How many bathroom suite brands can you name? One? Two? Ten? When you search for your ideal new bathroom, will only an Ideal Standard do – or would you buy anything, as long as the price and style are right?
Bathroom manufacture has come a long way over the years: new styles and designs abound, and quality has reached a good standard across the board. Most manufacturers offer at least a one year guarantee on their products, and products should be subjected to rigorous testing. So, what should you look for when buying a bathroom?
Not all bathroom suites are equal in quality. While they may look good on the outside, you need to be aware of what’s happening on the inside – it’s the quality of the inner workings that will ensure the suite’s durability.
One very important thing to check is whether your bathroom fittings meet British water regulations. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations require that “…a water fitting should not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’”.
As it is the responsibility of the bathroom installer not to fit a product that doesn’t meet these regulations, rather than the responsibility of the retailer not to sell it, this is a hugely important point if you’re fitting your new bathroom suite yourself. If your new bathroom suite is Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved, this will demonstrate your appliances’ compliance with UK regulations.
A bathroom suite generally consists of a toilet, basin, and bath. Whether your new bathroom fittings are a well-known brand or a name you’ve never heard of, it’s good to have a basic understanding of the manufacturing process and the materials involved – this will help you to ask the right questions and look for the right signs before you buy. For example:
· The likely durability of an acrylic bath can be judged by the thickness of the acrylic layer out of which it’s formed.
· Taps fitted with modern ceramic disc technology will be less likely to begin dripping or leaking than those fitted with a washer.
· A fully glazed waterway and wide opening may help to reduce or even prevent toilet blockages.
Make sure that whatever bathroom suite you buy has a manufacturer’s guarantee. Ask the advice of an independent salesperson, and check online review centres to check whether others have had positive experiences with the product you plan to buy. You bathroom suite should last you for many years, so it’s worth spending some time researching the products you favour before you buy – make sure you’re getting a great deal, not a dodgy deal.
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