Installation for Outside Garden Tap Kit

Posted by Team Bog on Feb 04, 2020

Garden Tap Kit 

Skill Level: Intermediate

Installing a tap can take a couple of hours to half a day depending on the amount (if any) of pipework that needs to be done.

You will need basic plumbing and DIY skills.

Under current regulations, when you put in a new outdoor tap you have to fit an isolation valve and double check valve inside your home.

If you need to know more about the regulations, your water company or local council will be able to help.

Tools you will need for the job:

  • 7mm Masonry drill for use with the raw plugs.
  • 19mm Masonry drill, which is long enough to drill through the wall.
  • Adjustable spanner
  • Gland pliers/grips
  • Standard flat head screwdriver
  • Hacksaw or 15mm pipe slicer

FixTheBog Garden Tap Kits

1: Turning off the water supply

To turn off your water supply you will need to locate your isolation valve. This can be found on your cold water supply pipe, where your new garden tap is to be connected. Once located turn this off.

If there is no valve or you struggle to locate you will need to turn off your main stopcock. This will be fitted on to the pipework and normally be found either in the kitchen or where the mains water enters your house.

If you are still struggling to locate the stopcock, another option to stop the water supply is to turn off the water company’s valve. This is found under the cover in your street or front garden. For this, you will need a special Jong-handled spanner, available from plumbers' merchants

Once the water supply is off, open the cold tap on your sink until the water stops running and the system is drained.

2: Drilling a hole through your external wall

If you're installing a new tap you will need to bore a hole through your outside wall for the connecting pipework. It is easiest to make the new connection near an exposed cold water supply inside your house, i.e. near the kitchen sink or a washing machine connection.

Position your outdoor tap at least 250mm above the damp-proof course. Mark the height for the tap on the outside wall, ensure that it is high enough above ground level for a watering can to be held underneath to fill.

Start by drilling a hole through the wall from the inside with a 17mm Masonry drill. First, it is best to drill with a small diameter bit all the way through the wall as a pilot hole. Take out the core bit regularly to clear the loosened masonry and let the drill bit cool down.

Next, fit the Brass Tap to the flange using 8-10 turns of PTFE tape. This should only be HAND TIGHT. Do not use grips or adjustable spanner as there is a risk of splitting the flange.

Cover the open end of the flange copper pipe with tape to ensure debris does not enter the water system.

Now insert the completed tap and flange into the pipe hole - ensure the Tap is upright. Mark the 3 screw holes and drill with the 7mm Masonry drill. Secure the tap and flange using the raw plugs and brass screws included in the kit.

3: Pipework for the outdoor tap

With the water supply turned off, cut through the cold water pipe directly below the exit hole you’ve drilled in the wall, or as close as possible. Ensure that the distance between the copper pipe from the flange to the tee is smaller than the flexi hose provided.

Use a hacksaw or pipe slicer to do this and file the ends of the pipes smooth.

Remove enough pipe to fit a T-piece connector. Now slide a compression nut onto each piece of pipe followed by the olives. Push each end of the pipe into the fitting and tighten the compression nuts by hand. Use a pair of pliers to hold the body of the valve and tighten the compression nuts about three-quarters of a turn.

Turn the isolator value to the off position.

Next, turn on the water supply to check for leaks. Tighten the compression nuts a little further if you have to.

The t-piece connector in our tap kits act as an isolation valve required by Local Water authorities.

Remove the third compression nut and attach the supplied flexi hose. The other end of the flexi hose will attach to the other end of the flange.

Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.

4: Double check valves (yours is in your tap)

Water regulations state you must fit a double check valve to your outside tap pipework. Double check valves stop water flowing back up a pipe the wrong way which prevents contaminated water entering your drinking water supply.

You can replace an existing outside tap with one that already has a double check valve.

Double check valves are installed in a similar way to Isolation valves. See 'Fitting an isolation valve' above.

Please note: During the winter months when there are cold spells, it is essential that you drain down your outside tap otherwise you risk the tap freezing and splitting.