How to choose a faucet

This, as we know water. A source of water in our homes - the tap. Fetch water. Where? - In the crane. This is the first association. It is so obvious that it can compete with the door handle or an electrical switch. To him we ask is not much less. But water is not just a tap, and in the mixer. In the device, where the hot is mixed with cold, because life without hot water is, sorry, no longer lives. Gathered if you just change your plumbing, you broke anything or started a repair - these tips will help you choose a new mixer. Here is information about the design of mixers, their application and materials for their manufacture. But not only that. MirSovetov tells you how to select a mixer, what to look for, what to ask the seller. If you do not find an answer to your question, you will know what to ask, and it is already half done. The design of mixer design can be very diverse: from the two combined taps with hot and cold water to some unimaginable works of art by Italian masters. MirSovetov also elaborated on the consideration of the most popular mixers and construction. Herringbone is the simplest construction mixer - "Christmas tree" - are two reciprocally cock-bush. And between them - the spout or "goose", straight or curved, from which the water flowing. It can be fixed or is able to rotate. Regulates the flow of water in a mixer valve (plumbing crane bush, in the home call the crane). Traditional device which conceals the traditional disadvantages of operation. It all starts very simply. It would be desirable in good faith to close after its water, but nothing happens. Valve just does not want to close until the end. This often occurs when using rubber gasket. From the action of hard water or for any other reason, it is deformed and fits tightly. Therefore, open water - and then close to the desired result. And it is not. Each of us at least once in a lifetime folded crane. Sometimes it does not require much effort. Cheek - and ready. But there is a reliable device, where nothing "twist" is not necessary. The ceramic liner is durable, because resistant to changes in temperature and chemical resistance of water provides a leak-tight like rubber, but was "afraid" of water contamination by mechanical impurities. Hand mixer Another construction - single lever mixer (Lever) - continues to occupy our homes. The device and the mixer control is simple and reliable. Two spherical surfaces with holes are combined in the correct position to change the pressure and temperature. Surface, these are combined tightly enough, and are also sealed. Typically, these are two lapped metal-ceramic plates, in a more economical design - plastic. If you use all intuitive. And no additional seals. Wall mixer Another design - wall mounted. It is rigidly connected to water pipes. And the adjustment of pressure and temperature of the water by crane or towing arm. Spout, may be the same as the other two structures. Depends on the concrete mixer. Aerator built in diverter mixer to form a neat stream of water. Ideally, should form a clear stream as at low and at high pitch. But requires periodic cleaning, as sediment can clog and mechanical inclusions. Otherwise, it will cease to fulfill its intended purpose, and the water will splash in different directions. Somehow assumed that the "herringbone" - this is just for the kitchen, but it is not. Simply its easier to install at the sink. But this design can also be installed on the bath rim, with the same success. Same with single-lever design. Shower can be built into any of them. In general, any of the above structures can be installed in the kitchen and bathroom. Without exception. The difference may be in the amount of connecting. Kitchen does not require such a large flow and pressure of water as a bath, so there is a smaller diameter pipe. Means and mounting dimensions of mixers will be different. This also applies to the size of spout. Sink and sink - a small length and small diameter, for a bath - the spout is longer and larger diameter. Mixer body bath heavier and stronger, even in appearance. Installing the Wall mixer requires only additional costs for installation works: dismantle the wall, take the pipe, and hide them. Who said it can not be done in the kitchen. You can install the lightweight plastic partition, instead of walling up the pipe in the wall and put on her tiles. On this you can save money if you chose the wall-mounted mixer. In store selection is huge. You will be offered as ready-made design solutions, including installation, to think that nothing will. So you will just have to make a choice according to your financial capabilities. MATERIALS can theoretically be used quite a lot. But mixing is not a car, while a simple thing and Nemudrenye. Therefore, in practice materials for their manufacture is not so much. Several metal alloys, some plastics, ceramics. In some exotic cases, it may even be a rock or tree. That's basically it. The selection of these materials is due to both safety use, and manufacturability. Well, look, of course. On what materials were used in the manufacture of a mixer, of course, will depend on its price. MirSovetov invites you to learn how the use of any material impact on product quality and performance characteristics. That metal from metal, to be exact rims manufactured housing mixer. Other details also can be metal or other material. Alloys of traditional and well-known - brass and bronze. Surface details mixer - chrome. These materials are neutral to the aquatic environment, and manufacturing of these mixers are designed for long life. They are not so much polluted with mineral deposits, ie not overgrow inside. In general, with a minimum of problems. And this is the best option for fasteners and adapters, if not mandatory. Alloyed steel in the manufacture of mixers used a little less than brass. They are harder to process and increasingly polluted over the lifetime. Although it depends on each concrete mixer and clean water. Silumin - one of the unsuccessful examples. This is an alloy of aluminum and silicon. Cheap and easy to use for casting material. But he is rapidly aging and becoming brittle. Yes, and the appearance of the mixer of silumin leaves much to be desired. Therefore, the return to traditional materials. Personally, I prefer this version: What could be better trusted bronze faucet with brass threads. Yes, he will outlive me, and most importantly - will not attract unnecessary negative attention. Plastics There are obvious pros and cons, looking to discuss. This is a tech and inexpensive material that is easy to "adapt" a need to manufacture the mixer. It is lightweight and durable. Not overgrown, and is chemically neutral with respect to water. Has low thermal conductivity, which is important, especially if the details of the mixer are extremely hot during operation. But in the lifetime metals still loses. Firstly, because of lower strength. Although exactly what the details of your mixer made of plastic. If the flywheel valve or lever in the lever design - fine. Pottery Almost the same story as with plastic. But there are differences. Agree that the look and feel is much nicer and more convenient. But again, the metal is not a competitor. Flywheels - well, the rest? In my eyes when switching to the shower faucet ceramic housing is cracked and gave me a little extraordinary swimming. Could this cause of workmanship, or arising by careless use of crack, but they were not noticeable. With the same ease as you can get from the sink in the kitchen a large pot with water and accidentally hit the flywheel with a valve. Chrome and enamel coating. Everyone has seen, everyone knows. And, both have enough attractive appearance, although the main objective - the protection against corrosion and mechanical damage. The enamel is applied to the metal surface, as well as chrome. But to cover the plastic with chrome on it first applied to copper. Connection types Connecting mixer taps "herringbone" This type of mixer has a distinctive design feature for the attachment. Why a "Christmas tree" is the bottom collet - split bushing. This tube is screwed a nut, which is attached to the sink faucet. And further to the water supply through the collet. This method of securing an inconvenient and unreliable. After a while your faucet starts to "hang out" on a fixed surface. You only need to tighten the nut, but she often turn sour and difficult twist. Moreover, it is safest to first remove the faucet from the plumbing, which you need to shut the kitchen water. Hooking up mixer method of fastening is traditionally another. Bottom on the mixer body are threaded holes: for fixing and connecting to the water supply. Used for attaching a stud, and nut polushayba. First established in the mixer (bottom) pin screwed, then it throws polushayba and attracted a nut. Connecting to the water supply can be "flexible" or "tough." In the first case - a flexible hose into a metal sheath, in the second - copper tube with collets. Hooking up the wall mixer features connection to water mains such mixers as follows. Here the supply is not vertical and horizontal. And only hard connection. It connects to the pipes with special eccentric reducers. This allows us to compensate for the difference in center distance mixer and extracted for connecting pipes. Pipe at the same time can be brought out or walled in a wall. At your discretion. In the process of selecting a choice of mixer kitchen faucet First of all, it must match the size of washing. Be compact and easy to be placed on it, to approach, after all, in style. Spout optimally should reach the mid-wash and be able to turn around. Otherwise, use the kitchen sink would be extremely difficult. Traditionally MirSovetov recommends "Christmas tree" or the mixer, as They are easily installed on the sink and require no additional cost. Choosing a faucet for the bathroom with the size and style in general is clear. The bathroom is often set wall mounted, if the selected bath is not adapted for installation on it other types of mixers. Better if the selected design has a massive body and short spout of large diameter. This means that at high water pressure, you can quickly gain the bathroom. A diverter will not disturb you. The main general advice when choosing a faucet - looking for a low cost. Good, as is known, should not small money. And the fact that the mixer is made in Germany or Italy have not yet said that he was qualitative. A Bulgarian, for example, manufacturers of surprised how affordable price and quality. Visit several shops. Choice of mixers is huge. Try surveillance to learn as much as possible and then narrow the search. Perhaps that is not limited to one or two days, but did not rush to your advantage. Only the seller must quickly send you home with your purchase. Avoid unnecessary expenses, you no doubt will be satisfied. When purchasing interested in the following issues: the existence of the certificate, the terms of warranty service, equipment. Installation of the mixer, if you're not a professional, it is better not to do. Ask if the shop this issue. And if you have not received the necessary information, then ask your friend plumbing or ask relatives and friends to recommend you to an experienced master.