Installation and dismantling of the basin mixer tap

Basin, shower and bath mixer taps are among the most important components of sanitaryware. Thanks to them, you can actually use the fixtures that enable everyday hygiene with water. So let’s take a closer look at their construction and learn how to install them properly, dismantle them and replace their most important parts. If you’re ready to delve into the ins and outs of sanitary solutions, read on.

When and how should you dismantle a basin tap?

Contrary to appearances, a basin mixer tap is easy to take apart. Dismantling its individual components is mainly required in two cases. 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 fitting component of limescale deposited on its inner walls or on the so-called aerator, i.e. scale formed as a result of hard water.

Before dismantling a basin mixer 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 of flats—your neighbour’s. It’s also a good idea to prepare a bowl and some cloths, which will help prevent small parts from falling into the waste and quickly collect any water from the basin mixer tap once dismantled using the appropriate tools (Allen key, adjustable spanner and open-ended spanner). For decorative components, it is also very important to fit rubber covers to the above-mentioned tools to protect the fitting from scratches and other damage.

How do you replace the cartridge in a basin tap?

In some cases, such as squeaking, a dripping tap, dribbles, a leak at the joint with the body or impaired smoothness of handle operation, it is necessary to replace the cartridge in the tap with a new one. To do this, use an Allen key to undo the grub screw located directly under the front cap of the tap. After removing the cartridge cover, the next step is to use an open-ended spanner to unscrew the retaining nut. Once these steps are complete, you can replace the cartridge with a new one from the same manufacturer and dedicated to the specific model.

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

The valve size for the basin and the thread size on the connection nuts of the flexible hoses are closely interdependent. Regardless of the model, the above-mentioned thread should be identical to the one on the angle valves, whose most important job is to shut off the water supply to the tap. A commonly encountered thread size is 3/8 inch. When purchasing, ensure that all components are compatible both with each other and with the specific basin mixer tap. Therefore, it can be extremely helpful to buy the new part from the same manufacturer.

How do you install a tap?

Before installing a tap in a bathroom basin, check the condition of the plumbing. If there are any leaks, they must be repaired first. After a thorough inspection, it is also necessary to determine the height of the pipes. This is done to choose the correct model of basin mixer tap. Once these steps are complete, you can proceed with installing the tap. To begin with, screw the cold and hot water flexible hoses into the tap body, along with the fixing screw and escutcheons. Then place the tap in the designated position, and from underneath fit the gaskets and special mounting brackets onto the mounting bolt. After tightening the brackets and connecting the hoses to the hot and cold supply pipes, it is worth finally checking the system for leaks.

At what height should a basin tap be installed?

Depending on the type—wall-mounted or deck-mounted—the installation and height of a basin mixer tap will differ. This depends mainly not so much on the user’s individual preferences as on the routing of the pipes. When these are located above the basin, a wall-mounted model works perfectly. In the opposite case, it is worth opting for a deck-mounted style. Importantly, a countertop basin requires this type of tap to be a little higher to allow the water stream to reach the bowl without any trouble.

As you’ve probably noticed, installing, replacing and dismantling any basin mixer tap is not complicated. You can do it yourself. You just need to equip yourself with the right tools and accessories and correctly match the thread to the valve and the specific model.