Choosing the Right Kitchen Tap for Your Melbourne Home
A kitchen tap is the workhorse of every Melbourne kitchen, used dozens of times a day. Choose the wrong one and you live with low flow, leaks and a tap that ages your benchtop. Choose well and it disappears into the routine. Here is a Melbourne specific buyer guide.
Start With Water Pressure and WELS Rating
Most Melbourne mains pressure sits between 350 and 500 kPa, well within the range of any modern tap. Look for a WELS rating on the tap. The Australian Government WELS scheme at https://www.waterrating.gov.au/ requires every tap sold to display a star rating. A 4 to 6 star tap saves water without feeling weak.
Mixer or Twin Tap Style
Single lever mixers dominate new Melbourne kitchens because they are easy to use with one hand. Twin tap sets suit period homes in Carlton, Fitzroy and Hawthorn. Mixers must comply with AS/NZS 3718. Standards Australia at https://www.standards.org.au/ holds the standard. A licensed plumber must install a tempering valve where hot water exceeds 50 degrees at any fixture.
Spout Type and Reach
Measure twice. A pull out or pull down spray helps when filling pots and rinsing the sink. A gooseneck is great for tall stockpots but check it does not splash on a shallow sink. A swivelling spout should swing 180 degrees if you have a double bowl.
Material and Finish
Solid brass with chrome plating remains the most reliable choice in Melbourne’s relatively soft water. Brushed nickel and matte black are popular but show fingerprints. PVD finishes resist scratches better than electroplated finishes. Yarra Valley Water at https://www.yvw.com.au/ publishes water hardness information that helps if you live in the harder water zones in the east.
Filtered Tap Options
Three way taps combine filtered drinking water with regular hot and cold. They work well in Melbourne where most households want filtered chilled water without a separate appliance. The cartridge is the ongoing cost, plan for one to two changes per year.
What Installation Costs
A licensed plumber’s labour to swap a like for like tap is generally $180 to $320. New holes drilled in stone or composite benchtops add cost. Any change to the hot water plumbing requires a tempering valve check. The Victorian Building Authority at https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/ holds the licence register.
Related Reading on Newton Plumbing
See Tapware in Wet Areas, Bathroom Renovation Plumbing Costs, How to Check if Your Plumber Is Licensed in Victoria, and WELS Ratings Explained.
FAQ
Which finish lasts longest? Chrome plated brass.
Do I need a tempering valve? Yes if hot water at the kitchen exceeds 50 degrees.
Can I install my own tap? Replacing a tap is licensed work in Victoria.
Are matte black taps a problem in Melbourne water? Generally fine but spot wipe daily to keep the finish even.
Phone Newton Plumbing - +61 414 951 362. Newton Huang Licenced Plumber, Licence #107733.