Cold. These kits are NOT worth it. I tried one, started replacing each component due to it leaking or being a bad fit (the hose in particular), by the end of it I had replaced everything. Cost far more than the cost of this kit, but at least I know a bit of 'proper' plumbing now.

If you're not aware, this works by clamping a tap to an existing water pipe, which then screws a hole into the pipe - so you can never remove this component without having to remove the pipe you drilled a hole in.

Don't forget too that you need to drill a hole through your wall!

If you want to do this properly, it's not THAT complicated, but I know a lot of plumbers do a fixed price deal on fitting an outdoor tap. They /should/ do it properly, which would be adding a t-piece to an existing pipe, putting a proper valve on that (not a washing machine valve), a proper double check valve (which you are meant to do), and hopefully a decent tap.

Don't forget also that you may end up needing PTFE tape or paste, to help with the connections (another cost if you're doing this yourself, but if you get a plumber they'll obviously cover that).

Mains pressure, permanently, on a hose pipe and jubilee clip...what could possibly go wrong :stuck_out_tongue:

Also the flow rate will be crap.

I fit a tap without a check valve like this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-x-outside-tap-with-hose-union/41948
Fitted to a flanged tube on the outside wall: http://www.screwfix.com/p/hose-union-back-plate/56415
Inside there is a double check valve: http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-double-check-valve/96336
and an isolator for winter and when you're on holiday: http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-yorkshire-tee-ball-valve-15mm-blue/21860
add to those parts a little copper tube and some soldered fittings and you then have a properly installed, full bore flow outside tap, that will last for years. The kit mentioned is rubbish and will have very poor flow. The self cutting tap has an internal bore diameter of around 4-5mm whereas a 15mm tube has around 12mm. I've seen many leaks from these self cutting taps and would not like to see a hose failure!

About £23.50 for those parts and I charge about £70 - 90 (Cambs) which is dependant upon the difficulty of installation inside the kitchen cupboard.

As a plumber I can highly reccommend these. Mostly because they make money

bought a similar one from Wickes for £14 which failed 1st time, had to pay a plumber to put it right so this has to be better.

Don't count on it, I had an outside tap from screwfix fail within a month

good find op, heat added

"Suitable for use with water" :smirk:

............

my advice (I have this one) get a Y adapter for the washing machine attachments you get under the sink and connect it to that... the cutting tap thing sucks, tiny pipe no pressure

Cold. These kits are NOT worth it. I tried one, started replacing each component due to it leaking or being a bad fit (the hose in particular), by the end of it I had replaced everything. Cost far more than the cost of this kit, but at least I know a bit of 'proper' plumbing now.

If you're not aware, this works by clamping a tap to an existing water pipe, which then screws a hole into the pipe - so you can never remove this component without having to remove the pipe you drilled a hole in.

Don't forget too that you need to drill a hole through your wall!

If you want to do this properly, it's not THAT complicated, but I know a lot of plumbers do a fixed price deal on fitting an outdoor tap. They /should/ do it properly, which would be adding a t-piece to an existing pipe, putting a proper valve on that (not a washing machine valve), a proper double check valve (which you are meant to do), and hopefully a decent tap.

Don't forget also that you may end up needing PTFE tape or paste, to help with the connections (another cost if you're doing this yourself, but if you get a plumber they'll obviously cover that).

Please please get a plumber to do a proper job for you. These kits really aren't all that good, you get low pressure and cut hands trying to screw in the "self cutting" tap. And thats if your lucky and it doesn't cut through the rubber seal and start leaking water everywhere.

Mains pressure, permanently, on a hose pipe and jubilee clip...what could possibly go wrong :stuck_out_tongue:

Also the flow rate will be crap.

Wonder if anyone takes this straight off their mains feed and not after their non return valve :confused:

The previous tap kit I had lasted years and had good pressure.

Swopped out the faulty one for a washer tap which does the job

wouldnt bother with these, get a professional in to fit a proper one with rigid pipe. as a professional plumber ive come across loads of these DIY specials which ive had to do away with for customers.

I'm pretty sure these have the double check valve in the self cutting part.

These are utter s****

Buy and install a decent one that plumbs onto your cold feed via compression or solder joints.

Fitting one of these isn't classed as installing an outside tap, more like bodge a job!

You will more that certain have problems or leaks somewhere down the line with these.

As a plumber I can highly reccommend these. Mostly because they make money

Bought one of these a few weeks ago at 13.99 and found the components are excellent quality. No problems at all.

Average price for a plumber to do the work? I actually asked mine today & waiting for a price so would be nice to compare.

£60-£90. A lot will depend on whether the customer can be bothered to clear the cupboard out in advance.

Lol! I'll get the other half to do that...!

I fit a tap without a check valve like this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-x-outside-tap-with-hose-union/41948
Fitted to a flanged tube on the outside wall: http://www.screwfix.com/p/hose-union-back-plate/56415
Inside there is a double check valve: http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-double-check-valve/96336
and an isolator for winter and when you're on holiday: http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-yorkshire-tee-ball-valve-15mm-blue/21860
add to those parts a little copper tube and some soldered fittings and you then have a properly installed, full bore flow outside tap, that will last for years. The kit mentioned is rubbish and will have very poor flow. The self cutting tap has an internal bore diameter of around 4-5mm whereas a 15mm tube has around 12mm. I've seen many leaks from these self cutting taps and would not like to see a hose failure!

About £23.50 for those parts and I charge about £70 - 90 (Cambs) which is dependant upon the difficulty of installation inside the kitchen cupboard.

Seems a very good price then :smiley:

​ok I get the north and south divide but I called a proper plumber out from gas safe register to service gas fire and install a tap, he charged 30 labour and 20 parts. that's £50 all together,

The idiot is working below the minimum wage. (£8 an hour expenses, 2 hour job, £2 for fuel)

​Really lucky to get good plumber this cheap. I bought two of this contraptions from homebase when closed down nearby for £ 1 each, but as said above too scared to use them, Also plumbers where I live cost much more so figuring out what to do.

And you wonder why people fit these lol..

£30 labour for 2 hours work is £15 an hour - where did the £8 come from? lol

You can buy a kit of these parts readily selected from Amazon. I'd recommend them over the cheaper kit in this deal. I've got to replace the one that was fitted by the previous owner of my house. It works but has low pressure and starts to leak fro various parts if you don't isolate it after use.

A gas man will have £8 an hour expenses (for example nobody will be paying him holiday pay...), it's all part of being self employed and running a business.

​'May also contain nuts'

What is the reason for the double check valve?could a single check valve be used?

These always leak, better to cut a tee in and do it properly

Thanks for the detailed list there. Out of interest, have you ever fitted a front garden pipe to a mid-terrace? Any idea what the ballpark cost would be?

it's belt and braces .... but for a good reason.


A Double Check Valve consists of two check valves to ensure that one check valve will activate even if the other is jammed wide open. Also it allows the closure of one valve to reduce the pressure on the other allowing a more reliable seal.

I understand building regs / building control require double check valves ( for new build). Even for retrofit I would still recommend fitting double rather than single simply because I wouldn't fancy getting the back flow or siphonage of stagnant possibly bacteria (Legionella ? ) laden water from a hose pipe where the water may be have in the hose for weeks / months coming out of my main cold incoming (possibly drinking) water tap. You may be willing to take the risk I'm not for myself or my family.

You pays your money and you makes your choice!
These kits look good for the price and do the job - for a while!
Would you leave a garden hose on, and under mains pressure, coiled up in your kitchen cupboard?
If you think it's okay get one of these kits.

A Double-Check valve is required under water regulations.
It prevents back syphoning of possibly contaminated water into your potable (drinking) water supply.

I presume you mean a front garden tap? It is irrelevant that the house is a mid terrace. Best place for an outside tap is behind the kitchen cupboard on the outside wall. If your kitchen is on the front of the house and that's where you want the tap then that is fine. The inside isolator can prevent idiots turning it on for a laugh! I don't consider £46.50 to £66.50 very expensive for labour if you want the job doing properly. My time for a customer's job does not begin when I turn up to when I leave. I have to run the van, stock it with parts, get the parts (that takes time) and very suprisingly to some, have to pay tax!

Expenses aren't holiday pay, expenses are the costs incurred while doing the job, petrol etc..

who charges expenses by the hour?

I wouldnt fit a cheap kit no, but I also wouldnt pay an overpriced plumber..

​I assume you should simply replace the word expenses with margin or padding, if the original poster does genuinely mean expenses I do certainly hope his accountant has an excellent excuse if /when HMRC started asking questions!

Of course I meant "expenses".

It is a decent price for what it does. But speaking from personal experience on these very kits I can tell you:

You are better to put a tee into the cold water pipe and using that with a decent bendy pipe, if not then use copper of course.

I bought one, installed it because I really couldn't be bothered with more plumbing (it was about 6 months after I had just fitted the kitchen).

And yes, crap. The only reason I am not replacing it is because I am moving.

Even the OP is too scared to get one now