How to choose a sink mixer in a house or apartment

When you make repairs in the house or apartment, changing all the plumbing, of course, you will need a red, green or white sink mixer. But the matter is not at all in its color, but in the technical parameters that certain cranes possess.

The difference for such devices lies not only in the quality of the product, but, first of all, in the method of opening or the method of mixing the cold and hot water flow. Priorities here can be set only by the buyer.

In order for you to have the opportunity to make an informed choice, we will tell you more about such mixers and further demonstrate the video in this article.

Mixers

Note. All the faucets by appointment can be divided into five groups - for the kitchen sink, washbasin, bathroom, shower and bidet. In this case, the instruction allows you to use each of them, at least for two purposes, for example, for a bathroom and for a shower, for a kitchen and a washbasin. But we are in this case interested in those taps that can be installed on the sink or sink.

Species

At this time, lever type mixers are most common - they have only one handle (lever) that turns right and left, adjusting cold and hot water, and also up and down, adjusting the power of the flow.

Such popular popularity has come as a result of the ease of operation of the crane - it is very easy to set the right temperature for the current jet. Moreover, when you increase or decrease the intensity of the current jet, its temperature can be maintained, if you do not move the lever to the right or left.

However, such mechanisms have a significant drawback - because of alkalis and salts, which are often present in water, the cartridge fails, although it must be replaced and costs five to six times less than the tap itself.

Such mechanisms can also be subdivided according to the method of water transmission - this can be the aforementioned ceramic cartridge, or a steel ball valve.

The shutter process in the cartridge is carried out using ground (polished) metal-ceramic plates. For the normal operation of such a closure mechanism, a filter is necessary, since any solid particles that may be in the water will adversely affect the plates, being between them.

In ball constructions, a polished (ground) spherical module with three holes for power control and mixing of cold and hot flow is responsible for adjusting the water. Such devices are more reliable cartridge, and can last much longer, but their main disadvantage is the high price.

Note. Now on the plumbing market there is a novelty - thermostatic faucets. Their difference lies in the fact that a thermostat is installed in the device, which regulates the distribution of hot and cold water. Such a device protects against too hot or too cold water.

At present, faucets with valves are made with ball modules (the worm mechanism of the locking device remains only on one-way and main cranes) and they are a fairly reliable mechanism with a long service life.

The main disadvantage that the two-valve sink faucet has is the adjustment of water, since it is carried out with two valves at the same time. For example, if you set the desired temperature, and after that you want to increase or decrease the flow rate, you will again have to adjust the temperature.

You probably had to see taps that do not have handles or valves to adjust the valves, but the water starts to flow from it when you put your hands under the gushok. These are contactless sink mixers that incorporate motion-sensing sensors.

Of course, more often such mechanisms are used for a bidet, but they are also extremely convenient for a washbasin, moreover, with this method of supplying water consumption is reduced almost by half.

The sensor begins to respond to movement within 30 cm, and this distance is set by default, although in more expensive structures it can be adjusted to its own discretion - decrease or increase.

The time after which the jet begins to flow is limited to two seconds by default, but in some mechanisms this parameter is subject to adjustment in the range from 2 to 6 seconds. In order to set the desired flow temperature with your own hands, there is a special lever on the side of the faucet - you can set it once or change it at your discretion, depending on the circumstances.

For cranes of this type there is an undesirable effect, this is a side movement without your knowledge. For example, if a piece of soap or a toothbrush falls into the sink, then in such a situation the sensor will definitely work.

But to maintain the flow, this movement must be constant, therefore, in a few seconds the feed will be blocked. The lithium battery of the sensor will last for two years if it works no more than 130 times a day.

In technical terms, a mixer with cascade water supply is no different from a ball valve with one lever, only here a slightly different spout device. It can be in the form of a chute, or flattened at the end, as shown in the top photo. As a rule, the flow of water is accompanied by a quiet pleasant murmur.

By and large, the mixer for the sink with a sliding-type watering can is also not much different from a single-lever ball valve for its technical features. The advantage of this design is that it is very convenient to use it for washing dishes, using a watering can as a micro-shower.

Materials

Different materials can be used for the manufacture of mixers, but there is not a lot of them, as it may seem at first glance, and the widest choice is possible to create a design. In individual solutions, various metal alloys, plastics, ceramics, glass, crystal, wood and stone can be used, from which the cost of production can change by several orders of magnitude.

For the manufacture of the case, the best material is an alloy of copper and zinc, but the fasteners and control valves are most good if they are made of stainless steel. Such components are neutral to the aquatic environment and the limescale deposits (salt, alkali) are very easily removed from the surface. Such devices have a long operational resource.

Chromium can be called the best material as a coating - it is best suited for the design of any type of interior and, at the same time, it has antibacterial properties.

The second place is occupied by enamel - in appearance it is not worse, but such a coating is not as resistant to mechanical effects (scratches, shocks) and breaks off from the surface. But enamel allows you to decorate taps for different materials, for example, for gold, bronze or marble.

Recommendation. If you come across a silumin mixer, then by no means buy such a faucet. It is, of course, very cheap, but, as a rule, the period of their operation does not exceed even one year, or even less.

Installation

• First of all, it should be said that the mixers can be attached to the sink either with a nut that is screwed onto the body of the faucet from the bottom, or with pins and straps, which are depicted in the top photo. The first method of installation is simpler in the sense of its implementation, and there is no need to talk about reliability here - both methods are quite good and reliable.

• It is best to use metal corrugated hoses to connect to the water supply. (they come in different lengths) - they are very durable and easy to install.
• Also from the good side manifested itself, for connection of which special fittings-needles from the side of the crane are used.
• Metal braided tubes that come with a mixer are not very reliable. - this braid will rust and the rubber hose that is inside can break through the rusted place in the braid and burst itself.
  

• The most convenient way to fix the mixer on the sink before installing it. As shown in the top photo - not only the faucet is mounted, but also the upper part of the siphon when installing the sink.
• Before installing the unit on the sink, you need to fasten the hoses to it, since it is very inconvenient to do this in the locked position. If you replace the tap, you have to install it on the already fixed shell, but in most cases it is possible to remove it, so it is better to use it.

Recommendation. To connect hoses from the mixer to the water supply, it is better to use pipe fittings with an external thread. In this case, you will install a hose with a female thread on the fitting, which is made according to the principle of an American - it is much more convenient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that a sink mixer with a long spout is convenient only in cases where the bowl itself is deep enough (meaning the distance from its edge to the wall). The selection of the spout should be made, focusing on this washing parameter - if the spout of the pipe reaches the center of the bowl, it means that you have chosen the most suitable and convenient option. Good luck!