The hard part: access
Bath taps sit at the end of the bath, often against a wall. Remove the bath panel and look along under the bath with a torch. Sometimes access is very tight and the bath may need to be lifted slightly — plan for this before starting.
Choosing new bath taps
- Bath pillar taps — two separate taps with ¾ inch tails.
- Bath filler — two handles, one spout, using both holes.
- Bath shower mixer — includes a diverter and hose for a hand shower.
- Check the hole spacing (centres) if replacing a two-hole mixer.
Step by step
- Isolate hot and cold; if no isolation valves, use the stopcock and drain the hot.
- Undo the tap connectors from the tails.
- Undo the back nuts and lift out the taps.
- Clean the bath surface.
- Fit the new taps with their base seals and tighten from below.
- Connect with flexi tails — fitting isolation valves now will make future jobs easy.
- Turn on slowly and check all joints.
Pro tip: Acrylic baths flex. Use the support plate or a backing piece so the tap does not wobble and break the seal.
Bath shower mixers need a check
Hand showers can sit in dirty bath water. Many mixers include check valves to protect the drinking supply. Use the hose retainer so the head cannot drop into the bath.
