kitchen sink tap replacement

[mirz]

current kitchen tap is very noisy on cold water, so we have decided to replace this tap.

wife likes this pull-out mixer tap, and checked on internet, its about $150 to buy one.

i need advise from experts here on following:

1 - any recommended brand for pull-out kitchen mixer.
2 - is it easy to replace one by myself or better to arrange with plumber to do it?
3 - any rough idea how much a plumber should charge me to replace this mixer.

btw, its about 7 years old mixer in stainless steel sink.

thanks :2tsup:

[mnorman007]

Not full knowledge on paticular brands of mixers...
They are easy to do, the ones I have done. Has 2 hoses from the tap to the sources for hot & cold, some teflon tape and they screw on. just turn off your water first :)
No idea on plumber cost, sorry.
Good luck!
Michael

[bricks]

Hansa and Frankie are good mixers IMO.

Change over is not hard - as before no thread tape on the flexi connector ends.

You do need mini cistern cocks under the bench tho.

Would take a plumber less than one hour to change over. Keep the cost down by emtying the cuboard before they get there.

Should cost 1 hours wages. $65-$100

I'm assuming you already have a mixer in the kitchen and not the two tap handles and a spout kind? If you do have the two tap handle and spout kind it will cost heaps more.

If you want to do it yourself.

Turn off water under bench
Have a look how the old one was hooked up
undo the flexi hoses
Get on your back and look up at the bottom of the mixer, there will be a small ( 10-13mm) tube type hex nut.You can undo it with a regular spanner ( easier with a tube, box or socket spanner) It takes quite a few turns.
Pull the mixer out from the top, you might find that the chrome ends don't want to come out, bugger around with it till the ends come out- you will get it just takes some nouse sometimes.

Put the new mixer in.
Follow the intructions ( should basically be a reverse operation)

Do not over tighten the flexi connectors - hand tight plus one quarter to half turn only, if it leaks just do it a bit more. Should be firm not so tight you have to make a weird face to tighten it.

[mirz]

thanks very much for your response.

atm there is a mixer not a spout with 2 handles. so after reading very encouraging response, i m inclining to do it by myself.

this is basicaly kind of mixer, i am after:
http://www.hansataps.com/Products/Products.asp?P=2016&G=98

though not sure price tag for Hansa, will ring their local shop tomorrow to find that out.

[Stringy]

Mirz,

Have a FRANKE mixer for the kitchen sink which has been weeping for the last couple of weeks.

Chasing up parts diagram yesterday and rang franke on free call line and was informed that their taps have a 5 year warranty an they would send a technician within 48hours:oo:.

I am still in shock, as I was expecting this to be a costly exercise!

This may be worth checking with whatever brand you decide on.

[mirz]

thanks Stringy, would you mind telling me how much you paid for FRANKE mixer? is it pull out one or without pull out?

i was checking "Franke TA 791 Sirmione" on their website, looks nice, but i dont know its price atm

cheers

[Stringy]

Mirz,

Don't know what it cost, invoice says sink/tap set! It's a TA 560, not the pull out type? Also over 2 years ago since purchased!

Cheers,

[bricks]

I'm glad too hear about the service at frankie Stringy, I've honestly not had any problems with them, obviously they want to see exactly whats gone wrong. Good to know that their product is backed up like that.

[mirz]

yesterday checked out price for Hansa Mixer, its $990, damn, way too expensive for me.

i am sorry to say but $990 for a sink mixer, cant justify. will look around for some other option. dont wanna go above $300 mark.

[seriph1]

Hi Mirz - I have a plumber mate in Craigieburn who could help. He does all the maintenance for a mob who makes a nice tapware range right here in Melbourne (Preston) - Let me know if you'd like his number.

[silkwood]

Mirz, you're not going to get a decent pull-out mixer for $150. I sell one for $200 and I'm not too keen on that. Value for money, I think the starting point for a good mixer with veg-spray is the Zuchetti or similar. They do a pull-out mixer for around $350 (a variety of handles, I like the 2635 series). Below that and you're getting either nylon hose covers (which tend to fray, though that doesn't really affect the performance, just the aesthetics) or dodgy wound steel hoses, which probably WILL fail. The Franke units are pretty good, depending on who makes them for Franke, but my favourite tapware is Hansa (but, as you are finding, not cheap. I think the veg-spray units start at about $560). KWC is a Swiss brand owned by Hansa and is also excellent.

Cheers,

Mark

[mirz]

Hi Mirz - I have a plumber mate in Craigieburn who could help. He does all the maintenance for a mob who makes a nice tapware range right here in Melbourne (Preston) - Let me know if you'd like his number.

would much appreciate that. as both Preston and Craigieburn are very close form my place. :2tsup:

[mirz]

I think the starting point for a good mixer with veg-spray is the Zuchetti or similar. They do a pull-out mixer for around $350 (a variety of handles, I like the 2635 series).
Cheers,

Mark


thanks heaps Mark for information. i will definately check Zuchetti, looks nice on their website.

and i can stretch my budget to $350, but just cant sped $900+ atm on kitchen tap atm. :no:

will keep your tips in my mind during next visit to plumbing showroom.

cheers