When it's time to replace your bathroom tap, you can either outsource it to a professional or do it yourself. You don't need to be a construction professional to install a faucet; even people with a little dexterity can do it themselves. If you have any doubts about your manual skills, you should have a professional install the tap, as insurance companies will not reimburse you for the costs incurred in the event of water damage.
The main purpose of a tap is to mix water to get the water to the desired temperature for the user. But beyond that, the tap is nowadays also part of the interior design. It is therefore possible to change a tap simply because you want it to fit in better with your interior. There is a wide range of different types of taps available today, so everyone is sure to find the one that suits them best.
Where can a bathroom tap be installed?
In most cases, the bathroom tap is installed directly in the wall. There are water pipes running inside the wall, so it is easy to install a tap in the bathroom. Of course, the tap must meet the standard dimensions in order to be installed successfully. Standard dimensions mean that the mixer is installed at a height of 1.2 metres from the floor. The distance between the water outlets in the tap is 15 cm. The mixer will only work properly if it is correctly installed. It is therefore worth checking the dimensions and following them carefully.
Another option is to install a faucet in the bathtub. In many cases, the faucet parts are left behind the bathtub so that they are not visible. When installing in the bath, it is advisable to use flexible hoses that can bend in awkward places. This gives flexibility and makes the installation easier.
A bathroom tap can also be installed on the floor, but this option is relatively rarely used. It is also more expensive than other installation methods and is not suitable for all bathrooms. Floor installation is more complicated, and usually requires the services of a specialist plumber.
Specific types of mixers
When we talk about a bathroom tap, we usually mean a mixer. There are many different types of mixers. Mixers, which provide hot and cold water separately, are old-fashioned and are hardly available on the Finnish market today. Instead, mixers may be available with one or two levers. There is little difference in the installation of mixers as to whether there are one or two levers. It is mainly only a matter of appearance and minor functional aspects.
The two-lever or two-valve mixer is the most common. Double-lever means that there are two different valves for the hot and cold water supply. The temperature of the water is regulated by a thermostat, which is rotated in either the hotter or colder direction. Although dual-valve mixers have many advantages, they do have their drawbacks. One of these is the rapid wear of the valve. This means that the valve has to be replaced fairly often, but on the other hand, replacing the valve is a quick job that anyone can do.
Single-valve mixers, on the other hand, mean that all functions are controlled by a single lever. They are therefore easy to use and at the same time have fewer wearing parts. Single-lever mixers also save time. The water temperature is immediately at the right temperature, unlike with twin-lever mixers.
