A Guide to Replacing Kitchen Taps | Plumbworld
Has your kitchen tap seen better days? Perhaps it’s started leaking, or you fancy switching it out for a different colour or style. No matter the reason for replacing your kitchen tap, we’re here to take you through installing your new tap, step by step.
The Importance of Replacing Kitchen Taps
Over time, regular day-to-day use can take its toll on your kitchen tap, leading to a build-up of limescale, leaks and even a reduction in water pressure. Sometimes you may be able to fix these issues on your current tap, but as time goes on, these problems are likely to rear their heads again and this is when you know it’s time to replace your kitchen tap.
Replacing your kitchen tap can solve the issues mentioned above and add a fresh lease of life to your kitchen, especially when you upgrade your tap instead of replacing it like for like.
What Tools Do I Require
Before you remove your existing tap, ensure you have the following tools to hand:
- Manufacturer's installation instructions
- New tap
- Adjustable spanner/wrench
- Grips
- Screwdriver
- PTFE tape (optional)
- A cloth or old towel (to wipe up any leaks)
How to Replace Kitchen Taps
Replacing a kitchen tap might seem daunting, especially if you haven't done it before, but if you follow our step-by-step instructions, you should be well on your way to fitting your new kitchen tap.
However, before purchasing a new tap you should ensure it’s suitable for your current set-up. Generally, if you have a kitchen mixer tap, suitable for one tap hole, you should be able to replace it like for like. However, if you currently have kitchen pillar taps and wish to change to a kitchen mixer tap, work to your current system, and a new sink might be necessary.
Removing Your Old Tap
- Turn off the water supply and clear anything from under the sink to give you clear access.
- Turn on the kitchen tap as well as others around the house to fully drain the system of any remaining water.
- Time to remove your current tap. To do this you need to unscrew the two flexi tails from the mains water pipes with your adjustable spanner and grips but remember to make a note of which is hot, and which is cold.
- You now need to unscrew your tap from the mounted surface by removing the attached nut. This can be a tricky job as it can be difficult to access. It’s also best to get someone to hold the tap above whilst you unscrew the nut, helping to prevent any damage to the sink.
- Once you’ve removed your old tap, you may find your sink is slightly marked and grubby where the old tap was fitted. Give this a quick wipe before installing your new tap.
Fitting Your New Tap
- Now comes the exciting part, fitting your new tap. To fit the flexi tails to your new tap (these should be included with your new tap) simply screw each one in hand tight, making sure to insert hot and cold into the correct holes. Generally hot should be on the left and cold on the right.
- At this point, you will also need to attach your threaded rod or bar which will fit into the third and final hole in the base of your new tap. Insert until hand tight and then tighten slightly with a screwdriver.
- Make sure your O ring is fitted at the base of the tap. This will fit nicely between the base of the tap and your sink.
- Next, insert your new tap into the tap hole. You will likely need to fit each flexi tail through one at a time. Once inserted, make sure to fit washers on the underside of the sink. These should be included in the package with your new tap.
- You can now attach and tighten the final fixing nut, making sure the tap is in the correct position first. It's a good idea to get someone to hold the tap in place from above, as this will help to avoid unwanted movement.
- Now it’s time to connect your flexible tails back to the hot and cold pipes. It’s a good idea to tighten the nuts until hand tight, then check you have no kinks in your flexible tails before fully tightening with an adjustable spanner.
- The next step is to check that everything has been fitted correctly and your new tap is working without any leaks. First, turn the isolation valves back on to allow water to flow once again. Then, turn your new tap on, making sure to test both your hot and cold water supply. If this is working correctly make sure to check for any leaks on the pipes under your sink. If no leaks are found and your tap is working correctly, congratulations, you have successfully fitted your new kitchen tap.
View Our Kitchen Tap Range
At Plumbworld, we stock a wide variety of stylish kitchen taps, in both traditional and contemporary styles, all perfect for carrying out everyday tasks such as washing up and filling the kettle.
We have something for every need and budget, from standard kitchen mixer taps to taps with a pull-out spray and even boiling water taps. To view our full range of kitchen taps, visit our website today.
If you found this post useful, you might also like - Kitchen Taps Buying Guide - Kitchen Cleaning Tips - Easy Kitchen Renovation Tips.
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