First fix question 1 - Hansgrohe anyone?

[ey143]

Just been told to start get my bits ready for plumbing first fix in a few weeks and it was suggested we go for Hansgrohe for several of our bathrooms.

I've never heard of Hansgrohe before so dont know good/bad points about the brand, although a quick search online seems to suggest they may be a quality company. I know of Grohe but I guess these are not the same companies?

I have been told to get an "ibox Universal Plus" - what is the purpose of this and if bought, am I then limited to Hansgrohe for the shower valve or can I still use other manufacturers?

What are the plus / negative points and what alternatives should I consider?

Thx.

 

[dilalio]

Can you describe a bit more... The project; your involvement; who's telling you to get what!

It sounds like a big project and I'm wondering why you do not have a plumbing contractor with whom to consult!

 

[oldbuffer]

HansGrohe are separate from Grohe, but there was / is some family connection. Very high quality stuff, at a high, but to my mind fair, price.

Fitting the iBox Universal provides all the pipe connections for hot and cold in, and blended water out to overhead and side shower heads. Not the easiest to fit - make sure you have the depth and access for pipes, but once fitted you can add HansGrohe / Axor shower valves very easily, from memory its four bolts and you're done.

Fitting the pipes to the iBox requires the use of Loctite 55 or similar, and you need to fix and test the pipework first, then you're pretty much guaranteed an easy, leak free, shower installation.

 

[leakydave]

Adidas and Puma were two companies run by two brothers in competition...

Hansgrohe and Grohe were a father and son in competition...

...it must be a German thing.

 

[u587162]

Can you describe a bit more... The project; your involvement; who's telling you to get what!

It sounds like a big project and I'm wondering why you do not have a plumbing contractor with whom to consult!

We are currently remodelling and extending a large detached house which will eventually be 4000 ft.² My building contractor is handling all individual trades including the plumbing firm. My contact is therefore with the main contractor and not with the plumber but I have been asked to provide all the sanitary ware for the six bathrooms and details of the positioning of everything if it differs from the architect's plans.

I did have a 20 minute chat with the plumbing contractor who has given me some tips but of course I'm now doing my own research and asking questions here from the professionals to ensure that I have been given correct advice as well as getting a second or third opinion.

 

[dilalio]

If I were you, I'd be spending longer than 20mins with the chief plumber... This is a specifier issue and your architect will just not have enough knowledge of expectation/usage/performance/delivery... It is a specialist undertaking, not just about shiny valves sat upon the latest in designer chic!

 

[ey143]

If I were you, I'd be spending longer than 20mins with the chief plumber... This is a specifier issue and your architect will just not have enough knowledge of expectation/usage/performance/delivery... It is a specialist undertaking, not just about shiny valves sat upon the latest in designer chic!

The architectural technician is not even in the picture any more once the plans were drawn and approved. Everything is now down to the main contractor and the various trades. But yes, I need to speak to the plumber in more detail.

 

[dilalio]

I would go a step further, as it sounds like you will be spending a lot of money with a particular manufacturer... Discuss with your plumber your requirements regarding style, listen to his suggestions regarding practicality, performance and durability and suitability to the water supplies you have/will have installed; choose one or two manufacturers and then request they send out a rep/technician to meet with you and plumber on site!

 

[Hansgrohe Technical]

Dear ey143,


Please provide your contact details (with this post) to [email protected], in order for us to support you further.

Hansgrohe UK Technical

 

[u587162]

Interesting to see a manufacturer come on to the board.

 

[Mark Br]

The ibox is a decent bit of kit, designed to be used with their valves only.

 

[dilalio]

I do like hansgrohe

 

[ey143]

They are at the premium end of the market by the looks of it. Can some please explain to me where multiple ibox universal kits are needed for some of their shower valves where if I choose those buttons with 2 outputs, I need only one ibox but for 3 outputs I need 2 iboxes?

Also if I order the hansgrohe from a German firm like reuter-shop.com as some items are like 40-50% off UK prices because of exchange rates etc, does the 5 year guarantee etc cover the UK if bought from abroad?

Thx.