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Plumbing

Issue with standalone Hudson Reed Tap

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.39 PM

Hi all, We have a low pressure issue on a Hudson Reed Freestanding Mixer Tap with shower attachment, that is installed next to the freestanding bath. Our plumber has been in from the room downstairs to inspect the installation from below. The flexi looks good - no kinks and all laying fine. We have a pressurised water system with an unvented cylinder just for info in case relevant. No cold water tank. We contacted the manufacturer via the plumbers merchant that we bought the tap from, and they said that what we need to do next is remove the non-return valves on the tap. They said it was a known issue - the previous batch apparently didn’t have non return valves, but this batch does for some reason and causes issues with some systems. I’m anxious about removing these valves from the tap. I don’t really understand what they do, but it seems odd for the manufacturer to tell us to remove them. What are the implications of removing the non-return valves? Could it lead to leaks or flooding? Thanks so much

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4 Answers

Maynard Electrics and handyman services

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Preston

Hi my knowledge is limited but my suggestion would be.a water pump 3-4kw pressure or a bigger higher gravity feed tank The return valve sound operate to do with your Heat setting if that's faulty it could effect the pressure of your hot water

Answered21 August 2021

Collier Plumbing services

Rating: 5 out of 5

Braintree

It doesn't hurt to remove the non-return valve if they're causing problems with the tap, although they ARE there for the purpose of preventing back syphonage of water back into the supply pipe. You should really make sure that there is an air gap between both the tap outlet and the shower head outlet as to comply with the relevant water regulations.

Answered21 August 2021

Anonymous user

Removing the non return valves will increase the water flow, but not the water pressure, which are two completely different things. If you get your plumber to do a pressure test on the supply and a flow rate test from the tap, then compare these against the manufactures flow chart (which are available in their website) you will be able to tell if the problem is that tap or your supply. Have sold bathrooms for over 15 years, optimal pressure for HR freestanding bath/ shower mixers is upwards of 2 bar with optional being 3 bar. Your system, although classified as a high pressure system, doesn't mean it will produce the 2 or 3 bar optimal rates. The mixer will operate at 1 bar, but you will experience far lower pressure rates than other smaller traps in the house. If changing the mixer is not an option then removing the non return valve to get a higher the flow rate is the only other realistic option.

Answered23 August 2021

GB PLUMBER

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Banff

Removing NRV shouldn’t be a problem with an unvented system as the pressure should be the same on hot and cold supplies ( balanced system), especially as the manufacturer as suggested it. You could put your own check valves in the supplies if your unsure.

Answered31 August 2021