Tap Problem

M0T · 2 May 2008 at 16:44

We have had a new bathroom fitted by a local guy (suite was bought from B&Q) and we are having a problem with the taps.

The ones we have on the bath are these (but with a shower mixer):

The flow from them is absolutely terrible. It took nearly 30 minutes to fill the bath, whereas with the old taps it took 10. I noticed this when the guy was still doing it and he checked the ball valves and they were all fully open (and I saw them). The tap doesn't have an aerator fitted, so I am at a loss to explain the poor flow. Any ideas?

M0T · 2 May 2008 at 16:58

Raist said:
I'd be willing to bet a chunk of iron made it's way into the valve stem. Very common with a new tap. Did the plumber run the water through the pipes for a few seconds before installing the tap?

No idea - I wasn't in. What would be involved in checking this out?

M0T · 2 May 2008 at 17:43

Right I did what you said and there was no rubbish in there. What I did do was turn off the hot (and then the cold) leaving the cold feed (and then the hot feed) connected. What I discovered was once the on off tap mechanism was loosened to the point of being bypassed the flow rate increased hugely for both hot and cold water.

I opened the tap mechanism and found nothing wrong with it, but it seems quite restrictive. What can I do about this?

M0T · 3 May 2008 at 15:26

Its odd because I have the original brochure here which says it doesn't need a pump, but it obviously does. The only hope is if I can find a cartridge valve that is less restrictive to replace the one in there. But its something I am having a lot of trouble finding online.

M0T · 3 May 2008 at 17:15

We have a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder.

From the brochure it says:

"All taps are suitable for both low pressure (minimum 0.5 bar) and high pressure systems"