FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. When building or renovating it is very important to know what sort of water pressure system you have and how water efficient your bathroomware will be.

In general New Zealand homes are low/unequal pressure. Newer homes are mains pressure which means you can use multiple water outlets at the same time with no reduction in water pressure. To help conserve water bathroom products are given a WELS water efficiency rating which enables you to choose which level of performance best suits your home. The more stars a product has means that it uses less water in its day-to-day functionality. To find out more from the Ministry of Environment NZ, click here.

S-Trap system is best installed in new homes with the waste outlet going through the floor. The distance between the middle of the waste outlet and the wall is called the set-out measurement. To view S-Trap toilet systems, click here.

P-Trap system feature a waste outlet that goes through the wall. Common in bathroom renovations they feature a standard 185mm set out. To view P-Trap toilet systems, click here.

Many New Zealand homes have a low or unequal water pressure system. If your cold water flow is greater than the hot - then generally you have a low/unequal pressure system. Your hot water cylinder may be marked 3.7m (12ft) or 7.6 (24ft) HEAD. More common in older homes your tapware will need to equalise the higher flow of cold vs. hot water before it delivers it through your tapware. A header tank in the roof space or a pressure reducing valve usually supplies low water pressure to your hot water cylinder.
An equal mains pressure system is now common in many New Zealand homes.

Mains Pressure (High) is when both hot and cold are supplied at high pressure. Cold water is town supply. Hot water is from a high/mains pressure cylinder or gas infinity.

Cold supply comes directly from town or tank pump (approximately 500kPa).
Hot supply from low pressure hot water cylinder (exhaust vent pipe through roof).
'All Pressure' Tapware is a suitable choice for Unequal Pressure.

Both hot and cold are from the same water source at low pressure (eg: header tank/gravity feed).
'All Pressure' Tapware is a suitable choice for Unequal Pressure.
NOTE: If you have a hot water cylinder with a metal pipe protruding out the roof, then you have low pressure hot water.
The Easy Test: Turn on the hot to full, turn on the cold to full. Was the cold a lot more than the hot or even?

Download our Bathroom Planner to help put your ideas on paper and begin to select the products that will best suit your home, family, budget and lifestyle.

About Plumbing World

With nationwide branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill, Plumbing World has grown to become the largest 100% New Zealand owned national plumbing merchant, supplying everything from basic trade products to top fashion bathroom fittings. Along the way, Plumbing World has gained an enviable reputation as the bathroom, laundry, kitchen and heating specialists.

This is a place where fashion meets function and Plumbing World is leading the way, recognising bathroom, laundry and kitchen fixtures are big fashion news.

We are progressively upgrading our showrooms to provide you with a stylish one-stop shopping environment: product choice, accessories, competitive prices, design, installation guidance and finance all under one roof along with the benefit of specialist plumbing advice. Find a showroom near you; click here.

Trade is for our Account holders and Shareholding members. Plumbing World's core business is providing plumbers, drainlayers, gasfitters and contractors with the right product for every job.

With over 10,000 products in stock and access to a huge range of quality products from all over the world, Plumbing World trade customers are assured of reliable supply and fast, efficient service at a very competitive price.

The Young Plumbers Club (YPC) is focused on nurturing the future success of the NZ Plumbing industry. The club is designed to engage with younger tradesman by introducing them to its key stakeholders as their careers develop.

The YPC Young Plumber of the Year Competition is a key series of events showcasing excellence among the plumbing trades, celebrating this through a national competition. As the next generation of tradesmen drive the industry forward we all need to think about where it is headed. The sooner our Young Plumbers are exposed to the wider industry, the quicker mutually beneficial, business relationships can be established.

Plumbing World branches run many YPC events throughout the year that ALL tradesmen (Apprentices, Qualified, and Certifying) can partake in. The overall aim is to up-skill and have fun and as a result we want our young plumbers to become successful businessmen in their own right. The YPC is the space to help make this happen.

Visit YPC.co.nz website for more information or jump onto our Facebook.