Fir-tree faucets for the kitchen: types, features and selection rules

The herringbone kitchen faucet dates back to the 19th century, but even today it is a very popular device. An important role in this is played by the low price, ease of operation and attractive appearance of this design.

The Fir-tree mixer for the kitchen, like all devices, has its advantages and disadvantages.

First, consider the pros.

• Availability. These faucets are sold in any specialized store and are affordable.

• Durability. Many models can be used for 10 years.

• Ease of use. Such mixers have a simple principle of operation and easy adjustment of the desired water temperature.

• Attractive appearance. Currently, there is a large selection of design for herringbone faucets.

• Easy to install and repair. This mixer is easy to install. Any broken parts are easy to buy and replace yourself.

• Replace the axle box, for example, is not difficult. The ability to replace the worm valve head with a ceramic one. This significantly extends the life of the entire device.

Cons are also available.

• Low wear resistance of gaskets. They often have to be replaced with new ones.

• Broken arms. Also a fairly common problem, which ends with a breakdown of the entire mixer.

• Double handle mixer requires two hands which is not always convenient in a kitchen.

Two-hand faucet "Herringbone" is a design with a tap for pouring water in the center and two side valves.

The adjustment of the two levers makes it easy to adjust the required water pressure and its temperature value.

Many models have a mounting hole diameter of 32 mm. The water pipe should have a diameter of 1/2 inch. The herringbone mixer in its tightness belongs to the group having a working pressure of 0.63 MPa, and it can be used exclusively for water supply.

The following accessories are included with the mixer: spout assembly, two flywheels, gasket, fastening nut, housing, valve head (with rubber sleeve or ceramic plates).

The valve head or crane is a mechanism for supplying and closing the water flow in two-handed mixers. The crane box consists of a body (jumper), a fitting and a rod. The jumper has a thread with a gasket for tight connection with the mixer.

The front edge of the jumper has a hexagonal shape for attaching a wrench.

Valve heads come in two types.

• Worm gears. They function as a result of reciprocating movements of the rod, on the end of which an elastic gasket is fixed. If the gasket is tight, the water closes when the valve is closed.
• Ceramic. In this type of valve head, two ceramic plates are located. Both have holes, and one of them is movable. When the holes align, water begins to flow out. The top plate is usually made of alumina.

Most often, as a material for the manufacture of the Christmas tree mixer The following base options apply.

• Brass. This alloy of copper and zinc has a beautiful golden hue. Such mixers are durable and durable. They are not susceptible to corrosion and abrasion, have a low cost.

• Bronze. It is durable, but inferior in terms of service life of a brass base. Carving on bronze models is usually brass.

• Alloys. This option is made of silumin and light alloys, which are based on aluminum, beryllium, magnesium. But these alloys are inferior to bronze in durability.

• Ceramics. Such models have an aesthetic appearance, but are very fragile, which is why they have a short shelf life.

• Plastic. Such a mixer will serve very little, since plastic is a very fragile, albeit cheap material.

Often, Fir-tree mixers have the following types of coating.

• Nickel Nickel is an excellent corrosion protection for the mixer. It is usually applied to parts made of brass.

• Chrome. This coating delays the development of bacteria and the deposition of salts. But chrome increases the cost of the whole product.

• Made of colored enamel. Attractive, but not very durable coating.

Currently, these faucets are available with different types of spout, we will analyze them in more detail.

• Spout length 159-250 mm in the form of an arc. The best option for a kitchen sink. This tap allows you to comfortably wash not only small dishes, but also large-capacity kitchen containers. The tap in this embodiment of the mixer is usually rotated.
• Shortened spout 75-200 mm long. Such a curved tap is most often placed on a sink with great depth.
• Cranes with direct outflow. They have 2 flywheels that rotate. They are rarely used in the kitchen, they are mainly recommended for baths.
• Cranes 90-110 mm long with a short spout. They are often equipped with an aerator and a mesh that protects against water splashes.Used in the kitchen too infrequently.

These taps are mounted in the perforation of the kitchen sink.

Then, carefully using an adjustable wrench, dismantle the old mixer. Install the new design with the threaded sleeve and tighten with a nut. After that, fasten the device to the water pipe and apply sealant or a special silicone compound.

In order for this mixer to have a long service life, The following points should be noted.

• The material from which the Fir-tree mixer is made should be the most important criterion of your choice. The durability of the entire structure depends on it.
• The ceramic valve head is more durable since it does not have a gasket. But with this option, there must necessarily be a good filtration of water.
• In faucets of imported manufacturers, the gasket is pressed to the base of the crane axle with the help of translational movement, which increases the service life of the product.
• When using, do not tighten the valve much, as this increases the wear of the elastic gasket.
• If water leaks from the tap after installation, tighten the nut more tightly.
• When choosing a specific model of the "Herringbone" mixer, it is imperative to take into account the general style of your kitchen interior.

Modern designers have developed a large number of attractive options for this simple device, thanks to which you can easily choose a model that fits perfectly into the interior of your kitchen.

See how to install a faucet in the kitchen.