Questions/Answers
Fit your bathroom accessories without breaking anything!
Accessories make life easier, so no worries when fitting them: here are clever ways of boring holes without damaging anything!
1. Pinpoint the exact fixation point, first of all the horizontal point, using a spirit level.
2. Next, mark the drilling point.
3. There are two ways to start boring the hole without slipping: either give it a small tap with a centre punch, or stick a small piece of sticky tape over it. The latter gives good results.
4. Start boring at very low speed, without the percussion, using a carbide or tungsten bit. Press harder to start boring the hole.
5. Use the right kind of plug: for solid walls, hollow or specially designed dividing partitions, or plaster board linings.
6. A properly fitted accessory should naturally fit into your bathroom.
7. It should be just at the right height. Test the space first, taking account of the height of each member of the family!
8. A handy hint! To bore holes horizontally (especially if you’re working at arm’s length), place a large-sized washer on the bit, between the wall and the drill. If it tilts towards the wall, you are drilling down wards; if it tilts towards the drill, you are drilling up wards ! It’s all a question of balance !
Replacing a showerhead and its flexible hose
Replacing a flexible hose may be the oppurtunity to change your old showerhead for a new, better-quality one in terms of hydrotherapy and style.
You can add a shower-stop tap to the showerhead (if it doesn’t already have one), a swivelling nut, and also a flowrate reducer.
This operation can be carried out by all DIY enthusiasts !
1. Unscrew the faulty flexible hose with combination pliers.
2. Place a watertight washer inside the nut of the new flexible hose. The nut to be screwed into the tap is grooved.
3. Screw the new flexible hose on to the tap, protecting it with a cloth.
4. Screw the stopcock onto the other end of the flexible hose, inserting a fibre washer.
5. Tighten with an adjustable spanner.
6. Screw a swivelling nut onto the stopcock, not forgetting to put a washer in the nut.
7. Place the flowrate reducer inside the swivelling nut.
8. Place the rubber washer.
9. Screw the showerhead back on.
10. Tighten it, without forcing too hard, with pliers, and protect the metal with a cloth.
11. Don’t miss the opportunity! See the showerheads!
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Saving water has become a matter of strategy for many citizens : with water bills constantly increasing, people are becoming more demanding, and the best solution to keep water available and accessible to everyone is simply to stop wasting it. Lots of minor reflexes mean that water can be saved on a daily basis. For example, if you use a glass when brushing your teeth instead of leaving the tap running, you will save about 15 litres in 3 minutes! The main cause of waste, however, is leaks.
Track down the leaks!
A dripping tap will waste more than 40 m3 per year – an average increase of 18% to your bill!
A small trickle of water means that 180 m3 per year – an average of + 60% to your bill – are just wasted!
Go for showers !
Filling an ordinary bathtub requires nearly 180 litres of water. An ordinary 5-minute shower uses up 80 litres of water for a flow rate of 16 l/min. You can thus save 100 litres of water just by making a simple choice! This becomes even more economic if your showerhead has a water-saving system and a thermostatic tap.
Choose the right equipment !
Showerheads with a turbulence system break up the water droplets, giving greater efficiency by multiplying the surface of water in contact with your skin. Your consumption thus drops from 20 litres/minute for an ordinary showerhead to less than 10 litres/minute.
These showerheads produce an extremely pleasant, stimulating jet, even when you turn the tap on just a little way.
What’s more, showerheads with a flow rate control device enable to save 35 litres of water per 5-minute shower.
Water recycling shower enclosure also allow big savings.
Shower-stop :
Wirquin offers shower-stop systems integrated into the showerhead. These small taps stop the water running while you are soaping yourself, and of course retain your hot-cold settings while you are doing so.
These small pieces of plastic, placed inside the flexible hose/showerhead nut, reduce the water flow rate by 35, 40 or 50%, depending on the model.
Thermostatic mixer taps:
When you take a shower or bath, a lot of water is used up at the beginning, while you are trying to find the right water temperature.
A thermostatic mixer tap sets the required temperature directly in the tap, which is degree-graduated. Some models have a water-saving device that reduces consumption by up to 50% as opposed to ordinary thermostatic taps.
There are special systems for adapting the taps, even if your old tap wasn’t the same size.
Install a pressure reducer.
Water supply pressure is normally 3 bars (16 l/min). Even if 1 bar is enough for the tap, the pressure can sometimes be greater. Over-pressure causes waste, but also deteriorates taps and household appliances, and can cause leaks.
You can install pressure reducers to correct over-pressure; these have to be checked and adjusted regularly. A pressure reducer is fitted onto the water pipe above the meter. It helps to optimise the network and avoid premature ageing of the equipment.
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How much water is needed for a shower column?
Your column can be supplied by any type of hot water producing system respecting the following criteria:
o Minimum flow rate: 11 litres per minute
o 3 bars of pressure (a difference of pressure of 1 bar between the cold and hot water sources will not enable satisfactory functioning)
o Minimum temperature: 55°C.
This is why using the column with an instant water heater is not recommended.
A booster pump can provide the solution to lack of pressure, but if the flow rate is insufficient, increasing the pressure will not solve the problem.
o Maximum pressure: 5 bars; above that, a flowrate reducer is recommended.
o Optimal flow rate: 24 litres per minute with 3 bars of pressure.
If the water is very hard installing, a water softener is recommended.
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How to improve the effects of a hydro-massage shower column ?
While the multi-jet shower stimulates you and wakes you up in a few seconds in the morning, it should relax and de-stress you in a few minutes at night. You can thus opt for a sequential massage, i.e. jets work one after the other, and you can stop it on the desired body part.
Example : beginning at the bottom, shower your lower back region, then your dorsal region, and finish with your cervical area, then start over again. For best results, it is better to use lukewarm rather than hot water. If you are brave enough, going from warm to cold water is an excellent stimulant (preferably in the morning !!)
Warning ! Jets that are too strong are dangerous – it’s all a question of measure.
WIRQUIN products :
The TECK LINE shower column is supplied pre-oiled: we apply a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine (the main ingredients of retail teak oils).
The STAR TECK shower tray cannot be supplied pre-oiled. We strongly recommend oiling the tray once it has been fitted and made watertight with polyurethane filler paste as shown on the instructions.
The LIDEAU shower tray (teak finish) is also delivered non-oiled.
Oiling : teak oil should be applied to raw wood that has not already been treated. It should be applied regularly, and will help the wood retain its warm colours and protect it from water and light.
You must first of all ensure that the surface to be treated is clean and dry (if not, see the “Renovation” paragraph). Spread the teak oil with a paintbrush, leave it to penetrate for half an hour, then wipe with a soft cloth. Repeat 2 to 3 times, then leave to dry and harden for 2 to 3 days. More generally, follow the instructions given on the packaging of the oil you buy – the ingredients of the different brands of oils can differ from one manufacturer to another, and should therefore be applied accordingly.
Renovation: as time goes by teak, is damaged by water and light, and loses its colour. Small marks may also appear on the surface.
In that case, regular application of oil will not be enough to give it back its original aspect. The wood must be cleaned. Products, mostly in gel form, clean and lighten the wood. These can be applied with a paintbrush, and act quickly (15 to 20 minutes). They can be rinsed off with water. After cleaning, oil the wood.
It may be necessary to do the operation twice.
Finally, if light or chemicals have caused heavier damage, sand the wood with finishing sandpaper, then oil.
How do you upkeep shower trays?
Ceramic shower trays
Clean with a cloth or sponge and soapy water, then rinse and wipe dry to avoid chalky deposits.
Glass trays
Wash with soapy water using a small soft brush, then rinse and dry.
To eliminate chalky deposits, the most common solution is to use white vinegar, more or less diluted.
For difficult stains, soak a cloth in vinegar and leave it on overnight.
Warning ! Substances containing fluoride (toothpaste, amongst other things) stain. It is imperative to remove any residue as quickly as possible.
1. Unscrew the end of the showerhead flexible hose. At the same time, check the watertight washer.
2. Remove the grate by unscrewing the central screw. If necessary, remove the screwhead cap using a pointed knife. Remove the grate. If it has white spots on it, it has chalky deposits.
3. Add white vinegar to water and heat the solution without boiling it. Pour it into a small recipient and immerse the grate and ring in it. Leave for 15 to 30 minutes or longer if necessary.
o If the grate is heavily scaled, you can also use a de-scaler that can be found in the shops. Apply it with a paintbrush (wear rubber gloves).
4. Once all the elements are clean, re-assemble the showerhead and connect it to its flexible connector (don’t forget the washer!). Then enjoy a good shower!
Some showerheads have an integrated filter that prevents chalky deposits and impurities. This is situated at the back of the handle, and you simply have to remove the flexible hose to locate it and rinse it regularly. This is a good idea in areas where the water is very hard.
Handy hint : If you adjust your hot water producing system to 55°C maximum, you will spare your taps, since chalky deposits will be reduced to a minimum.