Frequently Asked Questions about Frames & Flush Plates
What is the advantage of getting the product installed by the authorised service, and does it affect the warranty coverage of the product?
By getting your product installed by authorised service, you can avoid the risk of damaging the product during installation. You can get technical information to use the product correctly and efficiently, and make your product more useful by getting information about spare parts and optional accessories. Plus, when installation is entrusted to an authorised service, any installation-related failure will be covered by the warranty.
Do large-size tiles including the square shaped 30X30 cm tiles have recommended tiling directions?
Typically, tiling direction is shown with an arrow on the back of every square tile. All of the tiles should be laid so that the arrow marks will point the same direction. The tiles that do not have an arrow mark should be laid in same direction as they come out from the box.
Will the colour of the tiles fade in time?
Colour of ceramic tiles never fade. All glazes used are resistant to discolouration and UV rays.
There is stain on my product. Does that mean that my product is deteriorated?
We recommend you to avoid performing welding or grinding in the proximity of ceramic products. Hot particles and burrs that form during such works can stick on the unprotected products or materials in the area, and cause visually unpleasant stains that are impossible to remove.
The edges of my mirror started to blacken. What may be the reason?
Acid-based cleaning materials may cause your mirror to blacken. Also, if you use acid-based chemicals to clean other areas in bathroom, edges of your mirror may blacken due to evaporation even if you do not apply those chemicals directly on the mirror’s surface. Therefore, please make sure to ventilate the area right after cleaning.
How can I make sure that a product that I would like to buy (shower cabin, bathtub, shower tray, spa) is compatible with my installation infrastructure?
You can get the technical files or technical drawing of the product from our outlet prior to placing an order, or you may contact our authorised service for information.
Does the plastering applied on product negatively affect the functions of the product?
If a thick layer of plaster is applied or in case of improper application, the body will exert an inward pressure, which may force the internal mechanisms to fail.
What causes hardening and malfunction in the on/off system (cartridge) mechanisms?
Any pressure and temperature higher than TSE standards will damage the cartridge. Cleaning the product surface with corrosive chemicals, forcing two-handled products while turning off, and particles that may come from the plumbing system (due to failure to flush the system) prior to installation of the faucet will damage the on/off system. In addition, this will cause scratches, burrs, and residue build-up on ceramic disks.
Can a flat shower tray be installed on low flooring?
Flat shower trays with leg and panel options are installed on finished floors. You can review the technical document to see the floor height and the infrastructure.
During the installation of my bathroom cabin, a layer of silicone was applied around the shower tray. Is it possible to apply a thinner layer of silicone?
The appropriate amount of silicone may change depending on the wall and floor of the bathroom. If the floor and wall have been levelled and smoothed, less silicone may be used. However, if your floor and wall have not been levelled properly using water gage and mitre, the required amount of silicone will increase in order a safe and sound installation.
Is tiling without joint grouting possible?
In practice, tiling without joint grouting or tiling with zero gap is not recommended. Even for rectified products, minimum 1 mm and better yet, 2 mm grouting is recommended.
Do matte products such as Woodstyle and Pera cause cleaning issues when used indoors?
No problem should be encountered as long as the cleaning procedures are followed.
What size of tile spacer should be used to apply products (both non-rectified and rectified)?
We recommend you to apply non-rectified floor tiles and porcelain tiles that have the same calibration ratio with minimum 3 mm tile spacer; wall tiles with minimum 2 mm, and rectified products with minimum 1 mm, or better yet a 2 mm tile spacer.
What is the minimum ceiling height for your compact cabins to fit my bathroom?
Your bathroom ceiling must be minimum 2.30 m high.
If tile products with gold and silvery decors used in shower areas, will this harm the glaze and the gold decor?
Since metallic glaze is used in products with gold and silvery decors, use of acidic or hard materials or powder detergents for cleaning may cause scratches or decolourisation on the surface. For this reason, daily cleaning should be carried out gently using only clear water, glass cleaner, or washing-up liquid, and the products should be wiped with a soft cloth after cleaning.
Can I wash my bathroom furniture?
You should never wash your furniture because its core material is wood. If you wash your product it may swell and get damaged.
You are producing a lot of dark and matte products. Won’t they reveal water stains?
Dark coloured products are prone to reveal stains but this may be prevented using an appropriate cleaning routine.
How should the expansion gaps be applied?
For large space applications, 1 cm expansion gap should be left every 7 meters, which should be filled-in with an appropriate elastic material. In case there is underfloor heating, the gap should be narrower.
Can I install the product to a plaster board wall? What are the key points to consider?
If the front and back of concealed cisterns are not closed during installation, the body will expand and may cause the cistern mechanisms not to operate and leak water. For the installation of plaster board products, the metal legs of the construction must be screwed tightly and the construction and plaster board should fully come into contact.
Can ceramics be laid over an old layer of ceramic tiles, without removing it?
We recommend using VitrA’s Film Plus material for tile-over-tile applications.
What should I use to clean my mirror?
It will be sufficient to clean with warm, soapy and cotton-based damp cloth and to dry it thoroughly.
What should I do to protect the seals of my shower cabin from yellowing? Can I clean the seals that has turned to yellow?
As colour shampoos and hair dyes can cause seals to turn yellow in time, you can clean them with detergents that contain bleacher. For the replacement of extremely deformed cabin seals, you can contact our authorized service.
If I sit on the upper lid of the toilet seat, can it safely bear my weight or get damaged?
As the upper lids of toilet seats are designed to bear load, they can be broken if you sit on them. We recommend you to comply with the warnings provided in our product installation and user manual.
Do joints blacken?
Joints may get dirty in time. VitrA Fix’s joint cleaning products may be recommended.
I find the water pressure of the sprinkler feature of the head shower insufficient. What is the minimum water pressure range for the operation of the nozzles?
As the head showers do not have massage feature, the sprinkler’s water pressure is not expected to be high. Head shower is used with natural rain effect for rinsing purposes. On the other hand, high number of nozzles and a wide surface for the flow of water naturally decreases the pressure effect. For efficient use, 3 to 6 bars pressure is sufficient.
Are leg systems corrodible?
Leg systems manufactured to the high quality standards of VitrA are hot-dip galvanised, which means both internal and external surfaces of the legs are galvanised. Plus they are coated with static paint (oven-dried). Therefore, there is almost no risk of corrosion.
Are rectangular tiles suitable for staggered tiling? If they are, which method should be used?
Rectangular tiles (30x60, 45x90, 15x90, 22.5x90 etc.) can be laid with staggered tiling pattern at ¼ rate. They are recommended to be laid using the new tiling system that helps reducing ground and tiling errors. In this system, which is also known as the wedged system, possible lugs are prevented by levelling tile surfaces.
There is a 3 or 5 mm gap between the back connection points of toilet seat and the WC pan. May this gap cause any harm to the seat?
No, the gap will not cause any damage to the seat. The 3 to 5 mm gap between the back connection points of our toilet seats and the WC pan has been intentionally designed to balance the invisible deformations of the ceramic material of the pan.
How should I clean the toilet seat?
You can clean the product with cotton-based damp cloth and clear, soapy water, or using a non-scratching and non-solvent cleaning agent (which does not contain oxidiser and chlorine).
What should I do for a broken tile at home?
First of all, it will be very useful for you to buy 1 or 2 extra boxes of tiles so that you can use them for future repairs. In addition, if you contact your nearest VitrA dealer and provide the product code, colour, and calibration number of your broken tile, they will try to find the tile of the same tonality and calibration for you. Code, tonality and calibration details are indicated on the box. Therefore, we recommend you to keep the product box or write down these details.
Does plastering applied on product negatively affect the functions of the product?
Our concealed cisterns have 400 kg bearing capacity.
Why do metal hinges corrode although they are stainless steel? How should they be cleaned?
Our toilet seat hinges are made of high quality stainless steel and a special treatment is applied to strengthen its anti-corrosion characteristics. However, acidic cleaning substances cause burns on the surface, which spoil the product’s anti-corrosion property. So, we recommend you to avoid using acidic cleaning agents to clean these products.
Why does the base of the toilet seat turn to yellow too fast?
If the drops that splash on the base of toiler seat are not cleaned, they may cause the base to turn yellow. Therefore, we recommend you to clean it regularly using the instructed methods.
Does the plastering applied on product negatively affect the functions of the product?
If a thick layer of plaster is applied or in case of improper application, the body will exert an inward pressure, which may force the internal mechanisms to fail.
Are VitrA tile ceramics stainable?
Our ceramics that do not have R-rated non-slip properties are stainproof. With regard to habits of use, no deformation and eventual staining should occur as long as the tiles are regularly maintained and any contact with acidic chemicals are avoided.
What is the importance of ventilation in spaces where the products are located?
Ventilation is very important for the integrity and service life of product surfaces. Humid environments can cause oxidation, greening, and corrosion on product surfaces. To avoid such corrosion, we recommend you to regularly ventilate the spaces where the products are located.
Is sunlight harmful to my furniture?
For VitrA bathroom furniture, lacquered thermoform (PVC) and MDF LAM materials with natural coating are used. Exposure to sunlight may cause discolouration in products with natural coating, and PVC material may whiten in thermoform products. Such discolouration may be seen in all products. Therefore, we recommend you to install your furniture so that it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Is high water pressure in the building damage the product? What should I do?
The pressure range recommended for the smooth operation of our products is 0.5 to 10 bars. We recommend you to install a pressure a reducer at the main entrance of the plumbing, or at the entrance of the apartment, so that the product can function properly in high pressure areas.
Is well water harmful to the product?
We recommend you to install a filter valve at the entrance of the apartment because sand, gravel, and similar particles that may come from the network will negatively affect the functional operation of the product.
There are brown and yellow stains on my WC pan. How can I remove these stains?
Certain inorganic substances in water, hardness of local mains water, or particles that come from the installation may cause build-up of scales, stains, or residues on the surface of product over the course of time. If not regularly cleaned, these stains may penetrate into the glaze layer on the product surface and they cannot be permanently removed. For this reason we recommend you to clean your product regularly.
My cabin panels are loose and shaky. They look like they are poorly mounted. How can this problem be fixed?
If there is an inclination in the floor/wall level of your bathroom, no-clip panels may show looseness. In such cases, upon your approval, our authorised service can add a brace (support) to the lower part of the panel to minimize the movement of the panel.
The authorised service wanted to charge me for the installation of VitrA bathroom furniture that I purchased. What may be the reason?
Not all our product ranges are offered with free-installation service so please consult our point of sale before placing an order, or contact our authorised service before installation.
What are the key points of joint grouting?
Once the suitable joint filler is chosen, the joint gaps should filled with it completely. Once the filling process is completed, the filler residues should be removed before they set, and the surface should be left clean.
How should I clean the control panel?
In order to protect the product from blackening please clean its surfaces with a soft cloth and warm suds instead of a using a liquid detergent. Alternatively you can use Maratem 209 indicated in the installation instructions. Chemical substances may negatively affect the appearance of the product.
How should I clean the Flush Plate?
We recommend a soft cloth and warm soapy water.
How much weight can concealed cisterns bear?
Our concealed cisterns have 400 kg bearing capacity.
Are the LED seats of Istanbul series directly connected to mains power?
Direct supply from the mains may cause the LED lights to blow without a movement sensor implementation. LED light is powered by 12 volts.
The product that I would like to buy is not compatible with my installation infrastructure. How can I solve this problem?
In order to make an assessment for any change of installation, you can contact our authorised service. If your space is suitable, our authorised service will take necessary steps to ensure that your installation infrastructure is fit for the technical properties of the product. If it is not possible to change the infrastructure, you can get information about the products suitable for your existing installation infrastructure.
My compact shower unit leaks water by the edges? What may be the reason?
Your product might have been installed improperly or there may be a problem with the seals. For correct diagnosis and intervention, we recommend you to contact our authorised services.
Do jointless tiled ceramics crack or burst?
We do not recommend jointless tiling but if it must be done, 6 to 10 mm wide and 10 mm deep expansion joints (dilatation gaps) at least by every 6x6 m area will prevent any deformation due to expansion.
What should I use to clean the tile products?
Non-acidic cleaning agents / Wet cloth / Soap powder / Vitranet for tiles / Rinse thoroughly
Is well water dangerous for products?
Use of unanalysed well water is more dangerous for human health than it is for the faucets. Please make sure to have your well water analysed before using it. Due to lack of sufficient pressure, combi boiler or water heater may not operate, which, in turn, may cut hot water supply. What’s more, particles that come from well may damage the on/off system. Since well water is harder and more corrosive compared to tap water, it may cause corrosion inside the product, which is impossible to see from outside.
Can I clean my furniture with tile cleaner?
NEVER use acid-based cleaner for cleaning our furniture as this may cause irreparable damage on product surface.
Water pressure in MDS (or compact shower unit / massage compact cabin) massage jets is not sufficient. What is the expected operation range for the jets?
The pressure range recommended for the massage feature is 3 to 6 bars.
Do 45x90 cm or 20x120 cm tiles buckle?
These sizes are recommended to be tiled with VitrA Fit. This will prevent workmanship faults and elevation differences.
Is bathroom steam harmful to product surfaces?
Yes, it is. Bathroom steam can cause rusting, swelling, and abrasion on the surface of the product. Also we recommend you to protect faucet surfaces from coming into contact with acid-based cleaning materials used for cleaning ceramic surfaces.
The internal mechanism that I purchased does not operate when water supply is weak? What may be the reason?
These products may move together with gasket and O-ring, and they may not function properly at pressure levels above 6 bars or below 0.5 bars, which causes a risk of leakage. To solve this problem, we recommend you to adjust the installation pressure observing the suitable pressure range.
Are all Flush Plates compatible with each other? Can I use any panel instead of the existing one?
We offer a range of flush plates and it is important to check what kind of mechanism you need.
What is the wall thickness required for concealed cistern?
Minimum 12 cm wall thickness is required. If the cistern is not concealed, a barrier should be applied. The thickness of the barrier could be up to 15 cm based on the plaster and ceramic thickness.
Why are there buckling and elevation difference issues in products such as 45x90 cm and 60x120 cm?
If the tiles are laid with a proportion of 3/1, and the foreman applies correct amount of cement finish using an adhesive of correct intensity, these differences can be eliminated. These sizes are recommended to be tiled with VitrA Fit. This will prevent workmanship faults and elevation differences.
What should I do to drill holes on a ceramic tile?
You will need special drill bits, which can be found in hardware stores.
Are cleaning agents for tiles and washbasins harmful to faucets?
To avoid any blackening on your product surface and to maximise service life, please try to protect your faucets from coming into contact with cleaning agents that contain acid. You can prevent such damage by washing your product with plenty of water immediately after any such splash.
Is it possible to tile ceramics without joints? What is the ideal joint spacing?
In practice, tiling without joint grouting or tiling with zero gap is not recommended. Even for rectified products, minimum 1 mm and better yet, 2 mm grouting is recommended. We recommend you to apply non-rectified floor tiles and porcelain tiles that have the same calibration ratio with minimum 3 mm tile spacer; wall tiles with minimum 2 mm, and rectified products with minimum 1 mm, or better yet a 2 mm tile spacer.
How does the photocell concealed cistern operate?
Photocell sensors use an invisible infrared ray. The Photocell sensor has been adjusted to operate after the user moves away from the sensing distance and also has a set minimum time delay. Water flow starts and WC is flushed. Flushing occurs approximately 3 seconds after the user steps out of the sensing distance.
What are the key points to be avoided while installing the product?
Connecting the angle valve to a lower location than normal will cause the pneumatic mechanism to fail, which will make it impossible to use the product. If the panel connection frame is moved lower, it hits the button of pneumatic panel. As panel fitting bars in mechanical product will not fit into the opposite slot, it will cause the product to leak. Also, the plumbing should be washed before the filling group is mounted.
Will the reservoir fragrance tablets of other brands damage the ceramic or internal mechanisms?
Since these tablets contain acid and solvent, they may cause permanent damage on gaskets and bodies of products.
Do you have water-saving concealed cisterns?
The products with the code 740-xxxx-02 (the products that have 02 at the end of the product code) are our water saving products. While standard cisterns flush with 3/6 L, our water saving products flush with 2,5/4 L.
Radio signal in the area where the compact shower cabin is located is very weak. How can I solve this problem?
Compact cabins that have radio feature can actively use the radio feature at points that can receive FM waves. However, if the signal is weak in the area where the cabin is located, you can make a solution by installing an external antenna booster.
My bathtub has been installed but it looks wobbly with one side of the panel on the ground while the other side is up the air. What may be the reason?
It may be because the product was installed incorrectly and inappropriately by unauthorised installers who did not take the uneven bathroom surface into consideration. For correct assessment and intervention, we recommend you to contact our nearest authorised service.
Which cleaning substance should I put into VitrA Fresh detergent drawer?
For a longer product life, you should prefer non-solid, liquid cleaning substances that do not contain powder.
Can I leave the surface of bathroom furniture wet?
Leaving the surface wet will shorten the lifetime of your furniture. We recommend you to completely dry any splashed water.
How should I clean the glass of my striped/patterned shower cabin?
Unlike plain flat glasses, use of non-acidic glass cleaners is recommended for patterned/striped glasses. Particularly in calcareous regions, it is very important to dry the surface with damp or dry cloth immediately after shower. You can also remove water stains with plastic water wiper.
I need to know if the product I want to buy is compatible with my infrastructure and connections? How I can learn about it?
You should consult VitrA authorized services and authorised outlets to check if your infrastructure and connections are fit for the product. If you have a private architectural consultant, you can obtain technical files for products from our sales channel.
What is the wall thickness required for concealed cistern?
Minimum 12 cm wall thickness is required.
Which cleaning materials should I use?
Cleaning materials that contain acid may cause the product to blacken. In order to protect the product from blackening please clean its surfaces with a soft cloth and warm suds instead of a using a liquid detergent. Alternatively you can use Maratem 209 indicated in the installation instructions.
Glass of my shower cabin yellowed in time. What may be the reason? How can I clean them?
As cabin glass may discolour in time, we recommend you to clean all soap residues and dirt using appropriate methods not later than every second shower. For striped glass, you can use dry or damp cloth and glass cleaner, and for plain glass, you can use detergents that contain bleacher.
What are the problems caused by installation? What are the key points to be considered during installation works?
To avoid any noise during operation of your faucet, the installation must be carried out in accordance with water supply installation technique, and the installation must be safely fixed into the wall. To avoid any damage on the sealing components due to residues in the plumbing system, and to ensure proper functioning, the plumbing system must be flushed prior to installation. If the hot and cold water sources are connected incorrectly, the products (especially thermostatic ones) will not operate. So plumbing must be checked before any ceramic application.
If the bathroom space is unventilated, will the furniture and mirrors suffer any damage?
Wooden materials do not tolerate damp or steamy environments for a long time. Please don't forget to ventilate your bathroom after every shower.
