Take a closer look
Find out more about wall-mounted bathroom taps
FREE FLOWING
Streamlined and easy to clean, modern wall-mounted taps keep the bath and basin surface clear for a sleek look. Mixer taps come with hot and cold controls or a more minimal single lever. In most cases only the tap handles and spout are visible, although in some ‘exposed’ thermostatic bath mixers a neat chrome bar conceals the workings.
WATER WORKS
Pipework for wall-mounted taps is most often concealed behind a stud wall. This makes it simple to access if any problems arise. Where space is an issue, it may also be possible to chase the fixings and pipework into a solid wall.
Before buying, ask a plumber to check your water system. Many modern designs require high-pressure taps. A standard gravity-fed system, with a cold-water storage tank and hot-water cylinder, calls for low-pressure taps – unless a pump has been fitted to increase the pressure. Assess the quality of the design at the store, if possible, and look for a manufacturer’s guarantee.
SOLID SURFACE
When choosing wall-mounted basin taps, check that the spout will extend far enough over the edge of the basin so that water won’t splash out, but not as far as the centre of the basin, which will make it difficult for you to bend your head to wash your face. Similarly, check the spout length of a bath tap especially for a wide-rimmed bath that’s set away from the wall.
Some designs come with a hand shower attachment. Taps for double-ended baths can be put on the wall above.