26l/m or 33l/m shower trap?

[smallsteve]

The shower trap supplied with the new tray can handle 33l/m, but it is a poor quality trap and so I was looking to replace it with a MacAlpine model. Trouble is, this latter trap is limited to 26l/m and so I’m not sure which is the better option i.e lower quality trap with higher throughput, or higher quality track with lower throughput!?
The water pressure in the property and boiler is likely capable of delivering in excess of 26l/m of water and I haven’t yet purchased the shower mixer and so every option is on the table. I’m just not sure whether it is a good idea to limit installation to the lower flow rate and whether I will regret it down the line, or whether the lower rate is still well in excess of what would normally be required / desired?
TIA

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What’s your shower going to deliver litres per minute?

 

[smallsteve]

What’s your shower going to deliver litres per minute?

Hi Shaun, not bought it yet and so everything is on the table; i will of course match the output of the mixer to what the trap can handle.
It’s more of a general consideration as to whether it is a good idea to limit the installation to 26-litres (due to the trap), rather than go with the higher throughput!?
Having never fitted a shower before, I’m not sure whether 26-litres is more than sufficient, or whether the option to go higher is more desirable!? If 33-litres is better, then i’ll stick with the other trap.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

And waste pipe / run calculated for 33lpm ?

 

[smallsteve]

And waste pipe / run calculated for 33lpm ?

It’s a very short run as I am virtually over the soil pipe. So I would have to guess at yes, but obviously I don’t have the experience to bet my life savings on it!

 

[king of pipes]

Any of the 90mm Mcalpine shower traps will do what you want . Kop

 

[smallsteve]

Any of the 90mm Mcalpine shower traps will do what you want . Kop

Thanks for your responses!

As an aside, when MacAlpine quote a tray thickness for their traps, are they referring to the thickness of the floor in general, or are they referring to the thickness around the trap hole? Reason I ask is that the opening starts at around 13mm and graduates up to 20 mm which is the thickness of the floor of the tray. The trap that I am looking at is quoted as being suitable for trays of thickness 0 -17mm and I’m not sure if this is suitable? They do a longer flange, but I’m not sure whether I need it or not? The other thing is that this flange is not easy to get hold off and is also quite expensive.

 

[king of pipes]

Post a picture of the tray you have please i haven't had any problems with Mcalpine shower traps I doubt your tray is 20 mm thick where the waste fits ? The dimension they quote is the thickness of the tray where the hole is

 

[smallsteve]

Post a picture of the tray you have please i haven't had any problems with Mcalpine shower traps I doubt your tray is 20 mm thick where the waste fits ? The dimension they quote is the thickness of the tray where the hole is

No, it’s 13 mm at the immediate opening, rising up to 20 mm that is the general thickness of the floor. In other words, it is sloped - see pic. MacAlpine quote 0-17mm for the ST90CPB-S and I am within that at the immediate opening, but not at the highest point where the flange will sit. Not easy to explain, but hopefully you understand.

 

[king of pipes]

No, it’s 13 mm at the immediate opening, rising up to 20 mm that is the general thickness of the floor. In other words, it is sloped - see pic. MacAlpine quote 0-17mm for the ST90CPB-S and I am within that at the immediate opening, but not at the highest point where the flange will sit. Not easy to explain, but hopefully you understand

As I said any of them will fit. 👍

 

[king of pipes]

I am currently doing a insurance job replacing a leaking shower tray and tiling this may help you the waste used is the Mcalpine high flow all chrome metal waste as the last picture the slope is necessary to aid the drainage of the water . Regards kop

 

[king of pipes]

Here's another one using the Mc alpine all plastic waste ✅. Kop

 

[smallsteve]

I am currently doing a insurance job replacing a leaking shower tray and tiling this may help you the waste used is the Mcalpine high flow all chrome metal waste as the last picture the slope is necessary to aid the drainage of the water . Regards kop

Thanks for that and looking good. That Wedi stuff is good, but super-expensive! Do you use their sealant (£15+ for 300ml), or do you use one of the other brands which are much cheaper? My theory is that it is all the same stuff, regardless of manufacturer. I’ve used Elements board.

I looked at the high flow traps from MacAlpine but they only go from 5 to 14mm tray thickness (less than standard-flow) and so ruled that possibility out for my installation. I guess though that when you say ‘all‘ of the traps will be suitable for me, you’re including the high-flows as well!?

Back to your pictures, I guess that by removing the bottom row of tiles it’s also damaged the wall so that has been replaced at the bottom? If so, does this mean you have a joint in the wall where the grout line will be for the replaced tiles? Is it possible to get the tiles off without damaging them?

 

[smallsteve]

Here's another one using the Mc alpine all plastic waste ✅. Kop

I did consider those plastic panels that you have used on the wall, but one of my mother‘s neighbours fitted them and then removed them again because he reckoned they were causing moisture problems that weren’t there previously. That might be the case, but to my mind it just highlights the need to improve the airflow, perhaps by putting in a more powerful extractor!?
Have you had any problems with these panels? So much easier to get off the walls than tiles, down the road. Cheaper on price too!?

 

[king of pipes]

I did consider those plastic panels that you have used on the wall, but one of my mother‘s neighbours fitted them and then removed them again because he reckoned they were causing moisture problems that weren’t there previously. That might be the case, but to my mind it just highlights the need to improve the airflow, perhaps by putting in a more powerful extractor!?
Have you had any problems with these panels? So much easier to get off the walls than tiles, down the road. Cheaper on price too!?

These are not plastic the ones I use are marine ply with a waterproof laminate face , I have used the 10 mm cellular plastic panels marketed as shower wall not had any issues if you allow adequate ventilation then all's good. Kop

 

[king of pipes]

Thanks for that and looking good. That Wedi stuff is good, but super-expensive! Do you use their sealant (£15+ for 300ml), or do you use one of the other brands which are much cheaper? My theory is that it is all the same stuff, regardless of manufacturer. I’ve used Elements board.

I looked at the high flow traps from MacAlpine but they only go from 5 to 14mm tray thickness (less than standard-flow) and so ruled that possibility out for my installation. I guess though that when you say ‘all‘ of the traps will be suitable for me, you’re including the high-flows as well!?

Back to your pictures, I guess that by removing the bottom row of tiles it’s also damaged the wall so that has been replaced at the bottom? If so, does this mean you have a joint in the wall where the grout line will be for the replaced tiles? Is it possible to get the tiles off without damaging them?

Job was a bodge up so I cut it all out and rebuilt the walls and floor wedi boards are expensive but only needed 2 of them , I either used flexible tile adhesive or you can foam fix em and then mechanically fixed at 300 mm centres I don't use their adhesive but use the Mapie waterproofing system on joints .