Basin Mixers and the Difference Between Raised and Conventional Basin Mixer Taps

From unique lingo, industry jargon, and interesting catchphrases, Cobra explains the difference between various types of taps. Cobra offers insight into the different types of taps, accessories and lingo and catchphrases you will hear when speaking to your plumber.

There are so many different names for plumbing accessories, taps and basins in Africa that it can get incredibly confusing when your plumber or retail specialist starts speaking in an almost foreign language when you are searching for an upgrade to your tap or sink mixers.

We’re here to help make the whole process of idealising, planning and implementing bathroom and kitchen upgrades that much easier!

Let’s discuss the different taps available and which basins they work with.

I’m sure most of us can remember a time where we had two taps per basin or sink, one hot and one cold. These ‘single standing’ taps, each with their own tap are referred to as pillar taps.

Mostly however, kitchens and bathrooms now make use of mixer taps. These single lever taps have an internal ‘mixer’ which combines both hot and cold water and outputs the water at the desired temperature determined by the user. Most basin mixer taps have a single ‘lever’ that can be moved sideways and up and down to allow water to flow from the tap, as well as adjust the temperature of the water leaving the tap.

So, you’re looking to upgrade or change your kitchen or bathroom taps – and you’re in the exciting style or design selecting stage? We’re going to help prep you for your chat with the plumber or for your trip to the plumbing store… it’s unfortunately not as simple as selecting the best looking taps as there may be certain limitations depending on what basin or sink you currently have installed.

How your current basin taps are plumbed into the sink or basin is an important factor in determining what taps you are going to be able to choose, and how much work and cost is going to be involved in upgrading your kitchen or bathroom.

Simply put, single lever mixers are installed into a single hole in your basin which is referred to as a ‘one tap hole’ basin mixer. Separate hot and cold pillar taps are however installed into two different holes in what is referred to as a ‘two tap hole’ basin. These are important so note them down.

To make things even more confusing, what happens if your basin has NO tap holes… this is referred to as a ‘free standing basin’. Unless you plan to completely change your basin or sink, then you need to select a tap that will work with your existing basin or sink. These free standing basins require a ‘raised basin mixer’.

A raised basin mixer isn’t installed into the basin itself, it’s installed into the surrounding vanity top or kitchen counter. This style of tap fitting actually looks very aesthetically pleasing in many differing spaces. This basin or sink mixer can also be installed anywhere on a kitchen or bathroom counter, as long as the water leaving the spout falls into the basin in an appropriate manner. 

It is important to note that raised basin mixers release the water from the spout into the basin from a further height than standard basin mixers, and if not installed correctly with this in mind, can lead to water splashing as it lands into the basin. The last thing anyone wants is splashing water from a basin!

Ensuring the angle of the mixer and spout would provide the ideal direction of water outlet into the basin is the best way to avoid water splashing out of a kitchen sink or bathroom basin. Another simple and effective, as well as cost friendly way to reduce splashing with a raised mixer basin, is to add a tap aerator to the spout of the tap. This will mix the water with air and reduce the flow or water output of the tap, as well as help to reduce water consumption.

We hope this information helps with your next tap shopping trip or bathroom or kitchen tap upgrade! Cobra. Here for you.