Tap Installation IG2

Monobloc mixer tap — single body, single hole

A monobloc mixer tap delivers both hot and cold water through one spout, controlled by a single lever or two handles on one body. It is the most common tap type in modern London kitchens and bathrooms. The tap body passes through a single 35mm hole. Flexible supply hoses connect directly to the hot and cold isolation valves under the sink.

When replacing separate pillar taps with a monobloc, the single hole is used and the additional tap holes can be covered with a bridge plate or blanking plugs. We carry standard cover plates in polished chrome and brushed steel for the most common basin configurations.

Pillar taps — separate hot and cold

Traditional pillar taps use two separate tap bodies, one for hot and one for cold, each passing through its own tap hole. They are common in older London properties and in period-style bathrooms. Pillar taps can be quarter-turn ceramic disc taps (modern standard, very durable) or traditional rising-spindle taps using a rubber washer. Rubber washer taps require the spindle to rotate multiple turns to open, and the washer wears over time — producing a dripping tap. Ceramic disc taps turn a quarter turn and the disc seal lasts considerably longer.

Kitchen tap replacement process

Replacing a kitchen tap requires isolating the hot and cold supply at the under-sink isolation valves, or at the cold supply stopcock and the hot supply valve on the cylinder or boiler. The flexible hose connections are unscrewed. The back nut securing the tap body through the worktop is removed using a basin wrench — a specialist cranked spanner designed to reach the nut in the confined space under a kitchen sink. The old tap body is lifted out, the new tap is dropped in, new flexi-hoses are connected, and the supply is turned back on with checks for leaks at every joint.

Bathroom basin taps — basin mixer vs pillar taps

Basin taps vary by basin type. Semi-recessed basins and countertop basins mounted on a vanity unit typically require longer tap tails to reach through the basin deck. Click-clack wastes, which are the push-open drain plug mechanism under the tap body, often need replacing at the same time as the tap. We check the waste fitting condition on every basin tap replacement and advise if replacement is needed.

For wall-mounted basin taps, the hot and cold supplies emerge from the wall through fixed pipework. Wall-mounted tap replacement involves unscrewing the tap bodies from the wall-mounted supply connections. This is straightforward where the pipe centres match the new tap. Where the pipe centres differ, new tap connectors or a section of pipework adjustment may be required.

Bath taps and thermostatic bath shower mixers

Bath tap replacement follows the same process as basin tap replacement but on a larger scale. Bath taps typically have 3/4-inch BSP connections and are secured through the bath deck with back nuts. Bath fill times differ between models based on flow rate — check the rated flow rate when selecting a replacement tap if bath fill time is a concern.

Thermostatic bath shower mixer taps require balanced pressure between the hot and cold supply. In properties with a combination boiler, both supplies are at mains pressure and are naturally balanced. In properties with a vented hot water cylinder and a gravity-fed hot supply, the pressure differential between mains cold and gravity-fed hot can cause thermostatic cartridges to perform poorly. We advise on pressure-equalising options before installation where this applies.

Boiling water taps — Quooker, Zip HydroTap

Boiling water taps (Quooker, Zip HydroTap, InSinkErator) require a dedicated under-sink tank unit that heats and stores water at 100 degrees Celsius under pressure. The tank requires a cold water supply connection and a 13A electrical socket. Installation takes 2 to 4 hours. Filter cartridges require replacement every 12 months. We install, commission, and service all major boiling water tap brands across London.