Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category

Bathroom Fitters Bedfordshire

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

We are currently compling a list of builders and plumbers for local areas, we will post links on our blog and main site http://www.chrome-tapshower.co.uk/recommended-tradesmen to help various trades in these present economic times, our link and anchor text will help any site get noticed in the search engines more easlily and in most case on page one of google. If you have friends or family or just want to help out the trade sector then please send your trade links here and we will be sure to post them for you.
Here is a current list of trades already listed on our main site.

 

Kitchen Fitter Bedford

www.ratedpeople.com/profile/ian-plater-designs/index

Plumbers in London

www.eliteplumbinguk.com

Plumbers in London

www.plumbers-central-london.co.uk

Plumbers in Luton

www.medwayplumbersluton.co.uk

Plumbers in Hertfordshire

http://www.hicksonscott.co.uk

Builders in Hertfordshire

www.grangebuilders.co.uk

Bathroom Fitters Luton

www.propertymaintenancedunstable.co.uk/

Builders Luton

www.buildingservicesbedfordshire.co.uk

How To Clean Disc Cartridges In Taps

Monday, April 19th, 2010

How To Clean Disc Cartridges In Taps

At chrome-tapshower.co.uk we don’t just sell high end taps and showers we also provide information and tips on how to maintain your appliances. This article was written by one of our team members so if you have any questions or would like to add to this article then just leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Ceramic disc cartridges are made with two ceramic discs each with two holes (for mixers) or 1 hole (for pillar or 2 handle taps) in it. One disc moves with the tap handle and the other disc remains in position. When these holes are aligned, the water is allowed to flow. In the off position, the holes are no longer aligned and the water stops.

These regulate the flow of water from your tap. It can happen that small particles get stuck in the disc assembly and you must clean the cartridge. In extreme cases you must replace the cartridge but obviously it is better to clean the cartridge before replacing it.

1. Turn off the water supply. Place a cloth over the waste hole to catch any small screws or parts that may accidentally drop into the basin/sink as you work.

2. Remove the cartridge

3. Examine the cartridge. Clean and rinse the seals, openings and cylinder. If a seal is damaged then replace it

4. Remove mineral deposits stuck on the ceramic discs. A drop of food coloring may reveal a cracked ceramic disc. If you see a crack you must replace the cartridge

5. Reassemble and test. Ensure the tap is in the ‘on’ position and slowly turn the water supply back on. Too much pressure too fast can harm the discs in the cartridge

6. If the tap still leaks you need to replace the old cartridge

If you found this article to be useful please share it with all your friends and feel free to take a look at what we stock. Your welcome to link back to this content and display it on your own site as long as you include the two links below.

Kitchen Mixer Taps
Taps and Shower

Turn the room you hate into the room you love

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Why Do You Want to Remodel Your Kitchen?

If you have a room in your house that you just don’t like, and it’s your kitchen – then it’s time to remodel! Most older kitchens in London simply don’t have enough space to accommodate today’s lifestyles. One of the best investments you can make in your home is to remodel your kitchen. Money spent upgrading your kitchen will most likely be recouped if you decide to sell. More importantly you will enjoy the luxuries of the new style.

Imagine what it was like for one homeowner who finally decided to upgrade their oven because they were selling their home. They had been living with two burners for seven years. Their realtor told them that upgrading to the standard “four” burners would help their house sell faster. Imagine that – they didn’t really get the benefit of four burners because they never thought to remodel until it was time to sell!

If you’re tired of your kitchen you can start exploring your options even if your budget isn’t quite ready to get started. Here are some things to things about:

* Does your current kitchen have the right amount of space? Would you prefer that it was bigger or smaller?

* What style appeals to you? This is a room that you will have to live with for awhile. The latest and greatest trends in kitchens might not be right for you. Paint colors can be easily changed, but the foundations such as flooring, countertops and cabinets should feel comfortable to you for the long run.

* How do you want your remodeled kitchen to function? Your lifestyle will help you to determine what new appliances are important. For example, if you really love to cook, you might want to look at appliances that appeal to professionals. If you are always on the move, quick and convenient might be your best choice.

* What do you want from your remodeling contractor? You may need a little bit of direction, or a lot. Make sure that you hire a company that is licensed and insured and that you feel comfortable with.

Kitchens are generally the heart of a home. Your ultimate goal is to turn your kitchen into a room that you love.

How To Remove Limescale From A Wall Mounted Shower Head

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

How To Remove Limescale From A Wall Mounted Shower Head

There’s nothing more relaxing then having a shower after a hard days work, but what happens if the shower heads shooting water out everywhere. This problem is a common one found in most households and can be fixed by removing the shower head from the shower arm, but what if your unable to take the shower head off. If you include yourself in this category and own a wall-mounted shower then no need to worry, as there’s a way to get around it and solve this problem.

Grab a plastic bag making sure there is no holes, and pour a mixture of vinegar and water inside it. Check that there is enough in there to completely cover the wall-mounted shower head, but so much that the mix wont overflow out the bag. Now tie an elastic band between 2 or 3 times at the top of the bag, as tying the elastic band around the top of the bag with the shower head in the vinegar and water can be a burden. Fasten the bag containing the mixture to the arm of the shower using either some string or your elastic band, but make sure that the string you use is strong enough to hold the bag around the shower head for several hours.

When you have secured the shower head in the bag, allow the mixture to work by letting it soak for 3-24 hours depending on the thickness of the limescale. Once your happy with the amount of time you have left it for, separate the shower head from the bag containing the vinegar and water mix and turn the shower on to test the flow of the water. If there’s any excess limescale found around the shower head, then use a toothbrush to get rid of it as the thistles will catch the majority of the limescale left. You are now able to have a relaxing shower once again.

At Chrome-tapshower.co.uk we hold are large amount of shower heads, all include a 48 hour delivery from purchase and a 10 year guarantee.

How To Remove Limescale From Your Shower Head

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

How To Remove Limescale From Your Shower Head

If you enjoy showers and your shower head is sending water everywhere through the holes, then you have a case of limescale build up. It can be very frustrating when some nozzles shoot the water out properly, while others trickle or squirt it out in another direction. This can be be a problem, but 1 that can be solved with a few simple DIY tricks.

First you will need to remove your shower head because after, you will have to put it in a bowl of water mixed with vinegar. This is because limescale is soap residue and hard water merged together producing a weak alkaline substance, while vinegar is weak acidic liquid for that reason cancelling the alkaline reaction therefore removing the limescale. The water it’s mixed with is used to clean the nozzles as well. Depending on how thick your limescale is, you should soak the shower head in the bowl for at minimum of 3 hours for it to work.

Now separate the shower head from the bowl and using clean water, wash the shower head making sure you get rid of any excess limescale left. Then with a needle or toothpick,  stab through the holes on the shower head to remove the limescale trapped inside them. To take off the limescale that develops on the surface of the shower head use a toothbrush so it catches the hard places, finally reconnect the shower head back on the arm of the shower and try it out to see if the water flows out correctly again. If the problem still exists then repeat the procedure, altering the amount of vinegar and water in the bowl.

Have a look at our range of showers and shower heads designed to match your bathroom, products come with a 10 year guarantee and a 48 hour delivery from purchase.