Best place to source low pressure bath filler taps

[Coddey]

I'm having a nightmare trying to find matt black wall or deck mounted bath mixer taps with 3/4 fitting that work on 0.2 bar.

From tank to tap, I have around 2.4 metres, so a pressure of a little over 0.2 bar. The flow measured from the tap currently fitted is 11 litres per minute. Pretty much the same for a vast amount of properties around the UK on gravity fed systems. Yet most of the taps I can find are 0.5 or 1 bar minimum. I've tried a few of those but the hot flow was pitiful.

The bath taps currently fitted give an excellent flow and are rated at 0.2 bar, but the wrong type, finish, and about to draw their pension.

When it looks like I have found a suitable tap, the specs stated on the retailers webpage conflict with those in the manual. It's impossible to seek clarity as my questions to them either go unanswered or they don't know the answer.

Pumps are out as the three I've tried over the years have all failed within 24 months. So I really don't want to go down that route again.

Ideas and suggestions would be most welcome.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You won’t do it anything black will be modern / high pressure so you will likely have to find a low pressure tap and have it plated

 

[Vip1969]

I agree with the OP. Even ignoring black coloured taps; firstly, there are very few low pressure taps on the market - most people have combi boilers or high pressure cylinders these days. Secondly, outlets and even manufacturer web sites are riddled with errors on tap specifications - it seems the UK does pay much attention to science, engineering and to the accuracy of specifications and stated numbers. As an engineer, I find the situation awful. Look at, for example, Amazon's web site - many things don't even have proper dimensions and specifications listed. Thirdly, the choice of low pressure taps are pityfully limited. It's a very frustrating business finding low pressure taps in the UK.

 

[Vip1969]

Should have mentioned the UK doesNOT pay much attention...

 

[Coddey]

Thanks for the response's guys. I'll carry on looking until the taps are required for the refit. If nothing comes up by then, chrome it will have to be.

 

[Ben-gee]

I would choose the taps you want and then fit a pump.
But.
Buy a good quality pump and fit it properly - then I guarantee it will last more than 24 months (as will the manufacturer).

 

[Coddey]

The pumps were Salamander and Stuart Turner. All three were fitted to spec. All three worked perfectly for the first year to 18 months. The water sensing switch on both Salamanders went U/S and the Turner started to leak after 14 months.


Salamander didn’t supply spares and suggested throwing a £200 pump in the bin and buying another, not exactly ECO friendly.


Hence being reticent about spending more on pumps then finding a low-pressure tap. I’ve since found a couple of black Bristan pillar taps that work at 0.1 bar. So similar spec to my current Bristan mixer tap. For the shower, I’ll keep with electric for now until I have the money to fit a combi boiler.



Form and function are not good friends when trying to fill a bath !

 

[ShaunCorbs]

The pumps were Salamander and Stuart Turner. All three were fitted to spec. All three worked perfectly for the first year to 18 months. The water sensing switch on both Salamanders went U/S and the Turner started to leak after 14 months.


Salamander didn’t supply spares and suggested throwing a £200 pump in the bin and buying another, not exactly ECO friendly.


Hence being reticent about spending more on pumps then finding a low-pressure tap. I’ve since found a couple of black Bristan pillar taps that work at 0.1 bar. So similar spec to my current Bristan mixer tap. For the shower, I’ll keep with electric for now until I have the money to fit a combi boiler.



Form and function are not good friends when trying to fill a bath !

But if the pumps weren’t suitable and running dry occasionally how are the manufacturers at fault I would get back in touch with the person who fitted the wrong type of pump

 

[Ben-gee]

You say Stuart Turner, which one?

If you fit the correct spec. Monsoon pump and it is actually fitted correctly then it will work very very well for a long time. I have some over 20 years old with my customers.
They are also covered by a 5 year guarantee should you be unlucky and get a duff one.

 

[Coddey]

You say Stuart Turner, which one?

If you fit the correct spec. Monsoon pump and it is actually fitted correctly then it will work very very well for a long time. I have some over 20 years old with my customers.
They are also covered by a 5 year guarantee should you be unlucky and get a duff one.

I can't remember the exact makes of the Salamandar pumps as that was a while back. However, the Stuart Turner was a showermate single which they recommended. As far as I'm aware they didn't run dry. The supplier told me he had several back for the same fault as did the fitter. I put it down to experience, walked away and installed an electric shower. The low pressure taps I currently have are more than adequate, I just needed to update them with the same spec.

 

[Ben-gee]

That is a cheap plastic pump.
Look up the one I told you, it’s like a Sunday pub team vs Brazil.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Also you need a twin pump as the pressures need to be balanced eg one can’t be mains pressure

 

[Coddey]

Also you need a twin pump as the pressures need to be balanced eg one can’t be mains pressure

Sorry for the delay in replying, I had an issue with corroded pipes to deal with.

When I contacted the pump manufacturer's before I had these pumps fitted. All the above makers including Monsoon insisted I only needed a single impeller to boost the hot, hence why those were installed. As the pump is only required for the shower (hot water flow is fine in the kitchen, bath, and basin taps), for the cost of a Monsoon double pump I can either opt for a Mira low pressure .02 bar thermostatic or a snazzy electric offering. I had a Mira in my previous house and that worked excellent with only .01 bar (shower head was exactly 1 metre below the tank).

Nonetheless, your explanation does highlight where things may have gone wrong.