Black 3-way toilet tap

Under a dark cistern, next to a black sprayer, a chrome fitting immediately catches the eye. This 3-way tap picks up the same shade: matt black body, black nut, and even the threads are tinted. Only a thin pale ring marks the base of the handle.

It stays compact: once fitted, it is forgotten behind the toilet pan. It is the part that lets you add a bidet sprayer to the existing supply, without running a new pipe through the wall.

Its body is stated as brass, the most common metal in plumbing fittings.

The photos clearly show the three ways: a hexagonal female nut, which screws onto the supply, and two threaded male ends, one in line, the other on the side. One outlet goes on to the cistern, the other to the sprayer hose.

The stated connection is 1/2″ (15x21), the usual size of a sprayer hose. If your toilet supply is 3/8″ (12x17), as is often the case in France, allow for a reducing bush.

A few turns of PTFE tape on the male ends and a washer in each nut ensure a watertight seal.

The handle turns to control the water. Connected to the toilet supply, the sprayer receives cold mains water: this is normal, as there is no mixing with hot water here.

One habit saves a lot of trouble: closing the handle after each use. The sprayer hose is then no longer under pressure, and nothing drips at the foot of the toilet overnight.

To keep the matt black intact, a slightly damp microfibre cloth is enough. Chlorine products and scratchy sponges eventually dull it.