Professional Builder presents its readers with a multitude of news, reviews and products which are tailored to the needs of construction professionals. Here, we select from the contents of the pages to present merchants with some of the current industry influencers.
First up in February’s edition of PB is the New & Self Build feature, and mixer taps from Bristan come into the fold. Announcing a change to the design of its existing basin mixer taps, it is worth merchant staff looking out for these new designs to ensure they stay ahead of any upcoming changes.
With the addition of the Neoperl 5ltr/min aerators, the changes have been implemented to ensure the amount of water delivered by the flow regulators is now completely in alignment with BREEAM requirements — another aspect to keep on top of — as well as enhancing the look and feel of the water flow.
Next up is Lafarge Cement which showcases its Rapid Set Cement. Described as a fast setting, low shrinkage product, it has been designed for use in screeds and renders to prepare wall and floor surfaces prior to installing most tile types.
It is said to be suitable for dry and wet installations, including swimming pools, and can be pumped for fast application. Rapid by name rapid by nature, it sets in just one hour and also means screeds can accept foot traffic after three hours and bonded screeds and renders can be tiled with ceramic tiles after four.
The General Building round-up is next on our review, and first up in this section is Baxi with three new additions to the 600 range of boilers. Each promises to be lightweight, coming in at less than 30kg, and are designed to be small enough to fit into any cupboard, delivering a discreet finish.
With further pressure on manufacturers to ensure their products deliver top energy efficiency, Baxi also says the boilers only use the right amount of fuel to meet the set central heating temperatures, helping homeowners to save money on bills.
Saniflo UK, meanwhile, has added showering solutions to its portfolio with the launch of the Sanifloor+ Tray. It has been designed for ease of installation when traditional gravity drainage is not available and the kit comes complete with a pump, a low level shower tray as well as the waste. The 5mm tray can be installed directly onto the floor and is said to be easy to maintain.
Put to the test by Roger Bisby is the tiling guide from RSS Tilemaster. Providing a purpose-designed solution for tradespeople, the kit comes with three sets of feet and various lengths and can be adjusted for use along a bath as well as over kitchen worktops. It can also be used for heads above windows thanks to a pair of sliding supports with rubber heads which can be wound in hard against the reveals.
In another field test from Roger, Professional Builder takes a look next at the Waterproof Tape from T-Rex. Commenting that the trade is ‘badly in need’ of an effective tape that can be stuck over leaks to seal them, Roger says that this tape is fairly thin and features an edge which is bevelled, producing a tape with hardly any lip that is, therefore, less likely to lift and peel.
Although described as a temporary solution, it is expected that it will last long enough to buy time before a more permanent solution can be carried out. It will even stick underwater, as well as having U.V. resistant qualities.
The magazine’s Workwear feature enters next and Snickers stretch fabric trousers are put under the spotlight by the ever-active Roger Bisby. Describing the range as eye-catching, the stretch fabrics woven into the garments allow better freedom of moment and alleviate strain on the stitching.
Furthermore, the fabric promises to be lightweight but tough and can withstand the elements, while remaining cool enough for year-round use. The trousers combine stretch panels and Kevlar reinforced Cordura wear panels to give the best of both worlds as well as secure zip pockets to ensure belongings stay safe.
Closing the round up this month is Aqualisa and the Quartz shower which, when it was invented in 2001, was the UK’s first digital shower. With a whole host of features it is worth merchant staff remembering these key details in order to provide customers with a range of guidance and benefits.
One of those benefits is the fact it’s controlled by a thermostatic smart valve processor, which is said to not only deliver precision shower performance and temperature every time, but can be located up to 10 meters away from the shower control. This reduces the amount of disruption and time used to install the shower as the processor can be located away from the shower in places such as the loft, under the bath or in an airing cupboard.
