Replacing a kitchen tap in Carlingford? Check the lead-free marking before you buy

What changed for drinking-water products?

NSW Government advice updated on 28 October 2026 confirms that the installation transition for applicable copper-alloy drinking-water products continues until 30 April 2028. From 1 May 2028, applicable products installed in NSW must meet the lead-free requirements. During the transition, qualifying products must still have a current WaterMark licence and remain on the product database. Read the current NSW lead-free plumbing requirements.

This is a purchasing and installation check. It is not evidence that your existing tap has contaminated your water or needs immediate removal. Ask the installer to confirm the requirements applying to the proposed replacement.

Three things to send your plumber before ordering

1. The exact product details

Send the manufacturer, model number and product listing, rather than a screenshot showing only the price. Certification relates to the product, not simply the shop selling it. If the listing is vague, ask the supplier for the supporting documentation before paying.

2. Photos above and below the sink

One photo should show the tap and sink holes. Another should show the accessible connections underneath. Move cleaning products out of the way, but leave pipes and valves alone. A deep sink, narrow cupboard or fixed shelf can affect access even when the new mixer looks identical from above.

3. What you want fixed

Tell us whether the tap drips, swivels loosely, delivers poor flow or has damaged hoses. These are different problems. Replacing a mixer will not necessarily fix a restriction elsewhere in the supply, so it helps to explain what happens at other taps as well.

What should the installation quote cover?

Ask whether the price includes removing the old tap, fitting the replacement, reconnecting the supply and checking for leaks. Clarify who supplies the tap and what happens if an existing isolation valve will not shut properly.

A good quote also identifies exclusions. Altering a stone benchtop, changing the sink or repairing water-damaged cabinetry may involve separate work. Getting those boundaries clear beforehand makes the booking much less of a guessing game.

For local help, our Carlingford plumbing repairs service is the relevant starting point. If this is part of a larger bathroom or kitchen project, discuss the overall scope with Antons Renovations before ordering fixtures that depend on the final layout.

Keep the paperwork with the product

Save the invoice, model details and installation record in one place. They are useful if a cartridge needs replacing later or you need to identify the installed product. Avoid relying on the packaging staying in the garage for years.

We would rather check a proposed tap before it arrives than have you discover a compatibility problem halfway through the job. Send the model details with your enquiry and explain whether you need supply and installation or installation only.

Check the installation date as well as the label

For a kitchen tap purchase, distinguish the product's certification from the rules applying on the installation date. NSW's updated advice permits qualifying transitional products until 30 April 2028, with applicable lead-free installation requirements from 1 May 2028. Confirm the exact model's current WaterMark listing before buying, particularly for work planned well ahead.