There’s nothing like having easy access to water outside your home, especially when the garden needs a drink, the car needs a rinse, or you just want to hose down muddy shoes. An outside tap makes all of that a whole lot easier. The good news? Installing an outside tap isn’t as tricky as it might seem.

This guide will walk you through what’s involved, what tools you’ll need, and a few useful tips to help you get the job done right the first time.

What’s So Great About an Outside Tap?

You’ve probably had one of those moments—dragging a hose through the laundry window, or filling buckets in the kitchen sink to water plants. It’s messy, slow, and just not ideal. Fitting an outside tap saves time and hassle, and if you’ve got a garden or even just a small patio, it’s genuinely worth it.

You don’t need to be a professional plumber either. With the right instructions and a little patience, many home DIYers can manage the job themselves. If you’re not 100% confident, having a homeowners plumbing guide on hand can help you understand your home’s water layout before you start drilling or cutting into anything.

Start With a Bit of Planning

Before you touch a tool, think through a few basics:

• Where will it go? You’ll want to place the tap on an external wall that’s close to your indoor plumbing. The back wall of the kitchen or laundry is often the best spot.
  
  

• What’s the wall made of? Brick, timber, and cladding will need different types of drill bits and wall plugs.
  
  

• Can you isolate the water easily? You’ll need to turn the water off during installation, so check where the main shut-off valve is and make sure it’s working.
  
  

Mapping things out beforehand makes the job much smoother—especially when it comes to running the pipe through the wall.

Tools and Gear You’ll Need

Most outside tap kits come with a lot of what you need, but here’s a quick checklist:

• An outside tap and wall plate (a basic kit often includes screws and plugs)
  
  

• Drill with a masonry bit (for brick walls)
  
  

• Adjustable spanner
  
  

• Pipe clips or brackets
  
  

• PTFE tape (plumber’s tape)
  
  

• Hose connector (optional)
  
  

• Either a self-cutting tap or a tee fitting for the indoor pipework
  
  

Depending on how your plumbing is set up, you might also need a length of copper or plastic pipe, elbows or connectors, and a valve to isolate the tap when needed.

The Installation Step-by-Step

1. Turn Off the Water

First things first—shut off the mains. Open a cold tap indoors to release any pressure and let any water in the pipes drain out.

2. Drill Through the Wall

Mark where your outside tap will go. Then, using a long masonry bit (usually 22mm), drill a hole from the inside to the outside. Drilling at a slight downward angle helps prevent water from sitting in the pipe and causing problems later.

3. Tap Into the Indoor Plumbing

Find the cold water pipe inside the house—usually under the sink. If you’re using a self-cutting tap, clamp it around the pipe and tighten it until it pierces the copper and seals. If you’re confident with more traditional fittings, you can cut the pipe and fit a tee joint using a compression or push-fit fitting.

Run the pipe through the hole and out to the exterior wall.

4. Install the Tap Outside

Wrap some PTFE tape around the thread of the tap—2-3 wraps are usually enough to create a watertight seal for most standard fittings.  Screw the tap onto the wall plate, then secure the plate to the wall using the plugs and screws provided. Don’t forget to use pipe clips to hold everything neatly in place and reduce stress on the fittings.

5. Check Everything and Turn the Water Back On

Once everything’s connected, slowly turn the mains water back on. Check for leaks inside and out—especially around the new connection and tap thread. If you spot a drip, try tightening the fittings slightly or adding more tape.

Handy Extras

• Add an isolation valve inside—this way, you can turn off just the outside tap in winter or if you go away.
  
  

• Use insulation on the outdoor pipe to protect it from frost in colder months.
  
  

• Seal the hole where the pipe goes through the wall using silicone or expanding foam to keep drafts and insects out.
  
  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a small job like this has a few traps you’ll want to steer clear of:

• Forgetting to seal the wall – A gap around the pipe can let water or pests into your home.
  
  

• Not sloping the pipe – Always angle the pipe slightly downward toward the tap so any water drains out rather than sitting inside.
  
  

• Overtightening fittings – You want things snug, but not so tight you damage the threads.
  
  

• Skipping the tape – PTFE tape is essential for a watertight seal on screw threads.
  
  

When You Might Want a Pro

If your plumbing is old, hard to access, or looks like spaghetti under the sink, it’s completely fine to call in a licensed plumber. They’ll have the tools, parts, and know-how to get it done quickly and safely.

Also, if you’re dealing with copper pipes and don’t have experience soldering or cutting them, getting help might save you a lot of time (and headaches). A neat, properly installed tap looks better and is less likely to give you trouble down the track.

A Simple Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference

Fitting an outside tap is a weekend job that pays off in convenience for years to come. Whether you're keeping the garden green, washing the dog, or setting up a sprinkler for the kids, an outdoor water source makes life easier.

Take your time, follow each step carefully, and don’t be afraid to call for backup if you hit a snag. With a bit of patience and planning, you’ll have a solid, leak-free tap installed and ready to go in no time.