Mixer: what is hidden under the shiny body? Types of mixers Single-handle or two-handle mixer.

Mixing systems in the bathroom are divided into two groups: two-handle and single-lever. Let's consider each system separately.

Two-arm mixing systems

At the heart of this mixing system, two valve heads are mounted at once, they are also crane boxes. With their help, the flow is configured running water. The valve head system uses a rubber gasket or ceramic discs, it is they who do not allow water to flow freely from the water supply to the faucet.

Older models of two-valve mixing systems in their design have a rubber gasket connected to a worm gear. It is because of this that the opening of the tap in such mixers must be done by repeatedly twisting the head. The disadvantage of this system is the impossible separate adjustment of the water temperature and its pressure. Most often, rubber gaskets are rubbed in the valve heads, which causes the entire mixer to fail. Therefore, they often have to be changed, which makes the operation of a two-valve mixer often in need of repair. But from an economic point of view, a rubber gasket costs a penny, it is not whimsical in terms of quality. tap water, is easily replaceable, so the repair of such a mixer can be done in a matter of minutes.

Over time, rubber pads have replaced ceramic discs. Faucets based on ceramic valve heads are more practical and flawless. Naturally, the price for them is somewhat more expensive than conventional faucets with rubber gaskets. In one valve head there are two ceramic disks with holes, which, when the crane box is closed, are completely pressed together, and when scrolling, the holes in the disks coincide and gradually begin to let water through. Ceramic discs are more reliable than rubber pads. They are less susceptible to mechanical influence, respectively, their service life is many times longer. And if your water supply also has special flow filters, this makes the service life of the ceramic disc even longer.

Another distinguishing feature of two-valve mixers with ceramic discs is the regulation of water pressure. The opening of such a valve head is possible with a partial rotation of the crane box; among the people, such a mixer is called "half-turn".

Single lever mixing systems

A single-lever or single-grip mixer got its name precisely because of one control lever for adjusting the water pressure and its temperature. By moving the lever up and down, the water pressure is regulated, and the water temperature is adjusted by turning the lever to the right and left. At the heart of the single-lever mixer is a special cartridge with a shutter system. The shutter system of the cartridge can be equipped with ceramic discs or ball regulators.

Of course, single-lever mixers are more practical than two-lever mixers. After all, using a single-lever mixer, adjusting the flow and temperature of the water is much faster and better. And the cartridge system itself lasts much longer, as it is less susceptible to mechanical damage.

A faucet is not just a plumbing fixture responsible for the comfort and safety of using plumbing, but also a real decoration of the interior of a kitchen or bathroom.

Every year, the world's leading manufacturers of water fittings release new collections, including faucets for bathtubs, washbasins, bidets, showers and kitchen sinks. In extra-class products, progressive Constructive decisions combined with innovative design ideas. The choice of a particular model, as a rule, is determined by the aesthetic preferences and financial capabilities of the consumer. High technical and performance characteristics usually not questioned. Mixers for various purposes, as a rule, are combined into collections with a single design idea. Often they are offered a variety of accessories: glasses for toothbrushes, soap dishes, mirrors, towel holders. Moreover, water shut-off fittings can be included in a common stylistic set, including plumbing fixtures (bath, washbasin, toilet) and bathroom furniture.

Cascade-type mixers allow you to feel the delight of swimming under the jets of a natural waterfall. By technical device they almost do not differ from standard mechanisms, it's all about the design and shape of the spout. Water from the cascade spring flows in a uniform and powerful jet. Models with wide threshold have an incomparable relaxing effect. In addition, such mixers are able to quickly fill a capacious bath (water flow rate of 25-35 l/min or more). Models of the cascade type belong to luxury products, therefore they are distinguished by an exquisite and extraordinary design. Expensive and “non-traditional” materials are used for manufacturing: for example, the top cascading spout in the BodySpa hydromassage system from Kohler is made of glass and aluminum.

Division by type

In the view of many Russian consumers in the bathroom, you can and should install only one two-grip faucet that serves both the sink and the bath. Some foreign manufacturers, respecting this privacy in Soviet times tradition, “long-nosed” taps are supplied to our market, capable of turning in the direction of either one or another plumbing fixture. Meanwhile, the global trend is leaning in favor of separate water supply.

Washbasin faucets mounted on a wall or sink countertop (two-valve models can be installed in one or three mounting holes) and usually have a fixed faucet with a spout of modest length - 10-20 cm from the mounting axis. Countertop devices are usually equipped with a bottom valve, thanks to which the sink can turn into a kind of basin. Automatic control plugging is carried out using a switch button or a special lever: the user does not need to dip his hands into contaminated water to open the valve. In addition, models are available with a pull-out spout, which makes it easier to clean the sink, and with hygienic shower(bidette), allowing you to use the toilet as a bidet.

Bath mixers installed on the wall, on the side or on the floor. Many foreign models serve only a shower and do not have a spout designed to draw water into the font. But there are also combined devices equipped with a crane; some of them boast pleasant improvements (for example, the tabbed push-button switch from shower to spout in models from Jacob Delafon).

Contemporary shower faucet is a duplex system that combines a hard connection to a stationary watering can on a vertical bar and plumbing for connecting a hand shower on a flexible hose, for fixing which a separate bracket is provided. AT last years increasingly used hidden wiring not only supply pipes, but also a fixed rod. It is even more convenient if the curved spout is equipped with a retractable spray hose and a water jet position switch. such mixers can be adapted for a variety of household needs: for example, in the garage to wash the car or in the hallway to wash the dog's paws.

A worthy alternative to faucets with a pull-out watering can are products with a high rotating spout or two spouts, top and bottom. Such models do an excellent job with non-standard dishes, while being recognized as more reliable.

For sinks installed at the window opening, faucets with a folding spout are suitable. In a non-working state, it is brought to a horizontal position so that it does not interfere with opening a window or admiring the surrounding landscape.

Attention! If you are planning to install dishwasher or household filter, then pay attention to models equipped with special valves. Otherwise, you will have to take care of the wiring of the supply plumbing.

Our reference

The faucet can be equipped with water-supplying copper pipes or flexible hoses. Russian consumers prefer the second option: firstly, our plumbers are accustomed to flexible hoses; Secondly, copper pipes require special fixation by means of adapters with collet clamps. Mixers are installed in three ways. The device can be attached to the water supply pipe with a simple nut. For greater reliability, brackets with cylindrical nuts are used. The third method is available even to inexperienced housewives. In this case, the faucet is installed from above using a hex wrench, which is included in the faucet kit, the bottom valve lever is removed, then the faucet is screwed to the anchor of the supply. The whole operation takes less than a minute.

In order for the chrome faucet to serve for a long time and look like new, it is recommended:
at the outlet of the water supply pipes, install filters to purify water from mechanical impurities;
remove lime deposits from aerators at least once a year;
wash faucets using special formulations or liquid dishwashing detergents. Limescale can be removed with a soft cloth dampened with a mild vinegar solution. The use of abrasive powders and metal washcloths is unacceptable.

Design

A mixer is a mechanism that shuts off water, installed at the end or branch of a water supply system and allows you to adjust the temperature and pressure of the water flow. By design, mixers are divided into two-grip (double-lever) and single-grip (single-lever, single-command).

AT two-arm mixers the flow and temperature of the water flowing out of the spout is regulated by two crane boxes (valve heads, handles). It is well known that the maintenance-free service life of two-arm mixers directly depends on the wear resistance of the seal, which acts as a valve with a rotary drive. Rubber gaskets wear out fairly quickly. If you continue to use the mixer with a worn valve, you can damage the seat of the mechanism (the place under the valve in the mixer body), such a breakdown can cause a real flood. To sleep peacefully, it is better to purchase a faucet with ceramic gaskets. They are practical, reliable, durable and safe for the saddle. By the way, resistant ceramics can also be installed in mechanisms with rubber valves - such an advantageous replacement is provided in branded products from reputable manufacturers.

Single arm mixers may be spherical or lamellar. The first got their name from the main element of the locking unit - a polished steel ball. It mixes hot and cold water coming through the internal grooves. The process is regulated by a lever, the movements of which set the required temperature (left-right) and pressure (up-down). In lamellar single-grip mixers, the leading role is played by a shut-off cartridge, consisting of two ceramic-metal plates (washers). The bottom washer has three holes: two for hot and cold water inlet and one for mixed flow outlet. When the handle is moved, the top plate shifts, increasing the cross section of one hole and reducing the cross section of the other. As a result, the ratio of the cold hot flow changes, as well as the pressure of the outflowing jet. Single-handle mixers are becoming more and more widespread. And this is not surprising, if we take into account the ease of use and economy of single-lever devices. The regulation of pressure and temperature is carried out almost with one movement of the hand. To make the lever switch more smoothly and respond to the slightest touch, some manufacturers use various lubricants in the grooves of the cartridges: for example, Grohe Germany developed the patented SilkMove technology using silicone. The time it takes to get the desired flow is minimized, which reduces the amount of water wasted. Particularly frugal owners are offered faucets equipped with electronic water meters and touch control (turns off the water as soon as the hands disappear from the field of view of the photocell). Many single-command models have temperature and water pressure limiters. However, two-arm mixers are in no hurry to give up their positions, on their side is such an important factor as the force of habit (which is why they are in great demand in traditionalist countries such as the UK and the USA). Moreover, in houses with geysers only valve mechanisms can be installed.

Our reference

Rumors that imported mixers are not suitable for domestic water are greatly exaggerated. European standards provide for testing products in saline solutions for 24 hours. Some manufacturers, following the internal technical regulations, increase the quality requirements of their products. So, at the factories of the company Kohler, USA, the mixers are placed in a saline solution for 48 hours. In addition, the products of this international concern are capable of withstanding half a million or more opening cycles (standard norms require no more than 250,000 cycles).

materials

Brass is still the best choice for making faucet bodies. The sealing plates of the working valve - the basis of the ceramic cartridge - are made of wear-resistant aluminum oxide, fired under pressure at a temperature of 12000C. Some manufacturers subject these elements to ultrasonic polishing (for example, SUPERGRIF, Spain). High-strength ceramics increases the resistance of the mixer to water hammer. Fasteners and ball regulators in single-lever versions are made of of stainless steel. Western firms use plastic with might and main - they make casings for cast brass cases, handles of mono-command (single-lever) mixers, shower heads and other details from it. The outer parts of the fittings are nickel-plated to protect against corrosion, and then covered with chrome, white or colored enamel. Coatings are gold (matte and shiny), bronze and marble. Decorating handles in one style or another, designers use glass, crystal, wood, natural marble, polished onyx, as well as combinations of various materials.

What is the preferred coverage? The enamel is beautiful, but not very resistant - it fights back. Nickel can cause allergies, and gold is expensive and needs special care. Chromium is the best. The fact is that no microorganisms can live and multiply on the surface of this metal, and although housewives often complain that water stains appear on shiny polished taps, we still recommend this particular coating. And to care for the faucet, you can purchase a special liquid, for example, from GRONE at a price of about $ 8 per bottle.

A little about operation

The most common, but not the most durable valve head with a rubber or leather valve, with a rotary drive. The rubber valve can be easily replaced. Worse, if the “seat” under the valve is damaged during operation. This can happen if, for example, you try to turn off the water, and the valve is worn out or there is a solid particle between it and the “saddle” from the water supply. Do not torture your mixer, especially imported. At the first sign of wear, call a locksmith, otherwise ... The author of these lines, accustomed to the fact that a domestic faucet can “come in tears” for months, reacted very lightly to the worn gasket. The consequences were unexpected: three flooded lower floors, loud complaints of neighbors about the damage to the recently laid parquet, not the normative vocabulary of the representative of the emergency service, they say, they will fix it, but they cannot fix it. We add that such accidents have a strange feature to occur at night. But all's well that ends well. Negotiated with neighbors. The locksmith from the DEZ, who came in the morning, resembled a kind magician. He artistically coped with the task, finally dispelling the myth that only “imported” hands should touch imported “toys”. My "Finn" continues to properly mix the water.

In addition to rubber, valve heads can have ceramic valves. They are durable and will not damage the "saddle" of the crane. In expensive high-quality mixers, for example, from GRONE (Germany), they are coated with a special graphite coating, which significantly increases wear resistance and reduces friction. But when closing, you do not need to make special efforts and selflessly turn the handwheel (one turn is enough), otherwise the ceramic valve head will not withstand.

Another problem is our far from ideal plumbing. The pipes that bring hot and cold water into your home cold water, it makes sense to put cleaning filters, at least the most primitive ones.

Now about the guarantee. The mixer is better to buy in good store. Be sure to ask the seller for a warranty card. Usually the warranty is given for 1 year, less often for 3 or 5 years. Of course, if you purchased a mixer, for example, a Finnish one, on the market, the warranty workshop will not refuse you service, but will do the work for money.

Reinforcement care is quite simple, except special means mixers can be cleaned of lime scale with a cloth moistened with table vinegar or liquid detergent for dishes. Do not use abrasive powders and metal scourers to clean surfaces.

The company "SanTreK" offers you a series of mixers MOFEM (Hungary).

Mixers of this manufacturer are reliable and are represented by a wide range of model range: from varied in design, traditional two-handle (series Eurostar, Spectrum, Clubs), both with ceramic and classic crane boxes, made in Germany, up to single-handled- from cheap to luxury (series Junior, Trend, Selek, etc.), where ceramic cartridges are used, the service life of which is unlimited and which has an internal temperature level regulator and a water flow limiter, allowing you to save up to 50% of water.

MOFEM provides a 3-year warranty for two-handle faucets and 5 years for single-handle faucets, which indicates the high quality of the products. This is also evidenced by the ISO 9001 certification.

The use of water supply resources is impossible without the installation of taps and faucets. There are differences between these concepts that must be taken into account during installation. How faucets and faucets are arranged, how to install and use them, is described in this article.

Faucets and faucets are devices that complete water pipes and with the help of "noses" and shower heads which we get water. When buying such a device and during its operation, it is recommended to pay attention to some important nuances.

Mixer connection

The faucet and mixer, as a rule, can be connected by a threaded connection to the pipe using a coupling. When you come to the question of purchasing a faucet or faucet, then in without fail you should make sure that at the place of its connection to the water supply there is the same thread as on your pipe. The mixer is connected to two pipes - a pipe of cold and hot water. In the case of wall mounting of the mixer, it should be taken into account that the distance between the mixer attachment point and the pipes themselves is the same. Minor misalignments can be corrected with eccentric fittings.

Washbasin mount

Faucets and faucets that are designed to be mounted on the sink can have several options for piping: copper tubes, flexible hoses, etc. The easiest way to install a mixer with flexible hoses. However, there is an opinion that flexible eyeliner does not have durability. A mixer with small tubes at the inlet is considered more reliable. It should only be borne in mind that when installing such a mixer, you will need special devices that will serve for hermetic crimping of tubes - collets.

The difference between a faucet and a faucet is that either hot or cold water passes through the faucet. If you decide to install the mixer yourself, make sure that you have a special sealing tape or coating in advance. Just do not overdo it when you tighten the thread.

Types of shut-off valve

Mixers and taps must necessarily have a connection to the water supply. Their body is usually made from a copper alloy, which has decorative coating. The shut-off valve should be attached to the "body" using a threaded connection, using a union nut. You can not put any valve in any mixer, as they may differ in types and sizes. The attachment point is considered the most problematic. The valve suffers from dirty water, as well as from your excessive effort when twisting and unwinding.

The most traditional faucet consists of a rubber or leather valve and has a rotary or rotary actuator. Sometimes during operation, a hard “saddle” can be damaged. Do not forcefully close the faucet. First, open it, and after that try to close it. Dirt can be washed out with water. If possible, it is recommended to disassemble the faucet and eliminate the blockage.

In addition to shut-off valves that have rubber valves, there are also valves with ceramic valves. They have greater durability and do not damage the "saddle" of the crane. Some experts argue that a ceramic valve is more practical. And if its cost is much higher than the rubber gasket, then it will need to be replaced much less frequently. In addition, it has several more advantages: when twisting, it does not require much effort and a lot of time.

Single-handle and double-handle mixers

The mixer is designed to mix cold and hot water, and with the help of a spout to give us water of the required temperature. Mixers can be of two types: single-grip, where there is one regulator knob, and two-grip - with two taps. In the first case, the mechanism of the valve head becomes much more complicated. And, unfortunately, today it is quite difficult to find the necessary parts for the repair of such a mixer on the market.

Drain switches

Some faucets and faucets have additional diverters to divert water into the shower hose. Such switches are divided into two groups: mechanical and push-button switches. In two cases, the mixer has a switch valve mechanism, but with push button switch fixation in a certain position is carried out using the pressure of flowing water. When installing such a crane where there is not enough pressure, there will be no complete fixation.

There are faucets equipped with an automatic regulator that allows you to maintain a constant water temperature. Naturally, when you take a shower, you must be sure that if there is a pressure drop in the pipes, it will not pour out on you. ice water or boiling water. But it should be understood that if cold or hot water is missing, or you have low pressure in the water supply, then no machine will be able to help you.

Shower heads in some cases have switches for several modes of water supply. It happens that the switch works tight for a new watering can. In this case, don't overdo it. You need to try to disassemble the part and loosen the clamping screw of the switch.

5 618 rub.

Mixer tap Blanco AMONA chrome

Mounting method - horizontal. . Coating - chrome. The shape of the spout is traditional. With aerator. Mounting holes diameter 35 mm. Appointment - for a washbasin. Spout height 204 mm. Type of eyeliner - flexible. Connecting size- 3/8". Body material - brass. Spout length 184 mm. Stop valve- ceramic cartridge. Number of mounting holes - 1. Dimensions 219x150x307 mm.