New Kitchen Tap

[DDJC]

Our kitchen tap is typically Italian. Looks good, is well made, but in use, is a pain in the rear. The on/off mixer lever is right by the spout and we are forever knocking it, sending jets of hot or cold water everywhere.

So we are going to change it.

I have a couple of questions that I am hoping funsters will know.

Firstly, anyone know what type it is so I can find some details about the fitting?

Secondly, if not, how can I find out what type/size of fitting it is? I have tried to rummage around underneath, but it is difficult to reach without dismantling the kitchen and Mrs DDJC would have my Jacobs in a jar if I started that.

Lastly, I am looking for a mixer tap that has a spout arm that will twist laterally and vertically, has anyone any ideas?

Thanks very much,

Dave

 

[berni109]

Dave you need your phone light or flash on for the photos of underneath the worktop. Also take a photo of the other end of the flexy pipes

 

[Itsmcb]

The fitting of the tap through the worktop should be universal, they all fit a standard 35mm hole. I'm not aware of one which swivels in both directions unless you go for one with a pull out spout. As long as you chose one that doesn't require a high water pressure you should be able to chose any tap, dimensions permitting.

 

[Minxy]

Not sure what you mean by twisting laterally and vertically!

Although it's got a cable coming out below there's only one so can't be sure if it's a microswitch one or not, do you know, if not what pump do you have?

 

[Itsmcb]

Not sure what you mean by twisting laterally and vertically!

Although it's got a cable coming out below there's only one so can't be sure if it's a microswitch one or not, do you know, if not what pump do you have?

Ooo, I didn't spot a cable?

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[Minxy]

Ooo, I didn't spot a cable?

I think it's a cable, either that or it's a 'hook' onto the ring.

 

[Itsmcb]

Ah yes, that could complicate things. It will certainly limit the choice of tap if it's a microswitch one

 

[Minxy]

Ah yes, that could complicate things. It will certainly limit the choice of tap if it's a microswitch one

And the cost will be more too!

If it isn't a microswitch one any standard household mixer tap will do (obviously requiring the same aperture and pressure).

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I think I'd be inclined to experiment with a really strong rubber band or similar, diagonal from the tap handle to spout, to make it more difficult to turn it on when not required.

 

[DDJC]

Ah yes, that could complicate things. It will certainly limit the choice of tap if it's a microswitch one

There isn't a switch that I know about . The cable powers a particularly pointless light on the underside of the tap!

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[DDJC]

Dave you need your phone light or flash on for the photos of underneath the worktop. Also take a photo of the other end of the flexy pipes

My light was on! It is extremely dingy under there!

 

[DDJC]

I think I'd be inclined to experiment with a really strong rubber band or similar, diagonal from the tap handle to spout, to make it more difficult to turn it on when not required.

Tried it!
Tried smearing some sticky stuff.
Tried swearing at it.

Didn't work, hence a new tap!

 

[DDJC]

Not sure what you mean by twisting laterally and vertically!

Although it's got a cable coming out below there's only one so can't be sure if it's a microswitch one or not, do you know, if not what pump do you have?

Cheers Mel. What I meant was a tap spout/arm that flipped up and swivelled round from left to right.

 

[DDJC]

The fitting of the tap through the worktop should be universal, they all fit a standard 35mm hole. I'm not aware of one which swivels in both directions unless you go for one with a pull out spout. As long as you chose one that doesn't require a high water pressure you should be able to chose any tap, dimensions permitting.

But there is also talk of a 27mm hole. Which is why I am asking whether anyone recognises this type of tap.

 

[Mikeco]

Have a look on Magnums website, you may see one on there that is suitable but to make it straightforward you need to make sure that you buy one with the same end connectors as your existing one. A normal kitchen tap would be difficult to connect to your existing system and I suggest that you avoid trying.

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[DDJC]

What does a microswitch do? Do I need a tap with one? If you buy a tap with a microswitch, does it need to be connected? I really like the Smev and Reich mixer taps, but they all have a microswitch.

The LED on the existing tap is pointless and I won't miss it.

 

[Mikeco]

What does a microswitch do? Do I need a tap with one? If you buy a tap with a microswitch, does it need to be connected? I really like the Smev and Reich mixer taps, but they all have a microswitch.

The LED on the existing tap is pointless and I won't miss it.

Just leave the cable on or cut it off, you don’t need it but the tap will still work okay without it.

 

[Mikeco]

What does a microswitch do? Do I need a tap with one? If you buy a tap with a microswitch, does it need to be connected? I really like the Smev and Reich mixer taps, but they all have a microswitch.

The LED on the existing tap is pointless and I won't miss it

With a micro switch system the action of turning the tap on sends a signal through the 12 v cable to the pump which then starts, with a pressure system turning the tap on activates the pump.

 

[Itsmcb]

What does a microswitch do? Do I need a tap with one? If you buy a tap with a microswitch, does it need to be connected? I really like the Smev and Reich mixer taps, but they all have a microswitch.

The LED on the existing tap is pointless and I won't miss it.

The microswitches work in conjunction with a certain type of water pump to turn the pump on. The cable going to your tap caused some confusion as it suggested yours was a microswitch tap but it's not.
27mm holes are for single taps, ie hot OR cold hand basin taps. Mixer taps like yours will be 35mm otherwis the two pipes would not fit through the hole in the worktop. Whatever the end fittings on your existing pipework are there will be a reducer available to connect to your new tap hoses. You might need to take both to a plumbers merchant but there will be a fitting that will work.

 

[Itsmcb]

Additionally you can use Smev or Reich microswitch equipped taps on your system, you don't need to connect the cables as they are surplus to your system, the action of opening the tap will activate your pump

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[Minxy]

Cheers Mel. What I meant was a tap spout/arm that flipped up and swivelled round from left to right.

Not sure whether such a thing exists, if it's so you can get a kettle under just buy a tall spout tap instead. I had bought our tall tap from a dealer at a show at a very good price 'just in case we needed it' in the future which was quite serendipitous as it was shortly afterwards that we bought our first Globecar with it's stupidly low tap which drove us nuts - it needed a microswitch version so I must have been able to read the future without knowing I could!

Anyway it's good news that you don't need a microswitch tap so you can pretty much please yourself what you get, no point in getting a microswitch one for the sake of it as they are more expensive anyway. You could have a mooch round B&Q etc and see what they have on offer and once you've identified what you like then do a bit of googling to see what the best price is.

 

[DDJC]

That is really really helpful. Thanks everyone.

The question! Can I change it? I know which end of a hammer hurts your thumb when you hit it, and I know that screwdrivers come in more than two flavours. What level of tech nous is required?

 

[Itsmcb]

Realistically it's a fairly straightforward job. Disconnect the two flexible pipes where they join the main pipes, reach up and unscrew the collar clamping the tap to the top,( you might need a grips to start it off). Replace with new tap. Job done There's always YouTube if you get stuck

 

[berni109]

Looks like you have had lots of suggestions on what you need to find as a replacement but not a lot of advice on how to remove the current one.
I would have have expected to see a big brass nut holding the tap under the worktop but I cant see that in the photos although the tap body under there looks to be threaded. To get the tap out you may need to hold the retaining (nut/ collar) while turning the tap body above the worktop. Twist it a bit at a time or you will damage the stainless tail pipes.
Disconnecting the tail pipes where they join the Van's hot an cold pipes should be easy enough usually 12mm push fit or 3/8th bsp if you can get at the connections. If the van pipe connections are down behind the furniture there might be enough slack to pull them up when you lift the tap out. Make sure the pump is off when you disconnect (dont ask how I know that).
You can get conversion connectors if the replacement tap you want is not what is used currently or the tails on the new tap are too short.

 

[Itsmcb]

I would have have expected to see a big brass nut holding the tap under the worktop but I cant see that in the photos although the tap body under there looks to be threaded.

It's difficult to see on the original photos but it looks like one of those with a long treaded sleeve meant to be tightend by hand. Your suggestion of turning the tap might well work

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