Victoriaplumb recommends that you should always use a suitably qualified plumber to install or maintain your bathroom and heating products.
Plumbers can be qualified and experienced in a number of areas, so please check with them to ensure your requirements are clearly understood and that they can complete the work correctly and safely.

If the work you require involves any maintenance of gas supply they have to be Corgi registered (in the UK). Suitably qualified plumbers will have a Corgi registration number, and this can be checked on the Corgi website. Always ask and check the number, and do not always assume that the information detailed in the advert or relayed via a third person is always correct.. To achieve Corgi registration, a plumber needs to pass a Certificate of Competence through an Accredited Certification Scheme.

It is also worth checking if they are a member of the IPHE (The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering). This IPHE has been in existence for over 100 years and is still very well respected. Many qualified plumbers are members, but it is not a legal requirement.

Basic qualifications for a plumber can include an NVQ and technical certificate. This is normally achieved whilst working as an apprentice under the supervision of a suitably qualified plumber.

If you are in any doubt about the work involved, then approach someone professionally qualified or registered and check the details with the relevant professional body.

Plumbers can be used on a variety of projects

• Bathrooms - Installation of bathroom suites, baths, showers, taps, basins, heated towel rails, bathroom furniture and accessories making sure everything is watertight and correctly sealed.
• Toilets and basins- Advice on selecting the right type of products and their installation along with any associated pipe work.
• Central Heating - This can include installation of gas, electric or solid fuel boilers, all pipe work and or under floor heating. We always recommend that the plumber is CORGI registered for this type of work.
• Drainage - Connection of the domestic water system to the mains water supply and also removing effluent into mains sewage systems or a septic tank.
• Repairs – Repair work and maintenance on any or all of the above projects.

Where to find a good plumber

• The best option is always to ask friends and family to recommend someone they used and who did a good job at a reasonable price. Make sure that they did actually use them.
• Plumbing work is practical and logical, so have a think about what the job might entail before the plumber arrives. This will make you better prepared to understand what they say is reasonable.
• If you are in any doubt then use a professionally qualified plumber who is Corgi registered or perhaps a registered plumber from the IPHE. This does not always guarantee good work but its the best option after personal recommendation.
• If its a reasonable size job, then make sure you get at least three quotes and compare each of them. Check what each one says about the work required, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. The quotes must always be provided in writing, and not just verbal, and must not be estimates. Look out for any small print which relates to any potential added costs.
• If product parts are required have a look on bathroom websites and see how much they are charging for the part. Is the trade-price reasonable and competitive?

Update your bathroom with Victoriaplumb.com online

Although the likes of avocado, coral, burgundy, champagne and primrose may sound very exotic they aren’t quite the hottest topic in contemporary bathroom suite colours and design! A recent housing study claims that having a bathroom suite that was the envy of the neighbours in the 1970’s and 80’s can know knock up to £8000 from the value of your property. This may seem like a hefty sum to pay just for a 30 year old fashion statement but if your home still sports a surviving avocado suite then it may be time to visit Victoriaplumb.com and choose a new and exclusive white bathroom suite!

Here at Victoriaplumb.com you can find every bathroom necessity needed to create a new bathroom to update your home and benefit from new and bright washroom ceramics. Here at our online bathroom store we supply bathroom wares skilfully crafted from Italian ceramics, hand selected by our design team to promise only the best designer products for you at unbeatable online prices.

Along with shimmering white toilets, bidets, and basins we specialise in a vast selection of light weight yet super durable acrylic roll top, straight, large and corner baths, not to forget our exclusive collection of whirlpool and spa baths and 8mm glass shower enclosures, wet room range and walk in shower areas.

Each of our bathroom items are designed with changing interior trends in mind, therefore we base our bathroom suites, baths, showers, chromes taps and accessories around popular traditional styles and simple concepts that will be future classics.

White ceramics, glass and chrome are materials that are known for their subtle yet stylish longevity and are guaranteed not to have the same fate as the once loved turquoise, salmon or sky blue bathroom suite!

Visit Victoriaplumb.com to check out our fantastic online prices and beautiful bath, basin, toilet, shower, tap and bathroom accessory collection.

Get your FREE Victoriaplumb.com Mini brochure via the website or by calling our friendly call centre on 08707 607222.

Family bathrooms, luxury en suites, shower areas, spas and guest bathrooms alike are all judged to be areas that need special consideration when it comes to electricity within the bathroom, the risk of electric shock can be high in these areas due to the abundant amount of water. Your bathroom should only ever contain electrical products that have been designed for use in such areas and they must only ever be installed by qualified electricians or electrical contractors.

To help in designing the layout of your bathroom and ensuring safety for all its users there are some useful guidelines to follow.

You can refer to section 601 within the UK wiring regulations (BS7671) which sets out ‘zones’ within a bathroom, taking into account doors, walls, ceilings and the potential electrical risk of within these zones. Electrical bathroom products and equipment have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating for their intended location, each bathroom zone advises a minimum recommended IP rating.

All Victoriaplumb.com electric elements (for use within heated towel rails) carry an IPX5 rating (the code on your element will read IP55 but the first numerical digit applies to dust and there are no requirements for the level of dust in this case so only the latter numerical digit applies). As the electric element will be placed inside a heated towel rail the zone factors apply to all faces/edges of your radiator and not just the section that contains the element.

Here is guidance to bathroom zones and IP ratings:

Bathroom IP Ratings – Degree of protection against moisture

IPX0 – No protection
IPX1 – Protection against vertically dripping water
IPX2 – Protection against vertically dripping water and up to 15 degrees from vertical
IPX3 – Protection against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical
IPX4 – Protection against splashing water from any direction
IPX5 – Protection against jets of water from any direction
IPX6 – Protection from powerful jets of water with limited ingress with no harmful effect
IPX7 – Protected against total immersion in water for limited periods
IPX8 – Protection against total immersion in water under pressure for an indefinite period

Bathroom Zones, locations & IP minimum requirements

Zone ‘0’ is inside the bath, shower or basin – This zone requires equipment to carry a minimum IP rating of IPX7 that is protected against the effects of immersion. Transformers must be sighted outside of zones 0, 1 & 2.

Zone ‘1’ is above the bath or shower tray/base to a height of 2.25 metres. A minimum of IPX4 is required here.

Zone ‘2’ is above the bath or shower tray/wet room tiles to a height of 2.25 metres with radius of 0.6 metres from the water outlet – This zone requires equipment to carry a minimum IP rating of IPX4 or IPX5 if water jets are likely to be used for cleaning (i.e.: if you use a shower head and hose to clean your bath/shower/tiles) Basins can also be classed as a zone 2 area.

Zone ‘3’ is anywhere outside zones 0, 1 & 2 which require no specific IP rating but, as before, a minimum of IPX5 is required should water jets or shower heads/hoses be used for cleaning.

As before, do not attempt to install any electrical items unless you are a qualified electrician, also you can check out the Wiring Regulations and have a look at British Standard 7671 for further information.

You can view all of the Victoriaplumb.com heated towel rails and electric elements on our easy to use online store or call us on 08707 607 222 for more information!

From just £25 your master bathroom, luxury en suite or opulent shower room can benefit from the gleaming statement our bold collection of Hampshire basin, bath and bidet taps and beautiful Hampshire bath shower mixer offers.

The luxury Hampshire bathroom tap collection has been skilfully crafted around the timeless Victoriana era with a modern touch of timeless designer chic. The basis behind the Hampshire design is to create a classical design that looks fabulous next to any traditionally inspired bathroom item or even ultra minimalist modern day pieces too.

The chunky styling of this gleaming collection would look fabulous with many of the Victoriaplumb.com products whether you style is delicate or bold. For example, why not make the most of our Riva wall mounted basins, from £99; they can be transformed from modern master pieces to beautifully classic bathroom basins by enhancing with the Hampshire mono basin mixer tap for an amazing £39!

Not only can you contrast modern day styling with the Hampshire time honoured collection but you can accentuate any of the Victoriaplumb.com bathroom items that demonstrate Victoriana and Edwardian influences. An illustration of this would be to make a Winchester roll top bath, available for an amazing £279, into an ultimate bathroom focal point by completing the look with the luxury Hampshire ¾” bath shower mixer for just £79.

You can also match other accessories and additions to the Hampshire tap range such as the graceful Victoria heated towel rail complete with chrome plated brass frame and traditional cast iron classic columns, all for just £279! Another luxury bathroom addition to the Hampshire look could be the Victoriaplumb.com Traditional slider rail kit with concealed shower valve; this mirrors the ceramic styled hot and cold tap labels, splendid water spouts and an age old design!

The Hampshire bathroom range can be viewed online along with the full collection of luxury bath, basin and bidet taps at Victoriaplumb.com.

Contemplating a bathroom renovation can be a daunting thought due to the amount of work involved. Here at Victoriaplumb.com we endeavour to make your bathroom renovations and re-vamps as convenient as possible by providing all the baths, toilets, basins, showers, bidets, taps and luxury accessory combinations you could possibly need, all from our safe and easy to use online bathroom store.

The Victoriaplumb.com online ranges not only consist of a vast range of different products but varying styles and genres too. Here’s an example of some stunning traditional bathroom items from our collections.

By combining traditionally styled bathroom products you can create your own classically influenced hideaway. The Mayfair four piece ceramic set at £199 and matching bidet at just £79 emit noble style whilst being practical and hard wearing. Why not marry the Mayfair ceramics with our luxury Shakespeare roll top bath? Together their classic and infinite designs are the perfect combination, this double ended roll top bath costs just £279 and comes complete with your choice of stunning chrome ball and claw or dragon feet.

Your Mayfair basin and Shakespeare roll top bath wouldn’t be complete without a set of stunning chrome taps from our new tap collection. The styling of the Hampshire tap range is reminiscent of the Victoriana era and is the perfect way to emphasise a traditional theme in your bathroom. Add the Hampshire ¾” bath shower mixer to your roll top bath for a mere £79 and adorn your Mayfair basin with the beautifully statuesque Hampshire mono basin mixer tap for an amazing price of just £39.

Although soaking in an opulent roll top bath is the perfect way to unwind after a long hard day you may need a little more to wake you up in the mornings! The Quadrant shower enclosures available from Victoriaplumb.com are designed with simplicity in mind and are crafted from the finest materials available. Their minimalist design enables a fit into any manner of bathroom styling from Victorian classics through to modern day master pieces.
Enjoy the 8mm safety glass and gleaming chrome trim in one of the four sizes available starting from a mere £199!

Embellish your shower enclosure with a traditionally styled shower head and valve. For example our Traditional Apron fixed shower head from just £55 and Beaumont twin exposed ¾” thermostatic shower valve at only £155.99 are the ideal finishing touches for a revitalising morning shower.

Accessories can make or break at bathroom renovation and there are plenty of bathroom additions at the Victoriaplumb.com online store to choose from. For example, a sturdy Essenza beech bathroom mirror will provide a reflective focal point. This stunning bathroom mirror design is available in six sizes from just £49.

Other perfect additions for your handsome new bathroom could be our adjustable bath rack, ideal for lazy soaks in the bath at just £70. Also, any bathroom wouldn’t be complete without a luxury bathroom radiator and our Elizabeth heated towel rail will complete your dream bathroom and emit timeless beauty for a stunning £299.

Step back in time with a traditional bathroom from Victoriaplumb.com online or call us for more information on 08707 607222.

Here at Victoriaplumb.com we are proud to say that although we keep up with the changing styles of modern day design we ensure to provide bathroom products that we feel are future classics. This means that although your stunning bathroom will be at the height of contemporary styling it will also be a long lasting addition to your home without becoming quickly outdated.

Here is an example of a Victoriaplumb.com bathroom collection that demonstrates how our beautiful modern bathroom items will be a part of your home and dream bathroom for years to come.

Futuristic and modern designs have always been associated with gentle white shapes and striking profiles, the Novello three piece ceramic set is the perfect example of this. This Novello bathroom set consists of a unique one piece toilet and stunning basin and pedestal all for just £169, both items are subtle enough to add interest to your bathroom area without overpowering other features you may choose.

For example the Ocean roll top bath from our range is one of the largest baths available on today’s market, with an amazing price of just £499! This roll top bath has a capacity of 187 litres and is 1850mm in length; this double ended bathroom focal point provides an opulent bathe for one after a long day’s work or a tempting soak for two. Ideal to team with the Novello set, the Ocean roll top is the ultimate in modern bathroom styling.

Why not complement your vast Ocean roll top bath and sleek Novello basin with exquisite chrome taps? Our online collection of Alexa taps starts from just £39, the Alexa mono basin tap with large spout would be perfect to adorn your choice of basin and pedestal with for a mere £49! The Luxury bath shower mixer standpipe at only £199 is an essential and elegant addition to any roll top bath, with a sleek bath filler and handy shower head, a perfect yet simple design.

The definitive expression of contemporary style would be to install a Victoriaplumb.com Europa steam shower cabinet. You can have indulgent spa facilities in your own bathroom for just £999! Fitted with revitalising steam generator, energizing shower and stimulating built in massage jets along with foot massager. Our Europa steam shower cabinet is the perfect way to pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home, beautifully built to last and designed to complement any modern-day bathroom area.

Your dream bathroom wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful bathroom mirror from our Essenza bathroom furniture collection; they are available with stunning white and beech frames and in six different sizes. A white model would look stunning above your Novello basin and pedestal and starting from just £45 they are an easily attainable finishing touch.

Visit Victoriaplumb.com online to enjoy all of our contemporary yet timeless collection of baths, basins, toilets, showers, radiators, taps and luxury bathroom accessories, alternatively call us on 08707 607222 for more information.

Shining bright, gleaming white:
To clean bathroom tiles, grout, baths and basins firstly run the shower or hot tap for a minute; the steam will loosen any grime and dirt making it easier to remove.
Baking soda is a natural odour absorber and buffing agent, once mixed two to one with lemon juice to produce a cleaning paste it becomes the perfect way to turn a grubby and dull bathroom suite into a gleaming focal area for all the family to enjoy.
Leaving this economical & eco-friendly paste on the desired bathroom areas for just ten minutes, gently rinsing away the formula and buffing with a rag or cloth will result in a ‘like new’ bathroom

A breath of fresh air:
Many cleaning products are perfumed to disguise toxic smells but they still have a harsh tone to them, take into consideration some of these natural bathroom freshening ideas……..

By simply leaving approximately 8 – 10 table spoons of soda in the bowl of your toilet overnight will keep your lavatory fresh and sparkling clean. Believe it or not, effervescent tablets left over night and even flat full fat cola left for only an hour a week can clean toilet bowls due to their abrasive properties!

Also, baking soda combined with a few drops of an essential oil makes a perfect air freshener alternative, just mix and place in the bottom of a decorative vase or holder. Alternatively, a small dab of your favourite aromatic oil on the bathroom light will emit a gentle yet pleasant aroma. Don’t forget that opening a window is the ultimate way to freshen a room!

Mirror mirror:
Windows and bathroom mirrors are easily cleaned and made to gleam using one table spoon of vinegar to every one litre of water, apply with a rag or cloth to gently remove any marks and grime. Removing any excess solution with used newspaper not only results in a perfect reflection but is eco-friendly too!

Cleaning the bathroom is never any ones favourite household chore and with the full range of cleaning products available on today’s market it can be quite an expensive experience too.
However, effective cleaning products can be found from simple items you may already have in your kitchen cupboards.

Not only does making your own cleaning products help with your bank balance but also with the ever growing need to be eco-friendly. Many cleaning products contain strong chemicals that no doubt do their intended job but contain toxins that get washed down the drain into your surrounding environment. On the shelf cleaning products can contain chlorine, ammonia, butyl/alkyl, benzene, formaldehyde, and ethylene/ethyl.

The eco-cleaning essentials:

Lemon juice contains a natural citric acid which cuts through bathroom grease, soap scum and lime scale. The low pH level of lemon juice is perfect for cleaning brass and copper. It is also ideal for use as a natural yet effective disinfectant and can be used to replace the toxin filled bleach you would usually place in your toilet, simultaneously cleaning and deodorising your bathroom toilet.

Bicarbonate of Soda (sodium bicarbonate/baking soda) combined with water makes a paste that cuts through dirt, grime and grease with ease on almost any bathroom surface. Mixing with vinegar can amplify its strength for maximum cleaning on extra tough stains and marks. You can use bicarbonate of soda neat to tackle tough stains and lime scale on taps, toilets, baths and basins.

White household vinegar can be used to replace ammonia based cleaning products. If any ammonia based cleaning product is mixed with chlorine a highly dangerous gas called ‘Chloramine’ is produced which is incredible toxic. Therefore using white household vinegar to clean your bathroom is a smart replacement! White vinegar has been used due to its cleaning properties alone for years, perfect for removing lime deposits and bathroom grime. Don’t use malt vinegar though because it doesn’t have the same cleaning properties as white vinegar does!

Recycled cleaning rags, cloths, used newspapers, old sheets, clothing and towels are perfect for recycling and using to clean around the bathroom. Not all disposable wipes are biodegradable and using rags or cloths is not only better for our environment but economical too as you can wash them after use and use them again.
Newspaper can be used to wipe bathroom mirrors and windows clean and to protect your bathroom floor whilst cleaning is in progress.

Mirrors are fantastic when it comes to their obvious uses such as washing and applying makeup, but they can also used to expand space, create extra light and provide a stunning focal point in your bathroom.

Mirrors visually expand the space in a bathroom by reflecting the height and depth of the room, and if you have natural light from an outside window this can be multiplied to create the illusion of extra daylight and illumination.

The size of the bathroom mirror you choose can often depend on the wall space available but you should decide what the main aim of installing a mirror is. For example, if you just need the bathroom mirror for grooming you can install it above your vanity unit or basin. The collection of Victoriaplumb.com Beech and White bathroom mirrors are perfect for either teaming with the matching bathroom furniture or any ceramic basin and pedestal unit available from our online range. Our framed beech veneer and hi-gloss white mirrors range from just £45 to £109.

Bathroom mirrors can be placed opposite windows or attractive light fittings to create twice the amount of light. Why not run a mirror horizontally along a wall or next to a roll top bath from our online collection, creating the ultimate in sumptuous bathing.

There is also nothing to stop you using more than one mirror in your shower or bathing area, even if space is limited you can place two smaller mirrors along side each other to make a creative focal point.

When a quality bathroom mirror, such as the models in the Victoriaplumb.com collection, is correctly installed and cared for appropriately you can ensure stunning reflective beauty for years to come.

Our luxury mirror collection ranges from just £45 to £109 and can be viewed in full in our online store.