Showing posts with label plumbing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plumbing. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 December 2013

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!

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

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

FluidMaster Pro45b Bottom Entry Fill Valve                                       1/2" Brass Ball valve H/Pressure Pt 2 - 07000190
Modern Fill Valve                                      Old style Fill Valve




    Wednesday, 31 July 2013

    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

    Saturday, 20 October 2012



    A new category has just been created: Hoses Accessories and Spares. Currently it only has a few
    products but over the next fortnight it will be filled with a variety of hose parts and accessories.
    Check the page out here
    And of course all new products added will be posted on our Twitter and on our blog
    Follow us on Twitter: @PlumbersMateLtd 

    Wednesday, 17 October 2012




                                                        New products added

                                                   A pair of L shaped cistern support brackets                                      
    Cistern L shaped support bracket - Pair
                                
                        A pair of L shaped steel cistern L support brackets which are ideal for mounting cisterns.
                        The brackets measure 4 ¼ inches by 4 ¼ inches and have two holes for screwing to wall.

                                                                      Only £3.86
                                                   
                                                  Buy Now


                                      A pair of cast iron ivy cistern brackets
    Cast Iron Ivy Cistern Bracket - Pair 
    A Pair of Cast Iron Ivy Cistern Brackets they are designed for cisterns but can be used as basin brackets by cutting off the end.
    The brackets measure 10 inch in length and 7 inch in height.

                                                 Only £40.42

                                                   Buy Now

    Saturday, 6 October 2012


    The Plumbers Mate Ltd

    A little bit about us

    The Plumbers Mate Ltd was founded in 1979 by Keith Meech at 2 Firle Road Eastbourne. Since then the Plumbers Mate has grown to a size of 2,000 square meters and stocking over 10,000 products. Supplying not only locally but to the whole of the UK and Europe. Today the Plumbers Mate is still run by Keith at 2 Firle Road and now has 3 generations working together. Although we are not the biggest plumbers merchant we are known for our high quality products and excellent levels of service.

    Thursday, 21 June 2012

    Special Offer Fixed Shower Head with Adjustable Spray


                                    

                                         SPECIAL OFFER                 

                                Fixed Shower Head with Adjustable Spray

                                                    *SPECIAL OFFER* Fixed Shower Head with Adjustable Spray - 50803227
                                                                     Fixed No 7 style shower head with integral arm.
                                                         Designed to fit on a 1/2" standard female thread within the wall.

    Only £12

    Saturday, 16 June 2012


                                                 New Product Added
    Bidet Douche Spray & Hose Kit in Chrome
    Bidet Douche Spray & Hose Kit in Chrome
                        
                              A wall mounted Bidet Hand Spray Kit.
                           The "Relax" Bidet / Douche kit comprises......

    - Chrome Handset with trigger control

    - 1.2Mtr chrome hose
    - "Lux" shower holder

    Only £40.56

    Wednesday, 13 June 2012

    Our number 1 selling product



    Our Number 1 selling product

                             Ideal Standard Twin Push-rod Dual Flush Button


                          - Replacement chrome push button for a range of Ideal Standard dual flush toilet cisterns.
                                                   - Features two push rods which can be cut to length to fit.
    Only £17.83 VAT included



    Tuesday, 12 June 2012



                           Blocked Drain? 
    Not a problem with this Drain Unblocker

    pic.twitter.com/W9vI775x         

    6m of cable that recoils into plastic drum for ease of use and storage.
    Cable 6mm in diameter.


    Suitable for:
                                                                                                 - domestic drains, 
                                                                                                          - sinks,
                                                                                                       - showers 
                                                                          - baths with pipes up to 75mm diameter
                                                                                                
                                                                                               Buy Now
















    Monday, 4 June 2012



    The Plumbers Mate is a large independent specialist plumbing merchant based in East Sussex.

    • Family Run business with 3 generations working together
    • Huge Range of over 10,000 quality products
    • Cheaper than most other online stores
    • Fully trained staff to listen to your requirements
    • Main suppliers of filtration products from Liff and Culligan
    • Major mail order suppliers of Liff and Culligan
    • Large range of parts for older plumbing systems
    • Can source unusual items which most of the larger plumbing stores are not willing to do




    Please feel free to browse our website: http://www.plumbers-mate-sales.co.uk/

    Or call us on: 01323 720368


    Our shop opening times are
    Monday to Friday - 8am to 5.50pm
    Saturday - 9am to 5pm
    Sundays - Closed