Bathtub and shower mixer tap: from selection to installation

Discoveries in the chemical industry have given us new materials, advances in engineering allow us to create fundamentally new types of technology, the development of design thinking provides progress in the form of even familiar things. The innovations have not been bypassed by faucets. For example, the cascade mixer not only looks stylish, but can decorate any interest and fill a bathtub in minutes.

Our bathrooms haven't escaped the same fate. If not so long ago the word combination "bathroom tap" meant a set of two cross-shaped valves, coming out of the wall with a standard form of spout, which turned on the tub and the sink in turns, stainless steel hose with a small shower head and a simple switch lever. Now it is useful for a person, a little bit aspiring to be aware of the repair affairs, at least to get acquainted with the huge variety of faucets provided in the market.

An additional difficulty in the design of a bath faucet is the need for at least two options for releasing water: through the faucet and through the shower. Some customers avoid this problem by purchasing the shower faucet and the sink faucet separately. Of course, this is far from a budget option, but each product will be used half as often, resulting in a longer lifespan. Moreover, in case one of the faucets breaks, you will be able to use the second one temporarily and not leave your family without water at all.

Basically, when choosing a spout or "caterpillar" (in the slang of plumbers) are guided by its length and the possibility of turning.

If you decide to save money and space, then it is realistic to buy one faucet for the bath and the sink next to it. Then you need to think carefully about what length of spout would be optimal for both of these places.

A feature of the shower-tap type faucets is the presence of a switch for the flow of water from the shower head to the spout of the faucet itself. In principle, there are two types of switches:

• lever (joystick);
• pushbutton (extractor).

The first is simply a handle, which is located between the valves.

The second is a button that you press to make the switch.

Both options are equal when choosing and each has its pros and cons.

There are several types of faucet installation in the bathroom. It is necessary at the planning stage to decide which faucet, depending on the method of installation, you will give preference to.

The most common and simple way is vertical. The water supply in the wall provides the convenience of connecting the faucet directly to these pipes.

More modern and popular these days are considered built-in models, which are installed on the side of the bathtub. However, they are more complex to install, and it will be rational to use the help of professionals when installing such a mixer.

And finally, one of the most exotic and original ways of installation - floor. Accordingly, a stand is attached to the floor, on top of which the mixer itself will be located.

According to the principle of functioning, bathroom faucets can be divided into four main types:

• single-lever;
• two-handle;
• with a temperature sensor;
• with a sensor sensor.

The single-lever mixer works on the joystick principle. Thanks to the ball locking device inside, both the amount of water and its temperature can be adjusted with a minimum of effort.

Turning to the right or left allows you to make a hotter or colder jet, and the angle at which the lever rises provides the force of that jet. An added plus to this single-lever faucet is its simplicity. If something breaks in it, it does not make sense to repair the inner cartridge, but it is very convenient to buy a new one and replace it.

The disadvantage is a particular capriciousness of the mixer in the issue of water purity. Good advice for old pipes that do not provide screening of particles of silicon and scale, to put a filter to increase the life of such a device.

Faucet with two knob-valve is known in our country all without exception. And it must be said that this development was quite successful: it has not fallen out of favor, but on the contrary, it is quite often preferred as a well-established "classic" model. Compared to single-lever faucets, both the temperature and the flow of water are more familiar and therefore more precisely regulated, which makes it possible to adjust the jet more quickly, and thus to reduce the amount of resources poured in vain at the preliminary stage.

Faucets with temperature sensors are some of the most modern and most versatile devices available. Imagine that this "smart faucet" allows you to program the water temperature at one time for multiple uses. You can set a certain mode and the system will not allow the temperature to rise above a certain value, such as 39-40 degrees and burn by accident a small child or an elderly person. In addition to the fundamental internal differences, this mechanism also looks more original and aesthetically pleasing.

Sensor sensorsThe sensor sensors, installed in faucets of the fourth type, are good, because they help to significantly reduce water consumption by adjusting to "live" movement. If you install this type of faucet, forgetting to turn off the faucet is out of the question. If you set the mixer for a certain time, such as 5 or 10 seconds, it will stop the water supply itself as soon as you leave.

The development of civilization puts comfort and aesthetic satisfaction in the first place. Modern man strives to satisfy his needs to the point of perfectionism. It is not enough to have water of the right temperature and power, we want to have positive emotions from the perfection of the devices we use.

For example, the most advanced and recent development in faucet design is the cascade faucets. Peculiar small man-made waterfalls in different parts of the bathtub will attract the attention of those who are willing to spend large sums of money to delight themselves and surprise guests at home.

In addition, the extras will also provide additional convenience: the water supply in the walls has one significant disadvantage - it is difficult to access. If you purchase a cascade faucet, the problem of monitoring the condition of the supply pipes and their repair if necessary is greatly simplified. Otherwise, you can also vary the number of valves, the presence of temperature sensors and sensors in the mixer.

It is said not in vain that a miser pays twice. This can best be attributed to the right choice of material from which the faucet will be made.

It is obvious that on cheap plastic cracks and chips are more likely to appear than on a product made of Alloy steel.

Brass faucets Brass faucets are even better quality.

And where there is a danger of flooding your home or damaging the property of downstairs neighbors, the question of quality must be taken seriously and responsibly.

Zinc and copper in the right proportions are also trending, but Siluminwhich is often used in cheap faucets, is not recommended for long and safe use.

Everything that is picked up in one room should go well with each other.

If you have a high-tech tile and bath shape, then it is ideal to match the color, shape and style of the faucet in this particular style.

Conversely, a romantic version of the bathroom setting will require gentle colors and matching silhouettes.

In the counters of our construction supermarkets, you can find a huge number of faucets with a variety of exterior coatings. Enamel coatings are in demand. It can also be plastic, which does not show stains from any dirt or water droplets, it can be chrome, which pleases the eye with shine and brightness.

Faucets are made with a coating of marble, special types of wood and even some noble metals: gold and silver.

Non-standard works of authorship will be much more expensive, but will fulfill someone's dream.

Each product of self-respecting brands is necessarily accompanied by instructions for installing this product. Faucets are no exception. But if you have already decided where you will install the mechanism and have purchased it, it is useful to follow a few rules:

• Tighten the nuts and washers firmly, but do not squeeze. Excessive force can break the thread. In this case, those parts that are on the visible surface should be protected particularly and use a pair of pliers and wrenches through the cloth so as not to leave defects.
• All threads that deal with water, tighten using special rubber tape or simple linen.
• If you are dismantling an old faucet, then "stuck" firmly threads do not have to break along with the pipes. You need to drop kerosene or any solvent to the threaded surface closer and wait 15-20 minutes.
• Do not forget to put shims under all tightened washers. And some experts advise wetting them with water for better contact.

Watch the following video about installing the faucet.