Bathroom basin taps required

50Twuncle

We need a pair of basin taps - the old ones "died / seized up" - they cost £15 (4 years ago) - so we are going to spend more - this time !!
Should we get ceramic washer ones - or stick with conventional washers ?

flashg67

My recent replacements across 3 houses have been ceramic. Had a couple of cheap n nasty ones from ebay which were poor quality - I'd avoid like the plague. I've found the Swirl brand to be reasonable cost/quality

andyhop

Swirl isn't very good

Try Bristan , plenty of good value items with decent after sales

Owain_Moneysaver

I prefer washers. Easier to finely adjust the flow and you don't turn them on too quickly and splash your toes.

Also you can be fairly confident you'll be able to replace the washers in 20 years time. Ceramic inserts are not standard and, especially on cheap imported taps, may be impossible to replace at a later date.

50Twuncle

andyhop wrote: »

Swirl isn't very good

Try Bristan , plenty of good value items with decent after sales

£110 - good value ???
Sorry - too expensive !!

Jonesya

If the tap outlets are still ok, why not save yourself some time and effort and just change the cartridges, you keep the existing fixed part but replace the moving parts - either just the cartridge, or use a revivor kit and replace the handle as well. Saves messing around with the pipework.

I've used them a few times, they work wel andl if the existing tap valve seat is worn then the quarter turn kits are good because their ceramic cartridge doesn't use the existing seat, it's all within the new cartridge.

http://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-kitchens/reviver-kits-tap-spares/cat820108

50Twuncle

The existing taps are coroded and have compressive washers !

Jonesya

50Twuncle wrote: »

The existing taps are coroded and have compressive washers !

You can fit the quarter turn ceramic cartridges to taps with the conventional compressive washer valves - I did that on some taps where the old seats were worn and the tap tended to trip.

But yeah if the fixed body is corroded and looking bad, can see why you'd want to change the whole thing.

50Twuncle

Jonesya wrote: »

If the tap outlets are still ok, why not save yourself some time and effort and just change the cartridges, you keep the existing fixed part but replace the moving parts - either just the cartridge, or use a revivor kit and replace the handle as well. Saves messing around with the pipework.

I've used them a few times, they work wel andl if the existing tap valve seat is worn then the quarter turn kits are good because their ceramic cartridge doesn't use the existing seat, it's all within the new cartridge.

http://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-kitchens/reviver-kits-tap-spares/cat820108

I am thinking of http://www.screwfix.com/p/swirl-bathroom-basin-tap-reviver-kit/32730
How do they work ?
Our actual tap "casings" are fine - just corroded internally

Jonesya

Best image I can find - valve on left come as one complete unit, unscrew old, screw in new.

http://www.diyhowto.co.uk/images/projects/pillar_tap5.gif

You'd replace the whole of the valve cartridge on the left, and the handle as well if you buy a kit. Isolate the water to the tap, remove the handle and any cover, unscrew the valve, then screw in new valve, fit handle.

The full turn valves, like the one you've linked to, will rely on the exist tap seat because it's part of the body, see right hand side. The quarter turn valve cartridges (normally with the paddle type handles) are slightly different and have this within the mechanism.

If the handles are ok, you could just replace the valve cartridges.

There's tons of websites with step by step guides on changing them.

50Twuncle

Jonesya wrote: »

Best image I can find - valve on left come as one complete unit, unscrew old, screw in new.

http://www.diyhowto.co.uk/images/projects/pillar_tap5.gif

You'd replace the whole of the valve cartridge on the left, and the handle as well if you buy a kit. Isolate the water to the tap, remove the handle and any cover, unscrew the valve, then screw in new valve, fit handle.

The full turn valves, like the one you've linked to, will rely on the exist tap seat because it's part of the body, see right hand side. The quarter turn valve cartridges (normally with the paddle type handles) are slightly different and have this within the mechanism.

If the handles are ok, you could just replace the valve cartridges.

There's tons of websites with step by step guides on changing them.

What is the difference between just replacing the valve and one of these kits then ?
is it just the fact that the handle comes attached ?