The plumbing market is filled with various models of faucets, to understand which for an ordinary buyer without the help of professionals is a difficult task. After all, they have a different design, construction, and functionality. The variety of models of faucets is explained not only by competition between companies that produce plumbing, but also by an increase in the range of bathtubs. In addition, there are more and more new types of mounting faucets with showers, which also have an impact on the design of bathroom equipment.
Therefore, before choosing a faucet for a bathtub with a shower, you need to accurately determine its type, installation method and water supply system. With the usual replacement and dismantling of the old mixer, you just need to purchase new equipment, similar to the previous one, or choose a more advanced option.
Classification of cranes according to the principle of operation
Many models currently sold in plumbing stores can be divided into four types of controls:
- single lever
- two-valve
- thermostats
- sensory.
Two-valve models were widespread not so long ago and are taps with two valves for separate supply of cold and hot water.
But more functional single-lever devices were able to surpass them. Today they are very popular due to their unique design, ease of installation and ease of daily use. Different colors are used in the design, but a bath faucet with a white shower is especially popular.
Single lever models have a regulating mechanism called a cartridge. It is the most vulnerable part of the faucet, as poor water quality very quickly puts it out of order. If there are metal and scale particles in the water, as well as sand, this is due to the high degree of deterioration of the networks and the low level of their cleaning. Therefore, using a bath faucet with a shower with one lever, you need to install household filters for water purification in addition to it, which will increase its service life.
Thermostats
Not so long ago, competitors for single-lever taps appeared on the domestic market - thermostatic mixers. They stand out positively among other devices due to their beautiful design, reliable design, high level of security, comfortable use.
Thermostats are made in the form of a special panel on which there are handles. One of them serves to adjust the temperature, allowing you to maintain its constancy until the next change in settings. The second handle turns water on and off.
Feature of thermostatic valves
The main function of such devices is a special safety stop, when activated, the possibility of getting a burn from hot water is minimized. It simply blocks the flow of water, the temperature of which exceeds thirty-eight degrees. To get hotter water, disable this function.
Moreover, the thermostat can limit the flow of too cold water stream from the tap. This functionality will be very useful for families with small children. There are no better and safer bathroom taps for the right price.
Touch Mixers
No less advanced is the faucet for a bathtub with a touch shower, which does not include any valves or levers. Using a specialized sensor that is built into the device’s body, water is automatically turned on when approaching the device of any object with the set dimensions. After the object disappears from the sensor control zone, the water also automatically turns off. Probably, some have noticed that such mixers are usually found in movie theaters, shopping centers, restaurants, offices and other institutions.
With this type of faucet, you can save money on utility bills. For those who installed metering devices for the consumption of hot and cold water in their apartments, these devices will reduce the cost of paying utility bills. The faucet for an acrylic bathtub with a shower is best represented by this particular model, due to the possibility of touch control.
What is remarkable about a universal mixer?
In bathrooms with small dimensions, a popular solution is to install plumbing devices at close distances to each other. At the same time, it is very convenient to use a universal mixer, which incorporates a long spout (length thirty or more centimeters).
Typically, such taps are used immediately for baths and sinks, you just need to turn the spout in the desired direction. Despite this, the demand for this type of faucets is falling, as the new models of cranes provide much greater comfort, have clearly separated functionality and ensure high quality of the device.
The model with one lever in a universal design can also be used for different types of plumbing, which is installed in close proximity to each other. The spout of this device also has a good length.
Which mixer material is preferred?
Bath faucet with shower is usually made of chrome and brass. Devices made of these metals and their various associations are the most reliable and more durable in operation. Quite often, brass faucets are coated with nickel or specialized enamel, which gives an attractive shiny shade to such a device as a bath faucet with shower (see photo in the article).
Nevertheless, it must be understood that the enamel coating can easily be damaged, and the mixer will lose its chic appearance. And nickel causes allergies in some people. Therefore, plumbing experts advise in their choice to focus on devices with conventional chrome plating, which are made in Europe.
Recommendations for choosing a crane brand
In the ranking according to the criterion of quality and durability among bathroom faucets, German-made devices show high results. For example, consider a bath faucet with a Grohe shower. Its advantages include: the possibility of wall mounting, the presence of a ceramic cartridge, an automatic switch from the bath to the shower and aerator, the ability to adjust the flow of water, a chrome surface and a built-in additional temperature limiter.
Good mixers are devices made in Bulgaria. Their vivid representative is a bath faucet with a Vidima shower. It is made of brass, the surface of which is chrome plated. It has a convenient and highly functional housing and is quite simple to install. The advantages of this mixer can also include a long spout.
Bathroom faucet installation
When installing the mixer, remember that it is better to entrust the installation of the crane to professionals. However, if there is a great desire to produce it on your own, then the instruction that we offer you should help in this.
- First of all, you need to shut off the water supply.
- Using an adjustable wrench, carefully unscrew the union nuts on the old mixer. Also unscrew the cam.
- For wrapping threads it is best to use the FUM tape. Wrap it on new eccentrics, which then need to screw fittings on the water inlets. At this stage, do not forget to try on the mixing block - if both sides are screwed on without difficulty, then the adjustment has been completed correctly.
- Next, you should install decorative overlays.
- In the final stage of work, the installation of the mixer unit is carried out. An important point in this case is to check the tightness of the joints, if necessary, the nuts are tightened on them.
- Finally, the faucet is assembled according to the instructions, the shower hose is screwed to the already installed faucet. Remember to check all joints for leaks again.
As you can see, the installation process is not particularly long for such a device as a bath faucet with shower. Installation is not difficult. However, if you do not have building skills, it is better to contact specialists.
For installation, it is necessary to choose mixers made in Europe. Because, as their Chinese counterparts can quickly break even during installation.