Mixer aerator: for water saving, rotary and illuminated

Today we will talk about aerators that are installed on bathroom faucets, kitchens. We will tell you about their advantages, disadvantages, realities of saving water with the help of these devices. Plus we'll share the nuances of cleaning, replacing the device.

The positive side of the aerator is:

• Affordable price, which does not require significant costs for their installation and replacement. Depending on the model and its design features, the price ranges from 2 to 10 dollars;
• Noise reduction. Water falling into the bowl of the shell, helps reduce sounds;
• Ease of construction. Even a newcomer can understand it. A simple housewife without problems independently install and dismantle the aerator;
• It additionally serves as a coarse filter for water, retaining large fractions of dirt and debris, which is more than enough in our water supply system.

As for the shortcomings, then you will not see a vast list. In fact, the minus of the aerator is only one - fragility.

This is due to the fact that there is a lot of dirt in the water, which clogs the device, makes it worthless. If you live in a house with old pipes covered with rust, the replacement will have to be done once a year, or better - twice. At this price, the aerator should not be a problem.

The main function of the aerator is to reduce the flow of liquid. Nevertheless, this is not the only task that such a small device can perform.

1. Helps improve the quality of the jet. If you remove the aerator and turn on the water, you will see how random it will flow. Spray all over the sink and not only you are provided. The aerator makes the jet even.
2. Oxygen saturation of the water occurs. In this there is an important plus - the hazardous and harmful for human health chlorine is eroded.
3. Large particles of dirt and debris are eliminated. This allows you to use cleaner water.

Many doubt that the aerator really gives an effect on saving the flow of liquid.

Sellers in sanitary ware shops claim that mixing water with air gives a result. Having opened completely the tap without an aerator, about 15 liters of water will flow out of it in a minute. With the aerator the indicator decreases to 6-8 liters without reducing the quality of the head. In fact, it looks like this. Reducing the diameter of the hole leads to the saving of water.

Because of this construction with liquid, the following occurs:

• The water pressure rises. The high pressure of the network is higher than the resistance of the aerator. That is, the water comes out in smaller quantities, but with a lot of pressure. Just turn on the water in one mode with the device and without it to feel the difference;
• The aeration is increased, that is, the water is saturated with air. Because of this, the volume of the stream becomes larger.

All this leads to the fact that we get a good head with less water. Savings are real.

Typically, the aerator design includes three components - a housing, a rubber gasket and filters.

The body is made of plastic, pressed metal or brass. The latter is the most durable, but also the most expensive. Plastic and metal are good alternatives, but it's better to choose brass.

The main function of the device is to limit the flow of liquid. Water passes through several grids, thereby mixing with air. From this, the flow of water becomes soft, the pressure is greater. The admixture of air makes it possible to obtain an equally effective head with decreasing pressure in the water supply system.

While washing dishes, taking water procedures, you will not feel the difference in the volume of water coming from the tap, but when typing water in the tank, notice that the process takes longer than in the absence of an aerator.

Aerators are distinguished by the type of materials used for the enclosure.

1. Extruded aluminum. The most unfortunate choice, which has a number of cons. The case turns out to be brittle, afraid of any mechanical damage, oxidizes, sticks to the tap, complicates the dismantling. Only the cheapest mixers are equipped with similar aerators.
2. Plastic. This is a short-lived version, but it does not stick to the nozzle, it is easily dismantled and installed into place. At the same time, it is afraid of mechanical loads, it often breaks down.
3. Brass. In terms of reliability and longevity, they have no equal. Do not rust, withstand severe stress. An alternative are stainless steel products. Also a good option, but it does not occur very often.

If you take into account the mounting method, then the aerators are divided into two types:

• Internal installation .The aerator is equipped with an external thread, thanks to which the element is screwed into the mixer, that is, its spout;
• Outdoor. The body has an internal thread, with which it is wound on the spout. Accordingly, the spout must also have a special thread.

The aerators are distinguished for additional functions.

1. Rotary. They are often called flexible. Performed in the form of a small hose, which allows you to move the aerator in one direction or another over the sink.
2. With backlight. It's just a decor, it does not carry a real practical backlight function. But it looks impressive. Let's talk more about it.

If you have children, or you are a fan of the original decor, the backlight for the aerator you like. Inside its housing there is a microturbine and an electric generator with a temperature sensor. Plus, of course, diodes. The nozzle is capable of operating at temperatures up to 60 degrees.

It is connected as a normal aerator. Its main feature is the illumination of the jet. And its color can be different, depending on the temperature coming from the tap:

• If the temperature is below 29 degrees Celsius, green diodes are turned on;
• If within the range of 30 to 38 degrees, use blue diodes;
• The red color indicates that the temperature has reached 39 degrees or more.

When it becomes necessary to clean the aerator, observe the following sequence of your actions:

• Remove the device by rotating it with your hand. If it can not be handled manually, use pliers;
• Move strictly clockwise, if you look at the valve from above;
• When the rubber gasket falls out or is removed, check its condition;
• On the outlet side of the jet from the case, press down with your finger, which will extract the grids;
• Clean the mesh from the dirt will help a needle and a jet of water;
• Assemble the cleaned device and put it in its place. Do not overtighten. Enough manual effort.

It is very easy to replace the device. To do this, you need to dismantle the aerator, as indicated in the cleaning, send it to a landfill, purchase a new one and put it in its place. All!

1. Price and quality. Budget aerators are made of plastic, because they will not last long. Metal products are better, but they are prone to corrosion. Brass - the best options. They cost more, but they provide a long and effective service. If the tap is used rarely, there is no need for an expensive aerator. But with daily operation, take only reliable and high-quality products.

1. Thread. Look at the thread of the mixer. Not all aerators are universal, because you can choose the right device by selecting it for threading.

1. Additional functions. Increasingly, we hear about backlight aerators. We talked about them. Similar products have similar functions, plus highlight the flow of water at certain temperatures. It looks great, but it affects the cost of the aerator. In terms of aesthetics, a very interesting solution. Therefore, we do not recommend to refuse the purchase of a diode aerator.