Tools for the job

To fit a new bathroom tap you will need the following;

Fitting tips

• If necessary, cut tap hole(s) into the fixture. Cover the area with masking tape and make a small hole in the centre with a centre punch. Use increasingly large drills (masonry bits must be used for ceramic, metal bits for GRP plastic) on this hole to widen the gap to accommodate the tap(s).
• Turn off the cold AND hot water supply, and if you’re removing an existing tap, turn the bathroom tap(s) on until the water flow stops to drain this pipework as much as possible.
• Use the basin wrench to undo supply connections, with some release oil if necessary. Undo existing tap fixings and remove the taps, clearing any residual sealing compound.
• Compare the diameter of the supply pipe to the new tap pipework, and attach reducing couplers where necessary.
• Assemble the new tap through the hole in the fixture, using silicone sealant if no washers are supplied, and hand tighten the back nut while ensuring the spout is pointing in the right direction.
• To fit a wall-mounted tap, any pipework in the wall should utilise plastic pipes wherever possible, and any copper pipes should be protected by plastic or insulating material to avoid corrosion caused by concrete and plaster.
• Adjust the length and position of any supply pipes as necessary, and connect the tap to the supplies with tap connectors. Be sure to connect the correct supplies to each pipe - i.e. hot to hot and cold to cold! Tighten all connections.
• Ensure all copper piping is 'still earth bonded' according to IEE Wiring Regulations. Since water is a good electrical conductor, any electrical leakage (from a faulty circuit) will use any moisture to travel to earth. To prevent electrocution, all metal parts must be connected together with an earth wire (min 4mm) via an earth clamp which will collect current/voltage from the leak and equalise it around the metal parts. The other end of the earth wire should be connected to a local earth such as a close socket.
• Switch the water supplies back on and test the tap, checking for any signs of leakage.

• Building Regulations Part P: Electrical Safety

Further information and useful links

• Types of bathroom tap
• Key variables of bathroom tap design
• Introduction to bathroom taps
• More bathroom topics

• Find a Bathroom Showroom near to you
• Find a Bathroom Fixtures & Fittings supplier near you
• Find a Bathroom Taps & Shower supplier near you

• Water Regulations Guide - (wras.co.uk)
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology for IEE regulations - (theiet.org)