Convenient, Compliant Outside Tap Fitting in Newcastle
Installing an outside tap sounds simple, but there are important regulations to follow and technical considerations that determine where and how the tap can be fitted. Done correctly, an outside tap provides years of reliable service. Done incorrectly, it can create a pathway for contaminated water to back-siphon into your drinking water supply — which is why the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 require that outside taps are fitted with an approved double-check valve or anti-siphon device.
Our Newcastle engineers carry a selection of quality brass outside taps and all the associated fittings required for a complete, compliant installation. We supply hose union bib taps in a choice of finishes, double-check valves to prevent back-siphonage, isolation valves to allow the tap to be turned off from inside the property in winter, and suitable pipe for running from the inside connection to the external mounting point.
What Is Involved in Fitting an Outside Tap?
The installation process begins with identifying the best location for the tap — typically on an outside wall close to a cold water supply pipe inside. We drill through the wall (making good the hole afterwards), connect to the cold water supply with an isolation valve and double-check valve, run pipe to the external tap position, and mount the tap securely on the wall. The whole process usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours and leaves minimal mess.
Newcastle winters can be cold enough to freeze water in exposed external pipework and taps. We always fit an internal isolation valve as part of our outside tap installations, allowing you to shut off and drain the external pipework before the coldest weather arrives, protecting the tap and connection from frost damage. We can also supply frost-resistant (self-draining) tap designs that automatically drain the connecting pipe when the tap is closed, providing an additional layer of protection.
Regulations and Water Byelaws for Outside Taps
Some homeowners wish to have outside taps installed at the rear of the property where there is no convenient external wall adjacent to a water supply. In these cases, we can run a buried water supply pipe through the garden to a post-mounted or wall-mounted tap at the required location. Garden supply runs require appropriate pipe (blue MDPE is the standard for buried water supplies in the UK), adequate depth of burial (typically at least 750mm in gardens to protect against frost and accidental damage), and a stop tap accessible for isolation. We carry out these more complex installations as well as straightforward through-the-wall tap fittings.
All work carried out by our Newcastle team is backed by a 12-month workmanship guarantee and we are fully Gas Safe registered and comprehensively insured. Call us now on 07960 485 880 or request a free quote online.