Most reliable bathroom tap brand please

[JulietMadeChutney]

In particular would value input from @PigletJohn

Does anyone know if you can still get washer taps.

Need to replace my bath taps - and got a very short window to buy replacements.

Full story to follow...if you care.....

Long boring story involving both bath and sink taps leaking. They were Twyford (so a good brand, or so I thought) Leak started about 5 years after installation.

I managed to replaced the ceramic cartridge (at £60!!) on the bath tap but it was a struggle as the taps are now obsolete. Had to completely replace sink taps with a different brand as we just couldn't undo the collars - so couldn't access the cartridge. Managed to get a similar style so they looked a close enough match. My plumber advised me that Bristan were a good make.

Less than 2 years on Bristan sink taps leaking. Replaced under warranty.

In the meantime the drip on the Twyford (new cartridge) look ominously like it starting up. Added to this they have been slow-dripping under the bath, caused a crack in the porch below....insurance involved.

My builder is going to access the taps/leak from below (hole in porch ceiling) as the alternative is to take the bath out (taps against the wall of the long side of the bath...ie inaccessible). Taking the bath out will be a total ball ache as the bathroom is tiled all around. Including the bath being tiled in. The likelihood of damaging tiling etc is high and I really do not want a new bathroom - I like it as it is.

So whilst he has access to the taps from below I have an opportunity to change the taps - possibly my only opportunity.

So, does anyone still make washer taps? Or of the ceramic/cassette ones can anyone truly recommend a good brand that will not require replacing/fixing in a few years?

I am so tired of taps.

Please help.

Happy with our Crosswater ones. Installed 3.5 years ago and no issues at all

I like Bristan.

Mine are Regency which have a screw-down capstan, and replaceable washers, because I like them. Bristan are good for spare parts.

They might not appeal to your taste.

They also make taps with ceramic cartridges.

I'll be watching this with interest because I also have problems with ceramic cartridges. We are in a hard water area and they don't last long.

I bought Bristan taps as we'd had them before (pre cartridges). I spent a fair bit on them because I thought they'd last. But the cartridges seem to go really quickly. Also the little disks with H and C on are attached flimsily and one of them got lost down the plughole.

Meanwhile the 60-year-old washer taps in my parents' bathroom, half a mile away, are still going strong.

Ceramic cartridges can fuck off.

Yes I agree taps don’t seem to last, we had to replace ours before we sold our house. The Brita filter taps was the worse, always seems to drip, one lot of spare parts under warranty, the next lot I had to pay for, they weren’t cheap, the tap was very expensive to begin with. Still brought a new one for our new home, as I get fed up with filling the filter jug, I never learn.

Glad to have found this thread.
Exactly the same problem.
Can't understand why the taps need replacing so soon and there are no washers!

btw you can buy Bristan indices (hot and cold disks) as spare parts.

maybe put some threadlock on them if they come loose.

Crosswater, Hansgrohe and Grohe are all supposed to be good.

Ceramic cartridges can fuck off. This with bells on.

@PigletJohn actually the Regency ones are not totally off the mark looks wise. Do know if they do any others which are not ceramic?What is it I need to look for wording wise as I am I really struggling.

Also, (sorry) do you think (even if ceramic cartridge) Bristan are an OK make?

I don't mind having to change parts. As long as they don't go bloody obsolete and/or are impossible to actually do. We are in a very hard-water area - though we do have a water softener so get that we may get a bit more build up. But I don't want them to need doing every 5 minutes.

I love my bathroom. I don't want to have to rip it out in a few years just to change the bath taps. Have learnt me lesson about tap placement though Pic attached. Obviously the bath panel removed to find the sodding leak!

Oh and sorry, very rude - thank you for coming to help @piglet

I always buy Roca taps now - never, ever had a problem (multiple taps over years in different properties)

@JulietMadeChutney

they do quite a few, if you look at their online search. The ones with washers usually have either a capstan on top, or a big knob like an inverted cup that you can turn, because they have to fully rotate. They won't have levers or joysticks or little tabs. They tend to be styled like old-fashioned taps, for example the 1901 range (which I don't like and is hard to clean). this is not always the case, but if you click on "View Spare Parts" you can check.

Their "contract" ranges tend to have washers. You can also buy a "tap reviver" in various styles that contains all the working parts and screws into the body of an old tap. This will not always stop a very old tap from dripping if the base is corroded, worn and uneven inside. Sometimes a wrinkly plumber can grind the inside smooth if you want to retain original appearance.

Washers last a very long time, unless you have someone in the house who habitually screws them down with great force and wears them out. This is usually an older person who grew up in a house with dripping taps. They are incurable.

Grohe. Wouldn't have anything else. They go on/off smoothly and don't drip. Have installed six different types across three houses and never had an issue with any of them.

I just looked at "Art Deco" and in the Product Information it says "Long life and easy to use 1/4 turn ceramic disc valves"

so no washer.

I am really struggling to find any other taps without ceramics. I am not sure if I am just not using the right search terms.

I actually would prefer taps with the cross handle things rather than levers. But if I search on anything to do with taps and washers I just get a million pages telling me how to change a washer.

have you browsed the online catalogue?

they also have a customer service desk which is quite helpful with current stock items.