Outside Tap Installation Chatham

Name: Chatham Plumbing Services
Address: Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR, GB
Telephone: 01634 123456

An outside tap (also called a garden tap or bib tap) makes watering the garden, washing the car, and filling paddling pools much easier. No more dragging hoses through the house or filling watering cans at the kitchen sink.

We'll run a pipe from your internal supply (usually tapped off the kitchen cold supply), drill through the wall, fit the tap on the outside wall, and fit an isolation valve inside so you can turn it off in winter to prevent freezing.

No call-out fee when you book with us. Fixed price quoted before we start. Our 12-month guarantee is included with our membership plan.

What's Involved

1

Find the best location

We'll choose a location close to your internal water supply (usually the kitchen) to minimize pipe run. Ideally near a boundary wall or close to where you need it most (greenhouse, flower beds, car washing area).

2

Tap off the internal supply

We'll connect a new pipe to your internal cold water supply, usually under the kitchen sink. We'll fit a new tee and isolation valve so you can turn the outside tap off independently.

3

Run the pipe and drill through the wall

We'll run copper or plastic pipe from the tee to the external wall, drill through (usually brick, sometimes cavity wall), and feed the pipe through. We'll sleeve it to protect it from rubbing on the brickwork.

4

Fit the tap and test

We'll fit the outside tap (usually a brass bib tap with a check valve to prevent backflow), turn the water on, check for leaks, and test the tap works properly.

Where to Site an Outside Tap

Close to the internal supply

The shorter the pipe run, the cheaper and quicker the job. Ideally within a couple of meters of your kitchen sink or utility room.

Accessible and useful location

Think about where you'll actually use it. Near the front door for washing the car? At the back near the flower beds? Near a greenhouse or vegetable patch?

Protected from frost

If possible, site it on a south-facing wall where it gets some sun, or in a sheltered spot. Exposed north-facing walls are more prone to freezing in winter.

Preventing Frost Damage

1

Turn it off in winter

We'll fit an isolation valve inside so you can turn off the supply to the outside tap in winter. Turn it off, open the outside tap to drain any water left in the pipe, and leave it open all winter.

2

Insulate the pipe

Lag any exposed pipework (inside and outside) with foam pipe insulation. This reduces the risk of freezing but isn't foolproof in very cold weather.

3

Drain it properly

If the outside tap has a drain-down valve (some do), open it when you've turned the isolation valve off so any remaining water drains out. This prevents ice forming in the pipe.

Outside Tap Installation Pricing

Upfront prices, no nasty surprises

We'll always tell you the cost before we start. These are typical price ranges, your exact quote depends on the job.

Service	Typical Cost
Outside tap installation (short run)	£120 – £160
Outside tap installation (long run or difficult access)	£160 – £220
Additional outside tap (second or third)	£80 – £140 each

All prices are estimated. Final costs depend on the specific job. We provide detailed quotes before starting work.

Common Questions

Got questions? Here's the quick answers.

How much does it cost to install an outside tap in Chatham?

£120 to £220 depending on how far we need to run the pipe and what we're drilling through. A simple job (kitchen sink on an external wall, drill straight through) is £120-£160. A longer run or difficult access (through a cavity wall, under floors, long pipe run) is £160-£220.

How long does outside tap installation take?

Most installations take 1-2 hours. Straightforward jobs (short pipe run, easy drilling) are done in an hour. Longer runs or tricky access might take two hours.

Can you fit more than one outside tap?

Yes, if you want taps at the front and back, or multiple taps for different areas of the garden, we can fit as many as you need. The first one is £120-£220, additional ones are cheaper (£80-£140 each) because we're already there and set up.

Will the tap freeze in winter?

It can if water's left in the pipe in freezing weather. We'll fit an isolation valve inside so you can turn the outside tap off in winter, open it to drain the pipe, and leave it off until spring. This prevents freezing.

Do I need permission to install an outside tap?

Not usually, it's not building work and it doesn't require Building Regs or planning permission. But check your property deeds if you're in a listed building or conservation area, and check with your landlord if you're renting.

Can you connect a hose to it?

Yes, most outside taps have a threaded spout that a standard garden hose connector screws onto. We can fit a quick-release connector if you want to attach and detach hoses easily.

What if I want to move an existing outside tap?

We can relocate it if the new location isn't too far from the old one. We'll cap off the old pipe, re-route to the new location, and fit the tap. Costs similar to a new installation (£120-£220 depending on pipe run).

Will you make good the wall after drilling?

We'll drill as neat a hole as we can and fit a sleeve to tidy it up. If you want the hole sealed with mastic or painted over, that's extra or you can do it yourself. We're plumbers, not decorators.

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Get In Touch

Request a free quote

Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you with a no-obligation quote, usually within the hour during working hours.

01634 123456

Mon–Thurs 8.30am–6pm, Fri 9am–4pm

Covering all Chatham postcodes

Outside tap installation across Chatham