Removing Old Taps

This can be the tricky part as quite often access to taps beneath a bath is cramped and limited. The next difficulty you may encounter is that over time the retaining nut on the taps many have become corroded or jammed tight. You may need a little oil or heat to loosen them before taking the old taps out.

Difficult to reach points can be made easier with a tap spanner which makes getting beneath the bath or sink simpler. If you have to cut the pipe try to make it as near to the tap as possible to avoid any additional work.

Once the retaining nut has been taken off, lift the taps clear and clean the surface.

Fitting New Taps

Most modern tap casings sit on top of a rubber washer; mount the taps and gently tighten up the retaining nut. Either extend or shorten the pipes to suit the new mixer taps, connect the pipes and tighten up all the attachments. Mixer taps depend entirely on the tap’s natural water pressure, so if you live in an area with low pressure it might be advisable to fit a pressure booster to give you a good jet of water.

When fitting new pipes occasionally it is more convenient to renew the tails and cut back the existing pipe work. Flexi-tube is also a straightforward way of replacing old copper pipes.

A bathroom basin with one hole in it will take what is called a monobloc tap, which is a mixer tap operated by a single knob or lever. Two tap holes, one on either side at the back of the basin are for standard pillar taps, hot at one side and cold at the other. Three holes in the basin are provided for the fitting of two taps and one spout. It is important to make sure that basin and taps match where the number of holes is concerned.  If you are unsure, then seek professional advice before buying.

If space is at a premium in a very small bathroom, it may be a good idea to use a basin that can be hung on the wall instead of using a pedestal. Sinking a basin into a vanity unit is also a good way of neatening things up and saving space.

The other thing to decide on when choosing the right bathroom basin is how the water will run away. There is the traditional plug hole and rubber plug method, or you may want to go for a more modern looking pop up system.

Rising-spindle taps – with this type of tap a washer is fitted to the base of a spindle, whereby the washer will ascend, allowing a flow of water from the taps. It is a tried and tested mechanism that can last for a long period of time, whether fitted to a bathroom sink or the bathtub.

Non-rising-spindle taps – with regard to this type of tap, they should pose less of a problem in comparison to the rising-spindle bathroom taps, because the mechanism imposes less stress on the washer. In reality, however, given the delicate nature of the spindle thread, this mechanism is subject to wear and has resulted in the displacement of the mechanism over time.

Ceramic-disc taps – in reference to this style of tap, precision-ground ceramic discs are used in preference to the standard rubber option. Used in a two disc format, one disc is set in place and the other disc acts as a rotary mechanism. Once the discs are in alignment the water channels are then opened to receive water through the tap spout. Due to the precision fit of the discs, there is little opportunity for hard water scale or other potential fragments to affect the performance of the mechanism.

Types of tap that include these mechanisms are capstan-head taps, which are produced for period style bathrooms, lever-head taps, which are useful for those who have difficulty in using other bathroom taps and mixer taps where hot and cold water are channelled to allow water flow through a common spout.

Finding the right location for your bathroom sink will be the primary concern and wherever you choose it is recommended that the pipes connected to the sink are no more than 3 metres away from the main waste drain. When installing the pipe work there should be a fall of at least a quarter of an inch for every foot of pipe.

Most bathroom sinks are installed at a position between 28 and 32 inches from the ground and it is recommended that you carefully mark measurements on the wall with a pencil and use a spirit level for accuracy.

When connecting the fittings, such as the basin taps, it is best to do this before putting the sink permanently into place. If you block off access to the rear of the basin it will prove more difficult to fit the taps correctly.

Basin taps and drainage pipes should be connected to the sink with the correct fittings, and the proper washers and sealant should be used. It is vital that the drainage pipe is fitted correctly in order for the overflow system to function properly. Also worth noting is that there is a British Standard for your basin taps as well as the bathroom sink, so make sure all components meet these requirements.

When it comes to finish, chrome is easily the most common in the budget range, whereas other finishes, such as brass, will be more expensive. Fortunately, simplistic and modern designs are currently the trend, and it is also relatively cheap to manufacture these styles.

If you are stuck for space, and perhaps also want to save money on labour cost, a single bloc mixer (where both the hot and cold water is connected to one tap) will be ideal. However, if your bath has already been fitted with separate taps, it would be worth your while sticking to this style, as the cost of a new bath could be quite high.

Another way that you can save money when designing your bathroom is to have a showerhead connected to your bath taps. Not only will this save you installing a power shower, but you can also forego the cost of having a shower enclosure installed.

When choosing what type of taps and mixers to install in your bathroom, you must consider the other bathroom components available. For instance if what you have is a wash hand basin with a single tap hole then you will need a basin mixer tap. If you are in need of a shower facility over your bath, then the recommendation would be a bath shower mixer. Monobloc mixer taps on the other hand are normally found in use where there is a one tap hole basin while a pair of standard sink taps would normally be found where there is a 2 tap hole sink. With a 3-tap hole sink, a 3-tap hole sink mixer is what would be used.

When purchasing a full bathroom suite, like an Imperial Bathrooms suite for instance, there isn’t much to choose from when it comes to the style or type of tap. With bathroom suites the choice is between standard bath taps and a bath shower mixer, though it depends on the manufacturer or the distributor.

Some medical conditions might also affect the choice of tap. People afflicted with arthritis for instance might have trouble with a smooth tap head and so what is recommended in such cases is a lever tap that is designed for easy gripping.

The choice of tap designs and price range is huge so there should be no problem in finding one that suits your purpose.

Imperial Bathrooms maintain the aesthetic value of all their products. They are created in different styles, shapes, and colours. The products include toilets, baths, basins, shower enclosures, and radiators. They supply almost all your needs for your bathroom. Their look and designs are impressive. You can even choose a product that can blend with the design and colour of your home. The miscellany of products gives you enough options to meet your needs. You may as well think of the needs of your family when purchasing products from Imperial Bathrooms. You can also choose from among these products based on your taste and style. The products are made of highly quality and durable materials. The life-long service is guaranteed. You can compare what you want against the other available products on the market and find none better.

Imperial Bathrooms will give you enjoyment and a feel of luxury. If you move to a new location and need to sell your house, its price can increase because of the Imperial Bathrooms products that you have. The bathroom products do not only increase the value of your house but also beautifies it too.

You have added luxurious products in your house but can still be economical. Products from Imperial Bathrooms come at affordable prices. With them you can have a multifunctional bathroom that can serve you and your family for a lifetime.

Pillar taps are taps which are known in the West as being the standard tap installed in numerous apartments and houses upon construction. A pillar tap only has a single outlet which can either be adjusted for cold or hot water. It is ideally installed on top of tubs or sinks, and can be stylish or simple. Pillar taps comes in stainless steel or ceramic.

If one prefers an average water pressure, mixer taps could be the best option. This type of tap often looks stylish, and is commonly fancied by new homeowners. Mixer taps offer less hassle during installation as they can be set up without redoing the bathroom’s entire plumbing system. In addition, celebrities and other people who want their bathroom to possess an exotic look employ a certain type of mixer tap. This type is apparently more expensive as it utilises nickel, stainless steel, ceramic, silver, gold, and even diamonds. However, this type also has ordinary versions, which are reasonably priced.

Simple yet elegant bathroom taps are also available, and are part of the contemporary designs usually seen in home improvement publications. This type is very resilient and possesses a solid outlook. They are capable of dual-flow (hot and cold) that comes in powerful, constant flow or spray.

Bath taps come in various designs and styles, and choosing a preferred type only depends on one’s imagination.

Lately, trends in interior design have favoured the inclusion of contemporary bathroom taps to give the bathroom a modern feel. Various designs are now available for common taps used in the bathroom like the bath mixer, pillar, and sink tap. Bath mixer taps are used to mix cold and hot water into one pipe where the water flows out from one opening into the bath, basin, or showerhead. Bath mixer taps are the easiest to remodel as they can be replaced without much plumbing work involved. Contemporary designs include shapes that are nickel electroplated, diamond, antique gold, and with polished finish.

Sink taps are the most noticeable taps inside a bathroom, so remodelling them is extremely important. Newer sink taps come in sleek styles and shapes and have a wide variety of colours to match the bathroom interior. Tap styles include dual flow taps for both hot and cold water plus the new tri-flow tap, which comes in a sleek curved style. Pillar taps are the most commonly used taps and can be used for both high and low pressure systems. It consists of a single outlet tap, which pours either hot or cold water into baths and washbasins. The designs come in materials made of limestone, wood, etc. and have elaborate border designs to fit into your bathroom design.

Whatever the motif you choose for your bathroom design, it is important never to leave out the bathroom accessories. With hundreds of designs to choose from, you can turn this extremely functional part of your bathroom into an aesthetic piece.