressure Taps can only be used on High Pressure Systems.

Bathroom Manufacturers > Water Systems

Prices Include VAT and Delivery On Orders Over £100.00 To Mainland England and Wales. For Orders To Scotland Please Contact Us.

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All Buy On Line Orders Over £100 Include VAT and Delivery to Mainland England and Wales. For Orders To Scotland Please Contact Us.