Clark spouts buying guide
A Clark spout is the outlet that carries water from a Clark mixer or tap set into the bath, the basin, the sink or the laundry tub. This page holds Clark Round and Square basin and bath outlets, a Round swivel bath outlet and Round wall sink outlets for the laundry and kitchen, all wall mounted, in matte black, chrome and brushed nickel, with some in lead free brass. The guide below explains which outlet suits which place, how to choose the reach, when to choose a swivel, how to match a spout to a Clark mixer, how to replace one, and how to look after the finish.
Round or Square
Clark makes its outlets in two shapes, and the shape is the first choice. The Round has a plain, round body and plate, and the Square has a squared body and plate. Choose the shape to match the rest of the room: the mixer, the shower rose, the basin and the tiles. A round outlet on a wall with square fittings looks like a mistake, and the same is true the other way round. If you are adding a spout to an existing Clark installation, use the shape of the existing mixer.
Both shapes are offered in the same job, a basin and bath outlet, so the choice is about the look, not the function. For the whole Clark tapware, see Clark taps, and for the black finish across the range, see Clark black tapware.
Basin and bath outlets
The Clark basin and bath outlet is made to serve either a basin or a bath from a wall. It comes in two reaches, 180mm and 220mm, in both Round and Square. The shorter reach suits a basin, where the water should land near the drain, and a small bath. The longer reach suits a larger bath, where the water should land near the middle of the tub, over the plug. Choose by the place the water has to land.
The outlet is supplied with an aerator made for the use. An outlet that serves a bath carries an unrestricted aerator, which gives a wide stream that fills the tub at a good rate, and an outlet that serves a basin needs a softer stream. Check which aerator comes with the model you choose, and ask the plumber to fit the one that suits the place. See basin spouts and bath tub spouts for the checks on length and height, and spouts for the group from every brand.
The swivel bath outlet
The Clark Round swivel bath outlet turns on its base, so one outlet can serve a bath and a basin on the same wall, or direct the water to one side of a bath. It suits a bathroom where a bath and a basin share a wall, and a bath where you want to move the water. A swivel needs clear space on both sides, so check that it can turn through its full range without touching a tile edge, a shelf or a screen. See swivel bath spouts for the swivel group from all brands.
If the outlet serves only one place, a fixed outlet is the simpler fitting, with no moving part to wear. The fixed outlets here are the larger group, and they are the right choice for a single basin or a bath where the water always lands in the same place.
Wall sink outlets
The Clark Round wall sink outlets are made for a laundry tub or a kitchen sink where the taps are on the wall. The spout swivels, so it can serve a double bowl, or swing out of the way to make room for a bucket or a large pot. The reach is longer than a basin outlet, so it stands out over the tub. They are offered in matte black, chrome and brushed nickel, in lead free and low lead versions. See laundry taps for the other taps in the laundry.
A wall sink outlet needs a wall tap or a wall mixer to control it, because the outlet only delivers the water. Wall top assemblies are the taps for a classic wall set, and see wall top assemblies for those. Check the height of the outlet above the bowl, and the reach to the drain, and settle the pipe position with the plumber before the wall is lined.
Reach and height
The reach is how far the outlet stands out from the wall, and it decides where the water lands. For a basin, measure from the wall to the drain, and for a bath, measure from the wall to the centre of the bath floor. A spout that is too short drops the water on the slope of the bowl, and one that is too long throws it over the far edge. Leave room under the outlet for a hand and a jug, and measure the height from the finished rim of the basin or the bath, not from the floor.
Mark the position on the wall with tape, stand at the basin or kneel at the bath, and check that a hand fits under the outlet. For a wall spout over a tub, check the height of the tallest bucket you fill, so it fits underneath.
Match the spout to the mixer
The spout is only the outlet, and a mixer or a pair of handles controls it. They look best from the same range, the same shape and the same finish. The Clark ranges include the Cross, the Lever and the Round II, and see Clark Cross, Clark Lever and Clark Round II for those. See wall basin and bath mixer sets for a mixer and a spout sold as a pair. Keep the outlet and the mixer in the same finish, because a chrome outlet with a black plate looks mismatched.
Finishes and materials
Matte black is the largest finish group here. It is bold against white tiles and light walls, and it needs a wipe from time to time to keep water spots off. See black taps. Chrome is the standard finish, bright, easy to match and simple to clean. See chrome taps. Brushed nickel is a soft silver that hides water marks and fingerprints better than polished chrome. See brushed nickel tapware. Finishes differ between the Round and the Square, and between sizes, so check the finish on the exact model before you order.
Some of the Clark outlets are lead free brass, and some carry the low lead name. An outlet that serves a basin, a sink or a laundry tub is in contact with water, so check the marking and the compliance marks on the model you choose. See lead free taps for the wider group of lead free tapware.
Replacing a spout
A spout can be replaced on its own if the new one suits the wall outlet. Measure the projection of the old spout, from the wall to the point the water falls, and choose a new one with the same reach. Check that the new spout connects to the outlet in the wall in the same way as the old one, because some fix with a screw and some with a collar. If the old fitting is non-standard, or the wall outlet is damaged, ask a licensed plumber, because a damaged outlet is a repair behind the tile.
Flow and installation
The outlet does not set the flow. The flow depends on the supply pressure and the mixer or tap that feeds it, so an outlet on a low pressure supply runs gently with any control. Taps sold in Australia carry a WELS rating for water efficiency, so check the rating for the product you choose. Plumbing work has to be done by a licensed plumber, who positions the pipe, fixes the outlet to a solid backing, seals the plate to the tile and tests it for leaks. The installation sheet supplied with the outlet is the reference for the connection.
Care
Wipe the outlet with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap, and dry it with a soft cloth to prevent water marks. Do not use abrasive pads, bleach or strong cleaners, because they can damage a black or brushed finish. Rinse bath oil and bubble bath off a bath outlet after use, since they leave a film, and rinse laundry products off a laundry outlet when you see them. Hard water leaves scale at the end of the outlet, and a soak in a mild cleaner will clear it.
Questions to settle before you order
- Is the outlet for a basin, a bath, a sink or a laundry tub?
- Do you want a Round or a Square shape to match the room?
- Which reach lands the water near the drain or the middle of the bath: 180mm or 220mm?
- Do you need a swivel, or is a fixed outlet enough?
- Which finish matches the mixer and the rest of the metal in the room?
- Has the plumber agreed the pipe position and the height before the wall is lined?
Related pages
For the rest of the Clark range, see Clark taps and Clark showers. For a tap from any brand, start at taps.
