Single lever kitchen faucets: varieties and choices

It’s hard to imagine a modern kitchen without a mixer. In the variety of their varieties, choosing a suitable crane is not easy. The best solution is to purchase a single lever mixer. It is he who combines ease of use, ease of management and attractive appearance.

The task of the mixer is obvious - the supply and mixing of hot water with cold. Therefore, the difference between the varieties is in the features of the mount, the internal content and the presence of additional functions. Single lever kitchen faucets are presented with such options.

• Mortise. This model is installed in the hole provided for this on the sink. It is also possible to install on the countertop near the sink. The location of the lever can be either above or to the side of the spout.

• Wall mounted. To install this type of mixer will have to make efforts to hide the water pipes. An ideal option would be to sew them in the wall. The device is mounted on the wall directly at the sink with the help of special holders. In some models, only the spout and switch are available, the remaining details are hidden.

• With flexible pull-out spout. This design is very convenient if the gander is small. A retractable hose allows you to wash large-sized dishes with high quality or draw water into a bucket without putting it in the sink. Most often, the hose has a nozzle with a shower spray.

• With a double spout or an additional hole for filtered water. The presence of such a mixer in the kitchen allows using one tap to have water for drinking, for cooking, and for technical needs. If the spout is one, but with two nozzles for supplying water, then there may be two control levers in the configuration. With a double gander, variations are also possible, it all depends on the model and the manufacturer's idea.

Despite the fact that all single-lever mixers - both mortise and wall-mounted, have a similar appearance, inside they come in two varieties. For some, a device that is controlled by a ball is responsible for the water supply - a ball valve, another type of design is controlled by a cartridge. There is nothing particularly complicated in both mechanisms, and with a minor breakdown, you can eliminate the drawback yourself. therefore It is important to know the internal contents of the tap and its appearance.

A single lever mixer consists of the following components:

• adjustment lever, on its inner side there is a mounting pin, closed with a plug;
• cartridge casing, and underneath its fixing nut;
• ceramic cartridge or ball valve;
• the case, if cast, is removed with the spout;
• spout, it is always equipped with an aerator at the exit;
• a fastener consisting of a stud, bracket or fixing nut.

The main working element of the mixer is a cartridge. It is in it that the streams of water are mixed and distributed according to purpose. Cartridge case - plastic, less often - ceramic. In the version with a ball device - a metal ball made of stainless steel. Has holes for water and mounts.

The crane must be equipped with o-rings and adapters. The wall-mounted model is mounted on the surface with the help of eccentrics; they help to facilitate installation and to fit the structure as accurately as possible to the mount.

The choice of the mixer depends on what actions will be performed in the kitchen. If the hostess loves to cook and spends a lot of time near the stove, experimenting and creating new culinary masterpieces, then the crane must be easy to open and adjust without causing delays in the process. In a bachelor apartment, where only hands are washed in a day, two plates and one apple, too, without a mixer in any way. A single lever option for any occasion will be an excellent choice, you just need to decide on the specifics.

When buying, you should be guided by such criteria:

• purpose, i.e. estimated load;
• material;
• price;
• Warranty period of service and the availability of a service center.

If you choose the most budgetary version of the mixer, then you should not expect that it will last several years without fail. Usually, after a couple of months of operation, the cartridge inside the tap becomes unusable. There are two ways out of this situation - repair the inside of the mixer or buy a more expensive and high-quality one.

Models of the middle and highest price category are reliable and durable. Their service life is eight years or more, it all depends on the composition and hardness of the water. The only repair the mixer will require is replacing the o-rings or locking device.

There is another category of cranes of the highest price group - these are designer products. Single lever mixers of this type are developed by personal order and are customized to a specific interior. They may contain exclusive inscriptions or drawings, have color spraying in the tone of the room.

At the time of purchase, you need to know exactly where the kitchen single lever faucet will be installed. If the structure is mounted directly on the edge of the sink, then a cast faucet with a short spout will do. This option is suitable when the sink is on the countertop or embedded in it. In the case when the faucet is installed behind the rim of the sink, you should choose a model with a high, swivel gander.

There is a design option for flush mounting. Here, the entire unit is mounted on a wall, only the spout and the regulator remain accessible. But not all wall mounted faucets are so difficult to install. In any case, you will have to hide the water pipes, and fix the device in the wall near the sink.

Mixers, which are equipped with a filter and gaskets, can have various modifications. For filtered water, there may be an additional spout or an option when two holes are located on the same surface nearby. Management is made by the same lever.

The mixer will not cause problems for a long time if its body is made of metal or high-strength alloys. The most suitable alloy for water taps is brass. This is a mixture of copper and zinc. Reliable manufacturers in the smelting of parts add a larger percentage of copper. It is she who makes the parts more durable, but in addition to strength, copper significantly increases the price of the product.

The most reliable design is a cast, rotary mixer. A high-quality brass alloy with a predominance of copper in it cannot be light. To determine this, it is enough to take the structure in hand, if it is quite weighty, then there is no doubt in strength. If the weight of the product is small, then it is most likely made of silumin. It does not shine with quality and durability.

Plumbing Manufacturers Italy and Germany practice making faucets of bronze and ceramics. These are quite expensive models. One-lever stainless steel taps, made by turning parts rather than casting, have proven themselves well.

In most cases, we are accustomed to seeing the external surface of the crane, lever and spout glossy, with a mirror shine. This effect is achieved by spraying several layers of chromium and nickel. but with high water hardness, traces of droplets and stains remain on the coating. They are easily eliminated with special plumbing care products, but you have to do this quite often.

Faucets with a matte surface are more practical and do not need to be constantly rubbed to remove fingerprints and other minor contaminants. Haze is achieved by scratching the finished chrome coating with a fine diamond brush. The effect is fixed by heavy-duty varnish.

The enameled coating of the crane also looks very attractive. It seems that the product is made of ceramic. In this variation, you can choose the right color to complement the overall image of the kitchen.

You can find out how to repair a single-lever mixer with your own hands by watching the video below.