A Plumber Reveals: Why You Should Be Wary of White Tapware
A plumber lets flow the pros and cons of white tapware, and shares her tips about how to make it work in your bathroom
White tapware is beautiful, but as a plumber with 10 years’ experience installing and maintaining a variety of coloured taps, I’ve notice it is the colour that deteriorates the most over time. If you’re determined to install white tapware in your kitchen or bathroom, you need to be across the pros and cons of this colour choice, then follow these tips for maintenance and longevity.
White taps blend in
White mixer taps can be a great choice in the kitchen, as a white mixer tap can blend in to similarly toned interiors if you’re after a cohesive, streamlined look.
White mixer taps can be a great choice in the kitchen, as a white mixer tap can blend in to similarly toned interiors if you’re after a cohesive, streamlined look.
White on white is all things right
White on white can make a bathroom space look brighter. The addition of these white taps adds to the brightness of this bathroom.
Your Home’s Plumbing Made Easy
White on white can make a bathroom space look brighter. The addition of these white taps adds to the brightness of this bathroom.
Your Home’s Plumbing Made Easy
White softens the look of angular mixers
Angular gooseneck mixer taps can look very industrial, but choosing them in a white colour softens the look.
Angular gooseneck mixer taps can look very industrial, but choosing them in a white colour softens the look.
White taps suit a variety of interior styles
White taps are versatile and suit a variety of interior styles. This classic butler’s sink features the Antiqua Mixer in chrome from The Sink Warehouse. The white lever adds a modern pop of freshness, without detracting from style of the kitchen.
White taps are versatile and suit a variety of interior styles. This classic butler’s sink features the Antiqua Mixer in chrome from The Sink Warehouse. The white lever adds a modern pop of freshness, without detracting from style of the kitchen.
Tip: Take it from a plumber. If you love a tap on display in a bathroom supplier’s showroom, ask if the taps and fixtures come in other colourways. Don’t assume what is on display is all that can be supplied.
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Cons
White taps are hard to replace
Ask any plumber what colour tap is difficult to service and they will say white. During the 1990s, the most popular style of white taps were the standalone hot and cold basin taps with a cross handle and a bell-like flange that would cover the spindles (the inner workings of the tap to turn the water off and on) and sit on top of the basin.
To service these taps and replace the washers, a plumber would need to use tools to remove the bell flange, which would often be fastened tight to the basin. The white enamel was prone to cracking or scratching, which would result in the flanges needing to be replaced. With white being a rare colour, often chrome flanges would need to be used. Eek, non-matching tapware!
The good news is that these days, plumbers are able to source anti-scratching aids that protect the surface of the taps when tools are used… but they can’t always prevent cracking of the enamel.
Tip: Consider installing a mixer tap instead, as they require less maintenance and will generally last longer than pillar (standalone) taps.
White taps are hard to replace
Ask any plumber what colour tap is difficult to service and they will say white. During the 1990s, the most popular style of white taps were the standalone hot and cold basin taps with a cross handle and a bell-like flange that would cover the spindles (the inner workings of the tap to turn the water off and on) and sit on top of the basin.
To service these taps and replace the washers, a plumber would need to use tools to remove the bell flange, which would often be fastened tight to the basin. The white enamel was prone to cracking or scratching, which would result in the flanges needing to be replaced. With white being a rare colour, often chrome flanges would need to be used. Eek, non-matching tapware!
The good news is that these days, plumbers are able to source anti-scratching aids that protect the surface of the taps when tools are used… but they can’t always prevent cracking of the enamel.
Tip: Consider installing a mixer tap instead, as they require less maintenance and will generally last longer than pillar (standalone) taps.
White levers mark
The first cause of concern is the tap’s appearance after being used. The tap handles can get filthy from dirty hands, so be mindful of who will use the bathroom and how the taps will be used. This doesn’t mean white taps should be avoided, but it is something that should be considered. That said, white taps are less prone to watermarks, which are notorious on chrome taps and bolder, darker colours such as black.
The chipping of enamel that is caused from the maintenance of white taps is usually the second cause of concern when installing this colour tapware in a bathroom.
Tip: Avoid using abrasive cleaners on white taps. Instead, opt for liquid detergent – it will give the taps a greater shine and maintain the colour.
The first cause of concern is the tap’s appearance after being used. The tap handles can get filthy from dirty hands, so be mindful of who will use the bathroom and how the taps will be used. This doesn’t mean white taps should be avoided, but it is something that should be considered. That said, white taps are less prone to watermarks, which are notorious on chrome taps and bolder, darker colours such as black.
The chipping of enamel that is caused from the maintenance of white taps is usually the second cause of concern when installing this colour tapware in a bathroom.
Tip: Avoid using abrasive cleaners on white taps. Instead, opt for liquid detergent – it will give the taps a greater shine and maintain the colour.
Tips
Use white in the ensuite
If you’re concerned for the state of your white handles, consider installing white taps in the powder room or ensuite, where the taps are less likely to be covered in dirt. A microfibre cloth can be used to clean the taps to remove any water or grime.
Browse more striking ensuites
Use white in the ensuite
If you’re concerned for the state of your white handles, consider installing white taps in the powder room or ensuite, where the taps are less likely to be covered in dirt. A microfibre cloth can be used to clean the taps to remove any water or grime.
Browse more striking ensuites
Pay for a quality outer coating
Always choose electroplated or painted two-pack polyurethane white tapware; it’s more expensive but will maintain its colour for years. Powder-coated taps will lose their sheen and will start to discolour or fade after use.
If your budget allows, always pay for the best-quality outer coating on white taps. Ask your plumbing supplier about the quality of finish of the tap you choose, to ensure on its longevity of appearance.
Always choose electroplated or painted two-pack polyurethane white tapware; it’s more expensive but will maintain its colour for years. Powder-coated taps will lose their sheen and will start to discolour or fade after use.
If your budget allows, always pay for the best-quality outer coating on white taps. Ask your plumbing supplier about the quality of finish of the tap you choose, to ensure on its longevity of appearance.
Mix it up
If an all-white tap doesn’t appeal, compromise and get the best of both worlds. These heritage taps have white levers and a chrome pillar and spout. The addition of the chrome breaks up the predominately white bathroom.
These taps are also easier for plumbers to service, as the chrome is less prone to chipping when tools are used to replace the washers or ceramic disc spindles.
Tell us
Do you have white tapware? Share your experiences with it in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find plumbers on Houzz
If an all-white tap doesn’t appeal, compromise and get the best of both worlds. These heritage taps have white levers and a chrome pillar and spout. The addition of the chrome breaks up the predominately white bathroom.
These taps are also easier for plumbers to service, as the chrome is less prone to chipping when tools are used to replace the washers or ceramic disc spindles.
Tell us
Do you have white tapware? Share your experiences with it in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find plumbers on Houzz
White looks fab against black
When teamed against a black splashback, the contrast makes white tapware pop in any space.