Mixer Tap

[Vagus]

The mixer tap in the kitchen has been dripping for months and I’m going to renew it because I’ve never been happy with the way it works.
I seem to remember someone on here (probably The Builder) very clearly explaining the different mixer taps and how they work.
Ours is a pain because if you run hot water, then run cold water, it takes ages to get hot water again. Apart from it being a waste of water, it’s a nuisance and I’m sure someone on AB had a similar problem.

[The Builder]

Older type mixers had two independent handwheels that operated with conventional tap washers.
Tap washers were superseded by valves with a ceramic disc. Did much the same thing, but are more durable than fibre washers.
Then there came ones with a single control valve. This is the type where you lift the lever to open the valve, and turn it left or right for hot/cold. These can be cheap popular varieties, right up to the poncier end of the market costing a lot more.
Which do you have?

I imagine you have a mains-fed cold, Vagus. But what is your hot supply?
Is it low-pressure, fed from an immersion cylinder/roof tank?
Or is it mains pressure from a combi boiler or unvented system?

[Vagus]

The tap has a turn thing either side, hot and cold.
We don’t have a combi, it’s just a normal boiler. The tank is in the airing cupboard upstairs.
Im not going to do it myself, I’m pretty useless doing diy, but im wondering about the sort of tap I need. The current one is only about seven years old but I’ve never been happy with the way it works, not like the previous one.
Probably a plumber will advise.
Thanks for your input Builder.

[The Builder]

Ok, then you have unbalanced H&C supplies. One high pressure, one low pressure.
You'll need a mixer that should be described as "suitable for low pressure systems".
With older taps, this was not a problem, because the "tails" that connect the tap to the supplies were 15mm.
Modern taps often have braided flexible tails of a very small bore.
This often causes the cold to overpower the hot, making it a little more difficult to mix the water properly.

Taps suitable for low pressure are essential, but the restricted tails will always unbalance things. It'll work, but I just wanted to point it out to you.
Have a look through this lot to give you an idea. The descriptions will tell you if they're suitable or not.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-kitchens/kitchen-mixer-taps/cat4650002?colour=chrome

You say you have been unhappy with the current one. Maybe that one is not compatible with low pressure.
Do mention the tails to your plumber. He should certainly be able to advise you.

[Vagus]

Thanks Builder, really appreciate your advice.