Wet Area Building or Renovating with 10 Tips from Tilo Tapware

Select the appropriate tapware from Tilo Tapware

Building or Renovating: 10 Important Factors
You Should Consider When Choosing Tapware

As you plan your building or renovation project for your bathroom, kitchen or other wet areas, remember to select the appropriate tapware for each situation. Keep the following points in mind when shopping for the tapware that best suits your needs.

1. Style of the Room

Match your tapware to the style of the room. Modern and contemporary require sleek, smooth lines. For the ultra-modern look, select square or rectangular tapware with angular lines, while a traditional, country or eclectic design may include a range of tapware styles such as the classic 3 piece tapware with traditional turned handles and curvy spouts.

2. Materials of the Tapware

Tapware that you choose should only be made of the highest quality of materials including the utilization of DR brass and non-toxic plastics and elastomers. They need to contain truly quality components including the cartridge, aerator, hoses and rubber washers. Quality materials mean safe drinking water and durability and long life for your tapware.

3. Specifications of the Tapware

Consider specific dimensional requirements before making your purchase. For instance, when purchasing for your kitchen consider what the spout height needs to be and the reach (length) is and swivel capability in order clear those tall stock pots and large oven trays. You may also consider the size and depth of your kitchen sink as well in order to appropriately match the two components. Remember a deeper sink effectively increases your spout height. Apart from bench (hob) mounting consider also loff the wall' or wall mounted. Similar consideration needs to be taken into account in the bathrooms as well. For instance consider whether the height of the tap on the basin is restricted because of an above mounted shaving cabinet with outward swinging doors or is a wall mounted mixer more appropriate due to the limited benchtop width.

4. Mounting Style

As briefly mentioned in the above, another decision is the mounting style of your tapware. While shower enclosures more often than not require wall mount mixers, bath tubs may call for wall or hob mount. You may also choose a mixer tap mounted on your vanity for your basin or perhaps a mixer combo (combination of mixer and spout) mounted on the wall above the basin. Consider also the accessibility for the pre-installation of pipework that needs to go in behind the wall in the case of in-wall or off the wall mounted mixers.

5. Smoothness of Operation

Compare various brands of tapware to ensure that you select one that operates effortlessly. Tapware should turn on and off with a seemingly effortless motion and smooth action. This can often be a tell-tale sign of a good quality cartridge.

6. Purchase Only High-Quality Tapware

Even though you will notice vast price differences in tapware, do not select on price alone. You should also consider a company with consistent quality and who is truly prepared to stand behind their product in terms of warranty and aftermarket service. Generally, manufacturers who have stood the test of time with a long history of a maintained good reputation will no doubt not want to jeopardize this. Keep in mind high prices do not denote quality while low prices may be hiding questionable material and quality issues.

7. Select the Water Saving & Industry approved Products

Search out genuine 'WaterMark' approved products covered under the Australian Standards only to ensure quality, reliability and safety for you and your family. Also WELS approved tapware and showers will help you determine whether you are purchasing a water and or energy saving product.

8. Inclusions in a Warranty

Select tapware that comes with extensive warranty but be careful not to look at the length of the warranty alone but what is actually covered under the warranty. Some warranties may claim llifetime warranty' but there are usually limitations and various conditions. Some lifetime warranties in tapware cover the replacement of cartridges only. Others may have a more extensive warranty such as covering chroming and manufacture defects but be shorter in length. Long warranties are not always the most comprehensive or best and more often than not are just a marketing ploy.

9. Quality & Price Go Hand In Hand

As the old saying goes, "there is no substitute for quality" and in tapware and the like this is certainly the case. Everybody knows the cost of getting a plumber to do even the smallest of jobs but where is the saving if you need to get a plumber back in six months' time only to do the job all over again? Not to mention the inconvenience, wasted time and associated material cost. Look for competitively priced products from reputable brands on the market. Cheap items are very rarely and more often than not, not good valued items.

10. Deal Only with a Reputable Company for Tapware Purchases

Lastly, you should deal only with a reputable company. By doing so, you will ensure that you invest in high quality products and receive professional service and advice. There is also more chance if on the odd occasion there is a problem that your complaint won't just fall on deaf ears.

For further facts on selecting the right tapware for your commercial or business needs, turn to Tilo Tapware. We design and manufacture durable, attractive and highly functional tapware here and abroad. Our company delights in the satisfaction of its customers and provides a substantial warranty with each of its products.