How to install a kitchen or bathroom tap

 

Are you thinking of renovating or modernising your kitchen or bathroom? If it has been a while since you last replaced your faucets, you will be in for a pleasant surprise: today's versions are more durable and trouble-free than their predecessors, and their sink-free design means fewer leaks and repairs.

Replacing an old tap

When choosing a new faucet, make sure that it works with the holes in the existing faucet. Most likely, the holes in the current tap are central, diffuse or single hole. If your faucet currently has one spout and two handles for hot and cold water on a common base, it is a central faucet (note that there will be three holes under the faucet). Diffuse taps will have a separate spout and valves for hot and cold water, each with its own base. Single-hole taps have only one spout and handle in one base.

Plan the colour and style of your new tap to match the decor, accessories and worktop of your kitchen or bathroom. There are numerous colours available. The most popular choices are various finishes of chrome, nickel and stainless steel, among others.

Remove the existing tap

Before starting, turn off the water to the appliance by turning the hot and cold water valves located under the sink.

Open the tap to drain the water remaining in the pipes.

Use an adjustable spanner to disconnect the water supply lines.

Then unscrew the cord mounting nuts and remove the tap base from the sink.

Clean the now exposed surface underneath with a mild detergent, rag, brush or sponge, depending on how dirty it is.

Insert new tap

Insert the new tap into the empty opening where the old tap used to be.

Grout the base of the tap with silicone or plumber's putty.

Move the tap into position, ensuring that the base is parallel to the back of the sink.

Now press the tap firmly into place so that it is firmly sealed to the sink.

Scrape any excess grout from the surface of the tap.

Allow the putty to harden.

Make connections

Using the sink spanner or orange-beak pliers, connect the metal friction washers to the knob under the sink. Then fasten the mounting nuts.

Reconnect the water supply

Now that the supply pipes are attached to the sink, connect them to the water source at the shut-off valves using compression fittings.

Tighten the mounting nuts, first by hand and then with an adjustable spanner, turning them 1/4 turn to make sure they are not too tight.

Call the Emergency Plumber in Southampton. We are 24 hours available.