Used Equipment

Plumbing Diy, Replacing Taps

Plumbing is an aspect of home improvement that often comes about without choice. It is important to take care of the plumbing of your property in order to avoid emergency situations and to ensure that you are getting the best from your plumbing system.

When it comes to replacing taps it can often be more complex than you may realise at first. Replacing taps can either be required as part of the installation of a new bath/basin or because your old taps have worn down. You may, however, just wish to replace your taps simply on a more cosmetic basis.

It is important to understand how many ‘holes’ your sink has when it comes to changing your taps. The amount of holes will determine whether you can install two separate taps or whether you will have just the one serving both your hot and cold needs. If there is one hole you are restricted to the one tap and you will require a mono-bloc mixer when it comes to replacing your taps. With one hole you will have two diameter pipes coming out of the hole, one for hot and one for cold. It there are, however, two holes you are able to fit two separate taps to your sink, giving you a tap for hot water and a tap for cold water.

Ok now you have some basics about what to look for in your pipe work we can move onto the removal of your old taps. The first thing you need to ensure you do is to disconnect the water supply and then turn your taps on fully to drain any water left in your system. The way in which you cut off your water supply depends on what sort of water supply you are dealing with. If connected to the mains you should turn off your indoor stop valve. If your hot and cold taps feed off pipes from a cistern you should have a gate valve/mini stopcock available to turn off. The stop valve can be found alongside the cold water tank.

You should then use a wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to undo the nut, which connects the supply pipes to the taps. You will probably experience some water coming from the pipes at this point so ensure that you have a cloth ready then loosen the nut that is holding the taps in place and remove them from the sink. You then need to clean the area the taps fit into as well as replace any old sealing compound.

Before you go ahead and fit your new taps you need to compare the pipe connections on the old taps to the new taps. If they are longer then you will need a shank adapter in order to make them fit.

When it comes to actually fitting your new taps you have to check to see if the tails of the new taps are plastic. If not a connector is required to prevent damage. One end of the connector fits onto the tail and the other provides a connection to existing pipes. To fit the taps you should position the tap in the mounting hole in the basin, ensuring that the washers are in place between the tap and the sink and when the tap is securely in place the supply pipes can be connected.

When your taps are firmly in place and have been securely connected to the pipes you can then turn your water supply back on. Once your water is on you should check for any leaks; if any appear they can normally be resolved by tightening your joins.

About the Author

Helen is the web master for ARCH Building Solutions who are experts in all aspects of Building Repairs and all aspects of Plumbing.

Please feel free to republish this article providing this resource box remains intact with a working hyperlink to our site.

6-IN-1 POWER ELECTRIC LIGHT OUTLET RECEPTICLE STRIP~LAMPS~PLUGS~TAPS~CONNECTORS $0.99

STEREN UB In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $1.15

STEREN UG In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $1.15

Blackburn WR159 Compression Connector H-Tap Design Contax Prefilled use “O” Die $1.15

Silverlin 3/4″ BSP Hose Tap Connector *1st Class Post* $1.55

THREADED TAP CONNECTOR FOR GARDEN HOSE / PIPE 1/2″ & 3/4″ $1.55

3M Scotchlok Self Stripping Auto-Tap 10 Pcs Suitcase Connector Auto Tap # 905 $1.69

QUICK SPLICE CONNECTOR 10 PC.S 18-14 AWG TAP CONNECTOR $1.95

10PCS SCOTCH LOCK WIRE CRIMP CONNECTOR SPLICE 22-18 GAUGE AWG INSTANT TAP RED $1.99

DYNATEMP E6241 18-14 WIRE INSULATED TAP CONNECTOR 65529 $2.00

12-10 Guage T-Taps & Male Spade Quick Wire Connectors Splice 5 OF Each $2.00

16-14 Guage T-Taps & Male Spade Quick Wire Connectors Splice 5 OF Each $2.00

3M Scotchlok Self Stripping Auto-Tap 25 Pcs Suitcase Connector Auto Tap # 905 $2.15

STEREN 300-073 UB In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.18

STEREN 300-075 UG In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.18

STEREN UB In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.24

STEREN UG In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.24

Blackburn WR289 Compression Connector H-Tap Design Contax Prefilled use “D” Die $2.34

Blackburn WR279 Compression Connector H-Tap Design Contax Prefilled use “d” die $2.34

Standard Indoor / outdoor TAP connector DIRECT to garden hose pipe $2.35

2 pcs STEREN UB In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.37

2 pcs STEREN UG In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $2.37

RadioShack® Tap-in Sqeeze Connectors 6403052 $2.39

Gardeners Quality Jubilee Type Tap Connector – NEW - $2.35

2 WAY HOSE CONNECTOR GARDEN HOSE TAP SPLITTER FITTING $2.49

1/2″ Tap Hose Universal Water Tap Connector Adaptor $2.96

(15) 3M Scotchlok Moisture-Resistant Tap Splice Connectors $2.99

100 BLUE 14-16 GAUGE BUTT WIRE CONNECTORS SPLICE TAP ELECTRICAL WIRING $2.99

MARS 86373 INSULATED PLIER TAP CONNECTORS #18-14 $3.00

50PC HIGH QUALITY NYLON 3M T-TAP CONNECTORS (Yellow) $3.00

50PC HIGH QUALITY NYLON 3M T-TAP CONNECTORS (Blue) $3.00

3/4 ” INCH DUAL UP SNAP-IN “Y” DUAL TAP HOSE CONNECTOR $3.05

4pc GARDEN HOSE PIPE TAP CONNECTOR FITTING ADAPTOR 1/2″ $3.11

Garden Hose Tap Adaptor 3/4 inch Quick Fix Connector $3.11

3M Scotchlok Self Stripping Auto-Tap 50 Pcs Suitcase Connector Auto Tap # 905 $3.20

CARPLAN TRIPLEWAX UNIVERSAL TAP CONNECTOR $3.13

Brass Tone 0.75″ Diameter Gas Tap Connector Adapter $3.27

Brass Tone 0.75″ Diameter Gas Tap Connector Adapter $3.27

25 pcs RED T-TAPS 22-18 AWG CONNECTORS WIRE TAPS $3.32

25 pcs Red T-TAPS 22/18 AWG CONNECTORS WIRE TAPS $3.32

25 pcs Blue T-TAPS 16/14 AWG CONNECTORS WIRE TAPS $3.32

Brass Gas Stove Water Heater Tap Connector Adapter $3.38

UNIVERSAL TAP CONNECTOR CARAVAN & CAMPING ACCESSORIES $3.36

3MR QUICK SPLICE 22-16 AWG TAP CONNECTOR Red THU x 50 $3.42

3MB QUICK SPLICE 18-14 AWG TAP CONNECTOR Blue THU x 50 $3.42

THU 3MB QUICK SPLICE 18-14 TAP CONNECTOR Blue 50 pcs $3.42

QUICK SPLICE 18-14 AWG TAP CONNECTOR Blue 50 pcs/ lot $3.42

QUICK SPLICE 22-16 AWG TAP CONNECTOR Red 50 pcs/ lot $3.42

Brass Gas Stove Water Heater Tap Connector Adapter $3.48

12mm Inner Diameter Gas Tap Brass Connector Adapter $3.48

10 pcs STEREN UB In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $3.48

10 pcs STEREN UG In-Line Tap IDC Splicing Connector $3.48

RED T-Tap Connector 22-18 gauge (100 pc) Pack $3.49

LOT OF 10 – 22-26 AWG UB Wire Tap IDC Splicing Connectors # 130017X $3.50

50PC HIGH QUALITY NYLON 3M T-TAP CONNECTORS (Red) $3.50

Plastic Garden Spray Hose Fitting Tap Quick Adapter Connector $3.56

25 pcs Yellow T-TAPS 12/10 AWG CONNECTORS WIRE TAPS $3.56

BLUE T-Tap Connector 16-14 gauge (100 pc) Pack $3.59

Brass Outside Tap Garden Hose Connector Adaptor Fitting $3.58

Brass Tone 0.75″ Diameter Gas Tap Connector Adapter $3.64

1/2″ Diameter Male Threaded Tap Connector Brass Hose Adapter $3.65

Brass Hose Quick Connect Male Threaded Tap Connector 1/2″ $3.65

Brass Tone 0.75″ Diameter Gas Tap Connector Adapter $3.66

Plastic Garden Spray Hose Fitting Tap Quick Adapter Connector $3.66

Solid Brass Hose Quick Connect NPT 3/4″ Male Threaded Tap Connector $3.66

NPT 3/4″ Male Threaded Quick Connecting Tap Connector Adapter $3.67

PT 3/4″ Diameter Male Threaded Tap Connector Brass Hose Adapter $3.67

12mm Inner Diameter Gas Tap Brass Connector Adapter $3.68

Brass Gas Stove Water Heater Tap Connector Adapter $3.68

PT 3/4″ Diameter Male Threaded Tap Connector Brass Hose Adapter $3.68

Garden Hose Quick Connect Male Threaded Tap Connector PT 3/4″ $3.68

(25) Blue 16-14 Scotch Lock Connectors Terminals T-Tap $3.75

Brass Hose Quick Connect Male Threaded Tap Connector PT 3/4″ $3.78

(15) 3M T-Taps Connector Wire Terminals Combo Pack 3 SZ $3.79

YELLOW T-Tap Connector 12-10 gauge (100 pc) Pack $3.79

Garden Hose Quick Connecting Brass Male Threaded Tap Connector 1/2″ $3.81

Garden Hose Quick Connect Brass NPT 3/4″ Male Thread Tap Connector $3.81

Garden Hose Quick Connect Male Threaded Tap Connector PT 3/4″ $3.82

PT 3/4″ Diameter Male Threaded Tap Connector Brass Hose Adapter $3.82

Brass Hose Quick Connect Male Threaded Tap Connector 1/2″ $3.82

(25) 3M T-TAP Quick Wire Connectors Yellow 12-10 Gauge 953 Car Audio Terminals $3.85

(25) 3M T-TAP 952 Quick Wire Connector Blue 18-14 Gauge AWG Car Audio Terminals $3.85

(25) 3M 951 T-TAP Quick Wire Connectors Red 22-18 AWG Gauge Car Audio Terminals $3.85

(25) 3M T-TAP Quick Wire Connectors Red 22-18 Ga Gauge Car Audio Terminals $3.85

(25) Male Quick Wire Connector Red 22-18 Gauge T-Tap $3.85

(25) Male Quick Wire Connector Yellow 12-10 Gauge T-Tap $3.85

(25) 3M T-TAP Quick Wire Connector Blue 16-14 Ga Gauge $3.85

(25) 3M T-TAP Quick Wire Connectors Yellow 12-10 Gauge $3.85

(25) Male Quick Wire Connector Yellow 12-10 Gauge T-Tap Fast Free USA Shipping $3.85

(25) Male Wire Connector Quick Blue 16-14 Gauge T-Tap $3.85

Brass Gas Stove Water Heater Tap Connector Adapter $3.86

Brass Gas Stove Water Heater Tap Connector Adapter $3.89

Washing Machine Faucet Tap Universal Adapter Connector $3.90

Brass Tone 0.75″ Diameter Gas Tap Connector Adapter $3.91

Washing Machine Faucet Tap Universal Adapter Connector $3.92

25 White Plier Tap Multi Lock Terminal Connectors #16-14 Wire AWG MOLEX $3.95

25 RED T-Taps SPLICES Wire Taps FEMALE Terminal Connectors #22-18 Wire AWG MOLEX $3.95

QUICK SPLICE CONNECTORS 25 PC.S 18-14 AWG TAP CONNECTOR $3.95

FUSE PANEL HOLDER TAP KIT BLADE STYLE WIRE CONNECTORS&TERMINALS FOR ADDING ACCs $3.99

100 RED 22-18 AWG T-TAPS & MALE WIRE CONNECTORS SPLICE $3.99