Before starting work, turn off the water supply using the isolation valves, which are usually found under sinks. If there are no isolation valves fitted to the supply pipes, you’ll have find where the shut-off valves are for the whole household before starting work.
Once you have the pipework disassembled, take the time, as part of the job, to fit new isolation valves into the pipework, so that in future, the tap(s) can be worked on or replaced without impacting the whole household. You may need to remove waste piping to access the supply pipework. With the water supply shut off, either unbolt or cut the existing pipework to enable the existing tap to be removed.
Assembling the taps
Depending on the style of tap or taps to be fitted, you may need to assemble supplied pipes into the base of a mixer tap, or attach standard 15mm copper pipe fittings to the bases of separate taps. Refer to the maker’s instructions as appropriate. If necessary, cut these pipes to length or modify the existing pipework. Standard practice is to place the isolation valves between the existing pipework and the ‘tails’ from the taps, and you should ensure that when the isolation valves are in place, that they can be reached easily, and won’t be obstructed by the waste pipework.
Positioning taps on sinks
If fitting a mixer tap, it may have a single handle controlling both flow rate and the mix of hot and cold water, and you should give some thought as to the side this will be placed on; are you, or whoever is going to use the fitted kitchen, left-handed or right-handed? If you’re fitting the tap to an inset sink, will the sink be to the left or right of the tap, and how will this influence the orientation? View our range of sinks and taps here.
Contact us for further advice on fitting taps, or any kitchen accessories. Email us at info@agetek.co.uk or call us by phone at +353 (0) 5793 21860