To find out how to choose a bathroom faucet with shower, just go to the store and listen to the seller’s tips. Only by carefully studying the design features of the device, the principle of operation of its mechanisms, their advantages and disadvantages can you make a good choice.
Content:
- What type of bathroom faucets with shower is better to choose
- Difference and choice of shower switching mechanism - spout
- Spouts - which are the most convenient for bath and shower faucets
- Spout nozzle: saving or convenience
- Choosing a shower head
- Types and design types of mounting bath-shower faucets
- Steel, brass, ceramic or silumin - choose the best
- Mixer Coating
- Manufacturers and Brands
- Video: How to choose a mixer
What type of bath faucets with shower is better to choose
All bath faucets can be divided into two large groups - these are box-mounted faucets and single lever mixers. These devices differ from each other both by the governing bodies and by the mechanisms providing water mixing.
Bathtub - shower faucet-box mixers
Crane box mixers are the most popular and easy to manufacture, and therefore cheaper. They got the name by the name of the main structural element, with the help of which the flow and regulation of the water flow takes place.
Faucet-axle bath-shower mixer.
Devices come in two varieties:
1. Worm gear - with a rubber locking cuff. The cuff is attached to the stem; when the valve is turned, the worm gear extends the stem, closing the hole from which water flows.
Worm gearboxes
- 1. Stock;
- 2. O-rings;
- 3. The slip ring;
- 4. The piston;
- 5. Locking gasket (rubber, silicone);
- 6. Case;
- 7. Fat chamber;
- 8. Protective shell;
- 9. Screw for fastening the locking gasket.
+ Pros: The main advantage of this type of axlebox is the low cost of the product and the reliability of the metal mechanism. In addition, repairing such a mixer is very simple. It all comes down to replacing a locking cuff made of thick rubber or silicone.
- Minuses: Of the shortcomings, not too great usability should be noted. To obtain water of the required temperature and flow rate, you need to turn the valve 3-4 times. All this time, the water will be poured in vain, so the economics of the tap are pretty dubious. The locking cuff periodically starts to leak, but if the replacement is done with your own hands, then this is not such a big problem.
2. Ceramic - have two plates with oblong holes, one of them is fixedly mounted in the body, and the other is attached to the rod. By turning the valve and moving the movable plate, you can align the holes and allow access to the flow of water.
Ceramic axle boxes
- 1. A bracket;
- 2. The stock;
- 3. Silencer;
- 4. Top ceramic plate;
- 5. The axle box body;
- 6. The lower ceramic plate;
- 7. Rubber ring;
- 8. Ceramic crane assembly.
+ Pros: The advantages of a ceramic crane-axle box are, first of all, ease of use. The rod is rotated only 180º (half-turn) or 90º (quarter-turn). The mechanism is reliable and durable, does not emit extraneous noise and does not require excessive force when opening.
- Minuses: Disadvantages - this is the high cost of the product. Sensitivity to water with solid impurities, which lead to rapid wear of ceramic plates. The axle box itself is almost impossible to repair, it has to be changed completely.
IMPORTANT! To prevent a quick failure, a ceramic faucet-box into the water supply pipe cuts a coarse filter.
CONCLUSIONS. If financial opportunities allow, it is advisable to purchase a ceramic faucet, but if tap water is dirty, and minor repairs to plumbing are not a problem, then it is much cheaper to buy a mixer with a worm-mounted axle box.
To independently determine the type of axle box mixer, simply turn the handwheels. In ceramic handles rotate only half a turn, in worm gears the rotation continues further.
Single lever bathtub showers
Achieving the required temperature and the required pressure of the water jet in these mixers occurs using a cartridge. People call such mixers one-armed - all processes are controlled by one handle.
Despite the appearance different from the previous mixer, the principle of operation of the cartridge is similar to the operation of a ceramic crane-axle box. Mixing and pressure of water are carried out by the same ceramic plates, rotating relative to each other, with all the ensuing advantages and disadvantages.
Cartridge mechanism
It has the same principle of operation and basic construction as a ceramic box crane.
Consists of two ceramic plates having holes. The lower still (A) through which hot and cold water enters and there is a drain hole and the upper movable (B).
The water temperature and its pressure depend on the area of alignment of the holes on the two plates.
Thermostatic Mixers
Thermostatic faucets appeared recently, but have already found their consumers. The device is a panel with buttons for turning water off and on, a temperature and water pressure regulator, a hole or a tap for exiting the jet.
Thanks to the built-in software device that supports the intensity of the pressure of the jet, the temperature of the water, the heat mixer is the safest of all the previously listed devices.
Thermostatic mixers are:
Electronic - equipped with a liquid crystal screen. The operation of such devices requires the connection of a network adapter or ordinary batteries.
Mechanical - regulating the process using handles and valves. Additional power supplies are not required.
The principle of operation of such a device is as follows. The flow of water into the mixing chamber is regulated by a valve that responds not to temperature, but to flow intensity. If the pressure of one stream has become more or less, the throughput of the second gateway will change accordingly.
Difference and choice of shower switching mechanism - spout
According to the type of shower-outflow design, bath-shower faucets are:
1. With eccentric spout. Due to the rotation of the handle, through the eccentric, the movement of the double-sided rod with rubber gaskets at the edges occurs. Depending on the required mode, one of the holes closes - in the shower or in the spout.
+ Pros:
- The mechanism is quite reliable and cheap. Its repair, and even more so a complete replacement, will not be difficult.
- It is mounted on any type of crane, the main thing is that the mounting diameters of the spout and the mechanism coincide.
- Minuses:
- Rubber gaskets wear out quickly.
- Significant dimensions of the product, if the faucet must be mounted high above the bathtub.
- With frequent turns of the spout, the joints are loosened and they must be constantly tightened so that they do not leak.
2. With cartridge shower spout. The mechanism is represented by one device - a cartridge.
+ Pros:
- The mechanism is the most reliable and durable, it is simple and quick to replace.
- It has an attractive design, simple convenient operation, small dimensions.
- Minuses:
- The cartridge itself cannot be repaired; after a failure, a complete replacement is necessary.
- There may be compatibility issues with some “universal” cartridges from repair kits. It is recommended to purchase parts only from the same manufacturer as the mixer.
3. With ball deviator for shower overflow. The main assembly is a ball with holes located between two ring gaskets. Water falling into one of the side openings of the ball enters the spout or shower through the other.
+ Pros:
- It is considered the most reliable and durable for today.
- Minuses:
- The deviator mechanism is integrated into the mixer housing and is non-separable. If the switch fails, it cannot be repaired; the entire mixer must be changed.
4. With cork deviator switching shower spout. The principle of operation of the device is similar to eccentric. But the locking mechanism is not driven by a rotary handle, but by raising or lowering a kind of cap.
+ Pros:
- Externally, the device looks very compact and stylish.
- The dimensions of the mixer do not increase.
- Switching is quite easy, provided that the design provides embossed protrusions.
- Minuses:
- It is difficult to repair, it is very difficult to get the necessary parts.
By the type of mechanisms, shower spout mixers are built-in and external:
1. Mixers with integrated mechanisms.
+ Pros:
The advantages of the built-in mechanisms are the compactness of the mixer itself, the reliability of operation and the absence of leaks. In addition, most models with a built-in mechanism are controlled in one motion: by pressing a button or by turning a lever.
– Minuses:
The main disadvantage can be considered the complexity of the repair, the only exception is the cartridge mixer, where you just need to replace the entire mechanism. In some models, after the failure of the deviator, the entire mixer is subject to replacement.
2. Mixers with external mechanisms.
+ Pros:
External mechanisms are mounted between the faucet and the spout, having an additional outlet for the shower hose. Their main advantage is ease of installation, maintenance and replacement.
– Minuses:
They are quite inconvenient to use, the faucets with them are not very aesthetically pleasing, for their installation the tap should be at a considerable height above the bath. If the faucet is located between the bathtub and the sink, and the spout is constantly moving, the use of an external deviator is rather doubtful, since it quickly begins to weaken the joints and leak from frequent movements.
Spouts - which are the most convenient for bath and shower faucets
The most popular model of bathroom faucets is with a long spout. In the case when the bathtub and washbasin are close to each other, the installation of an additional tap above the sink is not required. Swivel spout saves money during the installation of devices, but requires additional investment during operation. Frequent rotary manipulations lead to a weakening of the connection of the spout to the mixer. When buying a mixer with a swivel spout, pay attention to the angle of movement of the device and the length of the tap. The best option is more than 30 cm with a wide range.
Short spouts appeared in the bathrooms later than long ones, but managed to occupy their own niche. The main advantage of such models is the small area of the required space and the ability to install directly on the edge of the bath. In small rooms, a short spout of the mixer will come in handy.
The choice of the length of the tap depends on the placement of the washbasin and the bath, on the meter of the room itself, on the planned installation location of the mixer.
Spout nozzle: saving or convenience
When choosing the right model, pay attention to the spout nozzle. There are two types of nozzle design: aerator or shower head.
The first option saves some water consumption. The so-called “cavitation effect” takes place in the aerator: mixing of the water flow with air. If the tap is not fully open, the outlet produces a good pressure of water.
The second is used in two modes: shower or stream. The flow of water is divided into many streams, eliminating the effect of spraying.
The second option is more convenient; the first is more economical.
Choosing a shower head
The selection of shower heads is huge.When wondering how to choose a faucet in the bathroom, get acquainted with the types and functional features of a shower head. A variety of functions, design, irrigation area, material - how to make the right choice?
The most popular materials are plastic or metal. A metal watering can is stronger, more durable and more expensive. Plastic - cheaper, but with a shorter service life, easily breaks.
A modern shower head is simply obliged to have several modes of supply and spraying water. The jets can be intense, drip, massaging - pay attention to the number and variety of modes.
Watering can without adjustment
Watering can with adjustable modes
Type of installation of a watering can for a shower: wall, ceiling or manual. Choose manual - take care of the holder.
Types and design types of mounting bath-shower faucets
Mounting options for bath and shower faucets can be as follows:
On the wall
The classic and most commonly used method of installation. Recommended height - 20-30 cm relative to the edge of the bathroom. When choosing the length of the spout, make sure that the stream of water does not fall on the edge, but in the bath itself.
On a special rack
It is used if the bath is located far from the wall. The complexity of installation is justified by the interesting interior of the bathroom.
Aboard the bath
The fastening method of fastening. It is used for bathtubs of complex design with ready-made openings for installing the mixer. If desired, the holes can be made by yourself.
On the floor
A rare and expensive installation method used in design projects.
Steel, brass, ceramic or silumin - choose the best
When equipping a bathroom, pay attention not only to the principle of operation, design and method of fastening the mixer. Be sure to check with the sellers of what material it is made of:
- Stainless steel is the most practical and most popular option. The faucet made of steel is reliable, durable, inexpensive, looks good in any interior.
- Brass or bronze have a longer service life, look stylish, but also cost more.
- Ceramics attracts with a diverse design, interesting shapes. The disadvantages include fragility and high price;
- Silumin is the cheapest but most unreliable material. The service life of the mixer of any configuration is 1-2 years.
If you need a high-quality faucet that works clearly and without failures - stop the choice on brass or steel.
Mixer Coating
For the external coating of the mixers, enamel, chrome, stainless steel are used, various spraying is used.
- Enameled coatings give the product a matte or grainy texture. On the surface of the enamel there are no traces of touching the fingers and drops of water.
- Chromed coatings increase the strength and hygiene of the mixer. They are beautiful and easy to care for.
The question of how to choose the bathroom faucet in order not to regret the purchase is practically resolved. But there is one more criterion that it is desirable to take into account when acquiring plumbing.
Manufacturers and Brands
Grohe
If you want to get famous German quality and relatively inexpensive prices - pay attention to Grohe mixers. The company appeared on the market in the late 90s of the twentieth century and continues to maintain a strong position among manufacturers and exporters of mixers.
Product Advantages:
- Careful control over each stage of production.
- Strict compliance with the percentage of materials for the production of cranes.
- Corrosion protection.
- Analysis of the tide quality of every hundredth plumbing device.
Damixa
The Danish manufacturer of stylish bathroom faucets has combined quality and recognizable unique style in their devices. For more than 80 years of existence, the brand has been appreciated by many buyers - almost 50 thousand mixers arrive on store shelves daily.
Product Advantages:
- Use in production of the latest innovative technologies.
- Official five year warranty.
- Significant reduction in water consumption.
- Stylish design and full compliance with the requirements.
ORAS
Mixers manufactured at Finnish enterprises are the perfect combination of model design, electronics, modern materials and alloys.
Product Advantages:
- Passing mandatory bench tests eliminates the possibility of leakage or breakdown of sanitary products.
- Automatic compensation of the difference in pressure and temperature in the water supply system.
- Reliability, durability, ease of use.
- The economical use of water resources.
To summarize
After analyzing the provided data, you can draw certain conclusions about which faucet to choose for a bathroom with a shower.
For middle-class consumers, the single-lever mixer is the most optimal in quality performance and price category. Shower-spout switching mechanism - cartridge built-in.
Devices with a crane-box principle of operation, using an eccentric as a switch, are not only morally obsolete, but also have a short service life.
Thermostat mechanisms are the future. As soon as the price of programmable mixers drops, their sale will go up sharply.
