Is your kitchen tap dripping, stiff, or looking old fashioned? Learning how to change a sink tap is one of the most rewarding DIY jobs you can do at home. You can save on plumber costs and give your sink an instant upgrade. Whether you want to replace a kitchen tap or change a bathroom sink tap, the process is very similar. Here is a complete guide on how to replace a sink tap safely and correctly.

Safety First: If you are unsure at any point, turn the water back on and call a qualified plumber. Working with water and plumbing requires care.

Tools You’ll Need to Replace a Sink Tap

Before you start your sink tap replacement, gather everything you need:

• New kitchen tap or sink mixer tap
• Adjustable spanner and basin wrench / tap spanner
• Pair of flexible tap connectors (if not included with new tap)
• Screwdrivers (flathead & Phillips)
• PTFE tape (Teflon Tape)
• Bucket, towel, and sponge
• Torch or headlamp

Step-by-Step: How to Change a Kitchen Tap

Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply

This is the most important step. Find your stopcock or isolation valves. The isolation valves are usually small silver valves on the pipes under the sink - turn them clockwise to shut off. If you don't have them, turn off your main stopcock, which is usually under the kitchen sink or near your water meter.

Open the old tap to release the remaining water and confirm the supply is off. Put a bucket under the pipes to catch drips.

Step 2:  Take a Photo of your Existing Tap Setup

Before you start,  take a photo of your current tap setup including pipe connections and washers. This helps with refixing and ensures your reconnections are accurate.

Step 3: Disconnect the Old Tap

Under the sink, you will see the hot and cold water pipes connected to the tap tails. Use your adjustable spanner to unscrew the flexible hoses or copper pipes. Have your towel ready - there will be some water left in the pipes.

Next, find the tap fixing nut that holds the tap to the sink. This is a large nut right under the sink. This is where a basin wrench makes changing a kitchen tap much easier, as space is tight. Unscrew it and lift the old tap out from above. Clean the area around the tap hole thoroughly to remove limescale and old sealant.

Step 4: Prepare the New Tap

Unpack your new sink tap. Before you fit it, it’s a good idea to do a quick assembly.  Screw the flexible tap tails (the threaded pipes) into the bottom of the new tap by hand, then tighten slightly with a spanner.

Wrap 5-6 turns of PTFE tape clockwise around any threaded connections that don’t have a rubber washer. This helps to make a watertight seal and prevent leaks when you replace a sink tap.

If your new mixer tap comes with an O-ring or rubber seal, make sure it sits in the groove at the base of the tap. This seal stops water flowing around the base.

Step 5: Fit the New Tap

Feed the flexible tails of the new tap down through the tap hole in your sink. Make sure the tap is facing the right way. From underneath, add the rubber washer, metal washer, and fixing nut back onto the tails in that order. Tighten the fixing nut by hand at first to position the tap perfectly straight, then tighten firmly with your basin wrench. Don’t over-tighten, as this can damage ceramic sinks or stainless steel sinks. Check the photo before fixing, to make sure everything is fixed correctly.

Step 6: Reconnect the Water Supply

Connect the hot and cold flexible hoses to your water pipes. Usually,  the hot is on the left and cold on the right. Check your tap instructions carefully. Tighten the connectors with your spanner until they are firm, but not forced.

Check that all connections are fastened and that no PTFE tape is blocking the flow.

Step 7: Test for Leaks

This is the moment of truth. Slowly turn your isolation valves or main stopcock back on. Go under the sink with a torch and check every joint for drips. Turn your new kitchen tap on slowly and let it run for a minute to clear any air and debris.  Turn it off and inspect again for leaks. If you see a small drip from a threaded joint, tighten it a quarter turn more or add a little more PTFE tape.

Wipe everything dry and leave a dry piece of kitchen roll under the pipes for 10 minutes. It will show even the smallest leak.

Also Read: Boiling Water Tap Installation: What You Need To Know

Common Problems When You Change a Kitchen Tap

Low water pressure after replacement - The aerator (small mesh filter in the tap spout) may be blocked with debris. Unscrew it, rinse it, and put it back.

Tap wobbles - The fixing nut underneath needs to be tightened a bit more.

Water leak at the base - The O-ring seal may be missing or pinched. Turn water off and reseat it.

When to Call a Plumber for Tap Replacement

You should call a professional if:

• Your pipes are old lead or corroded copper pipes
• You don’t have isolation valves and can’t find the stopcock
• The leak continues after you change a sink tap
• You are fitting a different type of tap, like changing from pillar taps to a mixer tap which may need new tap holes

To Keep Your New Tap Sparkling

To keep your new kitchen tap looking new,  wipe it everyday with a soft cloth and soapy water. Avoid abrasive cleaners like Cillit Bang or scourers, which can scratch the chrome finish. In hard water areas, a quick wipe with white vinegar will stop limescale build-up.

Changing a sink tap might appear daunting, but with the right tools and an hour of your time, it’s a simple DIY upgrade that can revamp your kitchen or bathroom.

Looking for a new tap? Browse our range of high quality kitchen taps and sink mixer taps, designed to be durable, water efficient, and easy to fit.