How to Choose Taps — What Nobody Tells You Before You Buy

A monobloc tap has a single body with one spout, typically with two separate handles or a single lever, and mounts through one hole in the basin or sink. A mixer tap is a broader term that can include monoblocs but often refers to taps that mix hot and cold water before it exits the spout. In practice, most modern domestic taps are monobloc mixers — a single-hole unit with a lever or pair of handles that blends hot and cold. The distinction matters most when matching to your basin or sink drilling, and to your plumbing configuration.

Yes. This is one of the most overlooked steps. Many premium taps require a minimum dynamic water pressure of 0.5 bar or higher. In properties with gravity-fed systems — common in older London homes with tanks in the loft — pressure can be as low as 0.1 to 0.2 bar. A thermostatic or pressure-balancing tap that requires 1.0 bar will barely trickle or not function at all in these conditions. Always check your system pressure before specifying and buy taps rated for your actual conditions, not ideal conditions.

No. Chrome is a surface finish, not a material. The substrate underneath matters as much as the plating. Better taps use brass bodies with thick chrome plating (typically 20-30 microns). Budget taps often use zinc alloy (zamak) bodies with thin chrome plating that corrodes, tarnishes, or bubbles within a few years. You cannot tell the difference by looking — you need to check the product specification. A solid brass body is the indicator of quality in any metal tap finish.

A manual shower valve has no temperature memory — you set the temperature by adjusting hot and cold every time. A thermostatic valve has a cartridge that maintains a preset temperature regardless of fluctuations in supply pressure or temperature. In a household where the boiler pressure fluctuates, or where cold water supply changes when another tap is used, a thermostatic valve delivers consistent temperature. They also typically include a thermal cut-off that prevents scalding above 38C. For family bathrooms and elderly users, thermostatic is the professional recommendation.

Buy from the same manufacturer range where possible. Even if finishes look identical on product pages, the same brushed brass from two different brands will have different undertones and ageing characteristics. Within a bathroom, aim to match at minimum: basin tap, bath filler, shower valve, and towel rail. Accessories (toilet roll holders, hooks, mirror) are secondary but should complement. If exact matching is not possible, choose one warm metal and one cool neutral rather than three competing finishes.

WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval means the product has been independently tested and confirmed to meet UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. These regulations exist to prevent backflow, contamination, and waste of the public water supply. In practice, WRAS approval on a tap means it has been tested to not leach harmful materials and to comply with backflow prevention requirements. It is not legally mandatory to use WRAS-approved fittings in domestic properties, but specifying them is good practice, particularly for properties with multiple occupants or let properties.