5 Easy Steps: Installing A Basin

There are many variations in style, size and colour of the bathroom basin, if you're not in the industry, a bathroom basin is what you are more than likely to refer to as a sink. The most common style of basin is the pedestal basin which comes in two parts, a basin and a pedestal.  In this ‘five easy steps’ guide, us guys at ThinkTaps are going to guide you on the path of correctly installing your pedestal basin.

 Step 1 - Installing taps to your basin:

The first thing you’ll need to do is prepare your taps ready to be fixed to the basin.  Your basin will either have a single hole for a mixer tap or twin holes for two pillar taps. Install the tap connectors if possible. Doing this now stops you from having to install them after the basin is fitted to the wall where you’d find restricted access.  Position the tap in its mounting hole with its washers. If washers weren’t supplied with the tap a cost effective alternative is silicone sealant, this can be used by spreading evenly on the base of the tap. Now you’ll be required to rest the basin on its rim and install the second washer onto its tail. If you don’t have a washer silicone sealant can also be used here. Hand-tighten the back nut to secure a firm fit, then finish off by using a cranked spanner to make sure the tap is clamped to the basin firmly.

 Step 2 - Installing the waste outlet:

It is important for the waste outlet to be aligned correctly so that the integral overflow system works effectively. When installing a waste outlet you need to keep in mind that it has to be water-tight so installation using washers or silicone sealant is essential.  When tightening the back nut, make sure that the outlet is held in position, after this you will be required to install the waste trap, attach one to the end of the waste outlet and the other to the waste pipe.

 Step 3 - Check the level:

Now all of the essentials are attached to your basin, it’s time to check if your basin is level while sitting on the pedestal. Simply use a spirit level, if there isn’t a flat surface on the top of your basin, putting a piece of wood on top and checking the level of the wood will give you an accurate idea as to how level it is.

 Step 4 - Drill the holes: 

Mark through the fixing holes to give yourself an accurate guideline on where to drill, then remove the basin from the pedestal. At this point you will be required to drill two holes into your wall in preparation for the basin to attach.

 Step 5 - Installation completion:

At this point you will need to insert plugs into both of the holes you have created, then carefully ease the basin into position, simply screw it into the wall and the pedestal to the floor.  All of the essential parts such as bolts and plugs can be purchased as bespoke fixing kits. To finalize your installation, use silicone sealant or an alternative to fill in all of the crevices on your basin for added support.

We believe in making DIY easy and taking the mystery out of perceived difficult tasks.

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Have a subject you need help on? Ask us, we're always happy to dispel our knowledge at ThinkTaps

Ceramic Discs vs Washers

For those of you not so in to taps and their internal workings as us here at ThinkTaps I'll start by explaining in brief the two terms.

Ceramic Discs - Ceramic Disc Taps contain a cartridge within the body of the tap which comprises of two ceramic discs, each with two holes. One of the discs turns when the tap is opened, whilst the other is fixed in place. When the tap is off, the holes in the discs are misaligned. As the tap is turned on, the holes in the discs line up to allow water to pass through. When the tap is fully open, the holes should be perfectly aligned.
Washers -  Nothing too complex and very much as the name suggests, a washer is indeed a washer, but made of rubber.

So which should you be looking for when it is finally time to change your taps?

As with all change, evolution and technological advancement, there will be more than one school of thought on this subject.
There will be those that don't like change, those that for some reason have had a bad experience, perhaps not even related to the taps internal workings, and those that just enjoy flying in the face of the obvious.
But, for the masses, the manufacturers that care about returns and guarantees, the testing houses that drum up comparisons and facts based on figures and tangible evidence, the results are almost resounding, that the evolution of Ceramic Discs in to the tap internals adds years, decades and even longer to the longevity of your taps.

Why is this?

In short, washers are made of rubber and through repetetive movements and repeated friction, grooves and other surface irregularities are formed. Via these surface defections, pressurised water makes its escape and hence the 'dripping tap'.
Ceramic discs on the other hand are exactly that, made of ultra hard components designed to resist wear for decades upon end, and that's exactly what they do!
No surface irregularities, no grooves for pressurised water to escape and no dripping taps!


So what will your choice be?

Well based on the fact that most manufacturers still manufacture both types, albeit those with washers are usually lower priced, we'd have to say that it depends how much you expect to get out of your taps - and we're not talking litres now!
Do you require a budget price tap and a quick fix? If so, any tap will do.
If you're a planner and you want your taps to last and more than that, you've invested in their beautiful aesthetics, then ceramic discs are the way forward.

Ceramic Discs vs Washers - contest? We don't think so!
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