Everything you need to know about the sink mixer

Kitchen taps are in the toughest operating conditions - water is constantly turned on in order to wash the dishes, then in order to rinse the fruit or vegetables. For comparison - in the bathroom tap opens about ten times less. Therefore, the choice of faucet for the kitchen should be done very carefully.

Types of faucets

Kitchen faucets can be classified according to several parameters. For example, the height of the spout, its shape, the structure used for the production of metal, etc.

One of the most important parameters determining the durability of the crane and the convenience of its use can be considered its device.

There are such types of mixers as:

• two-valve - can be considered a classic. The design has 2 valves (for cold and hot water). The disadvantage is that the temperature of the water has to be adjusted each time, as well as the fact that you need to turn the valve several times to open the tap - your hands may be busy or soiled.

Note! The rubber gasket in cheap models wears out quickly, so you need to be ready to replace it. Fortunately, you can replace it with your own hands.

• single lever devices - in the construction of such mixers is used either a ball with holes or ceramic plates. Adjustment of water temperature and pressure is performed by turning one knob in the horizontal and vertical planes;

• touch mixers - appeared on the market relatively recently. The key difference from other types of cranes is that the person does not need to contact him at all. It is enough just to bring your hands to the faucet, the sensor will immediately react to this and turn on the water, and the water will already need temperature (it is adjusted 1 time when the mixer is first started).

It is possible to single out such type of cranes as single-flow. But such devices did not receive special distribution in our country, the fact is that they do not represent special advantages in comparison with the listed 3 types of mixers.

As for the material, steel taps dominate the market, although you can stumble on brass and bronze products. Only corrosion resistant metals are used. At the same time, it is impossible to distinguish them externally, the fact is that any desktop brass faucet with electroplating for washing is covered with a thin film protecting brass.

The classification can be given by the method of installation:

• if there are no special problems with the place, then you can safely buy an ordinary table-mounted crane, it will be installed either on the sink itself or on the worktop;

Note! In the case of stainless steel sinks, the best option is to install the mixer on the countertop, not on the sink. The fact is that a thin metal can significantly bend when closing / opening the valve.

• with a shortage of free space, a wall-mounted installation option is possible, although in this case it will be more difficult to mask the water supply to it.

This list of types of mixers does not end there. You can, for example, divide them into groups according to the shape of the spout (round, square, flat, elliptical, etc.), but first things first.

How to make an informed choice and not miscalculate

Quite often, when choosing, the main criterion is price or appearance. No one argues with the fact that these criteria are important, but in the first place still need to put operational performance. On the features of popular mixers and will be discussed below.

Features of mixers of different types

To make the right choice you need to present at least in general terms the features of popular types of mixers.

We will not go into details, it is enough to mention the main thing:

• two valve mixer (aka herringbone) differ in the lowest cost, but its durability is low. Modern manufacturers use for their production high-quality rubber, and the design as a whole is being improved, but this leads to higher prices for the crane;

• single lever - the main advantage of such devices can be considered that it can be opened with one hand. Also, the water opens instantly, no need to turn the valve. On the other hand, spherical devices are not repairable, and cartridges with ceramic plates are highly sensitive to water quality;

• sensory cranes all are good, but the price tag scares and the fact that in the kitchen their “intelligence” sometimes only hurts, for example, to get water in the sink you have to keep your hands on the sensor. On the other hand, in modern devices of this kind there are 2 modes of operation, so the only disadvantage is cost;
• elbow crane - the inner part does not differ from the usual single lever, and the shape of the handle makes it particularly noteworthy. It is specially made so that it is convenient to open the water with your elbow, such taps are often installed in hospitals, but at the sink such a device will not be superfluous.

Of the useful features that the mixer should have, you can mention the swivel spout. This is especially important if a 2-bowl sink is installed, the flow of water can be directed to the desired point.

Note! If the gander is not swiveling, then you can install a rotary nozzle aerator on it, this simple device will allow you to adjust the direction of water flow in a certain range.

A faucet with a shower for washing at first glance may seem ridiculous, it is unlikely that anyone is going to take a shower in the kitchen, but this is only at first glance. The advantages of the retractable hose will immediately become noticeable when there is a need to wash out a deep tank.

In addition, the flexible hose is very convenient if you need to fill the pelvis or bucket with water - there will be no splashing. At the same time, the hose does not hang constantly at hand, when there is no need for it, it simply hides in the space under the sink, in fact, therefore, such shells are called “with a retractable watering can”.

Of the unusual mixers stands model with an abundance of articulated joints. By design, they are a bit like a desk lamp, they have 3-4 swivel joints in length, due to which it can be turned as you please, even with an outlet opening upwards. These kitchen sink faucets cost a lot, and repairs are quite complicated - this can be considered as a kind of payment for uniqueness.

Little about installation

To understand the process in general, consider the installation of a mixer with a retractable watering can.

The main stages are practically no different from the installation of a conventional crane:

• Installing the mixer on the sink with your own hands begins the preparation of holes in the sink. It all depends on the model of the crane, if the surface of the shell was in this place slightly damaged, the defect can be hidden with the help of special linings;

• then you need to fix the faucet itself on the sink. The mixer is placed on the sink and fixed with a nut on the back side. For greater reliability of the connection between the nut and the sink is placed rubber gasket;

Note! At the same time, the crane should not deviate one millimeter from the project position, so it would be better if someone holds it. To facilitate the work of the mixer for kitchen sink can be installed before installing it on the cabinet or countertop.

• after fixing the mixer, you can proceed to the water connection. At this stage, you just do not confuse the colors and connect the flexible tube with a blue mark to cold water, and from red to hot. You should not be zealous when tightening the nuts;

• Now it's time to pay attention to the hose for the mixer for washing. It will be pulled into the gander under the action of a special sinker. First you need to decide on how far it should move out of the crane, the hose is pulled to the desired distance, the weight is fixed on it;

• The final step is to check for leakage.

According to the described method, it is possible to install not only a model with a retractable hose, but also an ordinary mixer for cold water for washing. The only difference is that the item is deleted from the instruction with the sinker fastening and the hose.

In conclusion

A modern kitchen without a quality mixer is like a surgeon without a scalpel. Therefore, increased attention is paid to the choice of a crane, because the convenience of working in the kitchen will depend on it. The proposed material will allow to understand the abundance of mixers and choose a really suitable option for each case.

The video in this article is a brief overview of modern kitchen faucets.