Recently, single-lever mixers for bathtubs and kitchens have gained great popularity. But I still remember the time when mainly faucets with faucet boxes were on sale . Now the situation has fundamentally changed, and new cranes, moreover, look, completely replace old ones. However, despite all this, the innovation is not safe from breakdowns. And as a result, you have to change the cartridge for a single lever mixer. Such a fate sooner or later inevitably befalls all the technical means: both old and new!
As for the mixers, there is little choice: either replace the defective part, and if this is not possible, you will have to purchase a new crane. Modern devices have a simple design, and spare parts for them are sold in almost any nearby store and at a very affordable cost.
In the topic of this article, we will try to find out whether it is easy to repair the mixer on our own, and at the same time we will find out how convenient it is to use such taps. Most likely, in this matter you can find both supporters and those who do not like the new product. But first, consider what varieties the modern market can offer us.
Varieties of faucets
There are two types of modern faucets for bathtubs and kitchens, depending on which cartridge for a single lever mixer is installed in the housing:
Ball valves are not cheap, it is they who quickly wear rubber seals, and they practically cannot be repaired. Such a mixer needs regular use. If it is not used for a long period, a calcareous deposit forms between the ball and the sealed gasket, which leads to seizing. In this case, the breakdown of the mixer is a matter of time. Perhaps that is why the production of such valves is not established on a large scale.
But at the same time, such cranes perfectly tolerate pressure drops and withstand hydraulic shocks. In addition, they are not sensitive to water quality, which means that they are not afraid of inclusions present in the water supply.
A ceramic cartridge for a single lever mixer, on the contrary, has a quite affordable price, moreover, it serves much longer than a ball counterpart and is more reliable. They can also be different, based on:
- diameter
- heights;
- landing part;
- stem length (sometimes).
In this regard, the old cartridge should be replaced with a completely identical new spare part. To do this, the defective part should be removed and go to the store with it, where, according to this sample, purchase the necessary element.
The disadvantages of ceramic cartridges include sensitivity to water quality. Small particles of sand or scale affect the parts as an abrasive, which leads to breakage. However, this disadvantage can be compensated by installing mechanical cleaning filters.
How is the ball joystick
The single-lever ball mixer for the kitchen contains a removable round element that is hollow inside, polished and fitted in a cartridge case. It has three holes, when it is set in motion, they coincide to different degrees with the holes in the mixer body.
It is in them that cold and hot water flows, and mixing takes place inside the ball. Due to this, scale can form in it, which in most cases leads to malfunction of the mixer.
The structure of the ceramic cartridge
Another type of cartridge has in its structure several ceramic plates that undergo ultrasonic treatment. Thanks to precise mechanical grinding, the required smoothness of the parts is achieved, and their working surfaces better fit together. It also affects the smooth and silent movement of ceramic disks throughout the entire period of operation.
These parts are located one above the other, and have holes for the passage of water. In this case, the lower plate is rigidly fixed in the cartridge, and the upper movable and connected to the control rod. Each time, using a single lever mixer for the sink, the ceramic discs are displaced relative to each other, which leads to a partial or complete coincidence of the holes. Thus, the water mixes, becoming warm. The fluid pressure is adjusted by moving the top plate.
Typically, rubber seals are installed at the bottom of the cartridge for tightness. And to preserve the ceramics, a kind of coarse filter is provided in the form of a metal mesh to delay small debris, which closes the holes of the plates. In some cartridges, there are not two, but three, of which the moving plate is medium. Such valves are relevant for pipelines with low working pressure. Water mixing takes place inside the mixer body, and not between the plates. Such valves are simply the ideal solution, since the pressure of the liquid does not decrease.
By the way, the cartridge for a single lever mixer can be collapsible and non-collapsible. The latter consists of only two halves (upper and lower).
Disadvantages of single lever mixers
In our world, it seems, there is not a single thing that would have continuous advantages and completely lacked defects ?! The mixer, even so convenient, is no exception:
- in such mixers (if it is ball) rubber seals wear out quickly;
- taps are prone to clogging, due to which a malfunction occurs;
- for cheap models, after some time of use, it becomes difficult to select the required water temperature.
It is worth considering that the service life of most ball valves is about two years, which is not so much.
The single-lever mixer wins in this regard. Typically, this can boast of German companies that can give a ten-year warranty on the crane. The Grohe mixer is considered the most reliable.
But what about the benefits?
Cons were previously given, but now it is worth highlighting the available advantages:
- long duration of operation;
- adjust the required pressure and water temperature can be easily, simply, and most importantly - quickly;
- if necessary, you can perform an independent repair, following the simple instructions (will be described below);
- the mixers have rubber gaskets and there are no rubbing metal objects, which increases the duration of the mixer.
But most importantly, single-lever mixers are easy to install, this does not require any specific knowledge or skills. It is more or less good to hold tools in your hands.
But more interestingly, there is a wide range of products on the market, and therefore you can choose a special crane. The mixer can advantageously emphasize the refined taste of the owner of the apartment or house.
Major malfunctions
Indications for repair of the mixer may be some characteristic features:
- difficulty moving the lever;
- regardless of the position of the handle, only cold or hot water runs from the tap;
- it is impossible to regulate the flow head;
- water does not completely overlap, flows in a thin stream;
- leakage from under the crane handle is clearly visible.
In most cases, replacing the cartridge is the way out. But this measure does not always help. Sometimes, when only hot or only cold water runs out of the tap, this may indicate the likelihood of water being mixed. In this case, there is a high probability that the entire mixer is defective, only the replacement of the entire tap will help here.
It is for this reason that you should ask the seller to provide a check in order to exchange a single lever kitchen faucet if necessary. It is worth considering this point and ask in advance whether there is a guarantee and return of products. As a rule, this can be done in many stores no later than two weeks from the time of purchase.
By the way, if such a problem is observed, then you should not leave everything as it is. Firstly, this is a clear discomfort. And secondly, the rest of the residents also suffer, because due to the mixture of water the toilet tanks almost always fail.
What will be needed for repair?
If all fears are confirmed, then replacements cannot be avoided. Just first you need to remove the old part, for which you will need tools:
- wrench (spanner, adjustable, gas);
- hexagon (not for all mixers);
- pliers or pliers;
- flat end screwdriver.
Flannel fabric (a small piece) and a special cleaning liquid WD-40 can also be useful. When everything is prepared, you can go directly to the process. But before you begin to disassemble the single lever mixer for the sink, you need to block the water with taps, which are usually located in the bath. You should make sure of this by opening the taps in the bathroom and in the kitchen.
Simple instruction
After shutting off the water, you can begin work, which can conditionally be divided into several stages.
Since faucets with ceramic cartridges are mostly common, we will not consider ball repair:
- First of all, it is necessary to remove the plastic plug from the handle with a screwdriver, symbolizing which side the hot and cold water is (red and blue marks). Under it there is a small hole in which a screw is hidden connecting the handle with the control rod. And to see the cartridge for a single lever mixer (Kerox, for example), you need to remove this lever. To do this, just need a hexagon. But in some cases a thin screwdriver is used. After that, it remains to remove the lever. This is usually easy to do, but sometimes you have to make an effort, most importantly, do not overdo it.
- Now you need to unscrew the chrome decorative cap. As a rule, it also lends itself easily.
- Under this cover is a nut holding a ceramic cartridge for the mixer. It is unscrewed with a wrench. With it, great difficulties should not arise. In extreme cases, you can try using the liquid WD-40.
- Having taken out the defective part, go with it to the store and buy a new one.
- Before installing a new cartridge, you need to clean the seat, as during the period of operation there is accumulated dirt. When placing the part, it is necessary to make sure that the protrusions on the cartridge coincide with the recesses in the seat of the mixer housing.
- Now it remains to assemble in the reverse order - tightening the nut, installing the decorative cap, fastening the handle with the screw screw, and at the end put the color plug in its place.
On this "repair work" is completed, you can check the operability of the crane.
As you can see, replacing the cartridge for a single lever mixer (40 mm Sedal is made in the same way) is not so difficult to entrust specialists with this matter. You can do it with success yourself, and save on the cost of such services. For the final completion, it remains to make sure that everything is working properly, there are no leaks.
Check
To begin with, it is better to close the faucets in the bathroom and in the kitchen, if they remained open, and then resume the flow of hot and cold water. It is worth gradually releasing the handle, parallel looking at whether there is a leak somewhere. Usually after such work flaws are not noticed. But if necessary, you can always turn off the water again and correct your flaws.
To extend the “life” of the mixer, experts advise taking care of installing a mechanical filter. In this case, nothing threatens the ceramic plates for a long period of use.
Conclusion
By and large, almost all single-lever cranes are not much different in their structure, but some companies improve their products through the use of their own technologies. One such manufacturer is Kludi, which invented a miniature cartridge, which allowed the creation of thinner and smaller mixers. Another Italian manufacturer, Newform, guarantees that its products are capable of withstanding a water shock of 35 atmospheres.
Spanish engineers (Supergrif) have achieved an ultra-smooth surface of parts using ultrasonic polishing. Replacement parts from Ideal Standard are designed to work in a low pressure system. Also in the case there is a small camera buffer.
The German manufacturer under the name Grohe also does not lag behind its competitors. The plates that the ceramic cartridge for the mixer is equipped with (not on all models) have Carbodur carbon-crystal spraying. Due to this, their strength increases.
In conclusion, it remains to wish that the independent operation of replacing replaceable cartridges always ends successfully. You should also be careful when choosing new parts.