Taps, Shower Heads & Plumbing

A basin mixer, overhead shower and pull-out kitchen tap serve different tasks even when they share a finish. Compare the outlet position, operating controls and connection requirements, then choose the appropriate fixture for the basin or shower it will serve.

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Choose reach as well as height

For a basin, the spout should deliver water into a useful area of the bowl without forcing hands against the back wall. For a shower, consider the user’s standing position and the reach of an overhead arm. A tall tap or large shower head is not automatically a better fit.

Separate the head, arm and mixer

A shower head may be supplied alone, with an arm or as part of a larger set. The mixer controls temperature and flow and may be a separate purchase. Check the component list so a replacement head is not mistaken for all the parts required to build a new shower.

Confirm compatibility before installation

Water pressure, connection dimensions and mounting positions must suit the actual installation. Ask your licensed plumber which parts can be replaced directly and which require changes. Keep the model information together so replacement hoses, cartridges and other service parts can be identified later.

Compare water use separately from pressure

For WELS-regulated taps and showers, compare the star rating and the stated flow rate in litres per minute for the exact model. The label helps compare water use; it does not promise the spray pressure you will feel in your home. Keep the registration information with the installation details so the chosen outlet can be checked against the intended supply and connections.

Further reading: Australian Government — Water rating label

Useful answers

Taps, Shower Heads & Plumbing: your questions

Compare the water outlet, its connections and the parts supplied.

Does a larger rain shower head need different plumbing?

It may need a different arm, position or support arrangement, and it still has to suit the available supply. Head diameter alone does not establish compatibility. Compare the specified operating requirements and connections with the installer, particularly when replacing a small head with a larger overhead format.

Does a high-pressure shower-head description guarantee a stronger shower?

No. The result also depends on the supply, installation and product design. WELS flow rate describes water use in litres per minute; it is not a guarantee of the pressure you will feel in your bathroom. Compare the model’s requirements and ask the installer about the existing setup.

Does a shower set include the mixer that controls temperature?

Not always. A head, arm, rail and hand shower can be supplied without a mixer. List the components needed for your installation and compare them with the package contents. A replacement head can be a straightforward component purchase while a new shower arrangement needs several compatible parts.