Traditional spindle

Traditional spindle taps remain the most widely used type of taps, simply due to the amount of time they were the only type available. They work by turning the head of the tap to achieve the desired flow rate.

Without being too technical, the faucet has a shaft through its core and a valve seat attached to the bottom of the shaft. A standard tap washer, usually made of rubber, is attached to the end of the valve seat. As the handle is turned, the shaft rotates and the screw thread moves the valve seat up and down to adjust the water flow. The valve seat is placed over the hole through which the water flows. The valve seat will rise and fall as the shaft is rotated, allowing proportional control of the water flow. The traditional spindle approach is less expensive than the ceramic disc alternative, but is of an inferior quality.

While they are durable, the faucet washers need to be changed from time to time. This can be an awkward task and a leaky faucet can be very annoying, not to mention wasteful. Appearance is limited by spindle focus and modern lever handles are not available with a traditional tap. Ultimately, some kind of repetitive turning is required to turn the faucet on and off.

Traditional spindle taps are suitable for high or low pressure systems. This gives them an advantage over ceramic disc taps.

Ceramic disc

On the other hand, ceramic disc actuated faucets do not drip. Changing the washing machine is a thing of the past. The reason for this is the completely different mode of operation. Ceramic discs get their name from the fact that there are two ceramic discs inside the faucet body, that when the lever is turned or raised, the discs separate allowing water to flow. Only a quarter turn is required for flow to go from fully on to off when using the rotary handle approach. Ceramic disc taps may resemble traditional spindle taps, but within the body of the tap the mode of operation is different. While these faucets require less maintenance, last longer, and perform better, they are more expensive, as is often the case.

Ceramic disc taps are inferior in terms of flow rates. They will not work successfully at very low pressures, whereas the traditional screw type will.

Quick Notes on Pressure:

If you have a combi boiler or unvented hot water system (electric water heater at the point of use), you don’t need to worry about pressure. However, if you have a traditional gravity pressure system, that is, a water tank in the attic and a hot water cylinder for domestic hot water generation, you should take note of the available pressure. If you have very low pressure available and you buy ceramic disc type taps, they may not work the way you want. Keep this in mind when choosing. If you have the older, traditional cylinder and tank system, check with a plumber or plumbers dealer to find out if a pump is available to provide the required pressure.