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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1277375284 Message started by LondonBunny on Jun 24^th, 2010, 11:28am

Title: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by LondonBunny on Jun 24^th, 2010, 11:28am

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have a question on positioning a kitchen tap.

I'm buying a new kitchen and am at the stage of choosing a sink and tap. Because the sink is to be fitted in front of a window with low clearance (~15cm) I would like to avoid the current situation of the window skimming the top of the tap when opened.

One solution would be to fit the tap to the worktop (35mm laminated) to the side of the bowl, NOT to the tap hole in the sink itself, leaving it clear of the window and allowing a tall feature tap to be used.

Would this present any issues with fitting the tap or the integrity of the worktop (condensation on the tap damaging the core perhaps?). Or would it simply look too wrong? Any experience of doing this?

Thanks for reading this - would appreciate your advice.

Cheers,
Adam

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by big_all on Jun 24^th, 2010, 2:39pm

side tap!!
http://www.tradingpost-appliances.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=6566&cat=&page=1

getting the seal would be the problem when pearcing the worktop

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by CWatters on Jun 24^th, 2010, 3:38pm

Should be fine. You probably can't put a dishwasher or fridge under that side if that matters. Perhaps a fake drawer?

The wood part of a laminated worktop should be kept dry. So after drilling the tap hole I'd paint the inside of the hole with something waterproof before fitting the tap. eg don't just rely on the seal supplied with the tap.

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by LondonBunny on Jun 24^th, 2010, 5:04pm

Thanks for comments so far - I will certainly put PVA in the hole - and there's a wide, clear cupboard underneath so no problem with the pipes.

It strikes me that a 30cm tap would make an ideal lever for damaging the worktop with relatively little effort or intent - would you advise putting some sort of metal plate under the surface to spread the force and make it harder to damage? Or am I underestimating the strength of 38mm chipboard?

Cheers,
Adam

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by CWatters on Jun 25^th, 2010, 7:32am

I probably wouldn't use PVA as it can be softened by water. I was thinking more like some gloss paint you have left over in the garage.

Worktops are pretty strong. I think it will be alright unless a lot of water gets in there. Water can turn chipboard into weetabix. The tap will probably come with a small plate but perhaps see if you think that's big enough. It will probably be a complicated shape so the tap tails can be fitted.

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by thescruff on Jun 25^th, 2010, 10:29am

Line the hole with silicon mastic and it will seal the wood, you can then bed the tap with silicon mastic to prevent any water ingress.

Title: Re: Fitting tap through kitchen worktop - bad idea?
Post by Gavona on Jul 21^st, 2010, 8:49pm

I have an Astracast Onyx sink bowl that has no tap holes. The tap is simply fitted to the laminate worktop. Sealed with silicone as described above.
Previously I had a more traditional sink and drainer but again no tap hole and taps were fitted through the worktop. That was the situation for 22 years with no problems with water ingress or worktop strength. I would say that these taps were fitted quite close to the stainless sink and that was an area that trapped the chalk and dirt. So think about that sort of issue as well as asthetics when planning the position.

As for the lever effect my experience with a taller tap from screwfix was that the tap failed, possibly due to fatigue and poor design etc. If you think that folk will be levering the tap then be very careful with your tap choice!

PS Sorry! Just noticed the date of the original post!!