taps,ceramic V jumper

**macca2** · 19th January 2008, 10:22 AM

I am looking at changing taps in the bathroom and would like to go to quarter turn ceramic disk taps.
However, I have been told by salesperson that because I live in the northern suburbs of Perth where the water is almost 100% ground water, the ceramic disk taps would be damaged by the hard water.
Do any of you learned people have experience in this.
Is it true or just an urban myth.
I have also been told that most taps are now made in China and don't last. Hence the 1 year warranty.
Any other advice on tapware would of great help.

Thanks Macca

**Termite** · 19th January 2008, 11:09 AM

There's a lot of myths going round about ceramic taps, due to the early days when a reputable brand name imported a load of garbage. You will find that the taps are available in 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4, turn. I have found that the 3/4 turn suit me due to the control you have, and have found that a 1/4 turn of the tap is plenty.

Most (if not all) of the taps are warrantied up to 500Kpa, which is the new(ish) Australian standard maximum pressure for an outlet, however a lot of houses have higher than this and when my next door neighbour was recently renovating his bathroom he was fed heaps of BS by various salespeople including being told that anything over 500Kpa would destroy his taps and that mineral buildup would also destroy them.
In answer to this all I can say is that our water pressure averages 830Kpa, a feature of ceramic inserts is that they are not affected by mineral buildup due to their sliding seal action, and mine have worked perfectly so far for the past 14 months without any of the dire consequences predicted by the harbingers of doom.

They are slightly more expensive eg. handbasin set, same brand and finish, $166.00 for conventional, $211.00 for ceramic 3/4 turn. Having used ceramic insert taps I won't be going back to conventional.

**Jim Carroll** · 19th January 2008, 11:39 AM

We have the 1/4 turn ceramic taps and love them.

Problems with hard water I am unsure of.

Will not go back to standard taps as these are so much more user freindly.

They may not be cheap cost about $900.00 for the whole bathroom but how often do you change the taps, probably once every 15 years.

**wonderplumb** · 19th January 2008, 12:15 PM

I would be careful with ceramic disc taps in hard water areas, as they have a series of discs as well as a gauze screen in them and they calcify real quick. If you do decide to go with them at least get dorf/clark or something else thats aussie made (a lot of the ceramic components are made in italy with the brassware made here and assembled) where you have a readily available supply of kits for them. Stay away from cheap chinese and european imports.

**macca2** · 22nd January 2008, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the replies.
I think we will go with the ceramic disk type for the lever action.

HANG ON

I have just found a manufacturer in Perth who makes lever type taps but retains the jumper valve. They are also contra rotating as in the ceramic disk levers.
I will check them out
Macca

**wonderplumb** · 22nd January 2008, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by macca2

Thanks for the replies.
I think we will go with the ceramic disk type for the lever action.

HANG ON

I have just found a manufacturer in Perth who makes lever type taps but retains the jumper valve. They are also contra rotating as in the ceramic disk levers.
I will check them out
Macca

Are they the adjustable ones from 1/4-1/2-3/4 turns??

**macca2** · 23rd January 2008, 10:19 AM

No they appear to be just the same as an ordinary tap in terms of the travel of the spindle.
This is the website, but it is not up and running yet.

http://www.manianational.com.au/

I saw these taps on display at Bunnings but have not actually got hold of one and had a close look yet.

macca

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