Guide to buying bathroom taps
Guide to buying bathroom taps
Introduction
Whether you’re replacing old taps with new ones or buying them as part of a bathroom refit, there are some important things to consider besides the aesthetics.
In this guide to buying bathroom taps, we run through all the essential things you need to know about basin and bath taps. It includes how to choose the right bathroom taps, the different types of taps available and the choice of handles and colours. It also covers other bathroom tap parts you may need and advises on installation and maintenance. Finally, it lists the key things to consider before buying bathroom taps and answers some frequently asked questions.
Choosing the Right Bathroom Taps
Before buying taps, there are a few things to check to ensure you get the best bathroom taps for your needs.
First, is the tap needed for a bath or basin? This is important because basin and bath taps are slightly different, although they can look the same (see the next section for more detail).
Next, check whether the bath or basin has holes already drilled out for the taps to fit in and if so, are there one or two holes? This will determine the types of taps you can choose. For example, if there are no holes, you’ll need a wall mounted or freestanding tap (unless it’s a bath you can drill holes into). If there’s one hole, you’ll need a mono mixer tap. And where there are two holes, you’ll need pillar taps or a mixer tap that uses two tap holes.
Finally, think about what spout size is needed. Spouts vary in height, the length they protrude over the sink and the angle at which they project water. As a rule of thumb, the spout needs to reach as far as the plug hole and should be high enough and far enough away from the edge of the basin that hands, and any other items used, will fit underneath.
Basin and Bath Taps
Bathroom taps are split into two categories: basin taps and bath taps. Bath taps are bigger than basin taps, allowing water to flow through at a higher rate so that they can fill baths quickly. Basin taps are smaller and come in different sizes to suit small cloakroom basins and larger bathroom basins.
Basin and bath taps come in various traditional and modern designs as many people look to match their taps to the style of their bathroom décor. If you’re buying taps for a basin and bath at the same time, you can purchase bathroom tap sets that include bath and basin taps in matching designs.
Types of Taps
There are many types of bathroom taps to choose from, so it’s important to understand all the options before buying.
This section lists the different types of taps available, looks at their pros and cons, and explains what situation they are best suited to.
Mixer taps explained
Mixer taps supply hot and cold water separately, but they mix the flow and deliver it out of one spout. There are several types of bathroom mixer taps available, and they can control the water in different ways:
Basin mixer: this tap has separate handles for the hot and cold supply, so they can turn on and off independently if necessary. They are suitable for basins with one tap hole.
Basin mono mixer: this tap has a single lever that controls the flow (by lifting it) and temperature (by moving it left and right). They are suitable for basins with one tap hole.
Bath filler: this tap is designed to fill baths quickly. There are two types available. One type needs two tap holes, has separate handles for the hot and cold supply and one spout to deliver the mixed water. The other type uses one tap hole and a single lever to control the water flow and temperature.
Bath shower mixer: this tap combines a bath filler tap with a shower hose attachment. It works by using a lever and diverter valve to divert the flow of water away from the tap spout and through the shower hose instead. Bath shower mixer taps fit baths with two tap holes.
There are many pros to installing mixer taps. They provide better control over the water temperature as it flows from the tap, so scolds and burns can be avoided. They’re more convenient than separate taps when filling a bath as it’s easier to get the mix of hot and cold water right compared to using separate taps. And people tend to use less hot water when mixing it into a single flow, which helps save money on energy bills and is better for the environment.
Due to their convenience, mixer taps are ideal for all homes, particularly where there are small children. And bath shower mixer taps offer more flexibility for bathing and cleaning and can be very handy for washing kids’ hair while in the bath or washing pets.
Mixer taps are available in various configurations. For example, basin mono mixers, bath fillers and bath shower mixers are sold separately. Or you can buy bathroom mixer taps in sets, such as basin mixer and bath filler and basin mixer and bath shower mixer sets.
Pillar taps explained
Pillar taps are separate taps that come in pairs: one to supply hot water and one to supply cold water, operating independently of each other. There are basin pillar taps and bathroom pillar taps available in traditional and modern designs, and they will only fit in baths and basins with two tap holes.
One advantage of pillar taps is that they tend to be cheaper than other types of taps and are easy to install. But you can’t control the hot water temperature beyond the settings on the home’s boiler, which means there is a risk of scolding when using hot water straight from the tap. However, you can mix hot and cold water in the bath or basin to get the right temperature.
Pillar taps are not recommended for homes with small children due to the risk of scolding. However, they suit homes with traditional-style bathrooms. And they’re the only choice if you are replacing old pillar taps in a basin with two tap holes.
High-rise mixer taps explained
A high-rise mixer tap is a mixer tap that has a longer than average neck. They’re designed specifically for use with countertop basins which have no tap holes. Instead, the tap is mounted into the worktop, behind or to the side of the basin.
As with all mixer taps, high-rise taps provide better control over the water temperature as it flows from the tap, so scolds and burns can be avoided. This makes them ideal for homes with small children. Most high-rise mixer taps come in designs that are ideal for modern and contemporary bathrooms.
Wall mounted taps explained
Wall mounted taps are installed on the wall behind baths or basins rather than into the bath or basin itself. They’re designed for either countertop basins, freestanding baths with at least one end placed against a wall, or a bath with no tap holes. Most wall mounted taps are mixer taps, and the spout and handles often come as separate components which are all connected behind the wall.
Wall mounted taps are modern and sleek and are ideal for contemporary and minimalist bathrooms. They’re also easier to clean than other types of taps because grime has no flat surfaces to build up on around the neck of the tap. The only downside is that they are more challenging to install due to the drilling of holes in the wall and tiles and having to hide the plumbing work.
Waterfall taps
A waterfall tap is a mixer tap with a wide, open-topped spout. When turned on, water flows along the spout and cascades into the bath or basin like a waterfall, providing a calming and relaxing effect. They’re available in various options, such as high-rise, wall-mounted or bath/basin-mounted versions.
Waterfall taps have all the advantages of any mixer tap. Most tend to be contemporary in design, but there are some classic styles too. They’re perfect for anyone who wants to add a touch of luxury to their bathroom.
explained
Freestanding taps explained
A freestanding tap is a mixer tap mounted on standpipes that rise from the floor. They’re designed specifically for use with freestanding baths which have no tap holes. Instead, the tap is mounted to the floor, behind or to the side of the tub.
Freestanding taps have all the advantages of any mixer tap. Plus, you have the flexibility of being able to place them almost anywhere you want around the bath. They’re available in traditional and contemporary styles and add a feeling of luxury to a bathroom. The only con is they are more difficult to install because the plumbing has to be hidden in the floor.
Commercial taps explained
Commercial taps are designed for heavy-duty use in environments such as hospitals, schools, public toilets and kitchens. They’re available as mixer and pillar taps and come in various designs, from functional pillar taps to modern mixer taps, so there are options to suit any setting.
The range of commercial taps often includes brands well-known for their reliability. And reliability is essential because they’ll get higher-than-average use compared to a tap in a home.
Bathroom Tap Handles Explained
Taps have one or two handles to turn the water on and off, and some have handles that control the temperature too.
There are many different types of tap handles available. Here are some of the most common:
- Cross head: these handles have four metal rods protruding from the centre, creating a cross shape. They operate using a twisting mechanism, and they can turn the water on and off and increase/decrease its flow.
- Lever: these handles have a single lever which can operate either by moving them up and down or side to side. Some lever handles only turn the water on and off and increase/decrease its flow. While levers on a mono mixer tap move up and down to control water flow and side to side to adjust the temperature.
- Push button: these handles consist of a knob, which pushes down to turn the tap on. They have a self-closing mechanism, so the knob slowly rises on its own to turn the water off after a set amount of time. Push button handles are a feature of some commercial taps designed to stop people from leaving taps running.
- Round head: these handles have a knob-shaped head, sometimes with subtle indentations around the sides to help with grip. They operate using a twisting mechanism, and they can turn the water on and off and increase/decrease its flow.
- Sensor: taps with sensors don’t have any handles. Instead, they have an infrared sensor built into their neck. When someone’s hands are placed under the tap's spout, the sensor detects the movement and turns the tap on. Sensors are usually found on commercial taps, and their touch-free operation is designed to curb the spread of germs.
- Square head: these taps have a square-shaped knob head which operates using a twisting mechanism to turn the water on and off and increase/decrease its flow. Some square head taps have a lever on the head and operate by turning the lever left and right.
Bathroom Tap Colours
When choosing a tap colour, most people pick something to match the style of their décor. The most popular colour is chrome effect as it works well in any style of bathroom. But also available is silver effect, which has a shinier, more metallic look than chrome. For an ultra-contemporary and sleek look, there are black taps. Or choose gold effect taps for period-style bathrooms. They have the look of traditional brass fittings but with a high-gloss finish.
What Bathroom Tap Parts do you Need?
Most bathroom taps come with everything you need to fit them. However, there are a few instances where you may need to buy extra plumbing parts to make the tap fit with the existing plumbing, such as flexible hoses, washers and PTFE tape. It’s also possible to purchase reviver kits and tap spares to repair or update broken or tired-looking taps.
Installation and Maintenance of Bathroom Taps
Replacing or installing a new tap can be difficult, so you may need a professional plumber, especially if pipework needs rerouting. Also, consider whether floorboards need to be removed to access pipes to fit freestanding taps and whether holes need to be drilled into the wall to fit wall-mounted taps. Hiring a plumber will ensure everything’s installed and plumbed in correctly, so there are no leaks or problems in the future. A professional can remove and fit a bath/basin mounted tap in around thirty minutes, and it may take a few hours to install a wall mounted or freestanding tap.
Once the taps are fitted, follow these cleaning and maintenance tasks to keep them looking and working like new:
- Clean the taps with a damp cloth and mild cleanser – always check the cleanser used is suitable for the tap’s finish.
- Dry the taps off with a cloth after every use.
- Use a limescale remover weekly to prevent a build-up.
- Clean the tap's cartridge periodically to maintain performance (remove the cartridge and soak it in a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar for 10 minutes).
Key Considerations When Buying Bathroom Taps
The information above should help you decide which are the best bathroom taps for your needs. But there are a few more things to consider before making your final choice:
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What is your water pressure like?
The performance of bathroom taps can depend on the water pressure in the home. Some taps are designed for both high and low water pressure, while others only work in homes with high water pressure. So, the tap you buy must be compatible with the house's water pressure.
Homes with gravity-fed bathroom taps (i.e., a cold water storage tank in the loft and a hot water storage cylinder in the airing cupboard) are considered to be low-pressure systems. However, homes with combi boilers or unvented water systems (where there’s hot water storage but no cold water storage) are considered to be high-pressure systems. -
What kind of spout do you need?
Basin tap spouts vary in height, the length they protrude over the sink and the angle at which they project water. The type of spout you choose will depend on the size of the sink, where it’s located and the space available in the bathroom. Generally, the spout needs to reach as far as the plug hole and should be high enough and far enough away from the edge of the basin that hands, and any other items used, will fit underneath. But also consider whether the tap needs to fit under shelving or how far someone may need to lean over to reach the tap (i.e., if the basin is on a countertop). -
What sort of finish are you looking for?
Taps come in a variety of finishes, from chrome and silver effect to black and gold effect. When choosing the finish of bathroom taps, consider the style and décor of the bathroom and its fixtures. For example, chrome and silver effects work beautifully with all styles of bathrooms, while black is perfect for a contemporary room and gold effect gives a period look. -
What about ceramic disc technology?
Taps with this technology have two ceramic discs inside instead of rubber washers and feed pipes. In addition, the discs have slots which only allow water to flow through when the two slots align. This gives the user greater control over the water flow, improves the tap's efficiency, and helps save water. The discs are also more resilient to wear and tear than rubber washers and never need to be replaced.