The first thing you need to do is turn off your water supply. You can imagine the water carnage in your house if you fail to take this action – so make sure the water supply has been turned off before you begin any work. Once the water has been turned off, turn the taps on until they run the system dry.
Then you will need a wrench to undo the nut which connects the tap to the supply pipes. It can be tricky to get access to this – especially under the bath, but perseverance will usually get you there.
Now undo the nut which attaches your taps to the bath or basin. You may find it useful to have another person holding onto the valve, so it doesn’t turn as you try to undo the nut.
Place your taps into the holes in the bath or sink with the washers between the tap and the surface of the bath or basin. A back nut will be supplied which can be tightened to attach the tap.
Once the taps are attached, the supply pipes can be connected. It is possible to use copper piping to do this or push-fit plastic fittings. Copper is useful for awkward positioning, but you will require a blowtorch and solder to fit the lengths together.
When connecting to the water supply, hand tighten each end until the position is correct and you feel that the water will run without any problems. This should mean that there are a few twists and turns as possible. Try to keep your plumbing neat. Once you are happy, tighten both ends.
Now is the time to turn on the water and run the taps just gently at first. Check carefully all around the connections and the faucets themselves to see if any water is escaping. Remember that even the smallest drip can lead to damage over time. If a leak is detected, simply tighten the nuts and connections and try again. Your last resort will be to take it apart and try again.
A plumber will charge you a fortune to fit some taps – so doing it yourself will save you plenty. So you will be able to buy those fancy new taps you had your heart set on.
