How to Fit a Kitchen Tap | DIY Megastore

How to Fit a Kitchen Tap

Kitchen taps are one of the most-used items in our homes. Therefore, it is important to keep them well-maintained. Even then, your tap will eventually reach the end of its lifespan and require replacement. However, it is not always necessary to call out a plumber to help you do this.

In fact, many kitchen taps are easily fitted, so long as the correct tools are used, and the right steps followed. Doing so can be a fulfilling experience and save you a fair amount of money too. But how is it done, and are there methods that should be avoided?

In this guide, we’ll take you through the basics of fitting a kitchen tap, while also looking at how to remove an old one in order to make way for its replacement. So, whether it's simply a job that needs to be done or a small – but nevertheless important – part of a total kitchen renovation, read on to find out just how to fit your kitchen tap.

What Tools Will I Need to Fit a New Tap?

Your first port of call is gathering all the tools and equipment to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. In this guide, we’ll be assuming you also need to remove a tap as well as add a new one, so keep in mind some of these items are for that process too. In order to both remove and fit a tap you will need:

Your new tap
An old tap to remove (optional)
Open-ended spanners
Set of box spanners
PTFE tape
A washing bowl and towel
Slip joint pliers
Basin spanner

If you have a set of instructions for your new tap, please read these and use them alongside this guide. Should you be puzzled about how to proceed, first consult your supplied instructions, and if the answer remains unclear, consult this guide for answers. You should do this as some taps need to be installed in a different way from others, and the only way to know this is to consult the instructions for your specific tap.

How to Remove a Kitchen Tap

Begin by clearing the area underneath the sink. You need plenty of room to work and manoeuvre components.
Lay down a towel to cover the floor surrounding the sink. Have a bowl available to catch any residual water as you start to take apart pipe connections, where water may still be present even if you’ve turned off the supply.
Disconnect the tap by loosening the nut where the tap meets the pipe. It is best to use an open-ended spanner for this job. Support the tap to prevent it from twisting too severely as you turn the spanner. Expect water to come out, though how much will vary from situation to situation.
Unscrew the nut completely, totally separating the tap from the connection.
You’ll need to loosen the nut where it joins the mains water pipe connections. Use adjustable pliers to grip the connection as you loosen it to take off some of the strain. It will require a lot of effort, as the nuts may have tightened over time.
Remove the tap by loosening the nut that clamps it to the mounting surface above or next to your sink. Keep a firm hold of the tap too, in order to prevent it from rotating too much.
If you’re taking out a traditional pillar or bridge combination style with a large retention nut, use a basin spanner. Alternatively, use a back nut box spanner at the correct size to loosen it.
Once you have completely removed the nut, disconnect the tap from the sink. Make sure there aren’t any remaining washers or seals attached before doing so.
If you have a single block single/mixer tap. These will require a box spanner alone – a basin spanner probably won’t be effective here. Loosen the retaining nut on its securing stud before removing the tap.
Whether you are removing a traditional bridge/pillar combination style, or a block single/mixer tap, clean off any pipe residue once you’ve fully removed the tap.

How to Fit a New Tap

Now move onto the main subject of this guide – fitting a new tap:

Ensure that the connector pipes are clean as referenced at the end of the last section. Do this gently to avoid damaging any important surfaces.
Take one more read of your new tap’s installation instructions. Check to ensure they are similar enough to the steps below before continuing. If they are distinctly different, refer only to your new tap instructions from here on out.
Apply four or five turns of sealing PTFE tape to the mains connection lower threads. Try to wrap in a clockwise direction for optimal efficiency.
If you’re installing a mixer tap, your hose will be pre-fitted. However, if you aren’t, now is the time to screw the hoses into the tap base carefully, tightening by hand only. Then, feed the mains connection ends through the hole where you intend to add your tap.
You may need an extra pair of eyes and hands to help you hold the tap in the correct, level position on the sink to give the top side seal a final going over. This is to ensure that everything is in place.
From underneath the sink, apply an under-side gasket, washers, or retaining plates in the right order.
Apply a retaining nut – use your hands until it is too tight to turn it any further. Make a final check that all is aligned on the top before using the same tool as before to properly secure the retaining nut. Get someone to hold the tap as you tighten it to stop it rotating accidentally, but don’t overtighten it.

How to Reconnect the Mains Supply

When connecting a pillar or bridge mixer tap, the thread length will be standard with the existing connection alignment guaranteed. Remember to start tightening threads by hand in order to prevent destructive cross-threading. Then, tighten with your chosen tool. Don’t overtighten.

Next, finger tighten connector nuts to the mains pipe connections or isolator valves, before securing with an open-ended spanner of the correct size. Be sure to grip the connector or valve below for support, and do not overtighten.

Then, after making sure your new taps are off, very slowly start to open to isolators or mains stop cock and water tank valve. Check very carefully for any signs of a leak.

If you cannot spot anything, continue to slowly open the taps. Expect the flow to be weak and inconsistent at first as your water flow continues to return.

If it all looks good after a couple of minutes, slowly open the taps. Expect an intermittent flow to start with, especially if you turned off the water at the main stop cock.

Conclusion

You should now have a fully functional, brand-new tap fitted, and your old one safely removed and ready for disposal. We recommend that you continue to check under the sink frequently for the next couple of days, as you cannot be 100% sure there are no leakages until a certain amount of time has passed.

If you have any more questions about installing or removing taps in your kitchen or indeed anywhere else in your home, do not hesitate to contact our excellent team. They will do their best to help you out with any problems you may have with your latest DIY project. Meanwhile please check out the rest of our blogs for more information on a whole host of DIY projects.