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Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category


Easy Install Bath Tap Mixer Kit – an ingenious invention!

June 26th, 2011 by Jilly

Easy Install Bath Mixer Kit

When a bath is installed it can be a very laborious not to mention costly task to remove, this may have to be done if the Bath filler tap malfunctions or the user wants to replace it for some reason.
Predominantly bath taps are installed before the bath is installed, this is due to the fact it is easier to access the back nuts that hold the taps in place.  Tapshop321 has sourced a product that makes the job of installing bath taps easy and their removal even easier!

Image showing quick release bath tap fixing set

The kit above is installed in 7 easy steps and allows the bath taps to be installed at the end of a project rather than at the beginning – this makes finishing jobs such as siliconing and tiling much easier to do – without having to reach around the awkward gap at the back of your taps.
1 – Drill the bath using a 42-44mm hole cutter.
2 – Fit the long body into the bat and secure with rear lock nut.
3 – The securing collar can now be attached to the bath tap
4 – Secure collar with rear lock nut.
5 – Feed the flexible hoses up through pre drilled holes and attach to the taps.
6 – Locate the tap / mixer into the shrouds on the Bath
7 – Tighten the grub screw with key provided
Now the mixing kit is the permanent fixture rather than the taps it is far easier to remove. The taps can be replaced by simply loosening the grub screw and removing the flexible hoses. This is considerably less time consuming than removing the tiles, removing the silicone, and removing the bath!!
The product is made by Alliance Sanitary Products Ltd and more detailed fittings instructions can be viewed by clicking this link: http://www.alliancegb.com/Easyaccesspull-outwallfixingkit.html
Please be aware that this kit is only currently available with a round finish, whilst it will fit most taps please note that if used with a square shape tap you will have a round base visible at the base of the tap unit – this is purely a superficial issue and will not affect the functioning of the kit.

Posted in DIY Hints & Tips, Reviews | Comments Off

Solar Water Heating For The Home

June 20th, 2011 by steph

For some people the cost of going green is simply too high when it comes to domestic solar water heaters and solar pv panels. Many homeowners are reluctant to invest a lot of money into having them installed as they are unsure of whether they are a worthy investment and have many questions that need answering before making the decision.

Will solar water heaters compromise the appearance of my home?

Solar water heating systems consist of a solar collector and a storage tank. The solar collector is generally 1 square metre in size and is designed to simply look like a skylight rather than a heating device. A solar water collector may simply be a flat panel or consist of a sequence of evacuated tubes. The evacuated tubes aren’t visible on the rooftop so both solar water heater systems should look the same.

How durable are solar water heaters?

Many people worry that their climate isn’t hot enough to use the solar water heater effectively or that it will freeze in the winter. These are both myths, solar water heaters come with a lifetime anti-freeze guarantee to give homeowners peace of mind. Solar water heaters are designed to last as long as a house does with minimal maintenance and repairs required.

Will the temperature of my water be lower in colder months?

Solar water systems don’t compromise the water temperature of a home, even though they are less effective in cooler weather. Solar water heaters work in conjunction with the central heating system so that the central heating can be used as a backup when there is not enough heat in the solar powered heater. This ensures that the same temperature comes out of the kitchen and bathroom taps regardless of the strength of the sunlight. This is how solar water heaters help reduce families’ energy bills; they reduce the amount of central heating usage required to heat your water.

How much can I expect to save with solar water heaters?

On an average year, homeowners can expect to save around 60% in the hotter, sunnier months of the year and around 20% in colder winter months. They could also increase boiler life due to it requiring less usage. Solar water heaters also allegedly increase the equity of a home due to self-sufficient homes being sought after for their financial and eco-friendly benefits.

Are there any downsides to solar water systems?

There are some aspects of solar water heaters that are considered to be negative. The fact the initial cost of installation is higher than that of conventional heating methods can be unattractive to potential buyers who feel it is too much money to invest. Some solar water systems can’t be used to heat radiators within the home either, which is one of the major downsides of solar water heaters.

Many people decide to get solar water heaters because of their financial benefits as well as the fact they are sustainable energy sources. Although they can’t heat all hot water needed for the average home, they certainly help to reduce energy bills and climate change.


solar water heater on roof

An example of solar water heaters on a roof

Posted in DIY Hints & Tips, General Articles, Reviews | Comments Off

Infra Red Sensor Taps Are The Future

August 30th, 2010 by Mark Farrell

There are hundreds of bathroom taps available on our website but the most attractive in my opinion are those that do not require knobs to turn them on and off. Many home owners who can afford to splash out a bit are turning to this type of tap for many reasons.  Let me introduce the Infra red sensor tap

It reduces grime, less cleaning, convenient if you don’t want to get dirt, dust and grime on your knobs from your hands, helps to conserve water and cuts down on water usage and it prevents less transfer of germs. Automatic taps are the new and improved way to stay healthy and prevent transferrable diseases which is the main reason why families are changing their bathroom taps to these new fangled devices.

If you choose to obtain an automatic tap otherwise known as an infra red motion sensor taps here are some things you may want to keep in mind. There are many motion sensor taps that work with your home’s electrical circuits that require AA batteries so that you won’t have to mess with wiring or hire other contractors to come in and do the job for you.

This depends on the type of tap that you want. Some people seek cost over style and others seek style over cost, then there are those that want both, the style at the right price. To choose the correct tap that fits your liking you should factor in things like your budget, your need, how many bathrooms you will be in need of an automatic faucet for and the type of sinks you have.

You should also take into account that motion sensor taps aren’t just used for sinks but they can also be used for baths as well. If you use an automatic tap for your bath you should keep in mind that the water temperature is controlled through the set, water temperature that runs through your home’s pipes.

So you may want to keep that thought while you decide on an automatic tap being right for you and your family in your bath. In the mean time automatic taps come in many types of mounts, you can mount them to the wall, they can be elevated and they sometimes come with drains. Many of these taps also come in several styles such as Victorian, stainless steel, modern and transitional including several other types.

Tapshop321 currently only stock the one type of sensor tap but there are more to come so keep checking our website out.

Posted in General Articles, Reviews | No Comments »

Ariano Bath Filler Review

August 18th, 2010 by Mark Farrell

It is normal practise here at Tapshop to follow up all purchases and ask our customers to leave a review of the product that they have received. We don’t get many back as its not at the top of many peoples priority list. However when we do we will share them with our readers. Here is our first one:

Ariano Bath Filler


“Having just purchased one of these lovely bathroom taps for my own bathroom I can honestly say that the picture on the Tapshop main website doesn’t do it justice.

Don’t get me wrong I am not a sad case that enjoys writing about taps but when I was approached via Tapshop after my purchase and invited to write a review I was that pleased with the look and quality I couldn’t resist.

The tap itself looks like it should cost a hell of a lot more than it actually does and the weight of it only adds to the feel of quality. The taps turn on with ease and are a joy to use. I know there isn’t much more to say about a tap so I will probably leave it there although fitting it was easy also.

I purchased some easy fit connectors which made the installation of this tap a doddle. I cannot recommend this tap enough so if you need somebody to help you decide then take this review as that.

Many thanks Tapshop

Lee Thompson”

What a nice review hopefully now that we have published this one there will be many more to come

Posted in Reviews | No Comments »

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