Bath mixer with shower: with spout, cascade. Types, selection and installation

Discoveries in the chemical industry give us new materials, achievementsin the field of engineering they allow us to create fundamentally new types of equipment, the development of design ideas ensures progress in the forms of even the usual things. The novelties did not bypass the faucets. So, the cascade mixer not only stylishly looks, but also able to decorate any person and fill the bath in a few minutes.

Do not escape the similar fate and equipping our bathrooms. If not so long ago the phrase "bathtub faucet" necessarily meant one outgoing from the wall set of two cruciform valves with a standard spout shape that turns on the bath and sink alternately with a stainless steel hose with a small shower head and a simple shift lever. Now, to a person who aspires to be aware of repair matters, it is useful to at least briefly get acquainted with the huge variety of faucets on the market.

An additional complication in the bath mixer device is the need for at least two options for discharging water: through the tap and through the shower. Some buyers avoid this problem by purchasing a separate shower mixer and basin mixer. Of course, this is far from the budget option, but each product will be used twice less often, which will lead to a longer service life. Moreover, if one of the mixers breaks down, you can temporarily use the second and do not leave the family at all without water.

Basically, when choosing a spout or "gander"( in the slang master plumbing) guided by its length and the ability to turn.

If you decide to save money and space, you can actually buy one mixer for a bath and a nearby sink. Then you need to carefully consider how long the spout will be optimal in order to be enough for both of these places.

The feature of the faucet-type faucet is the presence of a switch for supplying water from the shower head to the tap of the tap itself. Two types of switches are fundamentally different:

• lever( joystick);
• push-button( exhaust).

The first is simply the handle that is located between the valves.

The second is the button that you press to switch.

Both options are equal in choice and each has its pros and cons.

There are several types of mixer installation in the bathroom. It is necessary at the planning stage to decide which mixer, depending on the installation method, you prefer.

The most common and simple way is vertical. Water supply in the wall itself makes it easy to connect the mixer directly to these pipes.

More modern and in-demand are considered nowadays built-in models, which are installed on the side of the bath. However, they are more difficult to install and it will be rational to use the help of specialists when installing such a mixer.

And, finally, one of the most exotic and original installation methods - outdoor. Accordingly, a stand is attached to the floor, at the top of which the mixer itself will be located.

According to the principle of operation, bathroom faucets can be divided into four main types:

• single lever;
• two-valve;
• with temperature sensor;
• with sensor sensor.

The single lever mixer operates on the principle of a joystick. Thanks to the ball locking device inside and the amount of water, and its temperature can be adjusted with minimal effort.

Turning left-right allows you to make a jet hot or cold, and the angle of the lever lift provides the power of this jet. An additional advantage to this single-lever mixer will be its simplicity. If something breaks in it, then repair the internal cartridge does not make sense, but it is very convenient to buy a new one and replace it.

The disadvantage is the special whimsy of the mixer in the issue of water purity .A good tip for old pipes that do not allow the removal of silicon and scale particles, put a filter to extend the life of such a device.

The faucet with two handles-valves is known to us in the country without exception. And I must say that this development was quite successful: it did not become obsolete, but on the contrary, it is often preferred as a well-established "classical" model. Compared with single-lever mixers, the temperature and the head of the supplied water are more familiar here, and therefore the temperature and the head of the supplied water are regulated, which makes it possible to adjust the jet more quickly, and therefore to reduce the amount of the resource spilled in vain at the preliminary stage.

Mixers with temperature sensors are one of the most modern and most multifunctional devices. Imagine that this "smart tap" allows you to program the water temperature at one time for multiple applications. You can set a certain mode and the system will not allow the temperature to rise above a certain value, for example, 39-40 degrees and burn by chance a small child or an elderly person. In addition to the fundamental internal difference, this mechanism looks more original and aesthetic.

sensor sensors built into the fourth type of mixers are good in that they help to significantly reduce the water consumption due to the setting for "live" movement. In the case of installing such a mixer, the question of forgetfulness of turning off the crane on the agenda will not stand. Adjusted for a specific time, for example 5 or 10 seconds, the mixer will stop the water supply as soon as you leave.

The development of civilization brings comfort and aesthetic satisfaction to the forefront. Modern man seeks to satisfy his requests to the degree of perfectionism. We do not have enough of just pouring water of the right temperature and power, we want to receive positive emotions from the perfection of the devices that we use.

So, the most perfect and last development in the design of mixers is cascade mixers. Peculiar small hand-made waterfalls in different parts of the bath will attract the attention of those who are willing to spend large sums of money to enjoy themselves and surprise guests at home.

In addition, additional funds will provide additional convenience: the water supply in the walls has one significant drawback - inaccessibility. In the case of the purchase of a cascade mixer, the problem of monitoring the condition of the supply pipes and their repair, if necessary, is greatly simplified. The rest can also vary the number of valves, the presence of temperature sensors and sensors in the mixer.

It's not for nothing that they say that the miser pays twice. This can not be better attributed to the correct choice of material from which the mixer will be made.

Obviously, on cheap plastic , cracks and chips are likely to appear more than on product of alloy steel .

Brass mixers will be even better.

And where there is a danger of flooding your home or damaging the property of neighbors on the lower floors, the issue of quality should be raised with full seriousness and responsibility.

Zinc and copper in the right proportions are also in trend, but silumin , which is often used in cheap mixers, is not recommended for long-term and safe use.

All that is selected in one room, should be well combined with each other.

If you have a tile and the shape of a bath in the style of hi-tech, then it is ideal to choose the color, shape and style of a mixer of this style.

And vice versa, a romantic version of the bathroom furnishings will require gentle colors and suitable silhouettes.

On the shelves of our building supermarkets you can find a huge number of mixers with a variety of exterior coatings. Enamel coatings are in demand. Also it can be plastic, on which there are no stains from any contaminants or drops of water, it can be chrome, which pleases the eye with brilliance and brightness.

Mixers are made with a coating of marble, special types of wood and even some precious metals: gold and silver.

Non-standard author's works will be much more expensive, but they will fulfill someone's dream.

Each product of self-respecting brands must be accompanied by an instruction for installing this product. Are not an exception and mixers. But if you have already determined where to install the mechanism and purchased it, it is useful to follow several rules:

• We tighten the nuts and washers tightly, but do not squeeze. Excessive forces can break the thread. In this case, those parts that are on the visible surface should be protected especially and use pliers and keys through the material in order not to leave defects.
• All threads that deal with water are twisted using a special felt tape or plain flax.
• If there is a dismantling of the old mixer, then "fastened" tight threads should not be broken together with the pipes. It is necessary to drop kerosene or any solvent to the threaded surface closer and wait 15-20 minutes.
• Do not forget to put gaskets under all tightened washers. And some experts advise wetting them with water for better contact.

See the following video for installing the mixer.