The benefits of having an Outdoor Tap fitted

Summer is nearly upon us and we will all be doing things outside, which would benefit from having an outside tap. Whether it’s gardening, filling the kids paddling pool, washing the car, cleaning the patio or hosing down the dog, an outside tap can be convenient to have.

Having access to an outdoor tap can make your life much easier and we tell you all you need to know about getting one installed.

Providing you have a water supply close to an outside wall, having an outdoor tap installed is a relatively straightforward process for an experienced Plumber. The ideal situation is if you have a kitchen with the sink on an external wall at the back of the house. If that’s your domestic set-up, it’s a relatively simple matter to drill a hole outside and connect an external tap to the mains under the sink.

However, if this isn't your domestic set up don't worry, it is still possible to have an outside tap installed without an easily accessible water source, but it is more complicated and does cost more. It may be that pipework will need to run under the floor or be boxed in which is a much bigger job.

If you are unsure about which outdoor tap to install, we can advise you. If you decide to purchase a tap yourself, make sure that it complies with British Standards. The regulations stipulate that an outdoor tap must have a check valve installed. This valve ensures the water can flow only in one direction which is out from the mains. Water, particularly in a garden or street, can get contaminated with dirt, mud or grit, and the check valve ensures that any contaminants don’t enter the main water supply.

Some people just opt to have a cold tap installed outside, however you can also have a hot tap installed.  This can be really useful for filling up the kids paddling pool, washing the car or even the dog! 

If you would like some more information on having outdoor taps installed, contact our team of experienced Plumbers on 0113 250 53 75 or visit our website.