How to fit a basin mixer tap: A step-by-step guide

By Benjamin Clarke | Published on 30th December 2021

Though fitting a full bathroom suite is a job you'll want to get a professional in to do, if you've got a bit of DIY and plumbing experience, then fitting a mixer tap to the basin in your bathroom is a job you can do relatively easily.

In this article, we'll go through the simple steps of how you can perform this handy task yourself.

Mixer taps: what are they?

Rather than the old days of two separate taps for hot and cold water flow, a mixer tap 'mixes' the hot and cold water within the main body of a single tap. On top there is usually a lever/handle that you can pull up to establish water flow and to either side to determine water temperature.

You can get mixer taps for kitchens, baths and basins. Basin mixer taps are generally smaller because they don't need to deliver as much water as a tap in a bath or kitchen.

Preparation

Switch off your water before you start removing and installing taps. Uncontrollable water can cause a lot of expensive damage very quickly, so this is easily avoidable if you turn off the water at the mains first.

Tools you'll find useful for this task are a flathead screwdriver, a tap spanner, an adjustable spanner and a pair of grips.

Check your new mixer tap to ensure it's not damaged and that it comes with tap tails, nuts, washers and fixing studs. Once you've done al your checks and prep, you're ready to fix your basin mixer tap.

Installation

This is a simple step-by-step guide on how to fit your basin mixer tap.

Step 1
Remove your old tap by undoing the connection by using your grips and a spanner. If you have a a spanner then use this to hold the tap in place while you unscrew the nut holding the tap in place. Put the old tap to one side to be disposed of.

Step 2
Take the flexible tap tails that came with your new tap and screw them into the main tap body. Gently tighten then up.

Step 3
Take the fixing studs that came with the new tap and screw them into the bottom of the tap.

Step 4
Locate the tap hole in your basin from which you previously removed the old tap. The tap tails and fixing studs should be lowered down into the hole. Also make sure the tap is perpendicular to the rim of the basin.

Step 5
Reach underneath the tap hole and attach a washer and a retaining plate onto the fixing studs.

Step 6
Screw the nuts onto the fixing studs, but don't do up too tightly just yet. Check that the tap is in the right place and hanging over the basin correctly. If the tap look like it is in the correct place then you can continue and tighten up the nuts fully with a spanner.

Step 7
Turn the water back on at the mains, making sure the tap is off while you go and do this.

Step 8
Once you've switched your mains water on, switch on the tap fully and to both sides. This will help you establish if there's any leaks and if things need tightening further. Also make sure that the cold water connector is on the right and the hot water is on the left. If anything needs tightening, then go ahead as necessary and then that should be a case of 'job done'!

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