Some tap advice

[SteveHarvey]

Hi,

I've got a Sottini sink with a set of taps which are very difficult for my children to use - they're really hard to turn on and off and one of the taps (the hot one) is faulty anyway. Time for a new set, I think.

It's a 3 part tap set/sink and I'm thinking of replacing it with something cheap and cheerful like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/77557...Taps/Contract-Taps/3-Hole-Basin-Mixer-Chrome#

Is there a 'standard' size for sinks/taps? My existing one is a 3 part set like this one, but I'm not sure if there's likely to be any problems or if these things are all a standard size?

I guess I might need a plumber to fit them for me, but any help on the above would be grateful.

Thanks a lot.
Steve

 

[Axel]

Screwfix products are easy to return for full refund, in case diameter is wrong. A bit fiddly to fit at times - make sure you out stuff on in the right order! And read the manual!

 

[muggles]

Basin taps should be fairly standard, depending of course on how old your current ones are. Beware that if you buy cheap you will get cheap. It may be possible to service the ones you have and breathe new life into them, depending on what exactly is wrong with them

 

[SteveHarvey]

Thanks guys. The major problem is both taps are so hard to turn, they're really stiff. You also have to really turn them tight to stop the tap dripping. I don't know if that sounds serviceable (in general) or not?

 

[Axel]

Buy the screwfix taps, keep them in the box while you attempt to service the old ones yourself. If it works, refund the screwfix taps.

If you are paying a plumber to come and do it, better replace them as they probably won't be prepared to guarantee a service on old taps for very long.

 

[SteveHarvey]

Thanks, sounds like decent advice. I'll order them tomorrow.
Any tips on servicing taps?

 

[Axel]

1/4 turn taps with ceramic cartridges can be cleaned out of debris but usually require a replacement cartridge which costs at least £20, normal taps can be sorted using new washer and some grease on the screwthread inside plus a bit of silicon grease on the o rings. Yours, if they are stiff but not dripping, might be serviceable if you can get them apart properly - circlips etc but I would definitely have a spare set of taps handy!!

 

[SteveHarvey]

lol, thanks. I'll be sure to do that...