Soviet times are long gone and the then queen of the bathroom - a cast-iron bathtub left the throne. A few options could not take root, but relatively recently, mankind has taken a step towards a comfortable and functional plumbing. Today, more and more buyers prefer an acrylic bathtub. The indisputable advantages of such products are complemented by new methods and elements of installation of additional equipment, for example, mixers.
Many people are interested in the question, which mortise mixers for acrylic bathtubs will work best? What are the differences between them? How to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of plumbing and install the mortise mixer itself without damaging the bath?
You will find all these answers in the article.
Technical features of mortise mixers for acrylic bathtubs
The construction industry is rapidly developing along with this, there are new elements of plumbing, materials and technology. More recently, the installation of a cast-iron or enameled bath seemed commonplace, but today this option is fading into the background. Old models of bathtubs are being replaced by modern bathtubs, acrylic bathtubs, which have a lot of advantages, and have a lot of advantages. They are more reliable and easier for their relatives.
To all modern models of acrylic bathtubs, special models of mixers are selected. Combined faucets, used for both the bathroom and the washbasin, have long lost their popularity. They were replaced by modern - separate, built-in or mortise mixers. Thanks to this, the process of supplying communications was simplified: the need to mount pipes in the wall next to the bathtub disappeared.
Mortise faucet - a miracle of plumbing of the XIX century
As the name suggests, faucets hit the side of the bathtub. Mortise faucet for an acrylic bathroom looks more compact and aesthetically pleasing, does not cause inconvenience during operation. The water supply during such a plumbing installation also changes: all fasteners and communication elements are hidden from the human eye. Due to their features, mortise taps for acrylic bathtubs are popular among buyers.
Important! More recently, cascading faucets began to appear on the market, representing improved models of mortise plumbing for a bathroom. Cascade mortise mixers are ergonomic and have a higher quality finish. The main feature is a smooth and quick filling of the bath.
The water supply from such a faucet resembles a mini-waterfall, which is located directly in your bathroom. If you wish, you can choose mortise faucets for acrylic bathtubs with backlight in one or more colors, which will emphasize the style of your bathroom.
Advantages of Mixers
We familiarized with some positive features of mortise mixers earlier, but there is one more indisputable advantage: a hose from a shower head hides under a bath surface.
This is incredibly convenient: the hose is easily pulled out when lifting the watering can and just as easily hides back at the end of the procedure.
This design looks more aesthetically pleasing, and the free space on the wall can be used as space for fastening shelves or simply decorate it, creating an exclusive bathroom design.
Disadvantages of mortise mixers
Among the disadvantages of mortise mixers, quick wear of the shower hose hiding under the surface of the bathtub is distinguished. On the one hand, this is convenient, but from the point of view of practicality, no. Excessive bending of accessories for the mixer leads to a quick breakdown of the product. Comparing the ordinary and the mixer for an acrylic bath with a shower (mortise), it is worth noting that the service life of the hose when using the first option is up to 5 years, in the second case - only up to two. In addition, it is impossible to determine the leakage of the hose in advance, since it is hidden from view. It is possible to detect a problem only when a puddle of water appears under the bath, and this situation can lead to other more serious failures.
Mounting the mortise mixer step by step
If you are going to mount a mixer for a mortise angular acrylic bathtub yourself, you will need a set of inventory:
- screwdriver;
- adjustable wrench or set of keys;
- drill with nozzles of milling cutters of different sizes.
Installing a mortise mixer in an acrylic bathtub is performed in the following order:
- Prepare the surface: in the intended place for installing the mixer on the bath, mark the holes.
Important! Before you start marking up, determine the location of communications and build on it. Such a move will minimize the length of the hose.
- Equipping the electric drill with a crown mill, mark out according to a previously prepared scheme.
Important! If you do not have time to mount the mixer in an acrylic bathtub - purchase it with already mounted fittings.
- Mount the faucet in an acrylic bathtub. Do not forget about the need for a special substrate for the tap in the form of a rubberized or silicone gasket.
- The mixer is screwed with special nuts. If you are installing a single lever mixer, then for fastening, it is better to use a half washer (crescent washer). Tighten the nuts with a torque wrench.
- Having mounted the mortise mixer for the acrylic bathtub (inexpensive), screw the hoses to the tap. It is better to use rubber hoses that are protected by a special sleeved cap nuts complete with silicone gaskets. After that, connect the water and check that the faucet and hoses are installed correctly: are they leaking.
Installation of the angle mixer is carried out in a similar way.
Features of tapping the mixer into the wall
There is another installation technique, using which the mixer is mounted on the wall. Unimpeded access to all nodes of the crane is guaranteed thanks to a special bezel.
To mount such a structure, you must perform the steps in this order:
- The installation of the mixer is preceded by the installation of a false panel in the wall. The mounting scheme of the mixer on the panel is similar to mounting a shear mixer in the bathroom. The free space under the panel also allows you to conveniently and reliably hide all pipes, hoses and fasteners.
- Eccentric adapters or special hoses with false nuts are selected for the hidden mixer, water pipes are supplied.
- With a rigid connection, the pipes are fixed with special brackets, and with a flexible connection, they are fixed using a bracket on the dowels.
- When shutting down, all connections are tightened, water is turned on and the system is checked for smudges. If a leak is detected, it is removed by tightening, repackaging or replacing the gaskets.
Mortise mixer - the best choice
Mortise mixers for acrylic bathtubs, the price of which is slightly higher than usual, but still very popular. The cost of the mortise mixer in the side of the bath varies depending on the manufacturer and functional features and starts from 2,500 thousand rubles. Adhering to the installation technology and using high-quality materials, you can get a reliable and durable water supply system for filling the bathroom. In addition to acrylic bathtubs, mortise taps are installed on sinks.
Customer opinion on mortise mixers
The mortise mixer is functional and indispensable. Such plumbing is popular. The high level of sales and the active use of the Internet allow you to form an accurate picture of reviews about plumbing. In general, they are positive, most products have earned neutral reviews, and negatively respond mainly to Chinese cheap models, but as practice shows, it’s not worth saving on plumbing.
If you do not have experience with such products, it is better not to install the mixer yourself. And entrust such work to professionals in their field.
Many users note that the bathroom with a mortise mixer looks stylish. Such plumbing models are used for bathtubs in the Art Nouveau or high-tech style, but over time, modern plumbing elements are increasingly used even for classic bathrooms with an inconspicuous design, which makes the modest interior more expressive.
The mortise mixer is stylish, fashionable, functional and exclusive.