Conquering the Tapware
The appeal of your bathroom may be lost in the moment prospective buyers walk into the room and their eyes immediately fall on an ugly, outdated bathroom vanity. If replacing the whole shebang is outside your budget, replacing the tapware and handles can work to draw the eyes of buyers to the bright, shiny new ‘jewellery’. Our business is to give sellers the advantage styling and staging a home can bring and we know from experience that this DIY project is a sensational way to transform your bathroom from blah to beautiful in an hour or two for less than $100.
What you’ll need: an adjustable wrench, a pair of pliers, a tape measure, plumber’s putty, and plumber’s tape. Your helpful home improvement store staffer will show you what products work best with the tapware set you’ve chosen.
Select your tapware: Knowing what tapware set to buy is your first challenge. We suggest this: if you are a bona fide plumbing newbie, it might be best to stick to basics. Select a tap type in the same configuration as the one you already have. (With that caveat in place, the handsome tapware sets of today come with detailed installation instructions. According to our experts who create advantage styling daily, with a little patience and careful attention to detail, you can take on even those taps that look complicated. Follow the instructions carefully, and you can branch out without fear.)
Assemble your parts: When you open your tapware kit, be sure you have all the parts necessary according to the instructions.
Remove the old set: First turn the water off at the supply lines and open the taps in the sink to drain water existing in the lines. Remove the nuts and bolts that secure the hardware to the sink and set them aside. Lift the tap out from the top.
Installation: Putting the new parts together can be a bit challenging; to the extent that you’re working in an uncomfortable position — on the floor, on your back, and most likely inside a dark vanity cabinet. It might help if you do a ‘dry run’ in the light of day, of putting the parts together before you try to assemble them in place.
If you’ve never had occasion to work with plumber’s putty, don’t worry. It’s just like the clay you used in elementary school, but it works well to keep water from seeping into the wrong places. When it’s called for, simply take a small amount in your hand and mould it into a 1cm rope. You’ll place this rope around the base of the centre spout then tighten the bolts to secure it in place. The putty creates a seal to keep water splashes in the sink where they belong.
Tap sets vary, so remember to follow the installation instructions that came with yours very carefully.
In the end, double check all your fittings, and slowly turn ON the shut off valves one at a time. Test for leaks and allow the new tap to run for a few minutes to flush it thoroughly.
Preparing a home for sale can provide a multitude of opportunities for the unschooled homeowner to expand their knowledge of the plumbing, electrical, and painting trades. If you’re not inclined to become adept at changing plumbing or electrical fixtures, your house styling professional will be happy to provide you with a list of tradesmen and/or handypersons who can help you take care of the little details that will give your home the advantage styling edge when it’s listed for sale. Meanwhile, enjoy your triumph over the mysteries of tapware. Congratulations!