Crane for washing: the selection and installation of the

13-07-2018

Water supply

When buying a faucet for kitchen sink, we must pay attention to every little thing, starting from the material from which the product is made, and ending with its dimensions. And although the task before us is not too difficult, theoretical training in any case will not hurt!

To wash the dishes without effort, you need to install a suitable faucet

Crane selection

Product material

Kitchen mixers, in a wide range presented in specialized stores, differ in a number of parameters. And the first thing worth paying attention to is the material from which the device is made. From the properties of the material directly depend on the reliability of the crane, and its durability, and appearance.

To date, we have several basic options. You can compare them according to the table below:

Material	Special features
Stainless steel	Steel products are among the most common. They are characterized by relatively high strength and reasonable price. On the other hand, steel is still prone to the formation of rust and the formation of lime deposits in contact with "hard" water. The most vulnerable are the internal surfaces, as well as the contact points of moving parts.
Non-ferrous metals (brass / bronze)	Brass and bronze taps with a decorative coating (nickel plating, chrome plating, copper plating) are the most reliable and durable. They combine resistance to stress with almost complete chemical inertness, so that the destruction from corrosion does not threaten them. Note! Upon contact with water, a thin layer of oxides may form on the surface. It should not be cleaned: firstly, it protects the substrate from further oxidation, and secondly, during removal, scratches can be applied to the metal. A significant disadvantage of non-ferrous metal mixers is the high price.
Silumin	Silumin is a composite material of aluminum and silicon. Externally, silumin cranes are almost indistinguishable from metal (especially since they are often painted with compounds that mimic chrome plating), but are very inferior in strength to steel and brass models. In favor of such products says perhaps their low cost. However, even in this case, it is preferable to buy an inexpensive steel mixer.
Polymers	Recently, models made entirely from technopolymers began to appear on the market. The use of modern materials allows us to achieve sufficient strength, so that such a crane will last for quite a long time. On the other hand, high-quality polymer products are quite expensive, and to the cranes from the economy segment there are very serious claims on the level of reliability.

As you can see, there is no universal answer to the question about the material of the mixer for washing, however, experts recommend choosing either steel or bronze and brass products.

Optimal configuration

Now it is worth talking about the configuration of the crane.

If the material determines the durability of the system, then this parameter will directly affect how convenient it will be to use it:

Single lever faucets have become quite popular lately.. A handle that can move in two planes, allows you to simultaneously adjust the pressure and water temperature. The disadvantage of such cranes is the “stuffing”: the shut-off cartridge of the mixer installed inside the housing is practically beyond repair, and therefore it will have to be changed when leakage occurs.

Note! The exception is a single ball valve, in which the role of a locking element plays a spherical valve on the stem. It is slightly inferior to cartridge systems in terms of adjustment accuracy, but it is notable for greater maintainability.

Two-valve systems, in which hot and cold water flows are regulated by separate flywheels, are less convenient, but more reliable.. Crane boxes, which act as locking elements, are easily removed and repaired, if necessary.
As for the dimensions of the mixer, they are directly dependent on the size of the sink: for a small bowl it is better to buy compact models, while for a full-sized product a high-spout tap is preferable.
A shower with a tap will also be a useful acquisition.. It can be installed both parallel to the main spout (in this case the retractable hose is hidden under the sink), and as a separate kitchen appliance. The use of such systems greatly facilitates the washing of dishes, since the hose allows you to direct the water jet at the right angle.

As for the appearance of the crane, it is largely determined by the design of your kitchen. There are no universal solutions, so it is worth choosing those models that will be in harmony with the general style of the interior.

Replacing the mixer at the sink

It is important to mount the purchased mixer correctly. It can be done with your own hands, without the involvement of masters - but in this case it is important to take into account all the nuances of the process.

Installation instructions will be as follows:

For starters, turn off the water on cold and hot liners.
Then open the valves on the old faucet, draining the remaining liquid.
Dismantle the mixer using an adjustable wrench. The place where the tap was fixed is thoroughly cleaned of accumulated dirt.
We take a new product and collect it, focusing on the scheme that comes in the kit.

Installation of the crane to the sink: we connect a flexible hose

Connect flexible hoses to the mixer terminals. It should be done in advance, because then the execution of such an operation will be problematic.
We install the faucet in the hole in the tabletop, placing a sealing gasket made of an elastic material under the base.
From below we put another gasket and fix the design with a pressure nut for the mixer.
We attach flexible hoses to the terminals of hot and cold water pipes.
We open the valves on the liner and check the operation of the crane, paying particular attention to the absence of leaks.

If we did everything correctly and the connections were quite tight, the mixer can be used for its intended purpose.

Conclusion

As you can see, almost every one of us can choose a tap in the kitchen and install it on our own. Well, if you still have questions, then you should carefully study the video in this article for all the necessary information.