Mixers for bath board: types, advantages and disadvantages, fault

Mixer - a device belonging to the plumbing, which regulates the flow of water, and due to the mixing of cold and hot water obtained the required temperature.
Consider the difference between the on-board mixer (hereinafter - the device structure, a crane) other species mixers.

Types, advantages and disadvantages of faucets on the tub board

Faucet-mounted bath board, is suitable in the case when the bath is located at a distance from the wall.

These devices are made of brass, characterized by its durability. Top coated chrome-nickel coating which gives luster and protects against corrosion. On some models the manufacturer gives a warranty of up to five years.

Classify onboard mixers on the following criteria:
divided by type of mounting:

• external mounting - device comprises a monoblock part - mixer, spout, valve, with handshower skomplektovat hose into a single structure that is mounted on the board bath and water mixing unit - under the bead.
• concealed installation (flush setting) - unit is not a single structure, and functional parts, each operating on its function.

Individual elements:

• control lever;
• spout;
• Shower Heads.

This distinctive feature of this type of mixers. And parts and assemblies, including shower hose, hidden behind the bath. This type is called the mortise, as for installation in a bathroom aboard need to cut holes in the range of one to five, depending on the number of components.

By embedding scheme and arrangement of parts divided into the mixer:

• Two-hole - on board a bath mounted Shower Heads, valves and spout;
• Three-hole - on board the bathroom attached two arms control and spout, or two lever controls and Shower Heads;
• four - five holes - on board the bathroom attached shower head, spout and three control lever.

The above are exemplary parts layout.
Attention in the mortise models deserves watering and shower hose. Lake - retractable, and the hose is "hiding" behind the bathroom. If necessary, the hose is pulled out of the bath, which you need to pull over watering.

Hose mortise extends when mounted on a length of 1.2 meters, while the outer mounting - 1.6 meters in length.

According to the type divided into the spout:

• spout (spout). Along the length are - long, medium, short. According to the geometric shape - triangular, square or round. Furthermore, distinguished by the manufacturing method - tubular, and solder alloy.
• Tubular - economy version. The mixer is similar to the metal curved tube. Since its design does not contain fine detail and expensive materials, it turns low. Must necessarily be two fixing rings.
  Solder - are more expensive than tube models. More likely to have the original shape and attracted the attention of design.
• Cast - expensive option. It is made of molded construction. It is a heavy construction, as produced by molding the body, cutting and soldering do not apply.

Spouts are made of brass, only alloy metal structure goes from stronger materials. There are products and stainless steel, but their quality is worse than the brass spout.

Qualitative characteristic spout is bandwidth - how much water it passes in unit time.

The larger diameter and shorter than the spout, the greater its capacity, although the difference is small. In addition, you need to take into account the design of the bathroom design. For example, short model, rectangular or oval in shape, fit the modern style, and curved, long - to the classics and retro.

Cascade - looks like a small waterfall. Sometimes with additional lighting. From conventional spout device is almost the same. Cold and hot water and mixing it occurs by the same principle.

The only difference - the shape of the spout, which is a plate of metal or plastic, which has a narrow opening - gap. Through this opening, and the water poured out flat and wide jet that resembles a waterfall. Bandwidth, and thus the speed of the bath content of such mixers to 2 times greater than conventional spout.

Cascade pluses:

• design;
• bath typed faster in a few times due to increased water flow;
• less splashing of water due to the fact that the mixer water spout with a cascade flow not directed to the bottom, and on the bath side.

Cascade Cons:

• high price;
• inconvenient mixer structure in the case if it is necessary to pour water into the container.

By water control device.
Lever (lever) - devices with a single lever, which adjusts both the temperature and water pressure. Lever mixer is of two kinds - Cartridge and ball.

The basis is a spherical metal ball, which has three openings - for hot, cold and mixed water. The capacity inside the sphere is called the mixing chamber. The ball is in contact with seals made of rubber. When changing the ball changes motion and force of the water flow.

Pros ball lever mixer:

• design of this type of valve is reliable, rarely fails;
• low cost.

Cons ball lever tap:

• from time to time need to change the rubber seals.

The Cartridge (ceramic) device, instead of a ball - a cartridge consisting of two ceramic plates. At the top of the cartridge, water is mixed, and the bottom - three holes for the water.

As soon as the joystick position (lever) is changed, there is a combination of the upper part of the mixing chamber with one of the holes of the bottom plate. Lever coated with silicone grease, and due to this moves smoothly.

Pros of cartridge (ceramic) cranes:

• rugged construction;
• no rubber seals, which reduces the likelihood of leaks;
• low cost.

Disadvantages of cartridge (ceramic) cranes:

• in the water particles are small particles, may damage the mechanism, it is recommended to use water treatment filters;
• after some time, the cartridge may need to be replaced.
• dvuhventilnye (dvuhrukoyatochnye) - are more common in models for outdoor installation, in retro style. Is a structure with two valves, one regulates the cold water and the other hot. Simply and reliably constructed.

There are two types:

• The design of valves used head parts with a seal of rubber. Seal from the effects of temperature and over time becomes thinner, there may be a leak. For this reason, the seal must be changed periodically. This model is one of the most reliable.
• Poluoborotnye. In the embodiment, the principle of the alignment holes of the ceramic plate. The mechanism starts when you turn the valve by only? turnover. For a longer service life of such a model, it is necessary to filter the water.

The advantages of the twin valve include low cost. On the downside - the periodic need to replace the rubber seals.

• Thermostatic valves - represent a device with a programming function, due to which the water temperature is set once and further supported by the device. Water pressure can also be regulated. Equipped with two controllers, one is responsible for temperature, the other - for the power of water pressure.

Thermostatic valves are divided into two types:

• electronic - have a liquid crystal display, which displays the water temperature indicators. Can be powered by batteries, mains. Controlled by buttons or a touch panel. There are models that work remotely (after the infrared sensor signal).
• Mechanical - water temperature regulated devices in the form of valves or levers.

Benefits of thermostatic valves:

• temperature can be set once only to further adjust the water pressure;
• is a likelihood of burns with hot water (for children) due to the fact that the water temperature is adjusted;
• there is water saving, because they do not spend the extra time on the temperature control.

Cons thermostatic valves:

• high price.

Pros-board mixer

• There is an economy of space due to the fact that the wall next to the bathroom does not busy, it allows you to hang it on a shelf or a mirror.
• Such an arrangement allows different approach to the issue of bathroom design, since this type of mixers can be set not only on the bathroom side, but also on the horizontal and vertical surfaces, as will enable fantasy.
• Conveniently operate due to the fact that each part can be independently set, for example:
  • showerhead set into the wall or into the board;
  • the spout can be installed in the bath at the base;
  • control knob spout can be positioned in any convenient location for operation.

Cons-board mixer

• The cost of the above two or more times, in relation to the wall faucet for the bathroom.
• Rapid failure of the hose for a shower. As it is hidden behind the side bathroom to take a shower watering can, hose to pull through the hole. Thus, it wears out faster - period of operation at a hidden installation of two months to two years, whereas the outdoor installation can be up to five years.
• In the event of failure to hidden parts not easily accessible. This should be considered in advance. Include an inspection hatch for access, in addition, use only high-quality materials for installation.
• Possible leakage from a hose for watering bath, hereinafter this will lead to the formation of mold and mildew by bath.

Maintenance and Installation

• You can not use the mixer for the care of corrosive acidic detergents or abrasives to wash it.
• When installing it is necessary to take into account access to the hidden parts, for quick replacement.
• On the Internet, there are instructions and recommendations for installation on-board mixer, however, it is advisable to entrust the installation professionals.

malfunctions

The first - determine the type of mixer. Since mixers consist of separate units, broken parts easy to replace.

A dvuhventilnye, poluoborotnye, lever model is easy to repair.

Types of damage:

• shower hose broke down, there were leaks.

Solution: replace the hose. It is advisable to choose a maximum length of hose, reputable manufacturers. Such a model will last longer.

• The valve has failed, there were leaking out of the valve.

Solution: If the valve metal is rusted, it is subject to replacement stuffing box and the rubber seals, then the valve is screwed into place.

• Poluoborotny valve began to leak.

Solution: replace the head parts in the valve, replace the rubber seals.

• Faulty Lever (linkage) mixer.

Solution: disassemble valve, replace the old cartridge with a new ceramic.

• were leaking faucet nut.

Solution: replace the rubber seals, if burst nut - replace the nut.

• Broken showerhead.

Solution: Replace with a new showerhead.