When should you replace a kitchen mixer tap?

Clear signs the tap has reached the end of its life

One sign alone doesn't necessarily mean replacement. Two or more together almost always means repair isn't worth it.

• The lever moves stiffly, creaks or sticks
• The spout swivels too freely and water seeps from underneath it
• The water no longer mixes evenly — the temperature jumps with the slightest movement of the lever
• The pull-out spray hose won't retract or leaks inside the cabinet
• The chrome finish is peeling and green corrosion shows underneath
• Pressure stays weak even after cleaning the aerator

Connection hoses are a separate issue

The most common kitchen mishap doesn't start with the tap itself, but with its connection hose. The rubber core of a braided hose ages and the braiding rusts even when the tap itself works perfectly.

Hoses are a wear part. It makes sense to replace them with every tap change and never leave an old hose attached to a new tap.

White limescale marks or rust-coloured spots on the hose braiding in the cabinet are an early warning of failure.

What to measure before buying a new tap

Most failed DIY purchases come down to two simple things not being measured.

• The diameter of the sink or worktop hole (usually 32–35 mm)
• The worktop thickness — a thick stone surface needs a longer fixing bolt
• The clearance under a window, if the tap sits in front of one
• The spout reach, so water reaches both bowls of a double sink
• Whether angle valves exist in the cabinet and what condition they're in

Repair or replace

If the problem is limited to the cartridge or the aerator and the tap is good quality, repair is clearly cheaper. If the body moves, the chrome is peeling or the hoses are old, replacement is the only sensible route.

A tip: in the kitchen it's worth choosing a model with a replaceable cartridge whose spare parts are available in Estonia. That choice determines whether the next fault is a ten-minute job or a full replacement.

To have the work done, our team handles general plumbing work including tap installation and connections.

How long does replacement take

A typical kitchen tap swap with working angle valves takes about an hour. If there are no angle valves, or they won't close, the flat's main stopcock has to be shut off and the job takes longer.

In a cramped cabinet under a deep sink, where the nut can only be reached with a special wrench, the time can stretch out. It's worth clearing the cabinet before the technician arrives.

Frequently asked questions