DIY Q&A: Showers

Q I don’t find my shower cubicle retains enough heat to keep me warm and with a high ceiling in an old house, we are still having condensation problems.

A If you have addressed ventilation, (and if needs be an opened window to let the moisture out), consider fitting a shower dome to enclose the shower completely. This will warm up your environment, kill draughts, and cut down on escaping steam. Showerdome.ie

Q I have young children just starting to shower alone. How can I ensure that my shower does not run cold or hot when someone flushes a loo or uses the taps downstairs?

A Thermostatic mixer showers recognise and compensate for fluctuations in both the incoming water pressure and the incoming water temperature, keeping the shower temperature within +/- 1°C. Even with thermostatic controls set, never leave young children unsupervised in a shower.

Q What’s the benefit of a low level shower tray?

A If you have underfloor drainage in place, it looks very sleek and unobtrusive. On the other hand a standard tray will gather more water. Once properly tanked, either will look and perform well, but ensure they are level to a tolerance of 2.5mm for proper performance.