Which Outside Tap Kit You Need [And How To Fit One]

Want to get an outside tap kit installed, and don’t know where to start? No problem! Our 2-minute guide covers everything you need to know about fitting an outside tap kit — from costs to instructions for installation.

Read on to find out more!

How Much Does It Cost to Install an Outside Tap?

If you’re looking for a plumber to fit an outside tap kit, it’s likely to cost anywhere from £60-100, including parts. This includes the cost of installation kit — around £25 — and the labour.

But what if you want to install a garden tap kit yourself? Where do you buy installation kits, which one do you need, and how do you fit it?

Where to Buy Outside Tap Kits

Online, you’ll be able to buy an outdoor tap kit from the usual suspects, like this one on Amazon. You can also pick up an outside tap kit at Wickes, and possibly other stores, such as:

B&Q
Argos
Wilko
Screwfix

Apart from these, any builders merchant (such as EH Smith), or plumbing merchant (like Plumb Center) should have outside tap kits in stock.

Which Outside Tap Kit You Need

You can’t just buy a simple tap; you’ll need a kit that includes a wall plate and piece of copper to go through the wall. A complete outside tap installation kit will look something like this.

If you’re unsure of what you need exactly, you can also look up an outside tap kit at Wilkes — it should include all the correct components. Alternatively, someone behind the counter of a local plumbing merchants can help you our.

Fitting an Outside Tap Kit

Unless you’re experienced with DIY home tasks, we’ll urge you call a professional to fit a tap kit. That said, let’s go over the general steps needed for fitting an outside tap kit:

Make sure the tap you purchase includes a check valve (aka non-return valve). This eliminates the risk of any outside water going into the mains.
Find the best spot for your outside tap. Ideally, you’d situate it right under the kitchen sink — that’s where your cold water feed is already.
Drill a hole through the wall. Apply some silicone to the opening before pushing the copper pipe (end-capped with tape) through the wall. Next, fasten the wall plate to the wall with screws, and attach your tap to the pipe.
Attach the newly installed pipe to the cold water supply inside the home. You’ll need an elbow joint and a tee pipe to create this connection. Also, this is where you’ll install that non-return valve — between the mains and your new pipe. (Keep in mind that you should switch off the mains for this step).
Soldier on the 2 new fittings. Once you’ve fitted the elbow and the tee, you’ll need to solder them on and let them on.
Test the new connection for leaks. That’s it — you can switch on the mains, open the new tap, and see if your fittings leak anywhere; if there aren’t any leaks, you’re done!

The video below does a great job of walking you through fitting an outside tap kit — be sure to check it out, too.

If you’re not a DIY guru and opt for a plumber’s assistance, you can generally get a fixed price over the phone. Like we’ve said before, though, you should budget roughly £60-100 (including parts and labour).

What’s Next?

That’s our quickfire guide to outside tap installation kits.

Got questions about fitting or buying a garden tap? Drop us a line via our contact page, and we’ll do our best to help you out.