How do I choose a sink tap?

Author: Sean Braun  |  Last update: Saturday, November 22, 2025

In order to select the right size tap, measure the area where it will be placed, then choose a tap with the corresponding spout height and reach, made of the material you prefer. Water pressure is important to check before buying a kitchen tap as many taps require a minimum pressure of 0.1 bar.

How do I know what kind of sink faucet I need?

Once you have the faucet out, count the holes and measure the distance apart. If there is only one hole in your sink you'll need a faucet designed with the handle as part of the faucet. If you have three holes but want a decorative set of water lines above the sink, select a “bridge faucet" that mixes the hot and cold.

How do I know if a tap will fit my sink?

To do this, you'll need to measure the diameter of the pre-drilled hole and compare it to the diameter of the base of the tap. If they are the same or similar, the tap should fit snugly and securely. Multi-hole kitchen tap fittings, on the other hand, are designed to fit sinks with specific hole configurations.

How do I know what size tap to buy?

If there's one hole, you'll need a mono mixer tap. And where there are two holes, you'll need pillar taps or a mixer tap that uses two tap holes. Finally, think about what spout size is needed. Spouts vary in height, the length they protrude over the sink and the angle at which they project water.

What is the main requirement for selecting a kitchen sink faucet?

First, you need to address size as it relates to functionality. Second, to look balanced, your faucet should be in proportion to the sink. A large faucet would visually overpower a small prep sink, while a small faucet might look odd in a large sink and countertop area will help you pick a faucet you will love.

How to Select the Right Kitchen or Bath Faucet Configuration

What to know when buying a kitchen faucet?

Consider the width, height, and depth of your basin and the size of your pots and pans when choosing your faucet. The range of movement of your faucet is also important. If you have more than one basin, you want to make sure the type of faucet you choose can reach all basins comfortably.

Can any faucet fit my sink?

Before installing a new kitchen faucet, be sure to go underneath your kitchen sink and check how many holes your existing sink uses. While a one-hole faucet can work in a 2-hole sink, the same won't be true for a 2 or 3-hole faucet in a one-hole sink.

Does any tap fit any sink?

Not all taps and countertop basins will be the same size, so you'll want to make sure that there is adequate space from the top of your countertop basin to where the spout exits on the tap.

What to consider when buying a tap?

If you have a high-pressure water system, you'll be able to choose from most bath and basin taps, but if you have a lower pressure system it's worthwhile identifying your exact water pressure to find taps that will ensure a strong flow of both warm and cold water.

Do you need a plumber to change a sink tap?

It is easy to imagine that installing a new kitchen tap is a job best left to a professional plumber. All those fiddly fittings need specialist skills and expensive tools. It must be way beyond the average homeowner. But in reality, it's not a difficult task.

What are the three types of taps?

So what are the types of taps? There are 3 main taps you should be familiar with and they are: Taper, Plug, and Bottoming tap. The taper tap can be identified by the visible and pronounced tapering of the cutting edges.

Are more expensive taps better?

Expensive taps are usually made from higher quality materials, offer better water efficiency, and come with longer warranties. They may also feature more sophisticated designs and finishes.

Are most sink faucets universal?

There are many types of faucets for bathroom use and not all bathroom sink faucets work with every sink. It's important to make sure the faucet you choose will fit your sink or basin. Standard faucet drillings are centerset, single-hole or widespread.

Can I replace a one handle faucet with a double?

If you are wondering, "Can you replace a single-handle faucet with a double" the answer is yes.

What are the three types of faucets?

Four common types of sink faucets – and how they work
  • Compression faucets. These are a traditional style of faucet typically found in older homes. ...
  • Disc faucets. Disc faucets do not rely on washers and are therefore more durable and require less repair in general than compression faucets. ...
  • Ball faucets. ...
  • Cartridge faucets.

Are all sink taps standard size?

Kitchen taps come in many sizes in terms of the height of the neck and the spout. But their base sizes range from 44-60mm, all of which fit into a kitchen sink's standard size pre-drilled tap hole of 35mm.

How do I know what type of tap I have?

Most Common Tap Types

Any bathroom or kitchen tap that has both hot and cold water going into the tap is therefore a mixer tap. The term monobloc tap generally refers to a tap that is a single body fitted onto a single hole on basin or sink.

Are taps interchangeable?

Types of taps

Both taps can all be used for the basin, shower or bath and are often available in the same style for different applications, or you can mix and match. When it comes to choosing taps for your bathroom, you need to consider your existing plumbing, where the taps will be installed and how they'll be used.

How do you choose the right tap?

There are so many different things to look at when selecting the proper tap such as material, volume of holes, coolant supply, rigid or floating holders, as well as the tap material, coating, geometry, etc. We are focusing in on selecting the proper flute geometry and what to do with the chip on different applications.

How do I know my faucet size?

For the most accurate measurement, remove the faucet and handles from the sink. To get the faucet center, measure from the center of the hole in the sink on the far left to the center of the hole on the far right. Faucet center measurements can be anywhere between 4 and 16 inches.

What does D mean on taps?

= 0.2175 – 0.0015. = 0.2160. D or DU Limits (metric taps) D and DU limits are used for metric size ground thread taps. D represents a pitch diameter that is larger than the basic pitch diameter, and DU represents a pitch diameter that is smaller.

Why spray WD-40 up faucets?

Just take a can of WD-40 (preferably one with a long flexible hose) and spray it inside of your faucet. The WD-40 will loosen up the hard water and make the diverter work as smoothly as day one. The same goes for a hard to turn shower knob, a sprits of WD-40 and it will work like brand new.

Are sink faucets one size fits all?

Choosing the right faucet for your kitchen or bathroom sink is key. Make sure it fits your sink's hole size and layout. Most faucets need a hole diameter of 1-1/2 to 2 inches. Always check your faucet model's specs before buying.

How much does Home Depot charge to install a faucet?

For a basic kitchen sink faucet installation by a pro plumber or a qualified handyperson, you can expect the installation cost to be anywhere from $119 for faucet installation through Home Depot, $92 for faucet installation through Lowe's to $400+ on a complex project.

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