With such a wide range of kitchen appliances and decorative items on offer these days, homeowners can create a variety of different looks in their kitchen. Sinks alone come in a variety of shapes and styles.
When considering how many sinks you need, what shape and size they need to be and which type of material to go for, you need to look at the rest of your kitchen. Three major elements in a kitchen are the cabinets, countertops and sink. Attention must be paid to the size and visual aspect of these elements. Once you have given this some thought, you can begin to think about the other details, like size and material. With numerous options of material, from stainless steel to brass or copper, you can have very different looks and feels.
The next step is to decide on the number of sinks you will have in your kitchen. To make this decision, you need to think about what you will use your sink for and how often. Although dishwashers relieve us of the task of cleaning piles of dirty dishes, there are still some pots and pans that might be too big or awkward to fit. Some homeowners might prefer to have one large, single sink in which they can clean large crockery or a double sink, where one is large and the other a lot smaller. Others might choose to have a two sinks of equal size, and soak dishes in one side while cleaning up or using the other sink for something else. One sink can also be used for preparing fruits or vegetables.

Some kitchens have two sinks in entirely different places of the kitchen. These can be used simply for washing hands or entertainment purposes, or as salad washing station. Having two separate sinks create two areas for chopping up and preparing food. These days, sinks come with cutting boards, draining stations and drop in compartments, which also contribute to making the whole cooking and cleaning experience that much easier.
An abundance of options in your kitchen can create unique, interesting looks and can also provide you with something that suits your lifestyle. By putting extra thought and care into these decisions, you will be able to create a kitchen where you can feel comfortable and where you will feel proud to entertain guests.
To begin thinking about what would most suit your kitchen, take a look at these kitchen sinks.

When we turn on the kitchen tap or run a bath we may not be thinking how the water is coming out, unless it is dripping or not coming out at all! But, water pressure is something that we should all be familiar with.

Most households receive water from a municipal water system where the water is usually extracted from groundwater sources and then treated for human consumption. Then it is pumped to water towers and from there gravity takes over to provide the pressure that forces the water through pipes and into our homes.

The pressure of water in each home will vary according to their elevation to the water source, as well as with the system that is delivering the water in. A plumbing company website says, “A cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 lb. and exerts .4333 lbs of pressure per square inch on the bottom of its container at a depth of one foot. Therefore, the discharge pressure of a water storage tower 100 ft. tall will be 43.33 psi. If your house is in a valley 50 ft. below the bottom of the tower, the theoretical water pressure at your house will be approximately 65 psi, reduced by the friction in the pipes.”
Click here for a handy pressure conversion tool: http://www.sensorsone.co.uk/pressure-units-conversion.html

Typical residential water systems are designed to function under a pressure of 40-70 psi. If the water pressure exceeds 100 psi a pressure regulator may need to be installed in the line to reduce the pressure to an acceptable range. This protects the equipment in your home from damage caused by excess force exerted by the water. The opposite can occur too, if pressure is below 40 psi a pressure-booster could be needed to bring it up to acceptable levels. Note also that hard water can reduce pressure.

It is also important to note that water flow is not the same thing as water pressure. Water flow is the result of your water pressure on the amount of water available for delivery (volume). Low water flow could be a result of an obstruction on the water line. An old pipe can contain mineral build-up or corrosion that reduces the pipe’s internal diameter. So if a water pressure gauge is reading at an acceptable level but the pressure seems off, it may be a flow problem.

If you are unsure of the water pressure at your home you can easily test it with a simple water pressure gauge available from your local plumbing merchant, or you can ask your plumber/DIY friend to check it for you…

Here are our instructions on how to install our pull out kitchen mixer tap item reference 56021.
These instructions are also adequate for many other kitchen and basin pull out mixer taps.
This item has a 1.5 meter weighted pull out hose that provides 40cm to 50cm of pull out reach.
Click here to Download Installation instructions from the product page

Are your kitchen counter tops looking sadly out of date, are they stained, warped and dented? If so then it is probably time to replace them and give your kitchen a face lift!
Here are a few options for countertops with pros and cons to help you decide which will best suit your requirements.

1- Ceramic tile
From mosaic to custom made with a wide variety of finishes, colours and textures. Tile countertops are a popular choice for country, cottage, and mediterranean style kitchens.
Pros: Fitted correctly, it is heatproof, scratch resistant, water resistant, and long-lasting.
Cons: Some finishes mark with or household chemicals. Grout can stain easily and will need regular cleaning or even replacing. Ceramics have a hard surface that can chip glassware. In some cases, grout will need to be cleaned regularly, or even replaced.

2- Plastic Laminate (Formica)
A resin-impregnated paper bonded to a particleboard core. Plastic laminate is relatively inexpensive. Available in a variety of colours and textures. Ready made sections called ‘post formed’ make it easy for DIYers
Pros: It is durable, easy to clean, stain resistant, moisture resistant and inexpensive.
Cons: Can be scratched easily, not very heat or chip resistant. Will swell where water has penetrated the laminate so you need to seal off exposed edges very well.

3- Stainless steel
For a more durable countertop choose 18 gauge or thicker and contains at least 8% nickel. Bear in mind that matt finish is easier to keep clean.
Pros: It is waterproof, heat resistant, easy to clean and durable.
Cons: Easily scratched and dented. It should not be used to cut on as it scratches easily. It is expensive if you want a countertop with holes and cut outs.

4- Wood
Butcher block countertops are made from strips of hardwood that are glued together to make a solid surface.
Pros: It is beautiful, natural, easy to customise, gentle on glassware and china, reasonably priced and ideal as a cutting surface. Scratches can be removed from by sanding.
Cons: Not very heat, scratch or dent resistant. Extended exposure to water will cause it to warp so not suitable for sink cabinet tops. Use an oil finish for cutting surfaces as this surface tends to harbour bacteria.

5- Natural Stone
Looks very expensive and it is!
Pros: Beautiful, strong, durable, heatproof, water resistant, and easy to clean.
Cons: It is very heavy so you must have a strong base. It must be custom installed by a professional (and strong) installer. Oil, alcohol, and acid (lemons or wine) will stain marble or damage its finish.

6- Polished Concrete
For a stone like warmth. Aged, natural and suitable for use on a wide range of kitchen styles.
Pros: Competes well with stone (granite, marble, and limestone) with regards to price and performance. Not limited on colour, thickness or pattern. Stains can be removed by sanding and reapplying sealer and wax.
Cons: Hairline cracks can occur although they do not affect the structural integrity and they can be patched easily.

7- Granite – Our Choice
The timeless classic. This is an excellent choice for countertops and is available in polished and matt finish. More expensive than most other materials but its longevity adds immeasurable value.
Pros: Scratch, heat and stain resistant. Granite is durable! It is available in a wide range of colours. Granite worktops will outlast the rest of the kitchen!
Cons: Needs a strong base. Ensure the granite does not need to be sealed.
Happy Decorating!

Bar Keepers Friend, available from DIY/Hardware stores is what the manufacturer of a very popular brand of composite quartz sinks normally uses to remove stains etc from Composite sinks

1- unscrew the ‘H/C’ disc on top of the tap. This will expose a screw (some discs might pop off)
2- remove the screw
3- lift off the tap lever head. This exposes the brass nut on top of the ceramic cartridge
4- remove the nut which is part of the cartridge and so the cartridge will simply lift out
5- wipe the seating and seal with a clean cloth, smear the surfaces with vaseline and replace the cartridge
6- See this post for more on cartridges and maintenance: http://blog.grandtaps.co.uk/2009/12/how-to-clean-ceramic-disc-cartridges-in-taps/

ceramic cartridge in a mixer tap

What and how:
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

Composite Quartz surfacing, which is also commonly called engineered stone or quartz composite, has the look and feel of natural stone, but technically is a solid-surfacing material. Unlike conventional solid surfacing materials, which are made of polyester and/or acrylic, quartz surfacing is composed of 90 percent quartz and 10 percent acrylic or epoxy binder. Since natural quartz is an extremely hard mineral (only diamond, sapphire and topaz are harder), quartz surfacing provides a very durable, nonporous surface highly resistant to stains, scratches and heat. It is this composite material that is moulded into some of the sinks that we sell online.

A pressure booster is basically an electrical pump that connects into your existing water supply and boosts the water pressure in your home.

A well chosen system can give you the ultimate in strong, even water pressure. You will be able to install modern luxurious taps with quarter turn ceramic disk cartridge technology or masaging power shower heads. No more waiting around for ages for the bath to fill either….

Modern pumps start as soon as you switch on the tap and stay running until the water is no longer required. This eliminates the uncomfortable pressure fluctuations common with older booster systems and they will save on your power bills.

You can also get systems that monitor the flow of water through the pump and will switch it off automatically to avoid damage if the supply of water becomes inadequate.

The modern low water pressure boosters no longer need an unsightly pressure tank.

Here is a basic diagram of how a pressure system fits into your existing water system.

Good quality pressure boosting pumps will typically increase your water pressure by 40-50 psi and provide the ultimate in strong, even water pressure throughout your entire home. They install in just hours and are compact and quiet.

Search for suppliers on Google or visit your local DIY store….

Start by finding out how to lay the waste outlet. Ideally you want to piggy back on your sink waste. We supply the standard waste kits with our sinks and these dont accomodate dishwashers or washing machines BUT you can easily get what you need from your local plumbers merchant/DIY store.
If it is not not possible to use the sink waste you will probably need to run a new waste through a hole in the wall. Preferred tools to use to make a hole are a a club hammer and cold chisel.
Ensure that you have all the neccessary materials for the job beforehand.
Draw a detailed diagram of the pipework with measurements.
Cut a suitable length of waste pipe to run through the hole.
Use a hacksaw to make a neat hole in the grid for the pipe to pass through.
Next, make up the outside pipe and ensure the fitting is correct. Use solvent weld for the connections. You should also install an inspection elbow as the bend from the wall to the drain. This will help in the event of blockages. When the waste leads into a gully drain, the pipe end must be beneath the water level.
Lay the inside pipework close to the wall. Keep it neat and use standard waste pipe fittings.
Mark the bracket positions for the the trap and stand-pipe on the wall before drilling fixing holes. Fasten the stand-pipe in position. Make sure it is secure and then screw the trap in place tightly.
Next step is to link the cold water supply. Use a 15mm pipe from a tee cut into the domestic cold supply and attach a tap to the end. Use neat pipe brackets to fasten the pipe firmly to the wall.
To end off the job:

Make sure all connections are good
Close the excess hole in the wall with mortar and plaster
Move the machine into position and connect it up according to the manufacturers instructions (levelling etc)
Turn on the water and check all water supply pipework for leaks
Run the machine and check waste pipework for leaks

Happy Days