Problems with Bristan Easyfit Kitchen Taps - Overview

A short overview of why Bristan Easyfit Kitchen taps pose a serious flood risk to people's properties, and what to do urgently if you have one.

[@GameGeezerGibbo]

Hi Hamish, this happened to me today with a tap I fitted about 6 months ago! Was stunned to find your video with my exact tap and exactly the issue I had, thankfully I was home so minimal damage, but still very scary. Will take the advice of the comments and use some loctite. Thank you for bringing this to attention, astonishing that this video is nearly 8 years old and this issue still happening.

[@user-ut1sz6mj7c]

Thank you Hamish, l fitted a easy fit echo in about 2020 so far it's been fine, but now I'm aware that the grub screws can become lose I'll check them regularly, thanks again Hamish you seem like a real nice person .regards Martin from Tamworth

[@bjsvp]

I’ve just had this problem at a customer’s house, luckily they were in! I googled to see how common it was and was pleased to find this clip, wish I’d seen it earlier!

[@garykidd3968]

Glad I saw this video before buying a new tap for my kitchen sink. Had considered the Bristan Easy Fit as getting under the sink to fit the standard monobloc is a pain but having just been flooded with a burst flexible hose the thought of the tap launching in to orbit and flooding the kitchen definitely changed my mind about using this system. Thanks for the heads up.

[@duttonfan8392]

I had this happen today.Frightened the life out of me! Luckily I managed to turn the water off.Thankfully I was at home other wise the damage would have been extensive.I contacted Bristan and explained what had happened.The lady on the phone was a bit of a Rottweiler. She acknowledged my complaint but refused to accept any design issues,preferring to blame installation. This tap was expensive and fitted by a qualified plumber with a very good local reputation. I managed to refit the tap following the advice on this video. However in order to ensure this doesn't happen again.I have decided to pay the plumber to buy a new tap and fit it. Thank you Hamish for highlighting this issue.Although it doesn't resolve my problem,it is reassuring to know that their is honest people out there prepared to challenge companies when needed.

[@HamishErskine1]

Hi Dutton, thanks for documenting your experience. Your description of Bristan's customer services lady made me laugh. When these taps blow, sometimes the grub screws plough a bit of a groove through the bevel in the base, so I think they may blow again sooner next time round. Best not to leave it too long before you get a new tap fitted. Currently my favourite kitchen taps are made by Vapsint. You can find them heavily discounted on Amazon.

[@universalchef1]

What about if we put locktite thread on the grub screw that might stop it from working its self loose...

[@justinneedham1423]

That's a useful video. I was about to buy one, I'll bear then in mind now. Thank you.

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

Thanks for the heads up Hamish!! I have two of these taps. If the one in our upstairs lounge-kitchen-diner popped off I'd dread to think of the up evil that would cause as we have engineered oak flooring over lightweight (plastic trays) wet underfloor heating system under which is sterling board type boarding. Man that would be expensive to replace!£££$$$!!! Both taps needed almost a full turn on each screw. Thanks again. All the best and thanks. . . Andy

[@shimmyshanka]

I've fit loads of these taps. The trick is to do up the grub screws nice and tight 😅

[@yesno3102]

Great video, almost purchased a cheap Easyfit Raspberry tap on eBay. Now I know why! Was duped by the official Bristan install video by Roger Bisby. Glad I saw your video in time. Think I'll stay well clear of Bristan particularly due to the way they have handled this issue. Thanks Hamish :)

[@CAZZIEK321]

Great video. I was about to but the bathroom taps in this range. I think I’ll reconsider. I’ve have no end of problems with bath shower mixer taps, so I don’t suppose there are any you can recommend without breaking the bank?

[@daveanker]

I have one of these very taps that I installed myself. Thankfully the grubs are still tight, and I was dubious when I saw the design in the first place. A problem I have just had with mine is that the hot water wasn't coming on when the tap was turned. Not sure how that is even possible? But it didn't come on many times, but would then work later. Then the same hot tap started dripping. I have just removed and cleaned out the valve, lubricated and resealed and will keep a close eye on it. It's less than three years old... This issue is a couple of years old now. Has Bristan actually resolved the issue with a partial redesign? We need a new kitchen and I generally like the Bristan look and quality, but I'm going to think twice before choosing another tap with similar design.

[@gaborkiss9239]

I have one of these and it has started dripping constantly..what should I do ?

[@dpchaldon]

Wished I'd seen this before! We have the easy fit mixer - I have a washer issue - is that easy to replace and could it be an indicator of this problem you have highlighted?

[@stevo0861]

I came across this video whilst searching for information on a particular Bristan tap. I must say, I'm surprised. I've installed an Easyfit tap roughly once a month, since their release onto the market and I have yet to encounter this problem.

[@jonjames2329]

Hamish, very lucky I found your vids - I was looking at a Bristan Index 1.5 stainless sink (which is the only one that looks likely to shoehorn into my tiny kitchen) - do you know if the ready-fitted easyfit fitting is removable to allow for a standard monobloc to be installed? Thanks.

[@christopherralphs3209]

just wait until you have to take one off - did this yesterday - tap fused to base - had to cut off tap to access fixings......

[@tjtj6330]

Thanks this helped

[@somaaelsapak6361]

Thanks sir

[@HhappyBirthday]

2:10 The power point on the wall in that kitchen it too close to the sink to comply with electrical law.

[@franceshawe9572]

A little drop of Locktite or similar product on the threads of the grub screws should help minimise the risk of them coming loose and the tap coming off.

[@ianm452]

Hi Frances Your reply is exactly the one I was looking for before posting the same myself - Locktite is ideal for this situation, and I'm surprised that the makers haven't recommended it.

[@addylinnett]

Pitty I didn’t watch this video before purchasing one of these… This just happened to me, luckily I was home to isolate the mains before flooding the ground floor… new tap required, any recommendations plz? 💦

[@yclare1]

Thank you Hamish...I was thinking of buying one of these easyfit kitchen taps..But I definitely won't be doing so now..x

[@BrianWMay]

If you look at the Bristan web site and read what's written, this was caused by fitting the original baseplate 'back to front'. The tap has been redesigned so it works both ways.

[@jamesm3060]

Surely a couple of drops of the blue Loctite thread locker on the grub screw fixes the issue?

[@barryckemp907]

Hi Hamish. I have just fitted a new Echo easy fit Mixer for my friend in Crediton. I found this video after fitting it. It was for a friend, so obviously I am a little concerned. Have they modified the tap since your issues? I checked the grub screws and tightened them up super tight! Any ideas or suggestions on how I can avoid this dismounting issue from happening please. Cheers B

[@waynekelly]

I had this happen today. Good job we were home. Now waiting for the plumber to Remove this easy fit and Install a good old style tap

[@roytucker9056]

I just found this, I have installed so many of these taps I m now very worried, I was not too far from the client when I received a panic call saying the tap head has blown off, they panicked and eventually turned off the water main in the street but there the place was flooded big time and they are very stressful clients in anyway :-( Completely mystified about how this happened I spent four hours cleaning and drying everything but leaving and whilst the client appreciated the effort they are not happy and I am concerned at the consequences, this tap was fitted 6 months ago and I know 100% how tight I did the grub screws up as I do with all installations, I picked the tap from the sink only to find them almost out of their sockets!!! I guess I will be calling Bristan after the Bank Holiday as a matter of urgency. Do you know if there have been any amendments or updates to the design since this video? Thank You.

[@stuartogston738]

I have fitted one of these taps, after about 4 months it blow off when someone turned the bathroom tap off.. just as well we were in, totally soaked the kitchen.

[@HamishErskine1]

Every little pressure pulse from the flow being turned off to a tap or washing machine, etc, has a hammer effect on the grub screws of these easyfit taps, as the pulse is transmitted through the pipework. When the tap is about to blow, it just needs one more pressure pulse as the final straw. I spoke to one lady who left her dishwasher running one night and was woken up by the sound of gushing water from her kitchen. Over time, it's like the hammer effect on a drill when you drill through a concrete wall. Bristan have tested these taps under static pressure, but they haven't accounted for the gradual hammer effect of turning them on and off.

[@EastoftheDanube]

This just happened to me (July 2023). The Echo tap was fitted 2 months ago. The tap had come loose from the base last weekend and I was going to call the plumber. Monday morning the tap blew off. The plumber blamed me, that I must have knocked it. Bristan blamed the plumber. All very unprofessional and unhelpful.

[@rwappersonal]

I had this happen to me just yesterday - installed in May 2015 by a different plumber with many years experience. Thankfully, I too was at home and so the damage was kept to a minimum. Certainly does not fill you with confidence in these products....

[@HamishErskine1]

Although Bristan blame this problem on 'installer error', I am convinced these taps are failing even when they have been installed correctly. If Bristan admit that, they would have little choice but to recall their entire Easyfit range, so it is perhaps not surprising that they choose to deflect the blame onto the installer instead. This problem will only be fixed by a major redesign.

[@hussainalhashimi4003]

You are right not only this tap their other tap as well rubbish!

[@philmm64]

Mine just did that, I was mortified and many in my building were cross as it was "my fault". Now i see I am not the only one. Avoid this tap!

[@cecilturnbull9451]

Just put loctite blue on grub screws.

[@barryn56]

This is poor hydraulic design. Thread lock sealant might help mitigate the issue, but really they should use a J-slot, or similar, to hold the tap firmly against the pressure and then the screws could be used to stop rotation out of the slot.

[@HamishErskine1]

A j-slot assumes the tap body could rotate relative to the base. But the hot and cold nipples on the base have to fit into the holes in the body. So rotation is not an option.

[@derekdickinson1]

Just bought an easy fit tap on Friday for customer fitting Monday, guess where its going in the morning..... Back to supplier.

[@farty1000]

Did that result in a claim against your buisness?

[@HamishErskine1]

No fortunately, not, but it could have. In 3 cases, the taps popped when they were being used, so the customer was present and able to turn off the water before serious damage was done. In another case there was damage and the customer had it sorted under their insurance. Surprisingly they didn't even contact me about the problem. I only found out after I wrote to him expressing concern about these taps, and he replied 'My tap was replaced 6 months ago by the insurance plumber when it flooded my kitchen'.

[@YesYesYoureRight]

Hey everybody, you can't avoid these taps, you just have to learn how to keep the grubby screws tight. Sense any wobble or looseness in the goose neck then get your alan key out. Easy to do, a dog or cat could learn to do that maintenance ! Have A Nice Day.