Bathroom Taps
Introduction
The selection of bathroom taps available on the market today should comfortably satisfy all tastes and budgets and match any bathroom design scheme. This therefore means that the final choice simply comes down to aesthetic appearance and functionality. The following guide explains all the key variables to help you confidently select the right tap for your needs.
- Before diving straight to tap brochures, consider first the washbasin/bath/bidet you have chosen for (or currently have in) your bathroom. Remember that if you’re fitting a new tap in an existing fixture, or have purchased a fixture with pre-drilled tap holes, you should choose a tap that requires the same number of holes to help simplify the installation.
Types of bathroom tap
Fundamentally there are three variables governing the design of taps;
- The number of faucets from which water flows.
- The number of holes that need to be in the washbasin/bath/bidet or wall.
- The number of valves controlling the flow of water.
Once you have decided your preference for each of these factors, the choice of tap becomes a more manageable proposition.
Tap styles and finishes
Nowadays, the range of options for bathroom faucets in both contemporary and traditional designs is almost endless, and having chosen a style there is then the consideration of colour.
The majority of bathroom taps are fashioned in brass which can then be enamelled or metal plated with high gloss or matt finishes such as chrome, nickel, polished brass, pewter, silk steel and antique gold.
More expensive models are made of solid stainless steel, which can be polished to a high shine or brushed to create a low sheen finish. Although these are more expensive, they are more hard-wearing than their cheaper alternatives which will eventually lose their plated finish.
Water pressure requirements
Before selecting your tap, you should establish the level of water pressure you have in the bathroom. This is because many taps require high pressure to function correctly.
Unless the cold water is supplied to your bathroom direct from the rising main at mains pressure (approx. 2.0 bar), which is unlikely, both the hot and cold water pressure must be above 1.0 bar if they are to supply a high pressure tap. If below this, you will only be able to drive a low pressure tap to function properly.
The hot water from your heating system (boiler) will be at high pressure if you have one of the following;
- An unvented (pressurised) system, wherein mains cold water directly supplies all cold taps and also travels direct to the hot water cylinder, keeping it at high pressure.
- A combination boiler, which is fed by the mains and heats hot water as you use it.
- A gravity fed system with a pump added to increase water pressure to more than 1.0 bar.
If you have an unpumped gravity-fed system, where the cold water tank is less than 10 metres above the tap, you should use a low pressure bathroom tap. You can of course add a pump to your system to boost the pressure, which will increase your choice of tap considerably.
- Generally speaking, single lever 'mixer' taps require high water pressure, while pillar taps and taps with two handles to control water flow (often referred to as 'fillers') can function with low pressure.
Fitting a bathroom tap
Although it's not necessarily the toughest plumbing challenge, some basic knowledge is still required to successfully fit a new bathroom tap. If you are in any doubt as to your abilities in this regard then always consult a professional plumber.
- Find a Plumber near you
Further information and useful links
- Find a Bathroom Showroom near to you
- Find a Bathroom Fitter near you
- Find a Bathroom Fixtures & Fittings supplier near you
- Find a Bathroom Taps & Shower supplier near you
- Find a Plumber near you
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