There’s something quietly satisfying about having an outside tap. No more lugging a watering can from the kitchen, no more stretched garden hoses trailing through the house, and definitely no more neighbours side-eyeing you as you carry a bucket across the patio. A garden tap is one of those small home improvements that earns its keep every single day from spring through to autumn.

But here’s the thing: outside taps are a regulated plumbing fitting in the UK, and a surprising number of installations are done without the correct components. That’s not just a technical issue — it can actually be a legal one. So before you grab a drill and start heading towards your kitchen wall, let’s walk through exactly what’s required, what compliance looks like in practice, and how to get it right without calling in a plumber.

Why Every Garden Needs an Outside Tap

If you’ve ever hand-watered a lawn in a heatwave, you already know the answer to this. An outside tap makes everything easier — from filling a paddling pool to washing the car, rinsing muddy boots, or connecting an irrigation system. For UK homeowners, it’s one of the most-used garden features during the warmer months, and the payoff far outweighs the modest cost of installation.

That said, it’s not quite as simple as tapping into a pipe and running a bit of copper out through the wall. Let’s talk about why.

What the Law Actually Requires: UK Water Regulations Explained

The installation of an outside tap is governed in the UK by the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. These regulations exist for good reason: they protect the public water supply from contamination. Outside taps — especially those with a hosepipe attached — are considered a potential risk for backflow, which is when water flows backwards from your garden hose into the mains supply. If your hose is sitting in a bucket of fertiliser or weedkiller, you can see why that’s a problem.

Here’s what the regulations actually require:

1. A Double Check Valve — This Is Non-Negotiable

The single most important requirement for an outside tap installation is a double check valve (DCV). This is a backflow prevention device, and under the Water Regulations, it’s a legal requirement on every hose union tap (i.e., any tap that a hosepipe can be connected to).

A double check valve prevents contaminated water from syphoning back into the mains supply. Without one, you’re not only breaking the rules — you’re potentially putting the drinking water supply at risk.

The good news? Modern WRAS-approved garden taps, like the ones in our range, have the double check valve built directly into the tap body. No separate fitting required. It’s there from day one.

2. An Isolation Valve on the Indoor Pipework

The regulations also require an isolation valve on the supply pipe feeding the outside tap, located inside the property. This lets you shut off the water to the tap independently of the rest of your plumbing — useful for maintenance, and essential for winter isolation (more on that shortly).

Most garden tap kits include a self-cutting saddle valve, which doubles as your isolation point when closed. Neat, simple, and entirely compliant.

3. WRAS-Approved Fittings

WRAS stands for the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. Any fitting that comes into contact with drinking water in the UK — including taps, valves, and connectors — should ideally carry WRAS approval. It’s the industry standard that confirms a product has been independently tested and meets the requirements of the Water Regulations.

When you buy a WRAS-approved outside tap, you can be confident it’s been designed and manufactured to keep your water supply safe. Cheaper, non-approved alternatives might fit and function, but they won’t necessarily be compliant.

4. Should You Notify Your Water Company?

Technically, under the Water Regulations, you should notify your local water undertaker before carrying out notifiable plumbing work. Fitting an outside tap falls into a grey area here — minor work on existing fittings may not always require formal notification, but if you’re installing a brand new water connection, it’s worth checking with your water supplier.

In practice, many DIY installations go ahead without notification, but it’s always good to know the rules.

What’s in a Compliant Garden Tap Kit?

A properly specced garden tap kit takes the guesswork out of compliance. Our LavaTap kits are designed around exactly what the Water Regulations require, and include everything you need to complete a watertight, compliant installation without soldering or specialist tools.

Here’s what’s included in our kits:

• WRAS-approved bibtap with integrated double check valve — ticks the most important regulatory box straight out of the box
• Self-cutting saddle valve — creates a clean connection to your 15mm cold water supply pipe without cutting into the pipe or draining the system
• Wall flange / wallplate — provides a neat, weatherproof finish on the outside wall and protects the pipework as it passes through the wall
• Flexible connector — allows for minor misalignments between the indoor pipework and the external tap position (the 600mm kit includes a longer connector for thicker walls)
• PTFE tape — for sealing threaded connections

Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.

Which Kit Do I Need? 350mm vs 600mm

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is simpler than you might think.

The LavaTap 350mm Garden Tap Kit is the right choice for most standard UK homes — cavity wall construction with a total wall thickness of around 300–340mm. The 350mm wallplate handles the passage through the wall, and the kit connects comfortably to a 15mm cold water supply inside.

The LavaTap 600mm Garden Tap Kit is designed for thicker walls — new builds with additional insulation, stone or solid brick constructions, or any installation where the wall is significantly deeper. If you’re not sure which you need, measure the wall thickness before you order.

Both kits include WRAS-approved taps with integral double check valves and are fully compliant with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.

Not looking for a full kit? If you already have a wallplate in place and just need to replace the tap itself, our Outside Tap ½" Bibtap with WRAS Approved Double Check Valve is available separately — a great option for a quick, compliant upgrade.

Can I Install a Garden Tap Myself?

Yes — with the right kit and a bit of confidence, a DIY installation is entirely achievable for most homeowners. An experienced DIYer can typically complete the job in an hour or two. Here’s the general process:

1. Choose your tap location (ideally close to a cold water supply pipe inside — under the kitchen sink is common)
2. Drill through the external wall, using the wallplate tube as a size guide
3. Feed the through-wall flange tube through the hole and fix the backplate securely to the outside wall
4. Connect the self-cutting saddle valve to your 15mm cold water pipe inside — no draining the system, no cutting pipes
5. Connect the flexible connector between the outlet of the saddle valve and the inner end of the wall flange tube
6. Screw the tap onto the outer end of the wall flange and turn the saddle valve on
7. Check all connections for leaks and you’re done

The self-cutting valve in our kits is specifically designed to make this job accessible. No soldering. No drain-down. No drama. If you’re comfortable with basic DIY, this is well within reach.

If you’d rather have a professional fit it, any plumber will be familiar with this type of installation, and the clear kit contents make their job straightforward too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission to install a garden tap?

No — fitting an outside tap is considered permitted development and does not require planning permission in the UK.

Can I use any tap as an outside tap?

Not quite. The tap must be a hose union bibtap designed for outdoor use, and it must include or be fitted with a double check valve to comply with the Water Regulations. Using a standard indoor tap outside would not be compliant, and standard brass taps without a DCV are not suitable for hosepipe connections.

What does WRAS approved mean?

WRAS stands for the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. A WRAS-approved product has been independently tested and certified to meet the requirements of the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. For plumbing products that come into contact with drinking water, WRAS approval is the benchmark for quality and compliance.

Will my outside tap freeze in winter?

It can, yes — especially if you leave water in the pipework during cold snaps. The recommended approach is to isolate the outside tap using the indoor valve (the saddle valve in your kit) and then open the tap to drain any residual water from the pipework. This prevents frost damage to both the tap and any fittings. Our kits include an isolation valve precisely for this purpose.

Is it legal to have an outside tap without a double check valve?

Installing a hose union tap without backflow protection is a breach of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Water companies have the authority to inspect installations and require non-compliant work to be corrected. All our outside taps and kits include WRAS-approved double check valves, so you’re covered from the moment you fit them.

How do I connect a hosepipe to my new outside tap?

Our bibtaps have a standard ¾" BSP hose union outlet — the UK standard for garden hose connections. It’s worth noting that the ½" figure you often see refers to the tap’s inlet thread (where it connects to the pipework), not the outlet. The hose union nozzle itself is ¾" BSP, which is compatible with the vast majority of garden hose connectors available in the UK. Most modern connectors simply push and click straight on — no tools required.

Does the double check valve need to be replaced?

Double check valves have a general service life, and it’s good practice to inspect them periodically. Most will last many years without issue, but if you notice any loss of backflow protection (water appearing to flow backwards, or pressure irregularities), it’s worth having the valve checked or replaced. Our Outside Tap ½" Bibtap with WRAS Approved Double Check Valve is an easy, affordable swap.

Ready to Fit Your Outside Tap?

Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or tackling your first plumbing project, our LavaTap garden tap kits have you covered — with everything you need, right in the box, fully compliant with UK Water Regulations.

Shop the range:

• 🔧 LavaTap 350mm Garden Tap Kit — ideal for standard UK cavity walls
• 🔧 LavaTap 600mm Garden Tap Kit — designed for thicker walls and new builds
• 🚰 Outside Tap ½" Bibtap WRAS Approved — tap-only replacement with integral DCV
• 🔩 350mm Wallplate Through Wall Flange — spare or replacement flange
• 🔩 600mm Wallplate Through Wall Flange — for thicker wall installations
• 🪛 Self-Cutting Saddle Valve 15mm x ¾" — spare saddle valve for 15mm pipe

Any questions about which kit is right for your installation? Drop us a message at contact@lavawholesale.co.uk and we’ll point you in the right direction.

All mentioned LavaTap products are WRAS approved and comply with the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.