How to choose a faucet in the bathroom: the advice of
Choosing a bathroom faucet is simple, but at the same time a crucial task, because the ease of use of the bathroom depends on the quality of the plumbing. In order not to succumb to advertising tricks and pick up a good device, you need to understand some of the features of water taps.
We will tell you how to choose a good bathroom faucet and prevent common mistakes.
Features and types of mixers
Most common types
The first thing you need to know before going to the plumbing shop is a range of varieties by type of structures and their differences. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each type, you can easily choose the option that suits you.
Despite the apparent variety of models, only a few basic types of water taps are on sale:
- Two-valve devices. They are distinguished by the presence of separate knobs to adjust the intensity of hot and cold water. This is a more familiar and traditional type, familiar to everyone since childhood;
- Single lever faucets. Here, instead of two knobs of adjustment, one lever is installed, which moves up and down and from side to side. The shift from right to left changes the ratio of hot and cold flows in the common jet, and the shift along the vertical axis changes the pressure;
- Taps with thermostatic mixer. The device is equipped with a three-way valve with a thermal head, the sensor of which measures the temperature at the outlet of the valve. By setting the temperature level, you can get a stream of comfortable temperature for you each time, changing only the pressure;
- Electronic touchless mixers. This is the most modern fittings, made on the principle of "smart" technology. You just need to bring your hands to the sink, as immediately from the spout will pour water with a predetermined pressure and temperature.
Old versions of two-valve cranes were distinguished by a mass of flaws: they often flowed, made noise, and for their complete opening one had to make several complete turns of the screw.
Modern products are devoid of all these shortcomings and work like a clock. This type fits perfectly into classic interiors in retro, country or baroque styles.
Single lever faucets have become the most popular and widespread over the past three decades due to their convenience, reliability and beauty.
These products:
- silent;
- practically never flow;
- serve long enough;
- easy to repair.
There is a huge variety of design options for devices of this type, so choosing an option for your interior is not difficult.
Cranes with thermostatic valves are used less frequently, but gradually enter the stage of mass consumption. They are convenient because you cannot physically burn yourself with boiling water or open too cold water, because the automatic system will not do this.
Electronic models with contactless control - is the crown of the evolution of sanitary devices.
They:
- beautiful
- comfortable;
- incredibly technological;
- reliable enough.
Their only drawback is the high price compared to standard products.
Note! Each of these types can be used if you purchase a quality product made of good materials in compliance with modern technological standards.
What you need to know about materials
To understand how to choose the right faucet for the bathroom, you must be able to distinguish good materials from poor ones. There is nothing difficult.
The vast majority of modern sanitary appliances of normal and high quality are made of sanitary brass. It is an alloy of copper and zinc by volume alloying with the addition of lead and a number of additives that improve the chemical and physical properties of the metal.
Some elite models are made of bronze and sometimes of precious metals, but this is not a topic for a wide circle of readers. We are interested in brass.
To distinguish brass from gaining popularity in the cheap segment of silumin (silicon-aluminum alloy), it suffices to take both products in hand: brass will be noticeably heavier.
In addition, if we slightly scratch the nickel layer, which is most often coated with brass, we will see a strip of yellow color, which is not observed when scratching silumin. By the way, we do not advise you to scratch taps in the salons of modern plumbing, it is unlikely that sellers will like it.
It is also important to pay attention to the quality of flexible connections that come with the kit. They should be braided in stainless steel or nylon, but not in any way made of galvanized iron or aluminum. Gaskets and EPDM EPDM rubber rings should be used as seals.
Note! In no case should one buy silumin cranes, as they will last a maximum of a year or two, and this is lucky.
Cranes
The heart of any crane is a locking mechanism. It depends on the quality of the device and the convenience of its operation.
In this matter, everything is extremely simple, and there is no point in talking about this topic a lot.
There are two types of quality cranes:
- With faucet-boxes on ceramic plates in valves;
- With ceramic cartridges in the levers.
If you see a model with a worm valve on a rubber gasket - do not buy it. Such a mixer will soon begin to make noise, and over time it will leak and will require the replacement of gaskets, and this replacement will have to be done regularly.
Note! The mechanism is easy to get your hands. If in doubt, ask the seller to get a crane and showcase.
Conclusion
Buying a faucet in the bathroom is an important event, the result of which depends on your comfort. Our instructions will help you make the right choice, and the video in this article will consolidate this knowledge.