Crane-mixer - how to choose the best option
It is impossible to imagine a kitchen or a bathroom without faucets, any malfunctions in their work are felt immediately, therefore, the quality requirements of this type of construction are increased. Most often, the acquisition of water faucets associated with the replacement of defective products or the desire to give the room a more modern look and increase comfort, because modern is much more convenient to use.
In this review, we will consider which mixer taps are better for a given situation and to which you should pay close attention when buying products, because it depends on how long and how reliably the system will function.
Recommendations for choosing a crane
Despite the fact that the number of modifications of mixers is simply huge, and they may differ in their functional purpose, the purchase should be guided by the recommendations that are suitable for any products:
| Manufacturing material | As a rule, the most common option is brass. This material is highly durable and resistant to corrosion processes, which made it so in demand in this area. For kitchens, you can recommend stainless steel products - they have excellent characteristics, but the price of such options is several times higher than normal |
| Coating quality | Most often, the outer surface is chrome-plated, which gives it an attractive appearance. The quality of chrome plating is very easy to check - there should be no flaws on the surface, the coating should be uniform over the entire area. If other options are used (patinated, matte options), then the requirements are about the same |
| Q performance | Carefully consider the design, both outside and inside, in low-quality options may have the perfect appearance, but from the inside everything will be done rather casually. Another important indicator - the mixer, the larger it is, the thicker the walls of the case, respectively, the more reliable and durable the design |
| Design | This factor is especially important if a specific crane design is needed for a project, sometimes it is very difficult to find the right option, so it’s best to make sure at the design stage that you can easily find the right type of structure |
| Availability of spare parts | In most cases, the repair of the crane is to replace consumables - seals, cartridges or locking elements, so it is best to clarify whether parts are available. If it is difficult to find them, it is better to get another option. |
Tip! Another indicator of a quality and reliable product is a clear instruction in Russian, in which the schemes are simple and straightforward, and the text does not have spelling errors. A solid company will never allow such flaws.
Types of construction
In the question of which mixer is better - there are different opinions with the handle or cranes, we will consider the main features of each of the options so that you can make your choice consciously on the basis of reliable facts, and not the opinion of any specialist whose competence is very difficult to confirm.
Two valve faucets
For several decades this option was the only one, but in recent years its design has undergone changes, and another type of product has appeared, but more about it below. A two-valve tap is a system in which there are two handles for hot and cold water.
In older structures, the valve is opened by raising or lowering the locking element, called the crane box. This option is not very convenient for the reason that setting the optimum temperature may take a long time.
Regarding the advantages of this option, the following can be highlighted:
- Low price of products, which is very important in cases when it is necessary to save money or when the mixer is installed at the dacha and it is not expedient to purchase too expensive structures. This is the most affordable option.
- Another big plus is high maintainability., The instructions for disassembling the system and replacing parts are so simple that no special tools are required, a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench are sufficient. In addition, all consumables are available and can be purchased at any specialized plumbing shop.
The main disadvantage is the wear of rubber seals, due to which repair is required more often than other options. Therefore, it is better to immediately stock up on necessary supplies, especially since they cost a little.
More reliable and durable option is a ceramic crane box. In contrast to the above described variant, a ceramic ring is used as a sealing element.
The main advantages can be considered the following factors:
- Ceramics at times safer than rubber, therefore, the service life of such elements is much longer, which allows for less frequent maintenance and repair. Of course, the cost of this option is higher, but you will be assured of the reliability of the product.
- Handle travel is only half a turn, therefore, opening and closing the system is very easy. In addition, the adjustment is very smooth and easy, no need to make an effort when closing, as is the case with rubber seals.
- This option is much better opposed to hot water, so you can forget about the constant problems with the hot water tap, because ceramics perfectly tolerate temperatures up to several hundred degrees.
Among the shortcomings, it is possible to single out the fact that the ceramic crane-box is not repairable, and in case of problems, the unit must be replaced as a whole, and this means much higher costs than in the case of rubber seals. (See also the article How to choose a sink: features.)
Note! Poor water quality is the reason for the rapid failure of the sealing elements, so you must always install a filter when entering the water supply.
Single lever systems
The ball valve appeared much later than the screw one, but due to a number of advantages, it becomes more and more popular every year. There are also certain types of mixer taps that depend on the type of cartridge used.
In any of the options for adjusting the temperature of the water and its pressure, one lever is used, while the main regulating cartridge can be spherical or ceramic, consider each of the options in more detail.
Ball type distribution blocks have the following features:
- The main element is a metal ball, installed inside a plastic case, it has holes, the configuration of which coincides with the holes on the case.
- The ball is fixed on the axis of the lever of the mixer, when it moves, the holes can be aligned or displaced relative to each other, due to which the hot and cold water supply is adjusted.
- The cost of this option is very democratic., which is also an important advantage.
Of the minuses should be highlighted the fact that over time the surface of the ball is covered with bloom and damaged by grains of sand, so the smoothness decreases and may need to be replaced. (See also the article How to install a faucet on the sink: features.)
Ceramic cartridges have the following advantages:
- Such systems consist of two or three disks with holes, by matching which you can adjust the flow of water.
- The surface grinding quality is so perfect that the discs are very tight to each other and the likelihood of a leak is very low.
Among the drawbacks, we note the need for water purification and a relatively high cost.
Another version of the mixing tap
It is impossible not to consider another type of device - a three-way mixing tap, it also mixes the flow of water, but is used in heating systems and has the following features:
- With it, you can effectively regulate heat flow, which reduces heating costs.
- The operating temperature range is from 10 to 110 degrees.
- Adjustment is so simple and convenient that it will not cause difficulties for anyone.
Conclusion
The choice of high-quality mixer is very important, because it depends on the ease of use of the crane and its durability. The video in this article will tell some more important features of the choice of cranes.