Cloakroom Taps Buying Guide

If you have a small bathroom or cloakroom, then you'll need to invest in some quality cloakroom taps in order to get the most from your fixtures. In this guide we'll explain what they are, and take a look at some of the key things you'll need to know before buying.

What are cloakroom taps?

They are essentially the same as regular bathroom taps only more compact in design, with their smaller measurements being ideally suited to cloakroom fixtures (normal taps would be too large for cloakroom basins for example). Don't think that the reduction in size will reduce the amount of stylish options you have though, as there's plenty of choice out there from sleek modern taps to crosshead traditional ones.

Can I install cloakroom taps myself?

Installing cloakroom taps to your basin isn't too tough a job to tackle for anyone who is confident in their own abilities when it comes to basic plumbing. It can be a bit tricky if you're a complete novice though so it may be advisable to get a plumber in if that's the case.

The first thing you need to know is whether your basin has one or two tap holes as this will dictate whether you need either a mono basin mixer or two separate taps. Before beginning make sure that the water is turned off first to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

A new ring needs to be fitted to the tail of the tap. A series of washers will then need to be added underneath the tap. The back nut will then be tightened up once it's threaded on securely. The top of the tap connector (or connectors if there are two taps) need a sealing washer fitted to form a watertight seal. A wrench should be used to tighten the nuts from underneath. Turn the water back on and check for any signs of leaking to finish the job.

How do I know if a tap is compatible with my plumbing system?

You can check this easily by looking at the minimum water pressure requirements listed for each tap on our website. You can measure the amount of water pressure your home produces with a pressure gauge. As long as the taps you want don't exceed the amount of water pressure your home has then you'll be fine.

How do screw down taps differ from mixers?

Screw down cloakroom taps are essentially those slightly older designs that are still popular, especially in more traditional bathrooms. While the trend these days is for mono basin mixers, screw down taps feature two separate hot and cold taps. They are turned one way to turn them on, and the opposite way to turn them off again. Most modern cloakroom basins will only feature one tap hole as mono mixers take up less room and space is important in these settings.