How To Replace A Bathroom Tap

If your basin tap is no longer working or you simply want to upgrade, you'll need to know how to replace it. In this guide we will take you through the simple steps you need to take to remove your old basin tap and replace it with a shiny new one.

Tom Drake, DIY expert at Tap Warehouse suggests, "fitting a new mono bathroom tap can be straight forward DIY job to do at home. Replacing your tap is a great way to give your bathroom a refresh on a budget, and can make a big difference in modernising your bathroom without having to completely renovate it."

This guide is focused on replacing a standard mono basin mixer tap, but the process for other types of tap will be very similar. Installing a wall mounted tap is more complicated and we'd recommend having a plumber install this for you.

We have also focused on taps which already have flexible connections installed. If you have copper pipes running straight to your basin tap, this again is a job best left to the experts.

How To Replace A Bathroom Tap:

1. Turn off the water supply
2. Remove the old tap
3. Fit the connections to your new tap
4. Fit the tap to the basin
5. Connect to the water supply
6. Switch the water on

1. Turn off the water supply

Before attempting to remove your tap, you'll need to turn off the water supply to it. The easiest and safest way to do this is switching off your supply at the mains. Some taps have an isolation valve close by that you can use. However, if you're new to plumbing we'd still recommend turning off the water at the mains just to be safe.

Before you turn off your water supply, leave the tap you want to replace running slightly. This means that once you've turned off the water, when the water stops flowing you know it's safe to start working.

2. Remove the old tap

First, you'll need to disconnect your tap from the water supply. To do this, unscrew the flexible connectors from the copper pipework.

Next, you can unscrew the nut that fixes your tap to the basin itself. Depending on the size and location of your basin, the fixings can be quite difficult to get at, so be patient! Once you've removed these and disconnected the pipework, you should be able to lift up the old tap and remove it.

Once the tap is out, we recommend giving the area around where the tap once sat a good clean ready for installation of the new tap.

3. Fit the connections to your new tap

In order to fit your new tap, you'll need to first fit the threaded post, supplied by the manufacturer, onto the tap. You can then connect the new flexible connectors to the tap.

4. Fit the tap to the basin

Once you've fitted the connectors, you'll need to secure the tap to your basin. First, take a look at your supplied fixings. These will vary per manufacturer so you should always refer to the supplied instructions. 

Once you've got your fixings ready, you can put the tap thread and flexible connectors through the hole in your basin and secure with the fixings. At this point, it's a good idea to enlist someone to help who can make sure the tap stays straight while you tighten the nuts underneath. 

5. Connect to your water supply

Once your tap is in place you'll need to attach the flexible connectors to the copper pipes of your water supply. When doing this, make sure there's a compression fitting installed between the two pipes to regulate the pressure.

Once you've finished, double check that all the connections are done up nice and tight.

6.  Switch the water on

Now you've got your tap connected and in place, it's time to test it by turning on your water supply. When turning the water back on, make sure the tap is in the open position. When the water supply is switched back on, any air trapped in the system will rush through the tap, which could damage it if you leave the tap closed.

If you need to turn on your water at the mains from downstairs, it's a good idea to ask someone else to do that for you. This will allow you to keep an eye on the pipework for any leaks.

Now you know how easy it can be to install a new tap, there's no excuse not to replace that ageing tap in your bathroom! At Tap Warehouse we have an extensive selection of styles and finishes for you to choose from, all from a range of quality brands.