do i need a plumber?

cosmile

i want to change my bath taps that are 2 seperate taps and swap them for a mixer type tap....how easy is it for me to do?? or do i need a plumber?

Mikeyorks

Personally I work on the principle (and I'm not in any way being snide) - if you have to ask - get a plumber!

Bath taps are notoriously difficult to reach - need a special spanner, and that's on top of having to isolate the hot/cold supplies. Suggest you do the bit(s) you're comfortable with (remove / refit the bath panel, for example) to minimise the cost - and get a pro to do the rest. They will frequently do it in a tenth the time it would take you and fit new washers etc (to the tap connectors) as a standard part of the job.

mercurystar999

Wouldn't you need a bath with just one hole for the taps?

HugoSP

Hi cosmile

It's easy. all you need is the right tools to get in there.

Remove the bath panel
Have a good look at how you're going to access the tap connectors. You can buy special tap spanners from B & Q for a fiver. Get the ones that close around the nut when you turn it.
If you have isolation valves in line with the supplies to the taps, turn them off now maybe using a flat bladed screwdriver (the slot should be across, not along the pipe for off).
Otherwise, isolate the hot and cold water supply or turn off the main stopcock and then drain the hot and cold water down. I usually try to drain from the kitchen or cloakroom downstairs as well to remove standing water in the pipes. This avoids getting water all over the floor when you remove the taps.
Undo first the tap connector then the tap retaining nuts on each tap. You may find it easier to remove the tap closest to you entirely before moving onto the next tap.

Fitting.

If you get instructions with the new tap set showing where everything goes, follow them.
Place the mixer taps into position so they are resting on the bath.
Look underneath to see if they meet or interfere with the pipe feeds. If they interfere with or do not meet the pipes you may be able to move the pipes. If not then you can get flexable connectors. go to B & Q and ask them to point you in the right direction, you'll either need 15mm to 3/4 inch or 22mm to 3/4 inch. I would consider the pushfit connectors that can be more easily fitted in tight spaces.
If they meet or can be safely jiggled to meet nicely then you're in luck!
Tighten the mixer down with the retaining nuts so that they are not loose.
Make sure the washer in each tap connector (usually a fibre washer) is there and in good condition. You can get replacements from the likes of B&Q.
then switch back in the supplies and test for leaks around the tap connectons.

Good luck!

H
Re attach first the more in accessable feed then the more accessable one

plumb1_2

HugoSP wrote:

. I would consider the pushfit connectors that can be more easily fitted in tight spaces.

And do forget to cross-bond!

Get plumber to do them, unless you are a confident DIYer, even we dont like doing bathtap changes, they can be a nightmare.Had to drill them in the past.
Unless you are a Doctor/Surgen used to working on Ladies Private Parts:D

cosmile

mercurystar999 wrote:

Wouldn't you need a bath with just one hole for the taps?

no...its a mixer tap,but is like 2 taps joined together if that makes sense,so it has 2 holes hot and cold.

cosmile

update,i decided to get a plumber as i was worried if the old pipes/taps were completely different to the new ones. the plumber came at 7pm (same day)and charged £60 and took him 40 mins...i think it would have taken me a lot longer...thanks for all your help.

Mikeyorks

cosmile wrote:

update,i decided to get a plumber as i was worried if the old pipes/taps were completely different to the new ones. the plumber came at 7pm (same day)and charged £60 and took him 40 mins...i think it would have taken me a lot longer...thanks for all your help.

Yes - and you've still got all your knuckles. Bet he hasn't??

I'll tackle most DIY jobs, but took bath taps off the list after the last pair.

Mikeyorks

plumb1 wrote:

...... used to working on Ladies Private Parts:D

.....left that on the list, however. :j

cosmile

Mikeyorks wrote:

Yes - and you've still got all your knuckles. Bet he hasn't??

I'll tackle most DIY jobs, but took bath taps off the list after the last pair.

but he kept banging his head on the sink lol

lottyxx

teddyco wrote:

Cosmile:
I have a question? Do you have a "closed" system? Does your cold water feed directly to your hot water tank and then into your system, or do you have one of those Victorian hot water tanks in the attic that uses gravity to feed the taps in your home?
We had the old, hot water tank system in our last home and could not install mixer taps. The reason is that the cold water pressure is stronger than the pull of gravity and will blow the weak hot water back up the line and all you will get is cold water coming from the mixer tap.
The pressure in your system between hot and cold water must be equal to have mixer taps, or you are stuck with the old separate taps.
In the USA, they use closed hot water systems in most of their homes. The cold water pressure feeds to a large hot water tank, and keeps the pressure of the hot water in line with the cold water throughout the house, hence there is no problem with using mixer taps, and no need for power showers.
That's why we have to use those awful power showers over here. The pressure of the hot water is separate from the pressure of the cold water and they wind up competing with each other when combined.

Cold water systems are being used in new built homes and do away with the need for a power shower, but most homes here are stuck with the need for a power shower.

Hope this is not too much information?!

well its done now...i do not know what system i have but i do have a combi boiler.before i got the mixer tap fitted i had one of those cheap push on showers made of rubber but it kept popping off,that worked fine so i wanted a more permenant one...thanks for your help.