Just a few plumbing tips

Just though I would write up some plumbing tips for you all,

- A basin is the one in the bathroom, the sink is the one in the kitchen, there is no such thing as a bathroom sink.

- If your tap is dripping you DON'T have to replace your tap, it just means you need a new tap works or monobloc cartridge

- If water is pouring in to your toilet pan that means that your flush valve washer is not sealing correctly, you may need a new one or you may just need to see if something is stopping it

- If your toilet cistern is constantly filling, then your filling valve will most likely need a new washer inside, just remember to turn off your water first. If it doesn't work then you'll need a new fill valve

- Only do it yourself if you know what you are doing, we all know plumbers can be expensive to call out, but I beg you if you are not 100% sure on what you are doing, find someone who does or you could end up needing a plumber anyway.

- The only thing you get for less is less, don't settle for the cheapest, they can cost you money more money when they inevitably break. Spend that little extra and save having to replace items every couple of months. We know it doesn't come cheap but they do last longer.

- Mira showers don't need a special "Mira hose" any standard shower hose will do exactly the same, they both have the same 1/2 inch thread

- If you have a gravity fed system and you need flexible hoses for your bath taps make sure that you get full bore hoses.

- Try to avoid screwing flexible hoses on to isolating valves, the valves thread are not designed to do that. They will grind the washer and over time will start to leak. Flexible hoses are available with integrated isolation valves

- When getting new flexible hoses for your monobloc tap make sure that you get the correct thread size, it is usually either 10mm or 12mm.


Well thats it from me, I hope you found these tips useful. Until next time, farewell and live long and prosper!

Toilet Cistern Fill valves - How do they work?

What is a fill valve? Well its that all important device that fills your toilet cistern back up after flushing the loo. Providing water 

Firstly there are two different types. The old style are the ones are usually brass with an arm and plastic float. The modern fill valves have a float that slides up and down its body (which can be adjusted in height depending on the volume of water) and are much more being accurate. 

Next, how do they work? When you flush the toilet the cistern empties, the float on the fill valve will drop and allows the arm to release the washer within the valve to let the water in to fill up the cistern to its previous level. 

As the cistern fills up the float will be pushed up by the water and will shut off the water coming in by pressing the rubber diaphragm washer, then hey presto the cistern is full and your toilet is ready for flushing again! 

But like everything over time these washers gradually start to fail and need replacing and as always there are different types for different valves 

You can find diaphragm washers here. Or if you fancy a new start our range of fill valves can be found here

                                       
Modern Fill Valve                                      Old style Fill Valve

McAlpine Fittings – Why are they the plumbers first choice?

McAlpine started making plumbing products in 1902 and later were the first company in the UK to manufacturer plastic fittings so its fair to say they know how to make a decent fitting or two. Now a days they make everything from traps to toilet pan connectors.

Today we’re talking about waste traps and fittings, now McAlpine fittings use what’s called a compression coupling, what this is is a rubber washer that is slid on to the end of the pipe and then is crushed by the nut when you put in to the fitting to create a firm seal. McAlpine have their own guide which you can find here

With traps there are 3 main sizes: 32mm, 40mm and 50mm

• 32mm or 1.25 inch is designed for basins and bidets
• 40mm or 1.5 inch is designed for kitchen sinks and baths
• 50mm or 2 inch is designed for commercial kitchen sinks

We are a large stockist of McAlpine and we have just added them to our online shop (we do sell to the public as well!) You can find our full range right  here

Plumbers Mate - Our exceptionally high standards

               
As the majority of you know the Plumbers Mate has been trading for over 30 years with the founding director still in charge. But its not how long a company has existed that proves their reliability.

I know at this point that you maybe thinking that "oh here we go again another business trying to idolize themselves" but please hear me out.

When I hear people complimenting our helpfulness and politeness I feel proud to work at the Plumbers Mate. Even though recently I have felt nervous due to me now serving people on the counter, I overcome the nervousness because I want people to carry on complimenting us.

We have earned the respect of many builders, plumbers, decorators and general public because we will do the utmost to make sure that you fix your problem, regardless whether you are buying something or not. If we cannot provide you with the item you want then we will recommend somewhere else that you can get it.

Don't you just hate buying the wrong item and then finding out the store you bought it from won't give you a refund or help you with your problem?
If we supply you with the wrong item then as long as you bring the receipt and the item back to us we will  give you a refund or replace the item.

Another thing that annoys me is when you walk in to any of these big 'superstores' and the staff just give you the same old rehearsed lines talking as if they are programmed machines. Our staff? We are friendly and best of all we are family so we all get along and can work well together.

Training programs we've all heard of them. Here we don't have a training program, we learn how things work and what things are by going round, picking up item and our knowledge increases the longer we do this. This might not be the most fun way of learning but it is the best way.

As all of the staff having been through this process we are able to give you a high standard of service that we are known for.

Thank you, if you have stuck with me through this then thank you.

And remember that it is not about size or quantity, it is the quality that counts.

www.plumbers-mate.co.uk