ASK THE EXPERTS

BATHROOM: FIXING WALL MOUNTED TAPS

Q I’d like to have wall mounted taps as part of my bathroom renovation; what work is involved?

A If you have the space (and a 70-100mm void) then it’s best practice and fairly easy to stud out the wall to conceal the pipework behind it. If you are short on space and can’t afford to lose 100mm of floor area, an alternative is to chisel out the channels into the brickwork and bury the valve into the wall, but this isn’t the easiest approach.

For the tap itself, it’s best to choose one where you’re able to change the cartridge from the front, should anything go wrong in the future. If you’re looking for a simpler install, go for an integrated spout and valve, rather than two separate fittings, which minimises complications with connecting it to pipework.

Lee Reed

KNOCKING DOWN AN INTERNAL WALL: WHAT’S INVOLVED?

Q We’d like to take down the internal wall between our kitchen and dining room to open up the space. How do we ensure the job is done safely and in line with Building Regulations?

While the idea of knocking down