Looking to save a few pounds on your bathroom installation costs? This expert guide from VictoriaPlum.com, will demonstrate how to fit a bath mixer tap in 8 simple steps.
Replacing your bath tap can often be the quickest and easiest way to reinvigorate a tired-looking bathroom. Whilst we would recommend leaving full installation and plumbing to an experienced professional, this guide will demonstrate the tap installation process.
In general, bath taps can be split into the following categories:
- Mixer taps—1 tap which combines both hot and cold water
- Pillar taps—2 separate taps for hot and cold water
- Bath shower mixer taps—1 tap which combines both hot and cold water with the ability to switch between the taps and a handheld shower
If you’re not sure which tap you have, check out our tap buying guide.
You can find fitting instructions for other bathroom products by clicking the links below:
What is a bath mixer tap?
A mixer tap is a tap that mixes hot and cold water in the body of the tap, either by using separate hot and cold levers, or a single lever that swivels from left to right to determine the flow of the hot and cold water.
The Wye bath mixer from Orchard Bathrooms is a good example of a contemporary bath mixer tap
A bath mixer tap is larger than a basin mixer tap as it’s required to deliver a very large volume of water quickly in order to fill your bath.
A bath shower mixer tap gives you the added option of switching the flow to a handheld shower.
The Dulwich bath shower mixer from The Bath Co. is a traditional style bath shower mixer tap
Before you do anything
Always unpack your tap immediately after delivery. Check for any damage or faults as it’s better to find them now, rather than during installation.
Always turn off your water at the mains before attempting any DIY in the bathroom.
Tools you’ll need:
- Standard spanner set
Check you have the following:
Usually supplied with tap:
- 2 x back nuts
- 2 x rubber washers
- Handset (bath shower mixer only)
- Handset holder (bath shower mixer only)
- Hose (bath shower mixer only)
Need to buy separately:
- Top hat washers
Time to complete:
- 30 minutes
How much will a Tradesperson typically charge?
£100–£110 (price may vary—find out more about bathroom fitting costs)
Fitting your bath mixer tap
At Victoria Plum, you’ll find our bath mixer taps are manufactured to the highest standards, with chrome plated brass for both durability and a beautiful finish. All our taps come with ceramic disc technology which helps eliminate drips.
Here is how to fit your bath mixer tap
Step 1
Hold the tap upright and fix a washer to the bottom.
Step 2
Screw the flexible tap tails into the tap body and tighten by hand.
Step 3
Screw fixing studs into the bottom of the tap.
Step 4
Position the tap over the tap hole in your basin or countertop (ensuring it is at 90 degrees to the rim of the bath) and lower the flexible tap tails and fixing studs through it.
Step 5
From below the tap hole attach a washer and retaining plate onto the fixing studs. Screw nuts onto the fixing studs by hand.
Step 6
Screw nuts onto the fixing studs by hand. Once you’re satisfied that the tap is in the correct position, tighten the nuts using a spanner, taking care not to damage the bath.
Step 7
If you have a bath shower mixer, you can now attach the hose to the tap and fit the handset holder using washers.
Step 8
Make sure there aren’t any leaks by turning the water back on at the mains. If any leakage occurs, check the connectors and tighten as required.
Handy hint: Looking at the tap from the front, hot is on the left and cold is on the right
Congratulations, you’ve now fitted your bath mixer tap.
Whilst DIY can be a good way to save time and money, you should always hire a qualified professional to plumb and install your products. The instructions above are simply a guide to fitting your new basin mixer tap and shouldn’t be used to attempt full plumbing and installation.
