Are taps from Screwfix/Toolstation better than Wickes own brand? Or are Bristan better?

amaraz8

My bath shower mixer taps were dripping and can't be repaired as the screw has corroded so I need to buy replacement ones for when the plumber comes back next week. I purchased Wickes own branded taps based on the 4.9 review rating however the reviews don't seem to reflect the quality or how long they last, it's more the how great they look and ease of installing them. Now I'm reconsidering, but there are so many brands out there, I'm getting confused with which to buy! I just want ones that are good quality, decent priced (not expensive) and will last a long time with few/no issues. I need advice on the below if someone is able to help?

- Are taps from Screwfix/Toolstation brands better in terms of quality and how long they last? - I noticed many at Screwfix (like Swirl) offer a 10 year guarantee whereas Wickes only offer 5 years. Also the plumber told me that the cartridges they hold are compatible with 80% of taps from Screwfix (not sure if this is the case with most plumbers).

- The plumber also told me that they heard that the Swirl brand taps from Screwfix are actually made by Bristan but just marketed as a different brand - anyone know if this is true?

- Or would Bristan taps (the lower price range models) be a better choice than Screwfix brands and Wickes own? - However I did read on other forums that Bristan are more expensive because of the brand name but that the quality is the same as many of the cheaper brands - not sure how true this is though!

Any help would be great! Thanks!

ic

I've recently installed some Swirl taps as temporary stop-gaps.  I'm happy with the quality and build of them, but can't comment for long-term reliability (we're at about 11 months...).  (Notably the bathroom taps had brass nuts to fix to the underside of the tap, whereas what I was replacing was plastic).  When we come to rip out and replace the kitchen and bathroom, I'll be going with good quality branded items.  Ultimately everything is sourced from China, its just the quality standards applied to the manufacturer and the aftersales service will vary brand to brand.

That said, I previously fitted a Bristan monobloc tap, and it whistled all the time when running cold.  I just couldn't resolve it, and wound up replacing with a tap from Ikea - which was far better and silent!

rob7475

I fitted Bristan taps andin our bathroom 10 years ago. The shower has been perfect and we've had no issues at all. the tap handles started looking a bit grotty last year as the fake chrome started wearing off. The tap bodies were fine as they are solid brass with chrome plating but the handles are plastic.

The good thing with branded taps is that spares are readily available. My other half wanted to replace the taps which would have cost around £400. A quick check at the plumbers merchants and replacement handles were ordered for my Bristan taps at a cost of £20. They took me 10 minutes to fit and the taps look like new again.

GDB2222

I’m a fan of Bristan. 

SaverRate

I recently installed a Bristan Bath tap and a Screwfix (Watersmith) Basin Tap into our bathroom. The Bristan Shower pull up thing sticks and is very hard to pull up. The Screwfix tap has not had any issues. 
Fitted a Swirl Kitchen tap just under 2 years ago and had no issues with that either. 

amaraz8

ic said:

I've recently installed some Swirl taps as temporary stop-gaps.  I'm happy with the quality and build of them, but can't comment for long-term reliability (we're at about 11 months...).  (Notably the bathroom taps had brass nuts to fix to the underside of the tap, whereas what I was replacing was plastic).  When we come to rip out and replace the kitchen and bathroom, I'll be going with good quality branded items.  Ultimately everything is sourced from China, its just the quality standards applied to the manufacturer and the aftersales service will vary brand to brand.

That said, I previously fitted a Bristan monobloc tap, and it whistled all the time when running cold.  I just couldn't resolve it, and wound up replacing with a tap from Ikea - which was far better and silent!

I'd have gone for IKEA taps too but they don't seem to sell bath shower mixer taps!

amaraz8

HarryDavies01 said:

I recently installed a Bristan Bath tap and a Screwfix (Watersmith) Basin Tap into our bathroom. The Bristan Shower pull up thing sticks and is very hard to pull up. The Screwfix tap has not had any issues. 
Fitted a Swirl Kitchen tap just under 2 years ago and had no issues with that either. 

I read on one review somewhere about the pull up thing on a Bristan only works when water is running and to change to the shower it has to be lifted and twisted into place, but by then your hands are all wet from testing temperature of water - did you have that problem too? Sounds infuriating

UKDeejay

Just playing 'Devils advocate' here, but my experience with Bristan taps has not been good...
We were experiencing 'humming' with our pipes/taps and a plumber recommended changing the taps due to limescale build-up, as you can't just replace washers these days with taps that have cartridges inside! He supplied Bristan taps - don't know what brand the originals were? - which have been !!!!!! from Day 1! Taps/pipes still 'hum' and the new taps can't be turned off (constantly dripping)! If you do manage to wrench them OFF you can't turn them On again - especially with wet taps/hands! My worst fault is I don't like complaining so never called the plumber back...!

MysteryMe

I don't think Bristan make Swirl as they are made by Kingfisher Group who I think B&Q are part of. Bristan is a separate company.

I had a new shower mixer tap and wash basin taps fitted last year,  I went with Bristan which I bought from Screwfix. Not had any issues with them and they seem well made.  I didn't buy them because I thought they were better than own brands, they happened to be the style and fitting that I needed. I don't have any problems lifting the shower knob thing,  I don't have to twist it, just lift it but I do so once I have the bath taps running.

I did buy taps off of Amazon which were cheaper and the quality was significantly lower so returned them.

I think water pressure and water pipes can affect tap performance as indeed can the installation. Constantly dripping taps sounds like the ceramic disc/washer has not been fitted.  It's not always down to the tap. Clearly if every Bristan tap leaked they would soon be out of business.

GDB2222

UKDeejay said:

Just playing 'Devils advocate' here, but my experience with Bristan taps has not been good...
We were experiencing 'humming' with our pipes/taps and a plumber recommended changing the taps due to limescale build-up, as you can't just replace washers these days with taps that have cartridges inside! He supplied Bristan taps - don't know what brand the originals were? - which have been !!!!!! from Day 1! Taps/pipes still 'hum' and the new taps can't be turned off (constantly dripping)! If you do manage to wrench them OFF you can't turn them On again - especially with wet taps/hands! My worst fault is I don't like complaining so never called the plumber back...!

I have several Bristan taps that are very good quality. None of mine drip. If yours are dripping there’s a problem, but Bristan customer service is excellent and they will send you any replacement parts that you need. 

You need a replacement plumber! 

outtatune

UKDeejay said:

Just playing 'Devils advocate' here, but my experience with Bristan taps has not been good...
We were experiencing 'humming' with our pipes/taps and a plumber recommended changing the taps due to limescale build-up, as you can't just replace washers these days with taps that have cartridges inside! He supplied Bristan taps - don't know what brand the originals were? - which have been !!!!!! from Day 1! Taps/pipes still 'hum' and the new taps can't be turned off (constantly dripping)! If you do manage to wrench them OFF you can't turn them On again - especially with wet taps/hands! My worst fault is I don't like complaining so never called the plumber back...!

Sounds like incompetent installation to me.