In bathrooms it is impossible to do without a faucet. What it is? The mixer is a plumbing fixture used to supply hot and cold water, as well as for more comfortable use of the shower and bath. This element allows you to adjust the temperature of the liquid and its pressure. Due to a special switch, you can redirect the flow to the shower head. It is very comfortable. Modern manufacturers offer a huge number of different mixers. Buyer is easily confused when choosing.
Classification
Absolutely all mixers are classified according to the two most important parameters - this is the installation method, as well as the installation location. According to the control method, modern mixers are divided into ball or lever, two-valve, touch with an electronic controller. Let's consider each type separately.
Ball
The ball mixer (or single lever, as it is called differently) is equipped with only one handle for control. It allows you to adjust the comfortable temperature of the water that will go to the watering can. If you raise the lever up or lower it down, you can adjust the pressure. This equipment is quite convenient, has an elegant design, is easy to install and operate.
The disadvantage of a mixer is a cartridge that does not withstand rust, salt particles, and dirt poorly. All this is in running water. For this reason, over time, such mechanisms begin to turn poorly, and then completely fail. These cartridges are not repairable. They are being changed, but replacement is not too cheap.
How water is mixed in a single lever mixer
Two types of locking mechanisms can be distinguished in a single lever mixer. So, the first is a ball or metal structure, and the second is a plate. The ball or plates are placed in a special cartridge. In a ball cartridge, the locking element is made as follows. There is a metal ball hollow inside. There are three holes in it. Ball made of steel alloy. There are holes on the sides. Cold and hot water is supplied through them. Inside the ball, it mixes, and through the third hole it is fed into the spout.
Inside the cartridge, the ball is securely sealed with special o-rings. Interestingly, some mixer manufacturers use Teflon-coated gaskets. Due to this, it is much smoother and easier to control the lever. Also, this design is very durable.
Ceramic cartridge can be made in several ways. So, the basis of the mechanism is a smooth plate of ceramic materials with a hole made in it. Several plates may be contained inside. The main advantage of this mixer is its ease of operation. But he is very vulnerable to excessively hard and dirty water. Correct installation begins with the installation of a coarse filter in front of the mixer. Without this element, there can be no talk of any durability.
Advantages and disadvantages of single lever equipment
The advantages of these products include durability, simplicity and ease of use. It is enough to adjust the water once and then use the mixer comfortably. The disadvantages include high cost, as well as expensive cartridges. Balls lose ease of rotation over time, while ceramic ones deteriorate from dirty water. Here, the filter is not additionally installed, therefore, the product can quickly fail from hard water.
Two-valve mixers
These plumbing fixtures traditionally control the flow of water using two taps-heads or faucet-boxes. They allow to supply separately cold and separately hot water. Their peculiarity is simplicity in maintenance, in affordable cost, in a large selection of models. Such mixers are made from a wide variety of materials, and the service life depends on how high quality seals are installed inside.
The simplest two-valve mixer is the so-called “herringbone”. Designers pay a lot of attention to these models. A huge range of them is presented on the market. Thanks to the design, they are chosen by a wide range of customers. However, as the reviews say, it is more convenient to use single-lever products.
The principle of mixing water in two-valve products
This is one of the most ancient models. Often they could be seen back in the Soviet years. Despite their lower cost and a large number of models on the market, single-lever models are gradually crowding them out. Buy these products only due to the efforts of designers and low price. This is where all the benefits end. Products differ by type of mechanism. It is possible to distinguish reciprocating crane boxes and ceramic valves.
Inside the valve body, when the valve rotates, the piston presses on the rubber gasket. She, in turn, supplies water or shuts it off. If the valve valve is rotated in the other direction, the piston will move in the other direction. In the old design, the gasket itself also rotated, because of which the crane quickly failed. In the mixer taps for water in the new system, the gasket no longer rotates. This has significantly increased the service life. Ceramic valves are more modern solutions. Here, the mechanism uses ceramic plastic, in which there is a hole. With the rotation of the valve, the plate rotates, and the hole at this moment is combined with what is in the pipe. The larger the matching area, the more fluid will fall into the spout.
Advantages and disadvantages
These types of plumbing equipment allow you to precisely select the desired temperature, especially if a faucet box is installed as a shut-off element. The valve control process is intuitive and does not require any getting used to. In the market you can always buy inexpensive parts. There are also disadvantages. You won’t be able to save the preset mode to get this temperature the next time. Unlike a mixer, where there is one lever, you need two hands to adjust the temperature. Also, axleboxes are much more common than analogues.
Electronic or sensor mixers
These are the most modern and technological types of plumbing. Unlike the above models, there are no familiar controls. These functions are assigned to the buttons. The control panel can be integrated into the panel, be remote, or in the form of a touch panel.
The principle of mixing electronic fittings
The electronic systems installed in the mixer body control the pressure and temperature of the water with high accuracy. If necessary, the mixer can maintain the desired degree of water. The device has special sensors that transmit control signals to the shutoff valve.
These systems may have different configurations. The device has a microcontroller that controls the water supply from the temporary mode, preferred temperatures. The microcontroller may also include backlighting and other decorative effects. According to the type of control, contact and non-contact
washbasin mixers are distinguished
. Contactless equipment is controlled by infrared sensors. When the hands are under the spout of the mixer, the sensor on the sensor will work and water will begin to flow. Contact models are controlled by buttons. Operating modes are displayed on indicators. Using the buttons, you can turn the water supply on or off, and set the temperature mode.
Views at the installation site
Wall models are made with a short, medium, as well as a long spout. You need to choose one type or another of the mixer based on the place where the device will be installed. The width of the washbasin or bath must be taken into account.
If the spout is too short, then it will be difficult to use. There are so-called on-board washbasin faucets. They can be installed on the side of the bathtub or sink. These models are very convenient. According to reviews, they easily fit into any interior. The rotary mechanism of these cranes is small, which can cause some inconvenience. They should not be used for baths. The mixer on racks is suitable for elite bathtubs. Its peculiarity is that it is mounted on a high leg. Installation of such equipment is associated with certain difficulties.
The connection for the mixer must be under the floor.
Washbasin mixer
This is most often a single lever mechanism. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the sink. Between themselves, the devices differ in the way of fastening to the sink. Best and most reliable when the nut is used as a fastener. Fasteners using studs are considered less reliable. Also for the washbasin, you can purchase an ordinary double-lever plumbing fixture.
Kitchen faucet
The design and execution of these models is almost completely similar to the models for the washbasin. But there is a feature. Cleaning solutions should be high enough. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient to wash certain types of dishes.
The best option for a kitchen sink faucet is a long spout, as well as a swivel design. The greater the angle of rotation of the spout, the more comfort you can use the sink. In budget models, the rotation angle is 140 degrees. In the more expensive - 180 or more. For the kitchen, the so-called flexible mixer is best suited - this is a solution where there is a flexible spout. It allows you to more conveniently use the sink in the kitchen.
Types of materials
There are many materials from which the bodies for mixers are made. It can be plastic and silumin. In such cases the cheapest models are offered. But plastic does not corrode, and this is its main plus. The silumin casing reacts with water. This is a metallic, but short-lived material. Threads are usually thin and brittle. Ceramic faucets also exist - they can outwardly distrust, but this is a more practical sink mixer than a silumin product. If you handle the device carefully, it will function for a long time.
The most popular of all materials for the production of plumbing is stainless steel. They make both cheap products and quite expensive ones. But you should not buy cheap models - often this is not steel, but the same silumin with chrome coating for shine. Dear models - this is steel with all its advantages. Along with these materials, mixers are made of bronze and brass. It is a good choice as a bathroom product. But there are interesting faucets rotary for the kitchen from these materials.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of plumbing equipment. Modern manufacturers produce beautiful and stylish, as well as multifunctional devices. Even archaic valve solutions can look great. Single-lever models are very convenient to use, especially for a washbasin. Electronic devices are insanely interesting. If the connection for the mixer allows, you can even install the floor version.