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 tap that contains a ceramic disc cartridge is fitted with a device which improves the actual performance of the tap and makes it last longer. This is like a valve which works with two ceramic discs that open and close to increase or decrease water flow, or mix hot and cold water.

If the tap is marked as ‘quarter turn’ it means that it can be switched on or off by as little as a quarter of a turn and a tap which is thermostatically controlled can be set to keep the water at a safe temperature. This will save money by only heating water to the required temperature and it is a safety feature for children and the elderly.

Take special note of the recommendations with regards to water pressure because different basin taps require different minimum water pressure to operate properly. A high pressure tap needs a pressure of 0.5 bar or more if it is to work properly and a low pressure tap will only work at 0.2 bar or above.

If you unsure about your water pressure, or need further advice about suitable basin taps for your bathroom water system, ask for professional advice before buying. A good quality designer basin tap can be an expensive item which you will live with for a very long time, so it is important to get the very best for your particular system.

Taps are the most used items in the bathroom, so they need to be hardwearing, easy to use and stylish. Bright, shiny taps reflect light all around your bathroom and make it literally sparkle, so they are a key factor in bathroom design.

Chrome is the most popular finish because it is easy to clean and reflects light well, although other materials are available. The choice goes from traditional basin tap styles to super modern mixers to finish off minimalist designer bathrooms.

Taps need to be matched to the style of basin that you choose. For example a basin with three pre-drilled holes is designed for a basin mixer tap, and some basins like the vessel type require a tap with a high spout, or a wall mounted tap positioned correctly. If in doubt consult you supplier before attempting to match taps to a basin. It is not always simple.

A good quality tap will last for many years so choose a style that you will continue to like. Also make sure that you opt for a solid metal tap with ceramic discs in the cartridge. It is a waste of money to buy cheap basin taps because they get a lot of wear and will start to look old very soon. If money is a consideration it might be wise to try to save some money on something else in the bathroom instead of fitting cheap taps to your basin.

When choosing your bath taps be certain to check the quality, particularly if you are buying for the long term. Chromium-plated brass taps are the most durable. Also check that the taps you are considering will fit the holes in your chosen appliance.

Choosing the right bath taps is an important step when it comes to finalising your bathroom furniture. Whether you are aiming for a bathroom refurbishment, or simply looking to replace those old looking bath taps, there are many factors that could influence your final decision including style, appearance, durability and price.

If you’re installing a new bath, it’s much easier to fit the new bath taps before the unit is put into position as this will provide easier access to hard-to-reach nuts.

When replacing bath taps, you will want to use the existing plumbing if possible, but disconnecting old, corroded fittings can be difficult. Apply some penetrating oil to the tap connectors and the back nuts that clamp the bath taps to the bath. While the oil takes effect, shut off the cold and hot water supply to the taps.

Even when you have disconnected the pipe work and back-nut, you may find that the bath taps are stuck in place with putty. Break the seal by striking the bath tap tails lightly with a wooden mallet. Clean the remnants of putty from around the holes in the bath and then fit new bath taps.

Isolate the tap from the water supply; you may have to close off at the mains, but use the servicing valve on the tap’s supply pipe if there is one. To avoid losing any small bits, put the plug in the bath or sink. Prize the decorative badge off the top of the tap and undo the retaining screw beneath. To protect the tap, wrap a cloth around it and hold it firmly in place with a large adjustable spanner. Unscrew the large brass headgear nut with a second spanner; you might have to give it a good squirt of WD40 if it’s seized. The tap’s rubber washer, the culprit causing the drip, will be on the headgear’s underside. Remove it, throw it away, replace with a new one of the same size and screw the headgear back into place, taking care not to over-tighten.

If you’ve still got a drip, take the headgear off again and look into the base of the tap and remove any limescale. If there’s a scratch, you’ll need to remove it with a re-seating tool. Just attach it to the tap and rotate it until the scratch or the debris has gone.

Have you considered the range of designs now available for that perennial favourite, the two-handled model? Sleek Italian or chunky Victorian designs, choose one that is right for the overall look of your bathroom and your domestic needs. For example, a centre-mounted tap would be ideal for households with children.
 
The finish of your tap is another important consideration. Nickel-plated taps are difficult to clean and easily lose their shine. A chrome fixture would be better or what about solid brass taps? Simple and elegant, they can add a touch of elegance to any bathroom and work especially well if you have wooden bathroom accessories. Be sure to match them with your lavatory handle or toilet roll holder.

Sleek and minimal design is the latest trend for modern bathrooms and you will find that the majority of choices will come in a chrome finish, with brass usually the second most common choice. Single taps (also known as single-bloc mixers) are easily the most sought after when it comes to bath taps as they save the hassle of mixing hot and cold water from different taps. However, if you are hoping to add one of these to an older-style bath, you may run into the problems if the taps were originally separate.

Of course, one way to overcome this is to purchase a split single-hole mixer – where the hot and cold pipes enter from where the original  taps were placed – but also well worth considering, especially if you want to go for the most modern look, is to install wall-mounted bath taps. Not only will it give a stylish finish to your bathroom, but there will also be less cleaning involved around the base of the tap.

If you want to add a showerhead to your bath taps, there will still be a wide range available to complement any style, and these can also come wall-mounted.

There is a wide range of traditional basin taps on the market, which can mean making a decision can be quite difficult, but most of these are separated into different categories, depending on the style – and time period – from which they have been designed. Victorian taps are ideal for a real 1800’s-style bathroom suite, but Edwardian fittings have proven to be the most popular, and are one of the more common traditional styles displayed in bathroom showrooms.

As well as the variety in different basin tap designs there are also plenty of different manufacturers offering an array of products. If you are looking for new bathroom accessories as well as bath and basin taps, it will be recommended to stick to the same brand, as even though they are all trying to replicate the same style, there will be slight variances between manufacturers.

Many people start off with one feature when designing their traditional bathroom, such as a roll top bath or bathroom sink, and it is important that you find the right basin taps – as well as bathroom furniture – to suit.