10 tap end pieces from €9.90 to €24.90
The selection brings together 10 tap end pieces. The cheapest is the Antique-style tap aerator at €9.90, the most expensive the Water-saving tap aerator and the Swivel universal tap aerator at €24.90. Five models are €14.90.
They fall into three families: end pieces that screw onto the end of the tap to adjust the spray or save water, those that direct the water, and connectors that link a tap to a garden hose.
Water-saving end pieces and aerators
On the end of most taps screws a small end piece called an aerator or flow straightener. It gives the spray its shape and limits splashing. The models below replace it, and their sheets present them as water-saving.
- Brass water-saving tap aerator, €14.90, in chrome: according to its sheet, it reduces water consumption while keeping effective pressure.
- Gold tap aerator, €14.90, in gold: its sheet states an optimised flow and water saving, for gold tapware.
- Kitchen tap aerator adapter, €19.90, in chrome: presented for standard taps, with an optimised flow.
- 4-piece tap aerator set, €19.90, in black: a set of four, offered in four sizes (3/4 36.5mm, 3/4 38mm, 1/2 39mm, 1/2 20.5mm).
- Water-saving tap aerator, €24.90, in chrome: its sheet mentions reduced consumption with a constant flow.
Tap aerator or water-saving end piece: what is the difference?
A tap aerator mixes a little air into the water through a fine mesh: the spray looks fuller and splashes less. A water-saving end piece goes further by limiting the flow that passes through. In both cases, the aerator can be changed without touching the mixer tap, and it is often the part to replace when the spray goes off to one side. Not all our sheets state whether the end piece contains an aeration mesh: they talk about water saving and optimised flow, and these are the points on which the comparison makes sense.
None of these sheets gives a flow figure in litres per minute: to measure the real saving, time how long it takes to fill a graduated container before and after fitting.
End pieces that change the spray or the mood
- Swivel universal tap aerator, €24.90, in black or chrome: a swivel end piece to direct the water where you need it, in the kitchen as well as the bathroom.
- LED tap aerator, €14.90, in chrome: it lights the water in changing colours.
- Antique-style tap aerator, €9.90, in gold: a retro-style end piece, presented by its sheet as suitable for most taps.
Connectors for garden hoses
- Tap hose connector, €14.90, in orange: a connector to link a tap to a garden hose.
- Garden tap hose connector, €14.90, in black: same use, designed for outdoors according to its sheet.
For the tap itself, see our collection of garden taps.
Which tap end piece should you choose?
- To save water in the kitchen: the Kitchen Adapter Tap End Piece at €19.90 or the Water-Saving Tap End Piece at €24.90.
- For the smallest budget: the Antique Tap End Piece at €9.90.
- For a gold finish: the Gold Tap End Piece at €14.90, or the Antique for a retro style.
- To direct the spray: the Universal Swivel Tap End Piece at €24.90.
- To fit several taps: the 4-Piece Tap End Piece Set at €19.90.
- To connect a hose: the Tap End Piece or the Garden Tap End Piece, at €14.90.
The diameter of the end piece, to check before you buy
A tap end piece screws onto the spout. There are two fittings: the thread is either inside the spout (the end piece is male) or outside (the end piece is female). On standard tapware you mostly come across two diameters, M22 and M24, but others exist. The safest approach is to unscrew the end piece in place and measure its thread in millimetres before ordering. If the diameter does not match, an adapter can often bridge the gap.
Changing a tap end piece
- Turn off the tap and put a cloth in the sink so you do not lose any parts.
- Unscrew the old end piece by hand, anticlockwise. If it resists, wrap it in a cloth and use pliers, without gripping hard so as not to mark the finish.
- Recover the seal and check that it is neither crushed nor split.
- Screw on the new end piece by hand with its seal, then turn on the water and check that it does not leak.
If water seeps around the spout and not at the end piece, the problem is more likely the tap's seal: our article changing a kitchen tap seal explains how. And to go further, the guide taking a kitchen tap apart details the complete dismantling.
If it is the tap itself that needs changing, the page brass taps brings together the models whose sheet states this metal, for the kitchen, the basin and the garden.
Cleaning and descaling a tap end piece
Limescale builds up first in the mesh of the aerator: the spray becomes uneven, goes off to one side or weakens. Unscrew the end piece and leave it to soak for an hour in white vinegar, then brush the mesh with an old toothbrush and rinse. Without taking it apart, you can also slip a small bag filled with white vinegar around the spout, held by an elastic band, for an hour. Avoid abrasive products on chrome, black or gold finishes. If the water drips with the tap closed or leaks somewhere other than the aerator, our article aerator or dripping tap will help you find where it is coming from.
Frequently asked questions about tap end pieces
What is the end of a tap called?
It is called an aerator, flow straightener, or simply tap end piece. When it is designed to reduce consumption, it is also called a tap water saver.
What is the diameter of a tap end piece?
Most often M22 or M24, depending on whether the thread is inside or outside the spout, but other diameters exist. Measure the end piece in place before buying; the 4-Piece Tap End Piece Set shows its sizes in its options.
How do you change a tap end piece?
It unscrews by hand or with pliers protected by a cloth, then the new end piece is screwed on with its seal. Allow a few minutes, without turning off the mains water.
How do you change a tap aerator without tools?
By hand, most of the time. Turn off the tap, take hold of the aerator between your fingers and unscrew it anticlockwise. Recover the seal, screw the new aerator on by hand, then turn on the water to check that it does not leak. If it is stuck with limescale, leave it to soak in white vinegar first, then use a cloth and pliers to help.
How do you descale a tap end piece without taking it off?
Wrap a small bag filled with white vinegar around the spout, held by an elastic band, and leave it to work for an hour before rinsing by running the water.
Is white vinegar effective for descaling tapware?
Yes, it is the simplest remedy for limescale on aerators and end pieces. Rinse well afterwards and do not use an abrasive sponge on the finish.
How do you clean tap end pieces?
Soaking in white vinegar and then gently brushing the mesh is enough. If the mesh stays blocked or deformed, changing the end piece often costs less than persevering.
To complete your equipment
A new end piece will not fix a worn-out tap: if yours leaks or lacks flow, see our kitchen taps and our kitchen mixer taps, or the models of sink tap. Around the sink, our sink accessories complete the equipment. And for the shower, the shower hose collection brings together replacement hoses. In the bathroom, the Universal Tap End Piece works too; to change the whole tap, see our bathroom taps.
To change style at the same time as the tap, our gold taps cover the kitchen and the basin.
