• Install a bigger bath if you have room.
• Install a whirlpool bath. Water jet systems can be fitted onto most new baths and add a real touch of luxury.
• Forget the bath and just fit a good sized shower enclosure.
• Include a vanity and/or a wall unit.
• Opt for fitted bathroom furniture.
   

Starting from scratch
If you have the luxury of designing a bathroom from scratch instead of simply replacing your existing suite, you have a lot more options. The actual layout of a new bathroom is often a compromise between what you want and what will fit. For example: a toilet, bath or shower would normally be fitted to an outside wall to allow waste pipes to feed directly to the down pipe without the need to box them in.

Technical Considerations
The suitability of most bathroom components will mainly be determined by your water pressure and type of hot water system. If in doubt, consult with a qualified tradesman to determine which products are suitable. Fitting should always be carried out according to manufacturer’s instructions.

What Central Heating System do I have?
Identify your hot water system:

Gravity System
The most common sort of hot water system, this is fed by a cold water header tank. The cold water is then heated by the boiler and stored in a hot water cylinder until required.

Combination Boiler
This boiler does not have a cylinder to store the hot water; instead it heats as required and pumps it around the system.

Water Pressure
Most bathroom appliances require good water pressure to function properly. All cold water pipes are drawn directly from the mains supply and often vary in pressure. The water that feeds a gravity hot water system is stored in a header tank often located in the attic. The pressure in your hot water taps is determined by the height difference between the outlet and the header tank. For example, hot water taps in the upstairs bathroom will be at a lower pressure than those in the downstairs kitchen. Consequently, you need to check there is insufficient pressure in your system for the appliances. If the pressure is insufficient, you may need a pump. Hot water systems based on combination boilers are already under pressure, but should still be tested. Differences in pressure between the hot and cold water supply can adversely affect the way showers and mixer taps function.

Shower or Bath or both!
Some people like a good soak in the bath, others only ever shower. If there is enough room, consider fitting both a shower and a bath, or simply opt for a shower over the bath. A shower enclosure is very useful where space is limited, such as en-suite bathrooms.

Electric Showers
Electric showers are like glorified kettles – they simply heat the water; the higher the showers power rating, the more hot water it will produce. You need to make sure your electric shower’s power is rated at 9.5 kilowatts. The ability of the shower unit to heat the water will also depend on the temperature of your mains supply, so in cold weather, the output of water will be less. Electric showers can be fitted almost anywhere with a cold water pipe and suitable power outlet. They’re economical to run, don’t require a high water pressure, provide hot water on demand and will work even when the hot water system is turned off, as in hot weather. They cannot however dispense as much warm water as mixer showers.

Mixer Showers
A mixer shower draws hot and cold water from your household supply and mixes them to the desired temperature. They provide a greater flow rate than electric showers and require readily available hot water. They also require good water pressure and may therefore benefit from the addition of a pump. A thermostatic control valve will also help stabilize the temperature.

Power Showers
Similar to mixer showers, power showers include a pump to boost the flow rate. The pump can either be part of the shower unit or located separately. Many mixer showers can be easily upgraded by the simple addition of a water pump. Note that pumps and power showers cannot be used with a combination boiler.

Why not dip into a Whirlpool?
Whirlpools or spas can turn an ordinary bath into a luxury, relaxing experience. Available features include directional back and foot jets, water massage, different mood settings, aqua lights and built-in radios.

Fitted Bathroom Furniture
As well as making the bathroom easier to keep clean and tidy, fitted furniture gives you valuable storage space, even in the smallest bathrooms. The available options and colour combinations are almost endless, so come and view the displays and samples in our showroom.

Tiles
For their water resistant and hygiene properties, as well as their limitless design possibilities, nothing comes close to ceramic tiles. Consequently, they are an absolute necessity in wet areas. To complete the picture, most wall tiles also have co-ordinating floor tiles which offer a long lasting and functional match for the wall tiling.

Under Floor Heating
Nothing compares to the luxury of walking barefoot on warm tiles. Under floor heating costs about the same as a luxury towel warmer and is very economical to run. It is totally safe, simple to install and makes a welcome addition to any tiled floor. Bathroom systems should run at 12 volts, with the mains transformer normally located in an adjacent room. Elsewhere in the home, you should use a mains powered system.

Don’t forget the Soap dish
From mirrors, shelves and towel rails to soap dishes, toothbrush holders and robe hooks, accessories can really personalise your new bathroom.

It’s so easy to choose
At Aqua Bathrooms (Hull) Ltd, we display our bathroom and shower suites in fully tiled room settings, giving you ideas and inspiration about how your own bathroom could look. We pride ourselves on first class customer services and welcome any queries about your potential purchase. We guarantee to do everything possible to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

Fitting Service
Aqua Bathrooms (Hull) Ltd can arrange all aspects of fitting for your new suite. We can provide you with a total service from start to finish, from building work to tiling to plumbing. All work is guaranteed, or we can simply supply the goods – the choice is yours. All work undertaken complies with all building, water and electrical regulations.
 

Customer Advice
 

1. We advise customers that they should order products for delivery at least one week in advance of fitting in case of any problems that may arise.
    
2. We advise customers that they do not remove their existing bath, shower, basin, toilet or taps until they have received their new products and have inspected them.
    
3. To help our sales team, please can you provide them with the following information before purchasing your bathroom products;
   
   Taps/Showers
   Please let our sales team know if you are using a pressurised system, combi boiler system or gravity hot water system.
   
   Shower Trays
   Our high quality trays fir flush to the floor or a raised version is available depending on your floor joist requirements.
   
   WC’s
   The main criterion is the soil pipe outlet which dictates what style of toilet will fit.
   
   Bespoke
   When ordering any bespoke items please leave plenty of time to discuss your requirements with our sales team.
   
    
4. Please let us know the dimensions of your bathroom. If possible a rough sketch with measurements would help aid us advise you of the best products to purchase.
    
5. Please be aware that deliveries to customers are made to the ground floor of a property, it is up to the discretion of our deliverymen if they will take products to any other floor.
    
6. Please note: Aqua Bathrooms cannot take back any damaged baths once they have been fitted. (i.e. feet fitted, waste fitted or handles fitted)

Glossary of Terms

Thermostatic
Literally means ‘stable temperature’. Thermostatic showers and taps keep the temperature constant, even when the water pressure varies. Particularly useful in mixer showers where the cold water pressure can vary.

Flow Rate
The rate at which water flows through a pipe or appliance. Most showers and taps have limits for the minimum and maximum flow rates.

High or Low Pressure Taps
Low pressure taps can be used practically everywhere, but high pressure taps will need at least 1 bar of water pressure to function correctly. Combination boilers or gravity systems which include a pump are suitable for high pressure taps, but normally gravity systems need low pressure taps.

Mono Basin Mixer Tap
Designed for a one-tap-hole basin, both hot and cold water flow from a single spout. Temperature and flow are usually controlled by a single lever and often a pop-up waste plug.

Pop-up Waste Plugs
An alternative to the usual plug and chain. Pull or push the lever and the plug lifts up without having to put your hands in the water.

Basins – Comprising of a basin and a pedestal
Semi-Pedestal – a modern, wall-mounted design which helps to conceal plumbing. The pedestal does not reach the floor, giving more floor space.
Vanity Basin – Set into a vanity unit.
Semi-recessed Basin – For a semi-recessed fit into a worktop.

Toilets – Usually comprising of a WC, Pan and Cistern
Close Coupled WC Pan – The pan and cistern sit neatly together without a visible joining pipe.
Push Button Cistern – The modern alternative to the lever features a built-in push button for flushing.
Back to wall WC – A very neat toilet where the cistern, water and waste connections are concealed within fitted furniture or a false wall.

Design Service
We offer a flexible design service to suit your needs. From free expert advice to full bathroom planning. Don’t forget your measurements.