When designing your home, you will need to choose taps for your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. The decision here can have a significant impact on the overall functionality, aesthetic, and sustainability of your home. From the choice of material, mechanics, or functionality, your tap choices should be considered to ensure long-lasting style and satisfaction. We have compiled a range of different types of taps to help you make your decision.
Whether it’s assistance in deciding between different types of taps or emergency plumbing services, Akins Plumbing is the plumbing company for you. Call our team on (07) 3891 7480, get in touch online, or e-mail admin@akinsplumbing.com.au for plumbing quotes or general enquiries.
Different Types of Taps
Choosing a tap isn’t as straightforward as you may think with many different types of taps on the market. Each of these water tap types has its own unique pros and cons, as well as uses in the house.
Mixer Taps
A mixer tap, as the name implies, combines hot and cold water through one spout and allows for the temperature to be controlled by mixing both. Mixer taps are the most common water tap types and are often seen in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries.
They allow you to switch between hot and cold and create an ideal temperature without having to balance the hot and cold. A downside is that mixer taps have more parts that can wear out, those being the washers, O-rings, or valve seating, leading to leaks and decreased pressure.
Pillar Taps
Pillar taps are pairs of taps with one cold and a separate hot tap, with each one operating independently from the other. Pillar taps are often found in older homes and have that touch of old-school charm. Today people opt for a more modern tap, like the mixers.
Pillar taps are commonly installed in bathtubs, basins, and sinks where two separate controls for hot and cold water are desired. A draw back to pillar taps are that you can’t create a desired mixed temperature out of the tap. They can also be harder to operate and maintain effectively.
Monobloc Taps
The terms mono bloc and mixer can be used interchangeably when describing how a tap works, but they do have slightly different meanings. While both do mix the hot and cold water to achieve a desired temperature, the main distinction between the two comes from the design and installation.
Monobloc taps are named for their single-body design and one hole for installation. It can feature one or two handles or levers to operate the taps. These water tap types are a popular choice, but if there are issues with the washers, they are difficult to repair and often need replacing entirely.
Wall-Mounted Taps
As the name suggests, these are taps that are mounted on the wall. While there isn’t much difference in the tap’s functionality, these are an excellent choice for bathrooms. Wall-mounted taps can make your bathroom countertops look visually cleaner by removing the cluttered look. They are also easier to clean and are less likely to get covered in soap or other products.
The disadvantages of having wall mounted taps are that you may have limited design options, as they are often more costly and have a more difficult installation and maintenance process. They are also not compatible with sinks that don’t have a wall behind them, so they won’t work on your kitchen island.
Sensor Taps
Another tap with a self-explanatory name is the sensor tap. These taps allow you to operate them without having to touch the tap itself. These are a popular choice in kitchens as they can mitigate the cross-contamination when preparing food, so no more chicken hands on the tap.
Sensor taps require a power source to operate, whether that is batteries or a connection to the home’s power. This means that in the case of a power outage or flat battery, your tap may become non-functional. They are also more prone to water wastage with movements triggering the tap. Sensor taps also have less precise temperature control than manual taps.
Pull-Out Taps
Pull-out taps are a popular choice in many kitchens due to their exceptional functionality. These taps, which feature a hose that pulls out, are highly versatile and usually have a spray functionality as well as a normal tap. This makes tasks like cleaning dishes, washing the sink, and washing vegetables easier.
Like all taps, they do have their disadvantages. A taller spout to accommodate the hose may limit water pressure when not using the spray function. They may not be suitable for smaller sinks, and the cheaper options are prone to more issues when compared to their affordable cousins, like mixer taps.
Your Trusted Local Plumbers
If we have helped you secure a choice between the available different types of taps, trust us to install them in your home with peace of mind. Our team of residential plumbers Brisbane is here to help with all plumbing installs and repairs. Call our team on (07) 3891 7480, get in touch online, or e-mail admin@akinsplumbing.com.au for plumbing quotes, sustainable plumbing requests, and general enquiries.