How To Replace a Basin Tap

Replacing a basin tap is one of those jobs that sits right on the boundary between confident DIY and calling a plumber. Get it right and you have a freshly fitted tap that works perfectly and looks great. Get it wrong and you have a leak under the sink and a bathroom floor covered in water.

The good news is that with the right preparation, the right tools and a clear understanding of what is involved, replacing a basin tap is a task that many homeowners can tackle successfully. This guide walks you through the full process, covers the questions we get asked most often, and explains clearly when it is worth calling a professional rather than going it alone.

Watch Kyle Replace a Basin Tap

Before reading through the step by step instructions below, watch Kyle from Kyle R C Perry Heating and Plumbing carry out a real basin tap replacement in the video below. Seeing the process from an experienced plumber’s perspective is one of the most useful ways to prepare before you pick up any tools yourself.

Is It Easy to Replace a Basin Tap?

This depends entirely on your existing setup and your confidence with basic plumbing. Replacing a like-for-like tap on a basin that has clear access to isolation valves underneath is a relatively manageable task for a confident DIYer. However, there are several factors that can make the job more complicated than it first appears.

If the existing taps are old and corroded, the nuts underneath the basin can be extremely difficult to remove. If there are no isolation valves fitted on the supply pipes, you will need to turn off the mains water supply to the whole property. If the existing tap connections are an unusual size or configuration, sourcing the right replacement parts adds another layer of complexity.

As a general guide, if you can answer yes to the following questions, a DIY tap replacement is likely within reach:

• Do you have clear, accessible space under the basin?
• Are there isolation valves on both hot and cold supply pipes?
• Are you comfortable using basic hand tools including a basin wrench?
• Is the new tap a straightforward like-for-like replacement in terms of hole size and configuration?

If the answer to any of these is no, calling a plumber from the outset will save you time, frustration and the risk of a leak.

An Overview of How to Replace a Basin Tap

Below is a simple breakdown of the main steps involved. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular tap, as fittings and installation methods can vary.

A More Indepth Guide

How To Replace a Basin Tap Step by Step

Replacing a basin tap involves more than simply unscrewing the old one and putting a new one in. You need to safely isolate the water, disconnect the existing connections, fit the new tap correctly and check everything carefully for leaks.

Step 1: Turn Off the Water

Before touching the existing tap, isolate the water supply. If isolation valves are fitted underneath the basin, close the hot and cold supplies.

Once the water is isolated, open the tap and allow any remaining water in the pipework to drain. If you don’t have suitable isolation valves, you may need to turn off the property’s main water supply. Never start disconnecting the tap until you’re confident the water has been isolated.

Step 2: Protect the Area

Put a towel or container underneath the basin.

Even after you’ve isolated the water, there will usually be some water left in the pipes and flexible connectors. This is also a good time to clear everything out from underneath the basin so you’ve got enough room to work.

It sounds obvious, but trying to replace a tap with bottles, cleaning products and bathroom storage in the way makes the job much harder.

Step 3: Disconnect the Water Supplies

Using an adjustable spanner, carefully disconnect the flexible connectors from the existing tap.

Have your bucket or towel ready because some water will probably come out. If the connector or pipework starts moving rather than the connection itself, stop and reassess rather than forcing it. You don’t want to damage the existing pipework while trying to remove a tap.

Step 4: Remove the Old Tap

The tap is normally secured underneath the basin using a fixing nut and washer.

This is where the job can become awkward.

Use a basin wrench or suitable tap spanner to loosen the fixing. Older taps can sometimes have heavily corroded nuts, particularly if they’ve been in place for many years. Once the fixing has been removed, the old tap should lift out from above.

Step 5: Clean Around the Tap Hole

Before installing the new tap, clean the area around the tap hole. Remove old sealant, limescale, dirt and any damaged washer material. The new tap needs a clean, suitable surface to sit against.

It’s also worth checking the basin around the tap hole for cracks or damage before fitting the replacement.

Step 6: Fit the New Basin Tap

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the new tap.

In most cases, the tap is inserted through the basin from above, with the appropriate washer and fixing arrangement fitted underneath.

Make sure the tap is sitting straight before tightening the fixing but don’t go mad with the spanner. Overtightening can damage the tap, fixing components or, in some circumstances, the basin itself.

Step 7: Connect the Water Supply

Reconnect the hot and cold supplies to the correct connections on the new tap.

Check that the washers are correctly positioned and that the connections are properly seated.

If your existing flexible connectors are old, damaged or showing signs of deterioration, this can be a good opportunity to replace them rather than reconnecting potentially worn components.

Step 8: Turn the Water Back On

Turn the water supply back on slowly, don’t immediately open everything at full pressure.

Check underneath the basin while the water is being restored and look carefully around every connection.

Open the tap and allow the water to run. Check both the tap and the connections underneath for signs of leaking.

If everything is dry, you’ve successfully replaced your basin tap.

Common Problems When Replacing a Basin Tap

The Old Tap Won’t Come Off

This is probably one of the most frustrating parts of replacing an old tap. The fixing nut can become corroded over time, making it difficult to loosen.

Don’t keep forcing it if you’re putting excessive pressure on the basin or pipework. A plumber has specialist tools and techniques for dealing with stubborn fittings.

The New Tap Is Leaking

If the new tap is leaking, first establish exactly where the water is coming from. It could be a connection underneath the basin, the tap base or the tap itself.

Don’t simply tighten everything as much as possible. Overtightening can damage fittings and doesn’t necessarily solve the problem.

The New Tap Doesn’t Fit

If the new tap won’t sit correctly in the basin, don’t try to force it. Check the tap hole size, fixing arrangement and basin thickness against the manufacturer’s specifications. It may simply be the wrong tap for the basin.

How Can You Avoid Problems When Buying a New Basin Tap?

Before buying your replacement, take a few measurements and photographs of your existing installation.

Check:

1. How many tap holes your basin has
2. The diameter of the existing tap hole
3. The space available around the tap
4. The length and type of the existing connections
5. The thickness of the basin
6. The water pressure requirements of the new tap
7. Whether the new tap includes all required fixings

Doing these checks before buying can save you from having a new tap sitting in its box while you realise it isn’t compatible with your basin.

Do I Need a Plumber to Change My Taps?

Not necessarily.

If you’re confident with basic DIY, can safely isolate the water and have easy access to the plumbing underneath your basin, you may be able to replace the tap yourself.

However, there are situations where getting a plumber is the sensible option.

You should consider calling a plumber if:

• You cannot turn off the water
• The isolation valves are seized
• The fixing nut will not come loose
• The existing pipework is damaged
• You notice a leak underneath the basin
• The new tap doesn’t appear to fit
• You’re changing the type of tap
• You aren’t confident making the connections
• You’ve fitted the tap but it is still leaking

Your Basin Tap Questions Answered

Have a Question? Get in Touch

If you have a question about replacing your basin tap, or you’re not sure whether you need a plumber, we’re happy to help.