How to choose a sink faucet: a complete overview of all
This device in the bathroom will help to take hygienic procedures or carry out cleaning in the room. The device mixes the water coming from the pipes of the hot and cold supply into one stream, controls its pressure as well as the temperature.
Now manufacturers offer consumers a huge selection of types of faucets for sinks. Let's understand their features, pros and cons.

Classification of mixing equipment
Types of sink faucets differ in the following criteria:
- cost;
- constructions;
- technical specifications;
- quality performance;
- production materials;
- design;
- functional and innovative options.
Device design

Since the mixer is a sanitary device, when choosing it, first of all, you should pay attention to the design features.
By the method of mixing water and the method of use, such devices are different:
- valve;
- lever (pedal);
- contactless;
- electronic;
- sensory.
Should be taken into account and the design of the drain valve. The mixer can have a long bend of the faucet or short, reaching only to the side of the washbasin.
According to the degree of functionality, spouts are divided into:
- rotary;
- low;
- fixed.
The instruction notes that one more moment of choice should be the method of fixing the device. It can be either wall-mounted or airborne, in other words - mounted on the washbasin rim. (See also the article How to choose a sink: features.)
Device gauges
Let us tell in more detail about the design features of devices.
Valve analogues

The design of the mixer with two valves is the oldest and simple.
Previously used only she.
- The basis of the device is a solid cast body.
- Two of his faucet (like "lamb") regulate the flow of hot and cold water.
- The mixer can be mounted both by wall and onboard. It is mounted to the wall by external or internal method.
- The device has a purely mechanical principle of operation. The seals of the regulatory unit in it are ceramic, silicone or rubber boxes.
- The last two types of gaskets give cranes ease of rotation.
- Ceramic counterparts provide the opportunity to work "in the opposite direction". Due to this, it is almost impossible to turn the crane with a ceramic bush with your own hands.
Note! Efficiency, quality and durability of the mixer with two valves depends on the speed and degree of wear of the sealing elements. So, the rubber parts are very short-lived.
Pedal (lever) mixers

A single lever faucet was released relatively recently.
However, this design has already become very popular, thanks to the ease of use of the device.
- Moving the pedal vertically enables / disables the tap, and also regulates the water flow head.
- Moving horizontally allows you to change the temperature of the water in one direction or another, up to turn off the hot or cold jet.
- The handle of the mixer is very convenient, it is easy to use the elbow or the back of the hand when it is stained or already lather. This feature uses a surgical elbow mixer on the sink.
- Directly mixed contrasting flow of water to the desired temperature in the pedal mixers ball mechanisms or cartridges.
The cartridges work as follows.
- The stem inside the element, reports the effect on the pedal of the device disk to the top. The second (lower) circle is fixed while still.
- There are holes in the disks, they are aligned when moving the upper one.
- As a result, cold and hot water jets mix.
Cartridges have a plastic case.
Note! For increase in resistance to corrosion and deformations, it is completed with plates from ceramics. Cartridges are quite durable and reliable, thanks to its stop valves made of stainless steel or special ceramics.

If the single-lever basin mixer is equipped with a ball mechanism, then the principle of its operation is the same.
But here the function of the discs is performed by an empty ball inside which has holes.
- Water from cold and hot supply systems flows into the ball through two special supply channels.
- There are 3 holes in the element. Two of them - input and are equipped with Teflon gaskets. The third hole is larger in size, it is the output.
- Contrasting jets are mixed inside the ball, then water is directed through the outlet to the drainage part of the mixer.
Electronic models

Electronic mixers are high-tech and equipped with innovative units. According to their developers, devices up to 5 times can reduce the cost of water, compared to conventional devices.
There are several types of such devices, different in functionality.
- The first type does not mix, but only pours out cold or ahead of time already mixed water. Such devices are mounted in public institutions, in which there is a high permeability of users with the need only to wash their hands.
- The second type is equipped with a small knob to be able to regulate the temperature of the water when it is drained.
- The third type is equipped with a thermostat. It is controlled by means of touch buttons, which can be located on the mixer, wall control unit or on the mobile remote.
PU allows you to control the necessary contactless mixer options and set the parameters:
- water temperatures;
- the level of its pressure;
- time of its filing.
The basis of an electronic (contactless) mixer can be:
- infrared sensor;
- built-in microchips;
- solenoid valve.

Using such a touch device is extremely simple.
- You need to bring your hands to the device - and water begins to flow through the spout.
- The essence of the process is as follows: an infrared type sensor detects movement in the sink zone and sends a signal for opening the water to an electromagnetic valve.
- Some models of electronic devices are equipped with liquid crystal displays.
- The standard temperature set on them is +38 degrees.
- The sensor turns off the water after 2 seconds after the user has washed his hands.
- Typically, the capacity of such mixers is 5/7 liters per minute.
- Resource making their batteries reaches seven years.
- To increase the service life, some models of contactless devices, namely their inlet hoses, are equipped with cleaning filters.
Note! There are electronic mixers with the option of self-washing. This is very convenient if homeowners are long absent. The automatic function does not allow pathogenic microorganisms to multiply inside the device and contributes to the timely updating of the water lock of the sink siphon.
Cascading devices

Cascade sink faucet is one of the high-tech innovations in the plumbing market. Mounted such a device on board the sink and when turned on creates a wide pouring stream of water. These peculiar mini-waterfalls, besides their practical purpose, also have a decorative function.
Designers attach great importance to the aesthetic component and the content of such devices.
Cascade models are diverse in configuration, materials of manufacture and style used.
- By design, the mixer-waterfall for the sink is almost the same as ordinary counterparts. It also has the function of supplying, mixing and distributing water.
- The only difference between these devices is the use of a larger diameter pipe.
- For ordinary mixers, the water consumption (at maximum head / pressure) is 25 l / min, for cascade counterparts - 35/55 l. The width of their spout can reach 30 centimeters.
Thermostatic devices

- The sink faucet with thermostat is completed with a software device that controls, regulates and maintains the desired water temperature.
- The device is equipped with two regulators. The first one sets the temperature, and the second one sets the water pressure level.
- Such mixers can be both electronic and mechanical.
Electronic devices are equipped with an LCD monitor, powered by batteries or a network adapter. It is equipped with a button control or a touch analogue.
Mechanical devices are equipped with regulators in the form:
- leverage;
- pedals;
- handles;
- gates.

Structurally, such a touch mixer for the sink is quite simple.
- It has a mixing valve, which is regulated by a special cartridge.
- This cartridge is filled with wax and made of bimetallic plates. It is extremely sensitive to the slightest temperature differences.
- At temperature fluctuations the wax filler expands or shrinks.
- Temperature drops are transferred to the cartridge by means of an adjusting fixing screw.
Note! For safety, the adjusting screw is equipped with a special fuse. That works when the temperature rises above +80 degrees and blocks the flow of hot water. This happens usually when the supply of water in the cold supply system stops.
Fastening methods
Before purchasing it, it is necessary to determine the method of fastening the device. You can choose a floor sink mixer, combined, wall-mounted or on-board.
Combined wall mounted devices

Such plumbing fixtures were originally designed for the bath. They were often placed in apartments of Soviet times.
They gained wide popularity due to their cost-effectiveness.
- Due to the long movable "gander" (spout), the mixer can be used in two zones at once: the bath itself and the washbasin.
- There is no need to equip the sink with a separate faucet. That is, you save money on its purchase.
- There is no need to separately carry pipes for supplying the wash basin with water.
It should be noted that the combined mixers are quite inconvenient. Gander they have to constantly turn in the direction of the bath or sink. In addition, the sink has to be installed close to the bowl of the bath so that the gander reaches it. This creates a certain discomfort when using plumbing fixtures.
Wall mounted washbasins

- A wall-mounted sink faucet looks aesthetically pleasing if its supply pipes are walled in the wall.
- Such devices may have a valve, single and double lever design.
- The best choice for this is the pedal option. It is more reliable and durable.
- All types of sinks that do not have openings for the installation of the mixer are suitable for wall-mounted appliances.
Onboard analogues
- Appliances that are mounted directly on the sink need an appropriate type of sink - with factory-made openings for fixing them.
- The number of fasteners of the mixer should be equal to the number of holes in the sink.
- So under the elbow mixer for the sink you need two or one hole. For valve counterparts - one or three.
Manufacturing materials

- Mixers can be made of stainless steel, bronze, brass, copper. That is - those metals or alloys, which are almost not afraid of corrosion. Elite models are made of gold and silver. The best choice in terms of price / quality ratio is brass.
- Wear-resistant aluminum oxide is used for sealing plates of ceramic cartridges of lever mixers.. Pre-burned at a temperature of +1200 degrees in a high pressure environment.
- Ball counterparts, as well as their fasteners, are made of stainless steel. Spacer knots are made of durable ceramics. It increases the resistance of regulators to hydraulic shocks that occur in water supply systems.
- The outer surfaces of the mixers, for additional protection against corrosion, are first nickel-plated, then they can be coated with chrome or enamel.
White or colored enamel looks aesthetic, but it is not practical enough. Such a coating often breaks, cracks, peels off.

Note! Based on this, the best option for the exterior of the mixer is chrome plating. In addition, the material has bactericidal properties.
Often the handle, as well as the casing of the body of the mixers are made of plastic.
Among the elite models, the price of which is much higher, there are models with a coating of such materials:
- precious metals;
- natural and artificial stone;
- valuable wood.
Conclusion
Manufacturers offer a huge variety of types of sink mixers. Your task is to choose the model that best suits your bathroom. The video in this article will continue its theme.