BATHROOMS, SHOWERS & KITCHENS Beat the bills with
ACO BUILDING DRAINAGE has launched a new shower drain range bringing together shower drainage channels, advanced gully solutions, and fully configurable modular options. The modular system is designed for flexible, long run commercial and leisure ap- plications. At the heart of the line-up is the Modular 125 system — configurable channels that can be linked into continuous runs for communal showers or leisure centre changing areas. Custom corner and gully arrangements let specifiers accommodate complex or irregu- lar layouts.
The range includes low-build height solu- tions that comply with BS EN 1253-1 for con- strained floor heights. ShowerDrain C’s new hydro-formed gullies enable higher flows and easier cleaning. Also available are ShowerDrain B and ShowerDrain E which have a gully body capable of 360° rotation for tight or irregular spaces.
The Passino gully is a single unit that seals
directly into the outlet pipe, reducing time needed for installation. It incorporates a two- piece removable foul-air trap for cleaning, which has an updated design to optimise flow and reduce backflow risk.
www.aco.com
KEUCO’s premium finishes Brushed Brass or Brushed Matt Black add a sense of luxury and subtle glamour and are made to last with higher-grade metals. Keuco’s accessories collections Edition 400, Edition 11 and Collection Moll are all available in the brushed brass and brushed black chrome, in addition to stainless steel and chrome plated, and compliment IXMO bathroom fittings.
www.keuco.com/en_gb/
better efficiency Shower product manufacturer Methven is calling on developers, installers and consumers to switch to more water- efficient showerheads in order to counteract rising water bill costs. From April, average annual bill in England and Wales will see an above-inflation increase by £33 to £639, following on from increases of more than £10 a month last year. Water firms have been granted permission to increase bills to pay for upgrading aging pipes, reducing sewage overflows and tackling population growth and climate change challenges. According to Methven’s Water Saving Calculator, developed to support consumers as well as housing developers and hotel owners in calculating potential cost against water and energy savings achieved by a handset switch, a £47 investment in a Methven Satinjet Kiri handset would pay for itself in 56 days, with a predicted annual water cost saving of £181.
Performance expectations
There is a growing trend for luxury showering experiences with more and more consumers desiring spa-like features in their bathrooms. With Houzz reporting a 172% rise in searches for ‘double shower’ and 78% of homeowners opting for rain or waterfall shower heads as part of their bathroom renovations, expectations around shower performance are rising sharply. However, while modern shower systems continue to evolve, the underlying plumbing infrastructure in many UK homes has remained largely unchanged. Larger shower heads and multi outlet systems are designed to create an immersive showering experience, yet these features also demand greater and more consistent flow rates. This can present a challenge, particularly in properties with gravity fed plumbing systems. Water pressure that was sufficient for a traditional, single-head, shower can quickly prove inadequate when asked to supply rainfall heads, body jets or twin outlets. Neil Wilson, head of marketing, Tucson Pumps says: “Shower performance plays a large role in how homeowners judge the overall quality of their bathroom. Even carefully considered layouts can be overshadowed by a poor showering experience. Low water pressure and inconsistent flow can quickly lead to frustration.
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“With expectations rising and plumbing limitations becoming more apparent, attention is increasingly turning to the systems behind the scenes. Pump technology plays a crucial role in enabling modern showers to perform as intended, particularly in properties
where existing water pressure
can fall short. Tucson Equinox Shower Pumps, for example, ensure a strong, consistent flow of water.” Wilson says that Tucson Equinox Shower Pumps offer quiet operation, durable performance, and easy installation. With an anti-vibration mat to help reduce noise in the home. The Equinox range includes 2, 3, and 4 bar pumps, and comes in both positive and universal head options.
He says: “Installers are balancing flow rates, pressure demands, system compatibility and customer expectations, often while working against a short timeframe before it’s onto the next job. With this in mind, at Tucson we have developed digital tools that are designed to take the guesswork out of pump selection and make the process faster, clearer and more intuitive. Merchants can access these tools at their trade counters to understand exactly what products their customers need.”
www.tusconpumps.com
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net May 2026
This figure, based on a three-person household where each person showers once a day, includes an annual water saving of 45,864 litres, with financial savings totalling £314 when factoring in energy and carbon savings. Methven head of marketing and product Emma Foster, says: “Whether as part of a renovation project or a quick handset switch, there has never been a more important time to look at water saving. Bills have increased for the second year running and it would be unwise to rule out further rises over the coming years.”
www.uk.methven.com
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