This article explains the key information you should consider when purchasing new taps for your bathroom.

What’s the tap made of?

Taps can be made from a range of materials of varying quality and cost. A general rule of thumb is that the heavier the tap the better the quality of materials used!

Plastic
Plastic taps are very cheap and very low quality. They are very light and are offered in a variety of colours. Plastic taps cannot be recommended for bathroom use because of their poor performance and short expected operational life.

Standard Brass
Standard brass is regularly used to manufacture the bodies of mid-priced, medium quality taps.
Many tap components (such as handles) can be made from plastic or an alternative material. These are cheaper than using brass, and while the quality is regularly very good, brass offers a better finish and lasts longer. Standard brass taps are suitable for bathroom use, with or without plastic components.

DZR Brass
While standard brass has gained complete acceptance, in certain circumstances when exposed to particular combinations of pH and concentrations of chlorides, they can experience corrosion. DZR brass without any plastic components is the Rolls Royce material for taps and the highest quality product will be made from it.

What is the operating mechanism of the tap

Washer less (Ceramic disc, cartridge, or ball) type and compression or spindle type refer to the two alternative ways that the inner mechanism of a tap can operate.

Washer less technology is usually used on more costly taps, as they function better and last longer. When the lever is lifted or turned, the internal parts open allowing the water to flow.

The traditional compression design is commonly used on inferior quality, cheaper tap designs. The tap has a spindle through the core, with the valve seat attached via a screw thread. A standard tap washer is fixed to the end of the valve seat. As the knob is turned the spindle rotates and the screw thread moves the valve seat up and down to adjust the flow of water

Washer less Taps Benefits
Drip free, never change another tap washer again!
Long Life, should never need to be replaced under regular use.
Simple to Operate, only a quarter turn is required to go from full on to off.
Variety of styles, works with modern lever designs and round handles

Draw Backs
Inferior flow rates

Compression Taps Benefits
Superior flow rates

Draw Backs
Hard to operate, handle has to be turned many times from off to full on.
Higher maintenance, washers will need replacing often
Less choice of style, cannot have modern lever designs

When you are comparing tap prices, always ensure that both taps use the same mechanism. They may look the same, but if one is washer less and one uses a spindle then the cheapest tap may actually be the worst value!

Posted by Dave McIntosh on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 2:05 am.