A faucet aboard a bath: what is this device, how to choose
Such a plumbing product as a mixer on board a bath with a shower at first glance may seem like an exotic solution. However, it is only at first glance. In fact, the product is quite simple and its installation is generally a simple process.
Of course, there are nuances, but we'll talk about them a little later. In the meantime, let's consider what is generally such a bath mixer on the side.
Features of the device, including constructive
The main practical goal for which the installation of such a product is performed is to create a powerful stream of water, with the help of which you can very quickly get a bath and at the same time get a minimum of spray.
In fact, the on-board mixer is not a monoblock, unlike a standard crane, but an assembly that consists of several parts:
- from a watering can;
- from the spout;
- from the flow control node.
Each of these elements has a lock for installation on the edge of the bath. That is, the principle of assembly here is to connect these elements through a hole in the rim. Simply put - the hoses for supplying hot and cold water are supplied to the hole as if under the side of the bath and connected to the mixer mechanism.
So, it turns out that the principle of mixing water here is the same, only the installation instructions allow you to mount the device at any point on the side of the bath.
What is good and bad is discussed in the table below.
| Advantages of the solution: | Disadvantages: |
| Visually, the faucets built into the board of the bath look very nice and neat. This is understandable - after all, all communications and fixtures are hidden due to the fact that everything is located under the board. | Mortise valve of this type is difficult to repair, if not to foresee the conditions for this. After all, for disassembling or replacing the device will have to move the bath, and this can not always be done without violations of the finish - for example, if tiles are laid around the perimeter of the tank. |
| It is possible to arrange several mixers along the side, and it is not necessary to install them next to each other. This will increase the power of the stream and the amount of water supplied simultaneously. That is, the container will be filled several times faster. | For the normal functioning of several spouts in an apartment or house, there must be good water pressure, and this cannot always be ensured. |
| Space is saved near the bath, because instead of taps there you can hang cabinets, shelves, etc. | The price of devices and their installation in general is somewhat higher than conventional units. |
As you can see, built-in bath mixers on the side, have both pluses and minuses. Should I buy them? It is probably worth it if the list of shortcomings does not bother you.
Suppose that this is the case, which means that you need to understand more specific points. Let's do it.
How to choose and install
The choice, of course, in each particular case is made on the basis of the particularities of the situation, but it is still possible to single out a few basic points that are important to take into account in any case.
First of all, it is worth talking about the difference in the method of controlling the flow of water.
Differences in water regulation
There are such mixers:
- Valve. This is when the device has two valves, each of which supplies hot or cold water. The option is good, but outwardly it looks rather cumbersome. In addition, the gaskets in the swivel boxes often wear out and have to be changed by hand.
- Single lever. The essence of the work of such units is that the flow of liquid and the adjustment of its temperature is carried out using a lever. When raised upwards, the head power increases, and the temperature is controlled by moving it to the sides.
Note! Products with a lever fail much less frequently than valve mixers, but here we must bear in mind that the single-lever version is very sensitive to the quality of water. If it contains small debris, the crane cartridge mechanism will not last for a long time. Therefore, try to install filters on the line before such mixers.
- Thermostat appliances. This is a very convenient option, but at the same time it is expensive. The bottom line is that there is no need to constantly adjust the temperature of the liquid - just once you set the desired value with a special pen and the desired degree will pour all the time when turned on.
There are also more “fancy” models on the market: with backlighting, with automatic switching on (switching on is performed using a photocell), etc. Here the choice depends on your desires and budget possibilities.
Other design differences
The device can be of two types:
- With the presence of a spout and a separate shower head.
- The shower head is also a spout.
Both options are convenient in their own way, however there is one common nuance. The fact is that since the shower hose is hidden under the bath and constantly gets out, it consequently bends more often. This leads to faster wear of the hose than in normal situations.
This means that, firstly, the product should be treated as carefully as possible, and, secondly, try to buy expensive and high-quality cascade mixers on board the bath, in which the hoses are made of really strong material.
Also consider that the frame construction is possible not only in the bath, but also, for example, in the wall.
As for the bath itself, a container made of any material will be suitable for the installation of a crane. That is, the hole for the crane is made in acrylic, and in any metal.
Of course, an acrylic bath with a mixer on board is much easier because of the fact that acrylic itself is a rather soft material and you do not need to exert too much effort to cut a hole in it. But with iron and steel, such a work is also realistic to do. But, of course, there must be experience in handling metal - otherwise you could be injured and the holes should not be cut correctly.
Well, a few words about the work itself.
Mounting scheme
The complexity of the assembly actually depends on how many spouts are installed. After all, it can be a mixer for one hole, or maybe a whole set of 3 holes, consisting, for example, of a shower and a pair of mixers.
But in general, the scheme here is something like this:
- Mark up the pencil where the cranes will be mounted. At these points, and will need to make holes.
- We take a drill, drill bits for metal and begin to drill a circle or perimeter of the holes.
Note! If you have to work with a metal bath, then even very high-quality drills will quickly dull or even break. Therefore, we advise you to stock up with a large number of these consumables.
- If the holes are ready, collect the mixer and supply water to it.
Such is the principle of assembly. As you can see, there is nothing new in the scheme, except that you have to tinker with the organization of the holes. And so - the same "kitchen".
Conclusion
We have figured out what are the faucets for the sides of the bath, looked at what they could be, and also got acquainted with an exemplary self-tie-in scheme. We hope that now you are better oriented on this issue.
If there are a number of unclear points, then watch the additional video in this article.