Installation
1. Shut the water supply off
Switch off the water supply by closing the main water valve - this is located close to the water meter. Next, turn on the taps and run until no more water comes out. Before loosening the water hoses or fittings, place a cloth under the pipes as some water could still drain out. If there are any more shut-off valves in the pipes that lead to the tap, close them before starting work.
2. Loosen the connections
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and disconnect the connections - there could be either two supply pipes each end with a compression fitting or two shut-off valves in the pipes under the sink.
3. Remove the old tap
Now you can remove the old kitchen tap. At the base of the kitchen tap is a tube with an external screw thread. This protrudes through the hole in the kitchen sink or worktop and is secured underneath by a nut, washer or retaining plate. Loosen the nut with the adjustable wrench and remove it by hand. You can now lift the old tap out from the top.
4. Fit the new tap
The new kitchen tap has a tube with an external screw thread at its base. Push the tube through the hole in the sink or worktop and push the retaining plate and washer over the tube, fit the nut and tighten using the adjustable wrench or water pump pliers. Make sure the tap is facing the right way. If you have a new stainless steel sink or composite worktop you`ll need to drill a new hole of the right diameter for the mounting tube of the tap. Use a hole saw that`s suitable for the sink or worktop material.
5. Fit the water supply pipes
Inside the large mounting tube at the base of the kitchen tap there are two supply pipes - these are for the hot and cold water supplies. These pipes are made from a soft flexible material with a 10mm diameter. You can bend them into the required position by hand and cut them to the required size with a pipe cutter if necessary.
6. Flexible supply tubes
Flexible supply tubes are supplied with a new kitchen tap, but they are also available separately in various lengths from stores. The tubes feature a stainless steel braiding that protects the synthetic rubber flexible tube. The ends of the tubes have connecting nuts that are specially designed to provide a watertight joint. The flexible supply tubes are available in different diameters and with various connections.
7. Check for leaks
Once you`ve fitted your new taps and tightened the joints, you can open the main water valve. Turn the tap on and make sure there are no leaks. Top tip - make sure no dirt gets into the water supply pipes when installing a new kitchen tap to prevent contaminating the drinking water.