Fitting and removal of a wash-hand basin tap

Basin, shower and bath taps are among the most important parts of sanitary fittings. They’re what actually let you use the fixtures that enable everyday hygiene with water. Let’s take a closer look at how a tap is built and learn how to install it properly, take it apart, and replace its most important parts. If you’re ready to discover the ins and outs of sanitary solutions, read on.

When and how to dismantle a basin tap?

Contrary to appearances, a basin tap is easy to take apart. You’ll mainly dismantle its components in two situations. First – when you want to replace a part with a new one, e.g. due to a fault. Second – when you want to thoroughly clean a specific element of the fitting of limescale that has built up on its internal surfaces or on the aerator.

Before dismantling a basin tap, first shut off the water supply to the building. This will help you avoid flooding your own bathroom or, if you live in a block, your neighbour’s. It’s also a good idea to have a bowl and cloths ready so you can protect the basin from small parts dropping into the waste and quickly mop up water as you remove the tap using the appropriate tools (an Allen key, an adjustable spanner and an open-ended spanner). For decorative finishes it’s also important to fit rubber covers on the tools to protect the fitting from scratches and other damage.

How to replace the cartridge in a basin tap?

In some cases, such as squeaking, a leaking tap, dripping, seepage at the body joint, or the handle not moving smoothly, you’ll need to replace the tap cartridge. To do this, use an Allen key to undo the grub screw located just under the cap at the front of the tap. After removing the handle and the cartridge cover, use an open-ended spanner to loosen the retaining nut. Once that’s done, you can fit a new cartridge from the same manufacturer, matched to the specific model.

Which valve and thread should you choose for a basin tap?

The size of the basin valve and the thread size on the connector nuts of the flexi hoses are closely related. Regardless of the model, the thread mentioned should be the same as on the angle isolation valves, whose main job is to shut off the water supply to the tap. The most common thread size is 3/8 inch. When buying, make sure all parts are compatible with each other and with the specific basin tap. For this reason, getting the new part from the same manufacturer can be extremely helpful.

How to fit a tap?

Before fitting a tap to a bathroom basin, check the condition of the plumbing. If there are any leaks, repair them first. After a thorough inspection, determine the height of the pipes so you can choose a basin tap model that fits. Once that’s done, you can move on to installation. Start by screwing the hot and cold flexi hoses into the tap body, along with the fixing stud and collars. Place the tap in the designated opening, then from underneath slide the seals and the special mounting plates onto the fixing stud. After tightening the plates and connecting the flexi hoses to the hot and cold supply pipes, do a final leak check.

At what height should a basin tap be installed?

Depending on the model – wall-mounted or deck-mounted – the installation and height of a basin tap will differ. This depends mainly not on the user’s individual preferences but on where the pipes are. If they’re located above the basin, a wall-mounted model is ideal. Otherwise, it’s better to choose a deck-mounted style. Importantly, a countertop basin needs a slightly taller tap of this type so the water stream can reach the bowl without issue.

As you’ve probably noticed, installing, replacing and dismantling a basin tap isn’t complicated. You can do it yourself. You just need the right tools and accessories and to correctly match the thread to the valve and the specific model.