Deck-mounted bath fillers or bath shower mixers (with a hose and handset) are the norm for most people choosing a new bathroom. However, for people aiming for a fuss-free look or a bathroom that is easy to keep clean, there is another way - the overflow bath filler.
What Is An Overflow Bath Filler?
Overflow fillers combine both aspects of filling the bath, and of having an overflow to stop the forgetful amongst us ruining a perfectly good ceiling. The water emerges from a hole on the underside of the chrome circular (or sometimes square) overflow. The on/off flow to the filler is controlled either by a pair of deck valves mounted on the bath, or by a manual or thermostatic valve set into the wall.
Overflow fillers are known by a number of other names:
- Bath filler waste
- Centrafill
- Aqua Fillers
- Valve operated bath filler
One of the best ways to use an overflow bath filler is to combine it with a second outlet; either a shower kit on the wall, or a pull-out handset on the bath deck (or even both if you wish). You can then divert between the bath filling function, and the showering function from the very same valve.
Advantages Of Choosing An Overflow Filler
Fewer Components
By doing away with the conventional bath tap, the deck of the bath is clear from clutter. A single valve can control both the filler and the shower kit.
Flexibility
A normal shower over a bath would typically have the control just below the head itself. With a concealed valve, you can locate this at the opposite end of the bath if you wish, allowing you to comfortably turn on your shower before you step inside.
Thermostatic Control
If you were to opt for a bath overflow filler and some form of shower kit over the bath you would do well to select a thermostatic 2-outlet valve. This would give you a thermostatically-controlled shower, so if someone else turns a tap on or flushes a toilet the water wont suddenly freeze or scald; much safer if you have young children.
Incidentally, if you are not using your bath for showering but are thinking about a pull-out shower handset that fits neatly within your bath deck, why not go with a cheaper manual valve with diverter to switch between overflow filler and pull-out handset? The overall cost of this is not much more than a standard bath shower mixer, but it looks a lot better.
Style
Overflow bath fillers are inherently stylish. They add hotel-style wow-factor to your bathroom and do not cost the earth. Nowadays you can buy overflow fillers in both round and square styles to match up with the rest of your bathroom. How about a square overflow filler with square shower valve and kit? Carrying a theme throughout your bathroom like this is what separates a well-designed bathroom from something that has been hastily thrown together.
Water Pressure & Flow Rates
When overflow bath fillers first emerged, they were only suitable for high pressure systems which made them unsuitable for those of us with gravity (low pressure) systems, unless you were to fit a pump.
There are now a number of overflow bath fillers that work at low-pressure (0.2 bar or more). This said, if you have very low pressure you may be better off choosing a simpler set up that will give you a slightly higher flow rate. If you are at all in doubt, speak to your plumber or get in touch and we will be happy to help.
