How to Replace a Kitchen Tap Mixer in 6 Steps
By Home Fashion Label - Extraordinary Products - Buster + Punch | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to replace your kitchen tap mixer in six straightforward steps, from shutting off the water to fitting a new UK kitchen tap like the Buster + Punch Linear.
Quick answer
Replacing a kitchen tap mixer is a manageable DIY job that takes about an hour. The key steps are: shut off the water supply, disconnect the old tap, prepare the sink hole, fit the new tap, connect the hoses, and test for leaks. For a solid metal UK kitchen tap like the Buster + Punch Linear, ensure you have the correct spanner and plumber's tape.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Before you begin, gather a basin wrench or adjustable spanner, a bucket, plumber's tape (PTFE), a cloth, and a screwdriver. If you're installing a heavy solid metal tap like the Buster + Punch Linear Kitchen Tap, you may also need a second person to hold it in place from above while you tighten the fixing nut from below.
Check that your new tap is compatible with your sink hole spacing. Most UK kitchen taps, including the Buster + Punch Linear, require a single hole or a standard 30-35mm diameter hole. If your sink has three holes, you'll need a tap with a deck plate or a separate base plate.
Removing the Old Tap
Start by turning off the water supply. Under your sink, locate the isolation valves on the hot and cold pipes and turn them clockwise. If there are no isolation valves, turn off the main water supply to your home. Open the old tap to release any remaining pressure and place a bucket under the pipes to catch drips.
Use a basin wrench to loosen the fixing nuts that hold the old tap to the sink. These nuts are often tight and awkward to reach. Once loose, disconnect the flexible hoses from the supply pipes. Lift the old tap out from above. Clean the sink surface around the hole to remove old sealant or debris.
Installing the New UK Kitchen Tap
Feed the flexible hoses of your new tap through the sink hole from above. If you're installing a Buster + Punch Linear Kitchen Tap, note that it is made from rough-cast and precision machined solid metal, so it is heavier than standard taps. Have someone hold it steady while you slide the rubber washer and fixing nut onto the threads from below.
Hand-tighten the fixing nut, then use a spanner to give it a quarter turn more. Do not overtighten, as this can crack the sink or damage the washer. Connect the flexible hoses to the corresponding hot and cold supply pipes using plumber's tape on the threads to prevent leaks. Turn the water supply back on slowly and check all connections for drips.
6 Steps to Replace Your Kitchen Tap Mixer
- 1. Shut off the water supply: Turn off the isolation valves under the sink or the main water supply. Open the old tap to release pressure. Common mistake: Forgetting to open the tap after shutting off the water, leaving pressure in the pipes that causes a spray when you disconnect.
- 2. Disconnect the old tap: Use a basin wrench to loosen the fixing nuts under the sink. Disconnect the flexible hoses from the supply pipes. Place a bucket underneath to catch drips. Checkpoint: If the nuts are rusted, apply penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
- 3. Remove the old tap and clean the area: Lift the old tap out from above. Scrape away old plumber's putty or silicone sealant from the sink surface. A clean surface ensures a watertight seal for the new tap.
- 4. Fit the new tap: Feed the hoses through the sink hole. Place the rubber washer and fixing nut onto the threads from below. Tighten by hand, then give a quarter turn with a spanner. Common mistake: Overtightening can crack a ceramic sink or strip the threads. Stop as soon as the tap feels snug.
- 5. Connect the water supply: Wrap plumber's tape around the supply pipe threads. Connect the hot and cold hoses to the corresponding pipes. Tighten with a spanner until snug. Checkpoint: Double-check that the hot hose connects to the hot supply and the cold to cold. Cross-connecting is a common error.
- 6. Test for leaks: Turn the water supply back on slowly. Open the tap and let water run for a minute. Inspect all connections and the base of the tap for drips. If you see a leak, tighten the connection slightly. If it persists, disassemble, add more plumber's tape, and retighten.
Product facts
- UK KITCHEN TAP / MIXER / LINEAR: A single lever kitchen tap mixing warm and cold, aerated water. Built from rough-cast and precision machined solid metal in Italy, it features a signature linear-knurl lever and linear-knurl aerator cap. The tap is finally refined by hand and finished with a subtle acid-etched B+P insignia. Only available for sale in the UK. The solid metal construction means the tap is heavier and more durable than standard models, so you'll need a sturdy sink and possibly an extra pair of hands during installation. The linear-knurl lever provides a precise, tactile grip even with wet hands.
