Help & Support

McAlpine products are available from all national and most independent plumbers and builders merchants. If you are having trouble locating a stockist near you then please fill out the form below and we’ll endeavour to respond as soon as possible.

Unfortunately we don't sell directly but our products are available from most national and independent builders' and plumbers' merchants

A limited range of spares may be available from plumbers' and builders' merchants but our authorised spares distributor will be able to help you source any part you require. Their full range can be viewed at http://www.plumbers-mate-sales.co.uk/mcalpine-spares-160-c.asp

Building Regulations state that appliances that are connected to a soil pipe should comply with the following table.

Current building regulations state the minimum depth seal for traps should not be less than 38mm. However, 19mm water seal traps have been manufactured to meet the demand for replacement traps where the original shallow seal traps were installed prior to the current regulations.

It is not uncommon in older properties for the waste from baths or showers to have shallow seal traps and discharge into an open hopper head. New 19mm water seal traps are often used when replacing the sanitaryware in these properties. This practice does not comply with current building regulations and they could be rejected if the installation comes under the scrutiny of the local authority building control officer.

Use [V33WM] fitting.

Flow rates vary depending on the type of waste outlet and the head of water over the waste. The configuration of the discharge pipe work will also have some effect. However, McAlpine 50mm water seal shower traps have flow rates varying from 20 to 50 litres per minute with a 15mm head of water over the waste outlet and when tested under controlled conditions. All traps meet the minimum requirements of BS EN 274-2:2002.

Check that hose discharge from washing Machine loops up above the minimum height as specified by the machine manufacturer and at least to the underside of the work top for an inset sink before connecting into the sink trap.

See installation details for washing machine traps.

The chances are that your waste outlet is of continental manufacture and not compatible to BS Trap inlet nut. Use [T12A-F] fitting on 40mm or [S12A-F] fitting on 32mm waste outlets to convert connection back to a compatible thread.

Drain smells can enter the dwelling under certain conditions, to ensure this is not happening check that the right trap has been installed i.e is it minimum 50mm water seal?

Has the 'O' ring on the dip tube been damaged?

Is the dip tube correctly positioned within the trap?

If it is not due to the obvious reason of a blockage caused by a build up of debris, the problem could be due to backpressure within the discharge pipe. This can be because at some point the discharge pipe has retained water, which is preventing air from flowing freely through the pipe. A plumber should check the installation.

A re-sealing is designed to allow air to pass through the water seal under negative pressure but will retain sufficient water to ensure the minimum depth of seal is retained. Whereas an anti siphon trap has a small mechanical valve which opens under negative pressure. Both versions will break the syphonic action thus protecting the water seal. Note. the re-sealing trap may be noisy.

For more details see relevant pages on web site or catalogue.

View anti-syphon and resealing traps.

Generally when the waste pipe or discharge pipe from an appliance is beyond the limitations of an unvented waste pipe. Usually more critical on basin and bidet wastes.

View anti-syphon and resealing traps.

Our 90mm shower traps accommodate varying maximum shower tray thicknesses, depending on the model. Should you have an enquiry regarding a specific model, then please contact us If you are using a [ST90CP10], [ST90CB10] or [ST90WH10] you can purchase an extended locking nut which will accommodate trays up to 25mm thick.

Click here to view accessories

In order to maintain a high performance flow rate, two sealing washers are supplied. If the thickness of the shower tray waste outlet hole measures over 6mm, the thinner washer should be used. If less than 6mm, use the thicker washer.

The maximum thickness of bath is 20mm and unfortunately we do not make an extension ferrule to extend that length. 

No. Some Saniflo unit installation instructions state that MacValve or Non-return valves can be used in conjunction with the unit, however our products cannot accept the 10 Psi pressure from these units and are therefore not suitable for use. We suggest you contact Saniflo, or the macerator manufacturer, to discuss alternative options. 

No the water pressure from domestic appliances is too high for the self closing valve to function properly and a MACVALVE should never be used in this circumstance. 

No, the plastic body is solvent welded and the blue silicone valve cannot be accessed or removed. 

It depends on where the rain water pipe is discharging. Condense is acidic and should only be discharged into a foul drain. Where this is not possible it may be discharged into a special soakaway that contains lime chippings to neutralise the acidity.

Soakaways should only be used in free draining porous soil and should be at least 500mm away from any footings or structural walls it should also not be in the vicinity of other services such as gas, electricity or water connections.

Lime chippings will slowly dissolve depending on the amount and acidity of the condensate passing through the soakaway. Check the level and top up if necessary when carrying out an annual boiler service.

For more information see installation details.

All TSG Gullies have a flange and clamp ring, which allows a waterproof joint to be made between the gully body and the floor covering or waterproofing membrane ensuring that no water can penetrate through the structure of the floor.

This is indicative of a problem of back pressure. This is normally found to be due to a section of pipe between the gully and the soil vent pipe retaining water, which is preventing the free flow of air through the discharge pipe. Plumber should check out the installation.

Yes. See conversion kits.

Yes you can convert using a TSG conversion kit Click here.

Yes you can convert using a TSG conversion kit Click here.

In most case, yes, however there are certain concrete floor installations that may not require a waterproofing membrane. 

Trapped Shower Gullies (TSGs) are designed to create a wet floor area and not to fit in to traditional shower trays that have a 52mm or 90mm diameter waste hole. However there are a number of floor formers that contain a larger waste hole with the required falls that may be able to accomodate a McAlpine Trapped Shower Gully. You should check the dimensions with the floor former manufacturer to understand if the McAlpine TSGs will be compatible with their products.

No, we only currently offer channel drains for tiled floors. 

Our wetroom products should be fitted by a qualified plumbing professional and installation instructions must be followed. We guarantee our products for 10 years if they are installed according to our instructions but we cannot be held liable for poor installation and will not sign any specific warranties for individual installations.

You can purchase this from our authorised spares distributor, Plumbers Mate. To purchase click here.

McAlpine HDPE pipe is manufactured to the imperial dimensions as follows.

Multifit fittings should accept most plastic and copper waste pipes manufactured to suit the UK market. Check that the pipe meets the minimum requirement of either 32mm or 38mm or 50mm internal bore. It may be helpful to chamfer the inside of the pipe to remove any burr.

Yes, providing the discharge is a gravity discharge and not pumped or pressurised.

FLEXCON1 and FLEXCON2 have a polypropylene spigot and therefore CANNOT be glued. However FLEXCON5, FLEXCON6 and FLEXCON8 all have PVC spigots so can be glued. 

Yes. [PIPE42-1000-CB] will fit directly in to our chrome bath traps -  [BATHTRAP50-CPB], [BATHTRAP25-CPB], [BRASSTRAP-50-CP] and [BRASSTRAP-25-CP].

Above ground level only.

No, they should only be fitted on the ground floor due to a reduction in the internal outlet diameter of the boss pipe connector.

These boss connectors are designed to accept condensate discharge only, and not waste.

No. The clear section is made from polycarbonate which will melt at temperatures above 95 degrees and this fitting does not have the appropriate certifcation to be used for this purpose. 

There is no British Standard for flexible WC Connectors. However, McAlpine flexible WC Connectors are independently certified as conforming to DIN 1389-02. BSI have confirmed that the technical content of this standard would be identical to that of a BS EN.

They can refuse any products that were not included or detailed on the original building control approval documents.

The material has been stringently tested and found not to retain sedimentation of organic products or chemical substances on the inside wall of the pipe.
Since their introduction the incidence of blockages have been no more than installations using conventional materials.

The problem is due to back pressure and would indicate that there is a blockage or section of pipe that is full of water between the WC and the vented section of drain preventing the free flow of air through the pipe. As there is nowhere for the air to go the water will not flow.
Valves are designed to allow air into the pipe work under negative pressure but will not allow air to come out under a positive pressure.

Ventapipe valves are designed for and only allowed for installation internally.

Ventapipe valves should only be installed vertically.

See installation guide for more details of Ventapipe Air Admittance Valves

You can purchase a longer ferrule for the waste, 70mm long Code: BRBOLT70 and 90mm long Code: BRBOLT90. For the overflow your can purchase a longer threaded boss and the code is S/GRID-25CB-CP. These may be available for plumbers and builder merchants and can also be purchased online from our authorised spares distributor, Plumbers Mate.