Basin tap installation

Basin tap installation is needed with a new basin, after a bathroom renovation, or when you have bought a tap and the old one is already off. A tap seems minor, but it gets used a dozen times a day, and one that is loosely tightened or fitted on hoses that are too short starts dripping under the cabinet sooner than you would think.

What installation covers

• checking the tap hole in the basin or worktop and matching the seals;
• seating the tap, tightening it from below and setting it straight to the basin;
• connecting the hoses to the hot and cold isolation valves;
• fitting a click-clack waste or a pop-up rod, if supplied;
• a test: turning on the water, checking for leaks and setting the flow.

Deck-mounted, wall-mounted, concealed

The simplest is a deck-mounted tap on the basin. A wall-mounted tap needs supply points in the wall at the right spacing, and a concealed one needs its body built into the wall before tiling. Countertop basins need a tall tap, or water splashes outside the bowl. Check before buying, because a tap meant for a different type of basin simply will not fit.

What to prepare

The tap with its hoses and waste, working valves under the basin and clear space in the cabinet. If the valves are old and stiff, mention it in the job, as the handyman can replace them at the same time.

Common questions