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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Surrey Flange V Warix Flange https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1093964165 Message started by DJS on Aug 31^st, 2004, 3:56pm

Title: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by DJS on Aug 31^st, 2004, 3:56pm

Hi,
I have bought a new Aqualisa power shower (1.5 bar) and already have a Surrey Flange fitted to the hot water cylinder. Aqualisa does not recommend using the Surrey Flange as they say it restricts the flow. They recommend the Warix Flange instead.
How much affect on the flow rate would the Surrey Flange actually have? Should I replace the Surrey with a Warix or is it not really worth the bother? It would involve a change of the pipe layout.
They also say copper pipe is better than plastic because again plastic restricts the flow. By how much? Would it really make such a big difference to the "power" of the shower?
Any info appreciated.
DJS.

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN on Aug 31^st, 2004, 8:08pm

Cant see how plastic restricts the flow as you normally use less elbows and I reckon the bore is smoother, seems a strange comment !

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by Mud on Sep 1^st, 2004, 8:21pm

Don't know to be absolutely honest, one is a 'male' flange and the other is 'female (fitting) - can't really see how either should restrict the flow that much. �

The only thing that causes problems is the formation of air bubbles which can be drawn into the pump or the shower and create airl locks - as long as the pipe off the top of the cylinder continually rises upto the expansion tank you can take a tapping off that rising pipe - removing the necessity for the flange.

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by DJS on Sep 2^nd, 2004, 8:50am

Thanks for the info guys. I will probably try the Surrey Flange (as its already fitted). If it does cause a problem I will just have to fit an alternative.
Cheers. :)

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by MAB on Sep 25^th, 2004, 2:25pm

The only way I can see the Surrey causing a problem is if a LOT of water is demanded but there are two sizes, I nearly always fit the one with the larger inlet pipe.

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by thescruff on Sep 25^th, 2004, 4:31pm

wrote on Sep 1^st, 2004, 8:21pm:

The only thing that causes problems is the formation of air bubbles which can be drawn into the pump or the shower and create airl locks - as long as the pipe off the top of the cylinder continually rises upto the expansion tank you can take a tapping off that rising pipe - removing the necessity for the flange.

Not if you want a trouble free install you can't.

scruff

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by JerryD on Oct 8^th, 2004, 11:15pm

Shouldn't take shower supply from the riser, it should have it's own dedicated hot supply.

We always fit an Essex Flange which means cutting a hole in the side of the hot cylinder but being on the side of the cylinder (near the top), it means no air can get in the hot pipe to the shower pump.

Also it's not affected by other hot taps being used elsewhere (which would happen if taken off the expansion pipe)

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by thescruff on Oct 8^th, 2004, 11:19pm

Essex are also recommended by all the pump makers as a first choice other than a secondary tapping, purpose made cylinder.

scruff

Title: Re: Surrey Flange V Warix Flange
Post by JerryD on Oct 17^th, 2004, 12:08pm

wrote on Aug 31^st, 2004, 3:56pm:

They also say copper pipe is better than plastic because again plastic restricts the flow. By how much? Would it really make such a big difference to the "power" of the shower?
Any info appreciated.
DJS.

I've discovered the reason for this, the plastic pipe has the same outer diameter as the copper (that's how the fittings are interchangeable) but the plastic pipe has a slightly thicker wall. Therefore the internal diameter of the plastic pipe is slightly less than the internal diameter of the copper pipe!!

Hope this answers the question