FAQ’s

Type 304 stainless steel has 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel content. This is referred to sometimes as 18/8 or 18/10. The slight differences in Cr and Ni is not enough to cause a difference in the strength, durability or corrosion of the stainless steel.

Stainless steel has for many years, been the first choice of material for sink manufacturers worldwide because it is…
1. Easy to keep clean and hygienic (bacteria doesn’t thrive on it)
2. An attractive metal finish that suits any décor
3. Allows many design features whilst retaining strength and durability
4. Non-rigid – forgiving on glassware or delicate china
5. Smooth non-porous surface
6. Resistant to deterioration from heat, stains and UV light
7. Recognized universally for its hygienic and lasting qualities

Passivation is the process of treating or coating a metal in order to reduce the chemical reactivity of its surface. In stainless steel, passivation means removing the free iron from the surface of the metal using an acid solution to prevent rust. When the surface iron is removed the other components of the alloy (primarily chromium and nickel) are left behind as a surface layer over the underlying steel. Upon exposure to air, they react with oxygen to form an oxide layer that protects the rest of the steel from corrosion. Passivating stainless steel is safely and easily accomplished with citric acid based cleaners.

In general terms stainless steel is protected by what we term a “self healing film”. This “film” is created when the elements of stainless steel come in contact with the air. Marks on your sink are actually sitting on the top of this “film”. When you clean your sink with a cleaner to remove marks it needs to dissolve the film taking the mark with it and then when the air comes in contact with the stainless steel the surface “heals” itself.

From time to time it will be necessary to clean inside the overflow of your sink. Cabro suggest using a spray product such as ‘Spray and Wipe’ or a mildew inhibitor. Spray the solution directly into the sink’s overflow, leave for 10 minutes and then fill the sink so that the water overflows, to flush the pipes clean.

Cabro strongly recommend earthing your sink as standard practice with all sink installations.

Lesser quality sinks made from thin stainless steel will generally not support a modern tap. Considerable leverage can be exerted when the nozzle of the tap has pressure placed upon it and this transfers to the bade of the tap, where it is fastened to the stainless steel sink. Users will find that the leverage buckles the steel and the tap will feel as if it is going to break. Users of Sergio Sinkware will not experience tap wobble. All Sergio Sinkware has excellent gauge stainless and Cabro recognise that the high use rate of a sink necessitates that it is equal in quality to the other hardware installed.

A ceramic cartridge is a disc mechanism designed to provide more water flow and a smoother water temperature mix by enhancing control when moving the lever from hot to cold.

WELS is New Zealands Water Efficency Labeling Scheme. The WELS is mandated by Consumer Information Standards (Water Efficiency) Regulations 2010 made under the Fair Trading Act 1986. The Regulations come into force on 1 April 2011. This means that all water-using equipment and products imported or manufactured in New Zealand on or after 1 April 2011 must comply with the Regulations. Products imported or manufactured in New Zealand before 1 April 2011 must display a WELS label by 1 April 2013. WELS does not apply to second-hand products.

The WELS label displays two key pieces of information:
• a star rating (out of six) indicating relative water efficiency
• a water consumption or water flow figure.

For more information about the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme and the Regulations please visit www.waterefficiency.govt.nz