Board logo

Kitchen tap recommendation - is there a plumber in the house?
David Jenkins - 24/1/20 at 01:51 PM

A while ago we fitted a relatively inexpensive monoblock mixer tap unit in our kitchen - and it's already dripping and falling apart. Don't say it: you get what you pay for.

A major problem we have is that ceramic tap valves get eaten in our house - the brass corrodes, or the ceramic discs get scratched - so we're looking for good old-fashioned rubber washer taps.

My trouble is that I have no idea what's a good or bad make these days: the last one was a Bristan, and that wasn't very impressive.

So - is there someone here who can recommend a good and reliable make, particularly one that has compression (rubber washer) valves?


Bluemoon - 24/1/20 at 03:07 PM

We have a Franke tap that seems o.k. (2 years) so far needed a squirt of silicone lubricant on the shaft as was getting tight (so maybe not a good choice), Chrome seems good. It is also an old fashioned rubber washer, but hot and cold have opposing threads that confuse people!

Maybe better choices out there.

Good ones are not cheap...

linky:
click me

Dan

[Edited on 24/1/20 by Bluemoon]


David Jenkins - 24/1/20 at 03:26 PM

I don't paying a reasonable price, within limits...


SJ - 24/1/20 at 03:35 PM

quote:

A while ago we fitted a relatively inexpensive monoblock mixer tap unit in our kitchen - and it's already dripping and falling apart. Don't say it: you get what you pay for.



I did exactly the same except ours cost just short of £300. It fell apart.


I'd be looking on screwfix and reading reviews.


Dingz - 24/1/20 at 04:54 PM

They fitted a Caple Avel mixer (ceramic) when we had our kitchen done, it wasn't cheap but came with a 5 year guarantee. It leaked after about 2.5 years, I called them up asking for a new cartridge but they just sent a complete tap. So I guess they all fail but at least their customer service is good.


mark chandler - 24/1/20 at 05:20 PM

Grophe taps for me


perksy - 24/1/20 at 06:23 PM

We're always changing the ceramic cartridges at work

Trouble is the range of good old fashioned taps doesn't seem to be as good as the 'quarter turn' variety

Have a look on the Screwfix and Plumbing forums, We fit a lot of Armitage Shanks at work...


APR - 24/1/20 at 07:51 PM

you cant go wrong with Bristan
I fit them all the time


David Jenkins - 24/1/20 at 09:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by APR
you cant go wrong with Bristan
I fit them all the time


That's what we've got now - it lasted about 6 months of ordinary kitchen use...


paulf - 24/1/20 at 11:40 PM

We have hansgrohe taps and shower mixers in bathrooms and kitchen and have been very good but not cheap unless you can find discounted on ebay or amazon they are also the ceramic disk type though.
Paul.


coyoteboy - 24/1/20 at 11:41 PM

What are you lot doing with taps? Got a decade on both the bathroom and kitchen B&Q special taps with zero leaks?!


David Jenkins - 25/1/20 at 08:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
What are you lot doing with taps? Got a decade on both the bathroom and kitchen B&Q special taps with zero leaks?!


I have a pet theory that it's something to do with water quality, or maybe something galvanic. Many years ago we had a tap where the brass in the ceramic valve insert was being eaten away - it was copper-coloured instead of brass-coloured. The amount of fine abrasive material in the water must also have an effect.

But I have no evidence, of course!


Schrodinger - 25/1/20 at 08:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
What are you lot doing with taps? Got a decade on both the bathroom and kitchen B&Q special taps with zero leaks?!


I have a pet theory that it's something to do with water quality, or maybe something galvanic. Many years ago we had a tap where the brass in the ceramic valve insert was being eaten away - it was copper-coloured instead of brass-coloured. The amount of fine abrasive material in the water must also have an effect.

But I have no evidence, of course!


You do also live in an area with very hard water.


Mr Whippy - 25/1/20 at 08:34 AM

or water with grit in it...

you should be getting way more life than this, all my taps are cheap B&Q ones and every one works just fine 11 years after fitting them and there's four of us in the family



[Edited on 25/1/20 by Mr Whippy]


nick205 - 27/1/20 at 04:03 PM

The ceramic valve taps in our house are doing fine. We live in a very hard water area, but no isses with the taps. Kitchen tap is a Frank Olympus mono-block and is 14 years old, family of 5 and it gets worked pretty hard.