How to change taps on Vanity basin unit?

[Hyper88]

I need to change the taps on a Vanity Basin Unit.

But have been told it is a bit of a drama. It seems it is easy to fit / install taps on new installation, but when it comes to changing basin taps after they have been fitted is hard. Can anyone advise how to go about this?

 

[Terrywookfit]

Isolate supplies.
Remove old taps.
Fit new taps.
Reinstate supplies.
Check for leaks.
OR
Call a Plumber.

 

[Madrab]

Call a Plumber.

Lol..yup
Make a call
Pay some money
Use new fitted taps

 

[Hyper88]

Isolate supplies - that part is obvious!
Remove old taps - On a pedestal it is straight forward. However, I want to know how to do this on a vanity unit. So I need to remove the basin? Or can I leave the basin in place? There is a shelf in the vanity unit. It does not appear to be on 'pegs', so unsure how they have fixed it place. Also, this is a mixer unit, so not much space to work with...
[/b]

 

[longdogs]

It depends on how accessible the taps is? Can you get to the pipe connections ok?, are there isolation valves fitted? Is the tap connected with flexi or copper tails?

You will need one of these to reach the nut under the basin

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1215...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

 

[Hyper88]

It depends on how accessible the taps is?
I think I might remove the waste trap to make life easier. Have about 30cm clearance between underside of basin and shelf.

I think it is going to be hard to work from the underside... sort of working blind. Any words of wisdom?

Can you get to the pipe connections ok?,
Yes - that is easy - well located.

are there isolation valves fitted?

Yes!

Is the tap connected with flexi or copper tails? [
Flexi

Thank you for the link to the tool. It makes more sense!

 

[Dextraneous]

Mirror? Camera on phone? Imagination?

 

[longdogs]

Yes, remove the waste to give yourself more room. You will find that using the tool will allow you to work 'blind', that's really what they are for. Also, the tool comes in two parts (four different nut sizes) and the two parts can normally be pushed together to make the tool longer so that you can get the bar through to turn it.

If your new tap doesn't have flexis, buy a couple separately from a plumbers merchant for a few quid (Take the taps with you as there are different sizes). This will make reconnecting easier.

And don't drop the back plate and nut down the back of the unit