Changing a Kitchen Sink Tap - Plumbing Advice for Beginner

Pizzle

Happy new year everyone!

I bought a house last month and I'm now starting to fix a few problems around the place before we fully move in. The leaking kitchen sink is top priority and I was hoping to get some advice on here before I attempt it.

I've no experience with plumbing, but after watching some videos online, I think it should be relatively straight forward to install a new one. The main worry I have is ensuring the connections under the sink match the standard on a new tap. I don't want to get stuck with the old tap off and then have no way of attaching the new one!

I've attached a picture of the existing tap setup. Will a new standard tap hose fitting attach correctly on the existing pipe under the sink? Is this a standard connection? It looks like it should, but I'm not 100% sure. Is there anything else out of the ordinary here that I should watch out for?

Would really appreciate any advice from people on here!

Thanks

listermint

Those are half inch flexible hose so the fittings are fairly recent probably ten years old . So you should have no problems swapping them out. Most new taps come with same length flexible hose supplied. Make sure to turn off the water and then open the cold and hot taps before removing .

Pizzle

Thanks listermint. Good to know that those connections are standard.

Eventually figured out how to turn off the hot/cold water going to the tap.

Now just to find a suitable tap!

Thanks for the help.

dodzy

The retaining nut on the threaded bar might prove difficult for you looking at the rust; I'd be inclined to get a large vice grips as tight as possible onto the end of the threaded section and turn. It'll hopefully give or snap right at the base of the tap, eitherway releasing the fixture. Not a difficult job if you're anyway handy, keep a basin nearby to catch what water is left in the pipes between the tap and the 1/2 connections onto the qualpex.

Tips: when attaching the new flexihoses to the underside of the tap, you'll see a small o-ring on both. No need to go mad over-tightening to the base of the tap. Hand tignten, and then approx 1/4 turn with a spanner. (You'll know when it's enough)

A monoblock set also makes the tap fitting very easy. https://www.ie.screwfix.com/rothenberger-monoblock-tap-spanner-set.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvKzhBRC1ARIsANEXdgxd6qRGa0_pdazAGYkDBHBxkFuudD5WFGLLdjDcItWfStYSigumZ-kaAp23EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


A bit of fresh PTFE on the male 1/2 threads before fitting the new flexi hoses.

Take note of which side is HOT / COLD on the mixer and connect the feeds accordingly.

Pizzle

Thanks Dodzy.

Yeah I'm hoping that will just snap off.

That monoblock looks like it could be very handy.

Thanks!

colm_mcm

Watch out with some mixer taps as they seem to be designed for pumped hot water. Ikea ones for example.

diddlium

I also have a question around this topic - The cold tap handle in my mixer tap came off in my hand - it seems a plastic insert broke -does it mean a new tap? Or is it fixable ?

listermint

diddlium wrote: »

I also have a question around this topic - The cold tap handle in my mixer tap came off in my hand - it seems a plastic insert broke -does it mean a new tap? Or is it fixable ?

it appears you are missing the centre screw that holds the handle to the Tap fitting (the white bit) try putting the screw back on first.

diddlium

The screw is there , I initially thought that myself but look inside and half the insert is inside the tap and the other bit at the base , so I'm wondering is this fixable or does it require a plumber ?

listermint

The valves are replaceable on their own.

You can pick up Tap Valves in any DIY store for mixer taps.

celticbhoy27

colm_mcm wrote: »

Watch out with some mixer taps as they seem to be designed for pumped hot water. Ikea ones for example.

Yeah I made that mistake. Hot water trickles out now. Any easy fix for this