Brand for taps please.

Horlock

I was going to buy cheap taps online (eg ebay) but my wife has been advised against buying cheap taps by a plumber friend.

So the question is

1. Why is it bad to buy cheap taps?
2. What are good brands to buy?

One of the key issues in my opinion is the speed that the bath fills up. So I'm looking for a decent bath filler which has a respectable flow, I'm running 22mm pipe as far as possible - but doubt that you can get taps which take 22mm intake anymore.

Please bear in mind that this is a money saving site.

I'm going to fit them myself.

I'm specifically looking to buy bathroom taps and a bath filler.

For the bath filler I was looking at something like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MODERN-CHROME-BATH-FILLER-WITH-SPRUNG-WASTE-OVERFLOW-SQUARE-/252780652394?epid=890557448&hash=item3adae6a76a:g:GNEAAOSwd~RZVMpP

For the basin I'm thinking something like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Single-Lever-Basin-Sink-Bathroom-Waterfall-Mixer-Tap-Click-Clack-Waste-/331989136318?epid=1890174181&hash=item4d4c1833be:g:6igAAOSwuMZZCEh3

Any ideas and advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Carrot007

A lot of cheap taps on ebay that are a lot more expensive elsewhere tend to be rejects they have tested will work good enough for most people not to notice.

And please stay away from the horrible waterfall nonsence. So much extra hastle and problems.

Remember if it is legitimate on ebay and not dodgy returns then you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere. And actually have support from a shop.

frankie

Briston and Roca are good taps, try ebay for a half decent price.

Wookey

I would avoid any make of tap that uses 1/4 turn ceramic bodies or a body that doesn't have a proper packing gland. Good well made taps that have a packing gland will give a lifetime of use for little more than the hassle of fitting a new washer, i would also avoid gold taps as they tend to look like crap after a few years use.

macman

The flow rate is determined by the 'slowest' part of the supply route. Which may not be the tap but the supply to it.

vansboy

Some of the 'discount' bathroom on line, suppliers, betterbathrooms have 10 year warranty on their taps, victoriaplum 5years.

Doesn't mean the taps will actually last that long, but there is some piece of mind.

But I'd guess if the taps fail, you'd still have the plumbers cost to cover, to fit any replacements they provide, in 4 years 11 months time!!

VB

stueyhants

Plumber friend rates Vado taps. Apparently you can change the cartridges fairly easily which should mean you get more years out of them

andyhop

Bristan is about the cheapest tap I'd fit . Victoria plum....they don't even carry spares so your paying £60 + to swap a tap after a year..hardly moneysaving