Economic Bathroom Taps Replacement

[DickWhittingtonsCat]

Really having a bad week. Also, bathroom taps are all broken. The flat has been for sale for 9 months so I really don't want to spend a lot of money on fancy taps. The handyman came and changed all the washers and sorted out a few leaks last year and he said if I weren't moving he would say replace them all, but it would be a waste as I was moving. Now, the shower hose, which comes out of the bathtub mixer tap, has got a big leak, so we can't have a shower any more. Also, the sink cold tap has been not working for months, ie no water comes out. I think I will have to replace the bathroom sink taps and also bathtub taps and shower hose bit but want to do it as cheaply as possible. Any ideas? Can I buy the fittings on the internet, as I really have no time at all to make a big out of town trip to a DIY store?

[HappyDaddy]

B&Q are cheap and I think you can buy online.

[ladymuck]

But if you're trying to sell then don't go too cheap, as bathrooms and kitchens are 2 of the biggest influences on buyers.

[Weatherwax]

Screwfix is where I brought my new bath taps, they also do Tap Reviver Kit's if the damage isn't too great

[StuartC]

Shower hoses are normally connected to the tap unit with a ½" or ¾" washer (called a "tap-connector washer"). Cost of replacement about 10 pence. You may need to buy a packet of mixed size washers (price £1? Make sure the pack includes tap-connector washers). If you unscrew the hose and remove the old washer (from the female side of the connector) you'll be able to compare the size with the replacement. Push the new washer evenly into the female (don't perch it on the male) and screw together tightly, but only by hand.

If you can't use the shower now, you've nothing to lose by trying.

Regarding the sink cold tap - it's probably an airlock. When the tap was working, was the flow very powerful (almost like the kitchen sink cold tap) or was it only like the flow of the bathroom hot tap?

[Blu]

When I did out my bathroom in my previous house, I avoided the 'sheds' (B&Q etc) and went to local plumbers merchants and asked to see their 'contract' fittings. Some are surprisingly tasteful and all are v v cheap.