Pair of bathroom basin taps
When looking to update your bathroom taps where should you start? There are different types of bathroom taps available, let’s divide them simply to start with into basin taps (sometimes called bathroom sink taps) and bath taps. If we start with the different types of basin taps, these will include:
- Monobloc mixer taps (for one tap hole basins). These taps mix the water in the body of the tap and the water flow is controlled by a ceramic cartridge, operated by a handle or lever.
- Pair of taps (for two tap hole basins). Each tap has a separate water feed and is controlled by a valve mechanism or ceramic cartridge. The taps are turned on or off by use of a handle, or lever.
- Three hole mixer taps (for three tap holes oddly enough, the clue is in the name!). These taps consist of separate water feeds for hot and cold water which are controlled by handles, or levers. The water is then supplied through a central spout.
and more unusually
- Wall mounted taps (for basins with no tap holes). These are effectively three hole mixer taps made to be plumbed into the wall, rather than onto your basin.
- Bridge mixer taps (for two tap hole basins). These are less popular these days and tend to be available in the more traditional styles of brassware.
- Extended basin monobloc mixers (for furniture mounted basins, with no taps holes). This style of tap is the same as a standard monobloc basin mixer but with an extended body to allow the spout to rise over a furniture basin.
Bath taps are also available in different styles, these are listed below:
- Bath filler sometimes called a bath bridge tap (for two tap hole baths). These taps will mix the water in the tap body and the water coming out of the spout will be at your desired temperature.
- Bath Shower Mixer for two tap hole baths). These taps are similar to the bath filler described above, but have the additional feature of a shower handset and a divertor lever which allows you to switch the water flow between the spout or shower outlet.
- Pairs of taps (for two tap hole baths). Similar to a pair of basin taps, each tap has a separate water feed and is controlled by a valve mechanism or ceramic cartridge. The taps are turned on or off by use of a handle, or lever.
- Three hole bath mixer taps (for three tap hole baths). These taps consist of separate water feeds for hot and cold water which are controlled by handles, or levers. The water is then supplied through a central spout.
The more unusual types include
- Four hole bath shower mixer taps (for four tap hole baths). These taps consist of separate water feeds for hot and cold water which are controlled by handles, or levers. The water is then supplied through a central spout, or though a shower handset. You can choose between the shower handset or bath spout through the use of a divertor lever.
- Monobloc mixer taps (for one tap hole baths). These taps mix the water in the body of the tap and the water flow is controlled by a ceramic cartridge, operated by a handle or lever.
- Floorstanding bath taps (for baths with no tap holes). As the name suggests these taps will be bath fillers or bath shower mixers which are plumbed straight from water pipes which come through the bathroom floor. A similar effect can be achieved through the use of standard bath brassware and the addition of decorative standpipes. Floorstanding bath taps are generally used with freestanding baths.
- Wall mounted bath taps (for baths with no tap holes). Once again, similar to wall mounted basin taps, these taps are designed to be plumbed into the bathroom wall. They can be bath filler, or bath shower mixer styles.
Whichever tap style you choose for your basin or bath, please remember to check the water pressure required to operate them. Some taps require higher pressure than others to operate properly. It’s no use spending ages choosing the right taps for your bathroom only to find that it takes hours to fill the bath because your water pressure is too low. If you have any doubts please consult a plumber.
Tags: basin taps, bath fillers, bath shower mixers, bath taps, Bathroom taps
