Choosing a bathroom faucet: criteria

It is possible that the top photo caused a smile on the face of some master plumbers, and indeed, first of all you should pay attention to which faucet for the bathroom you choose, and the place of its installation is a secondary matter.

In most cases, two types of faucets are used for bathrooms. More precisely, the difference is in the type of valves - it can be a ceramic faucet box, or plastic or ceramic cartridges.

We will tell you about these differences and even teach them to repair in case of such need, and in addition we will demonstrate the video in this article.

Mixers

Differences in valves

Note. Typically, the height of the faucet above the bathroom is 20-30 cm, but if you put one faucet for the bath and the sink (with a long spout), then this parameter is determined relative to the sink.

1. In that case, if you see a mixer with one handle, it means that you have valves with a plastic or ceramic cartridge. Such water taps for the bathroom are quite popular, as they are very easy to use, for example, lifting the lever up or lowering it, you change the flow rate, but its temperature remains the same.
2. Some complain that such devices have a short lifespan, but this opinion can be called erroneous for two reasons.

• Firstly, for a longer service life, you should choose a device with a ceramic cartridge (its price is, of course, somewhat higher) - ceramics is a fairly strong, albeit fragile material, but here its very low abrasion is of primary importance.
• Secondly, the cartridge, whether it is made of ceramic or plastic, can always be replaced by a new one, especially since its cost is low, at least, 5-7 times less than the mixer itself.

1. Such taps in the bathroom, as you can see in the upper photo, are more durable, although they are not as convenient to use as the single lever (joystick) ones. The problem is the following - you need to install the required water temperature with two valves at the same time. Imagine that you have found the optimal mode, wetted and shut off the water - the second time you will have to regulate the temperature again, the same thing will happen if you suddenly need to increase or decrease the flow intensity.
2. Such mixers are considered to be half-turn, although often a full cycle of rotation reaches almost 360 ?, but this is not a problem - the main thing is that the shut-off valves are represented by a crankcase where ceramic steam is used for adjusting cold / hot water, which is not erased for a long time.. There is also another advantage here - the instruction allows not only replacing, but also preventive maintenance of the axle box, which will not cost you anything if you make it yourself.

1. But the mortise taps for acrylic baths can have different shut-off valves. That is, it can be a crane-box, as in the top photo, or a cartridge. This can be determined by the presence of one or two control knobs, as described earlier.

Note. It should be noted that pointing to a particular faucet for an acrylic bath or a mixer for it in general (not mortise), we are guided by standard products. It is quite possible that someone will give up hot water in general and choose a simple tap with a worm axle box, and someone will want to install a mixer with a flow-through electric heater.

Repair capabilities of valves

Note. In the case of the flow of a mixer of a particular type, it is not necessary to change it with a new one - it is almost always possible to repair it. According to these indicators, you can also determine which faucet is best for the bathroom.

In fact, such a bush is not even ceramic at all, but brass, but it was so called because of the presence of two ceramic plates with holes - the upper, the movable and the lower, the fixed one.

They are well lapped to each other, like a mirror, and during rotation they can increase, decrease or block the water passage altogether. That is, only the top plate rotates, driven by a rod, which, in turn, is rotated with the help of a lamb.

In addition, an important element is a rubber ring, which seals the joint, but it flattens over time, therefore, there is a need to increase the pressure of the rod. To do this, of course, you need to disassemble the valve and you need to start with a lamb - its fixing bolt is located in the center of the handle, under the decorative washer, which is removed, gently prying with a screwdriver or knife.

Then you need to unscrew the locknut (left) that is on the body and then remove the bush, but it may not go - then carefully examine the place under the nut - it is possible that there is also a retaining ring - it needs to be removed.

When you pulled out the crane, you can replace it with a new one, only for this, show the old model in the plumbing shop so that you can find the model you need, but you can also repair it with your own hands without spending a penny on it.

To do this, you need to disassemble this box and first remove the rubber sealing ring from the bowl at the bottom so as not to lose it, and then remove the retaining ring from the stem. Pry the end of it with a screwdriver and pull up (not to the side!) - it will be removed, just be careful - such a washer will spring and may fly off to the side and you will have to look for it.

After you have removed the snap ring, remove the stem from the case, squeezing a ceramic pair out of it, but this is most likely not easy - you will be disturbed by salt and lime deposits deposited on the surface of the parts.

Therefore, apply 3-6 light strokes with the screwdriver handle on the tail of the rod and it will come out. Clean the parts of the plaque - for this you can use a dishwashing brush, and in hard-to-reach places - a sting screwdriver.

Now, in order to be able to exert more pressure on the flattened rubber o-ring, you can use two simple methods that will eliminate the flow of the axle box.

1. First - stick 2-3 layers of electrical tape on the moving part of the ceramic pair and you will increase the distance between it and the rod - this will be enough to increase the density of the strip.
2. Second, make a washer from copper wire (cross section 0.5-1 mm - as necessary) and insert it into the landing bowl under the rubber ring - the effect will be the same.

The disassembly of the single-lever mixer is somewhat different - there is a red-blue plug under the handle on the body that you need to remove - there is a screw that needs to be scrolled three turns to the left and then remove the handle (perhaps it will go with difficulty due to the accumulated plaque) .

Then you need to unscrew the decorative nut, the locknut behind it and pull out the cartridge to replace it (it cannot be repaired).

Council The cartridges have a different size, which is determined by numbers, therefore, it is best to show the seller the old (removed) part to buy it.

Conclusion

And yet, how to choose what is better? From a technical point of view, you can make your own choice, since you already know about the design of the faucets and the possibilities for their repair (see also the article How to repair a faucet in the bathroom: eliminating the 6 most common breakdowns).

But if you look at basic amenities, then the author of this article would prefer a single-handle mixer, in any case, it is much more convenient for the shower. Have a good choice!