Mixer spout length: product selection and differences

If you choose a universal faucet with a long spout, then it means that you need one faucet for the bath and the sink at the same time, that is, the faucet is installed in such a place that the spout can reach both containers. As a rule, valves of this type have a wall mount.

But in general, it differs, both in terms of installation methods (fixation), and in the types of control valves, and the appearance of the device itself may be the same with different closures. We will tell about all these nuances below and in addition, you can watch a useful video in this article on this topic.

Mixers

Differences in appearance and adjustment

Note. In appearance, the mixers can be divided into three main groups, these are two-valve (two-lever), single-lever and lever-less. In addition, you can select sink mixers with a long spout and a short spout, which can have both external and internal threads on the nose for various kinds of adapters and aerators.

• Devices with two valves or levers can be very different in appearance not only by adjustment fragments, but also by the method of installation.. That is, they can be attached to the wall, as in the top photo, or to the sink. In addition, due to differences in valves, adjustment can be either half-turn or complete - it can be from 5 to 10 complete cycles (the second option is possible only if there are valves on the valve).

• In addition, valves, which are regulated by two valves or levers can be embedded. And these faucets are mounted directly into the wall, or crash into the side of the bathroom, as was done in the top photo. For such devices, the spout and control levers are not visually aligned with each other - this is possible due to the fact that the entire operating mechanism is hidden from view either under the board or in the wall.

• One lever on the mixer always indicates that the shut-off valves of this model are made either in the form of a cartridge or a slide ball and nothing else - just the body is designed specifically for such a design. In fact, the purpose of the joystick plumbing device is no different from the two-valve - it can also be fixed on the sink or to the wall, but there will already be a device for fixing a shower head.

• You can always buy a faucet that is controlled by a single lever, but at the same time it will be of built-in type, that is, such models, just like the faucet, cut into the wall or mounted on the side of the bathroom. And, as you, probably, understand, the difference here is not only in appearance, but also in valves, that is, the adjustment does not occur with crane boxes, but with a cartridge or a slide ball, as required by the instructions for the housing and the spout with one lever.

• To the attention of lovers of exotic and in general, for those who are interested in the original design, cascade-type mixers are provided.. Moreover, the spout itself can have completely different lengths and configurations - or they can be made in the form of a flat pipe, chute, plate and the like. Now they have gone even further - the LEDs react to a change in the temperature of the supplied water, so, up to 30? C, the outflow glows blue, from 31? C to 40? C - yellow, and starting from 41? C it turns red. As a rule, here cartridges or balls are usually used as stop valves, so they have a joystick control, they can be overhead and mortise.

• There is one more version of single-lever mixers, these are models with a flow-through water heater - they are distinguished by a rather wide case, where, in fact, this heater is installed. The temperature adjustment itself is carried out. In fact, exactly the same way as for ordinary cranes - by turning the joystick and moving it up and down, although for most models these functions are limited to turning left to the right. That is, with an increase in the power of the flow, the temperature of the water decreases and in order to increase it, it is necessary to weaken the jet.

• Such mixers used to be made with photovoltaic cells, and some factories have been doing them so far, but this has not justified itself - too many false alarms - this may be a reaction to electrical and solar lighting.. Models with motion sensors are more ergonomic - they only react to this and if a piece of soap slides into the sink, the water will turn off after 3 seconds. Since the movement will stop. The temperature is adjusted either with a small side lever, or programmed on the control panel - you can set the desired temperature and it will be kept constant (when the power goes off, the system switches to the battery).

Recommendation. The length of the spout for the sink is determined by the size of the bowl. That is, ideally, the spout should be in the center of the siphon. But the shower faucet with a long spout is used only in cases where it is one for the bathroom and for the sink.

Valves

At the valve or lever half-turn faucets in the quality of valves are the so-called ceramic faucet. Although in fact they are brass, and from ceramics there are made only two plates, which, in fact, regulate the intensity of pressure.

As you can see in the upper image, the holes in the plates are offset from the center. When these holes coincide completely, the full passage opens, but when the upper (movable) plate is rotated, the gap decreases until it disappears altogether and the passage closes completely. The rubber sealing ring, which is at the very bottom, seals the body of the axle box when water is supplied from the mains.

Very similar in appearance to the crankshaft with a worm gear. But here is a slightly different principle of adjusting the water flow - this valve has a stem made in the form of a piston, at the end of which there is a rubber shut-off valve. On the stem of the rod there is a worm gear, which is enclosed in a fat chamber, which prevents water from seeping through the threads.

And thanks to this worm, the rod moves up and down, opening and closing the passage, as well as adjusting the flow rate. It is noteworthy that the price of such an axle box is much lower than that of a ceramic one, but at the same time the service life is significantly reduced - the rubber valve is flattened and erased quite quickly.

The joystick type of mixers as shut-off valves are mainly equipped with plastic or ceramic cartridges that are able to regulate, as well as open and shut off the water flow with just one lever handle. The water pressure here is regulated by the displacement of the plate, which serves to adjust the size of the passage, that is, the larger it is, the more powerful the flow.

And the ratio of hot and cold water is regulated by rotating the plate in one direction or the other (the plates are attached to the stem). Such a device is extremely popular, despite the fact that over time it becomes unusable, but the cartridge can always be replaced with a new one and the mixer will continue to work.

Ball valves are used in joystick-type mixers and, just like the cartridge, are driven by only one lever. Only here a slightly different principle of action.

The ball itself with the holes is fixed in the body of the crane with the help of rubber cams, which are pressed against it under the influence of steel springs, and the special cuffs seal the water duct in the mixer. The ball is moved from the handle using a rod, which allows you to increase and decrease the intensity of pressure, as well as to adjust the ratio of hot and cold water.

Nozzles for spout

Now began to enjoy a very great demand for devices for economical water consumption, which are called aerators. And on the top photo you see their standard sample - the standard is in the diameter of the thread 24 mm and its step M10.

Such a small device is wound on the spout spout instead of a coarse filter (mesh), with which almost all types of mixers are completed, but it is the aerator that saves water due to its dissection (the pressure remains the same and the water flows much less).

It is noteworthy that such an economist is able to reduce water consumption by about three times, and this can even be checked experimentally. Place a jar under the faucet and try using a timer to draw water with and without aerator for the same amount of time.

You will be able to make sure that the money paid for this device is not discarded in vain - this is valid. But the threaded hole does not have a Russian standard on every spout, and there are also spouts with external threads, but for this there are adapters.

This adapter will allow you to install the aerator on the spout with external thread. In addition, it can serve as the basis for a rotating adapter, on which you have already installed an economy.

Such an adapter will allow you to deflect the aerator forward in the range of 15 ?, that is, the direction of the water jet can be changed not only by turning the spout nozzle, but also by moving the nozzle back and forth.

But does Hihippo generally rotate in a circle for all 360? - Considering the swivel possibilities of the spout and the adapter itself, you can direct a stream of water to any corner of the sink.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that practically any of the mixers, which we have described above, you can always install with your own hands, if, of course, you have certain skills. In the same way, you can install an aerator on the spout, and if necessary, use the adapter.