Changing hot n cold to mixer tap

mac123

Hi

Can anyone explain how to change 1 hot and 1 cold tap to mixer taps, it this an easy process???

Thanks

robowen

mac123 wrote:

Hi

Can anyone explain how to change 1 hot and 1 cold tap to mixer taps, it this an easy process???

Thanks

is this on a kitchen sink ??

SnapFish_2

You get sinks which are specifically designed for mixer taps (with just one large hole for the single tap), or you can get mixer taps which will fit sinks with the traditional 2 holes for each tap, in which case you may simply be able to replace the taps, but you may need a special wrench to get to the nuts under the sink.

Is it for a Kitchen Sink, wash basin or bath ?

mac123

Sorry yes for a kitchen, looking to get ikea sink with no holes.

Not looking to relocate sink just replacing for new and looking for mixer - is is easier just to replace taps like for like??


Cheers

robowen

If you are getting a new sink...its sods law that the taps won't line up with the holes on the new sink.
If the sink is coming out, you will have access to alter pipework.
It will probably be a little easier for a DIY'er to alter pipework on single taps as there will be more room to adjust pipes.
Mixer taps usually have both hot and cold terminating in the centre of the sink, so much less room to work with the pipes.

JimArnold

The actual connection is fairly straightforward but can be fiddly because there isn't a lot of room. After replacing a washer it's probably the most straightforward plumbing job - no soldering required
1- turn off any water heater immersion etc, clear under the sink
2 - some houses have an extra stopcock on the hot side
3- turn off water and run both taps until they stop
4 - Most mixers have narrow two pipes coming out of them and these need to be connected to incoming hot and cold via a compression fitting which has an 'olive' ring on the pipes. A little PTFE tape helps to stop leaks. The important point is to not to overtighten. If you are reusing the existing fitting by only undoing one side then you need new olives. If you have to replace the whole fitting then you need to cut the pipe and then fit new olives - unlikely

If the pipes don't fit together you can buy a flexible coupling - a rubber pipe with a braided outer cover