Guide: Bathroom and Kitchen Taps

There are many things to consider when buying bathroom taps including the design, water pressure and the functionality of the tap. Willesden Bathrooms has an extensive range of taps from modern waterfall taps to traditional cross head taps for you to choose from, in a range of sizes and designs to suit your decor.

Deciding on a Style

It’s best to match the size of the tap with the size of your bathroom suite – smaller taps for small fixtures and larger taps for large fixtures. It is also important to check the spout length of the tap to check if is suitable for your basin or bath.

Basin Mixers Tap

These single body styles mix the hot and cold water in the body of the tap and are suitable for basins with one tap hole. We have a choice of a basin mixer with two handles either side of the tap or the monobloc basin mixer tap which controls the flow and temperature of water through a single lever, which is more contemporary, neater and easier to use. We also have the tall mono basin mixer tap which is great for complimenting any modern bathroom.

Recommended Product: CASCADE Waterfall Basin Mono Mixer Tap

View Basin Taps Product Range


Pillar Basin/Bath Taps

These taps are suitable for basins or baths with two tap holes and supply the hot and cold water through separate feeds. They are simple, easy to fit and inexpensive and are available with single lever handles suited to more contemporary bathrooms or traditional cross head handles for more traditional bathrooms. We have a range of twin basin taps or twin bath taps for you to choose from in a variety of styles.

Recommended Product: VICTORIAN Hot & Cold Twin Bath Taps

View Taps Product Range


Bath Shower Mixer

These taps are also suitable for baths with two holes. This single unit mixes the hot and cold water and allows you to control the temperature and flow more effectively. This mixer comes with a diverter mechanism so you can switch the water from the bath filler and divert it to the showerhead attachment supplied with the tap.

We have a variety of designs for you to choose from, including shower mixers which have the showerhead attachment mounted over the tap in a telephone style for a traditional look, or hung over the bath from a wall bracket. It is a great choice for family homes, the showerhead attachment is ideal for bathing children and washing hair.

Recommended Product: MARC Bath Shower Mixer Tap

View Taps Product Range


Pull-Out Spray Mixer

The pull out spray tap is similar to the shower mixer but features an extendible pull out hose. The spray head gives complete control and is useful for rinsing. It is also available in our range of kitchen taps, perfect for rinsing and washing food.

Recommended Product: COSMO Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Sink Mono Mixer Tap

View Kitchen Taps Product Range


Freestanding Taps

Freestanding taps are designed for bath tubs without tap holes. These taps become the main feature of your bathroom and we have different styles for you to choose from, including the traditional freestanding tap or the more contemporary swan neck freestanding tap. We also have available standpipes which can be used with any bath shower mixer or bath filler tap.


Recommended Product: MARC Freestanding Bath Shower Mixer Tap

View Freestanding Bath Taps Product Range


Materials

All Willesden Bathrooms taps are made from solid brass making them highly durable. The taps are polished in a 3 layer PVD mirror chrome finish, creating a silky – feel surface and mirror like sheen and is tarnish and corrosion resistant. Our traditional range of taps comes with either cross handles or ceramic lever handles, perfect for more classical bathrooms.

Water Pressure

Water pressures vary between households, it is important to check your water pressure to see if it is suitable for the tap you are considering to purchase. Most taps work fine but some taps such as the shower mixers require a higher pressure to perform. You can get advice from your plumber or your local water company to check your water pressure. It is also best to check the suitability of the tap at the beginning of your bathroom plan as it is easier to adjust the plumbing rather than altering it once the taps are fitted.

Ceramic Cartridges

The ceramic cartridge used in our taps replaces traditional rubber washers and improves water efficiency. The cartridge assures drip-free and exact control over the flow and temperature of the water. The ceramic cartridges are more resilient to wear and tear, which helps prevent erosion meaning they are less likely to need replacing.

Advice on Fittings Taps

There are two ways to install taps. The conventional approach is to mount the taps onto your basin or bath. For a more contemporary look, the taps can be mounted behind the fixtures, giving a clean and uncluttered look to your bathroom.

We recommend that an experienced plumber is used to fit your tap.

Maintaining your Taps

Clean your taps using a soft cloth with warm soapy water to maintain the shine of your taps. Do not use abrasive cleaning products as this could damage the surface.

Wastes

Typical wastes are better known as 'chain and plugs', or 'pop up wastes'; both prevent any objects from obstructing your bathroom plumbing.

When buying a waste it needs to be slotted, or unslotted, depending on whether your basin has an overflow or not. An overflow is the small hole at the back of your basin, usually under the tap, which drains excess water to prevent overflowing from the basin.

If you basin does have an overflow, then it needs a slotted basin waste. The slots are connected to the main waste, and helps dispose of overflowing water. If your basin doesn’t have an overflow, then odds are it requires an unslotted waste.

Type of Wastes

Plug and Chain Waste

The traditional plug and chain waste is still used widely.

Pop Up Waste

This type of waste is integrated into the tap, and works with the use of a small lever, usually located on the back of the tap. The lever is pushed down to raise the waste plug.

View Basin Wastes