Mixer handle - views and features
Control of any mixer is carried out using one or two handles. Not only the usability of the device, but also its design depends on them. Below we will look at the existing types of pens, their features and instructions for dismantling.
General information
All knobs mixers, regardless of their design and design, perform two main functions:
- Allow to regulate the flow of water by opening or closing the locking mechanism;
- Allow you to adjust the temperature of the jet.
In addition, the handles often perform a decorative function and serve as a decoration sanitary fixture. Moreover, they can have not only the original design, but also be inlaid or even made of expensive metals. Therefore, when choosing a mixer, many people pay attention not only to its design and functionality, but also to the controls. (See also the article Types of sink faucets: features.)
Note! Currently, not all taps have handles. Some modern models are equipped with sensors, as a result of which they are turned on and off automatically.
Types of pens
Depending on the type of crane, the controls are of two types:
| Lever arm | Allows you to simultaneously adjust the flow of hot and cold water with your hands. For this, the lever moves in two planes:
Thanks to this mechanism, the crane can be operated with one hand. However, it should be noted that it is often quite difficult to precisely adjust the temperature in such mixers. |
| Two pens | In such taps, each handle is responsible for the supply of cold water separately and for the supply of hot water separately. Accordingly, for mixing the flows, it is necessary to simultaneously open two valves. This design is a classic and familiar to everyone. In form, they can be divided into two types:
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It must be said that these products can differ not only in design and design, but also in the material from which they are made.
Most often you can find mixers with the following types of handles:
- Metal - most often made of brass or stainless steel. From above, they are usually chrome plated. I must say that there are also mixers with silumin levers or “crosses” on sale. The price for them is much lower than for the above-mentioned products, but at the same time durability is much less.
- Plastic - have a less attractive appearance, however, are quite strong and durable.
- Ceramic - have an attractive appearance and can serve for a very long time with careful handling.
- Wood - As a rule, it is a mixer with a wooden handle for a bath. First of all, this choice is due to the fact that the wood does not heat up much, thanks to which it is comfortable to use the mixer device in high temperature conditions. In addition, the tree is an eco-friendly material and is in perfect harmony with the rest of the bath interior.
Tip! If all sanitary fixtures install faucets, made in the same style, it will help to visually combine them and make the interior more harmonious.
The choice of the type of handle depends solely on your own preferences and features of the interior of the room in which the plumbing is installed.
Dismantling
Lever mixer
Before you fix the mixer with one handle, it must be dismantled. Often, this task for home craftsmen causes certain difficulties, since at first glance this part does not have any bolts or other fasteners.
Therefore, below we consider the order of disassembly:
- First you need to inspect the lever and find a plastic cap. As a rule, it serves as a symbol of cold / hot water and is located under the lever itself.
- Then you need to gently peck the cap. This can be done with a knife or screwdriver. The main thing - do not scratch the coating of the product.
- Under the plug is a screw that you need to unscrew with a screwdriver or allen key.
- Next you just need to pull the lever up, with the result that it will be removed from the crane.
- After that access to fasteners of other mechanism will open.
As we see, it is not as difficult to disassemble a single-lever mixer as it may seem at first glance.
Crane with two valves
In case of failure of the crane with two valves, for its repair it is also necessary to remove the flywheels.
Instructions for dismantling them are extremely simple:
- As in the previous case, you first need to remove the cap. It can simply be inserted as a cork or screwed into the thread. In the latter case, as a rule, the plug has notches, which simplifies its disassembly.
- After removing the plug will open access to the screw, which should be unscrewed.
- Now the flywheel or the crosspiece is easy to remove, after which you can unscrew the crane for replacing parts.
- Similarly, dismantling and the second flywheel.
Here, in fact, all the features of dismantling the faucet handles.
Conclusion
The handle performs an important function in the mixer - it provides control of the locking mechanism. Therefore, when choosing a device, it should be given no less attention than the rest of the mechanism. It should also be noted that during the operation of the crane, this part will probably have to be dismantled, and as we found out, it is absolutely easy to do it yourself.
Additional information on this topic can be found in the video in this article.