Whether you
have just purchased a charming ‘fixer-upper’ in the heart of a bustling town or
you have come into contact with numerous plumbing issues in the past few months
- it is possible that you will need to update the plumbing fittings in either
your kitchen and bathroom (or both!). It is no secret that the kitchen and
bathrooms are the beating hearts of your home, which is why they need to be
both elegant and ergonomic.
Having the
latest and very best in plumbing can create a convenient and higher standard of
living, whether it is installing instant boiling water taps or a smart fridge -
these appliances are designed to make your home more comfortable and desirable
place to dwell. It is no secret that as each generation passes, our lives are
becoming more fast-paced, therefore our appliances need to match up to this and
essentially create more time for us. No one wants to hop into a cold and
low-pressure shower before an important meeting or come home late from work
with spoiled food in the fridge (meaning you have to shell out money for a
takeaway).
You no
longer need to worry about leaky taps, low water pressure and damaged pipes
once you upgrade your kitchen and bathroom appliances. Of course, as with most
decisions, the game-changer is always how much will it cost. Though the initial
cost will be higher, replacing your plumbing fittings will be more
cost-effective and affordable in the long run. Not only will you have no need
to constantly call out plumbers every few weeks, and as a consequence pay for
pesky call out fees, but also it can save you plenty of frustration and time.
With this in
mind, we thought to troubleshoot and explain the reasons as to why you may need
to update your plumbing fittings in both your kitchen and bathroom, plus give suggestions
for trendy timeless appliances at the forefront of the home appliance industry.
Read on to find out more.
Five Common
Kitchen
and
Bathroom
Appliance Issues
There is
nothing quite as frustrating as coming home to a boiler leak in the middle of
winter, having to take numerous cold showers before work or seeing the
development of damp and mould growing in your kitchen and bathroom. Although
you may be able to shrug this off a few times, there will come a time when
enough is enough and you will want to replace your appliances. What’s more, in
some contexts like hosting over Christmas or having a newborn in the family, it
is imperative that your appliances are running smoothly to prevent any health
issues from occurring. A cold and damp kitchen or bathroom could lead to a host
of health issues like asthma, poor circulation and colds.
Yet, you
don’t need to worry as below we identify the five most common issues that occur
in kitchens and bathrooms that need replacement or new fittings.
Leaks
As plumbing
fixtures mainly deal with water, leaks can happen at any time and can be due to
a range of issues. From boilers to showerheads, taps to pipes, no appliance is
immune to leaks. Plus leaks can lead to a range of further and more expensive
damages if they are not resolved quickly, like flooding, unsanitary conditions,
damp, mould, off-putting smells, and potentially electrical faults if severe.
Leaks can
also result in needlessly expensive water bills. This is because if it goes
unfixed your home will be using up more water as a result. Plus, if you pride
yourself on being an eco-conscious homeowner, having leaky taps will also be
contributing to environmental concerns as it is wasting the planet’s precious
resources.
Burst Pipes
Posing the
same risks as leaky taps, burst pipes are a plumbing issue that needs to be
fixed as soon as possible. However, burst pipes can lead to a more rapid
escalation of issues like faster flooding and consequently water damage. Burst
pipes can be due to a range of problems like foreign objects and food clogging
up the pipes, extremely cold temperatures, water pressure problems and
corrosion.
Low Water Pressure
If you live
in an older property, it is likely that you have dealt with the frustration of
low water pressure from time to time. Whether it’s struggling to wash up the
dishes or waiting for the shower to work, low water pressure can cause
unnecessary delays to your day and they can be easily resolved by updating your
bathroom fixtures.
Cold Water
For those
who have dealt with the rude awakening of a cold shower on a dreary Monday
morning, or having to do the washing up with freezing water temperatures - you
will know that it is not an experience you want to repeat. Not only is cold
water uncomfortable to experience, but also hot water provides better cleaning
and eradication of bacteria.
As it is
standard to have hot water circulating around the home, you certainly don’t
want this to occur if you have guests coming to stay or if you have a newborn.
Not only will a cold home create a negative impression upon your guests, but
also it can lead to an escalation of damp if left untreated.
Constant Breakages
If any
kitchen or bathroom appliance is constantly breaking, it is certainly time for
an upgrade. Whether it’s your dishwasher, refrigerator, or boiler - having
constantly broken appliances can be both exasperating and also expensive. Of
course, no appliance is perfect, so a one-off breakage can be common and easily
fixed. However, if it's every few days, weeks or months between appliances
breaking - then it is far more cost-effective to have them replaced with a
shiny, brand new appliance. Plus, with so many appliances out there you can
choose a new luxury appliance that could revolutionise your day to day living.
Top Trends for Bathroom Fixtures and Kitchen
Appliances
New bathroom
and kitchen appliances can not only smarten up your home and create an easier
way to live but also they can add value to your home too in future. If you are
looking to replace your broken and tired bathroom fixtures or kitchen
appliances, below are our favourite picks.
Smart appliances
As a
society, we have always idealised living in the future, and these
neo-futuristic appliances currently on the market do just that. Epitomising
luxury, excellent craftsmanship and mechanics, smart appliances can transform
both your kitchen and bathroom. Generally speaking, smart appliances are an
umbrella term that is given to make everyday functions faster, cheaper and more
energy-efficient. Smart appliances groundbreaking technology gives you control
and knowledge over your home that was previously perhaps not possible. For
instance, many smart appliances are equipped with features that can be linked
to your smartphone. This could be a smart fridge that lets you know when some
of your groceries are low, or a thermostat app that allows you to control the
heating of your home whilst you are out of the house.
Heated towel racks
There is
nothing quite as luxurious as hopping out of a steamy shower and into the
comfort of warm plush towel, and with a heated towel rack in your bathroom,
this can become a daily occurrence. Heated towel racks can come in a variety of
different finishes - from stylish copper to stainless steel.
Instant boiling taps
Perfect for
numerous rounds of tea with your friends or for having a quick brew before
work, instant boiling taps provide boiling water at the turn of a tap or press
of a button. Making your general routine easier, an instant boiling tap is an
added expense that you won’t regret installing. Not only can it help make cooking
quicker and easier, but also it boasts eco-friendly credentials too. You no
longer need to worry about overfilling the kettle and wasting water with an
instant boiling tap.
Freestanding baths
Freestanding
baths are at the helm of luxurious bathroom design. Made to help you relax,
freestanding baths look beautifully elegant and they aren’t just a feature
reserved for large spacious bathrooms, they can be installed in smaller
bathrooms too!
Automatic self-clean toilets
An automatic
self-clean toilet is great for busy families, built to clean, disinfect and
dried instantly after use - this can help your bathroom be a much cleaner
place. Activated through a push of a button, automatic self-cleaning toilets
can come with a range of different cycles to choose from, allowing you to avoid
the much-disliked task of cleaning the toilet.
Monsoon showers with thermostatic valves
Monsoon
showers are designed to evoke the tranquil feeling of showering under
rainwater, instantly transporting your bathroom to the tropics. Placed
vertically, directly above your head, these type of showers will instantly
relax your muscles and awaken you for the day. Some monsoon showers are even
equipped with mood-enhancing LED lights and speakers, allowing you to play
ambient music or having a secret X factor session.
Many
bathroom companies are also offering options to have thermostatic valves
installed alongside luxury shower fittings. These are designed to allow you to
set the water pressure as you like it, and it helps to maintain the water
pressure whilst other appliances are in use throughout the home.
Bells Builders Merchants, Kitchen and Bathroom
Fitters in East Dulwich
If your
bathroom or kitchen is outdated or you have never-ending plumbing issues that
won’t seem to go away, perhaps it is time for a complete remodel altogether?
With Bells Builders Merchants, we have a staggering 100 years of experience
changing bathrooms and kitchens for customers across East Dulwich and South
London.
If you are looking for inspiration, why not pop
along to one of our three kitchen and bathroom showrooms? Offering luxury
appliances, plumbing parts and expert craftsmanship, we can help you create the
home of your dreams. To find out more about our services or to receive an
accurate quote regarding bathroom remodel costs, simply
contact us today.
