Floor-mounted bath mixers: features, types and selection

Anyone who made repairs in the bathroom will realize how important it is to calculate any trifle. To take a shower was comfortable and enjoyable, you need to choose high-quality plumbing equipment and accessories. Recently, practical, comfortable and reliable floor-type faucets have won extraordinary demand among our fellow citizens.

Floor mixers are stand-alone, stationary devices without mounting parts to the font or wall. The device is mounted directly on the floor, so the pipeline should be laid at the stage of repair work, before laying the floor covering. When this requirement has not been met, then hiding the pipes in specialized boxes that are arranged along the walls can help.

Floor mixers are becoming more popular due to a number of advantages.

1. Height. Since the floor device is a freestanding structure, it can be any height (within reason). The main condition is that when using it be convenient for users. The same feature makes it possible to make the installation quite powerful and reliable, and excessive pressure on the font itself will not be carried out.
2. Free installation and repair. If you need to replace or repair the device, you will not need to dismantle or move the bath.Such an optimal location makes it possible to freely approach all elements of the mixer design.
3. Area of ​​use. This device can be mounted not only in the bathroom, but also next to the outdoor pool, shower (in the sauna and bath) or on the veranda.
4. Long service life. Buying a good mixer from well-known brands and adhering to all installation rules, you can ensure a long period of use of the product.
5. Design. Attractive, unusual floor mixers are presented in various styles. Choosing the one that will be the ideal “application” of the existing design or even its feature is absolutely simple.

The disadvantages of outdoor devices are associated with the material side of the issue. High-quality samples are quite expensive, in addition, their installation will also cost a pretty penny. And of course, it should be noted that these modifications are intended primarily for large rooms, where there are conditions for installing the font in the middle. The device itself also takes the place.

The market is saturated with products of Russian and foreign trade brands.

• 2-lever or 2-valve. This is a traditional constructional solution for this class of sanitary products, however, it has drawbacks: gaskets on crane boxes quickly become unusable due to wear and tear, it is necessary to regulate the water flow temperature for a long time with 2 hands.

• Single lever the product is more comfortable since it can be adjusted with one hand. The main advantage of the product is the presence of a ceramic cartridge, but with high water hardness it will often have to be changed.

• Cascading the faucet with shower looks great, but in reality they are not comfortable enough. Moreover, the design that reproduces the waterfall quickly fails.

• Thermostatic the modifications are suitable for admirers of practicality in the interior: the temperature data are displayed on the mini-screen, which simplifies the adjustment process, there are regulators that are responsible for the lean consumption, leakage valve, aerator.

• Contactless mixers are controlled by infrared sensors. This is a fairly correct performance in terms of hygiene, since users do not touch the valves with their hands, and it also contributes to great water savings.

Another 2 types of floor devices occupy their own niche in this group of sanitary products.

1. Electronic - This is an improved modification of a contactless device, it makes it possible to form individual modes of water supply, for any of them you can set the temperature level and pressure force.
2. Combined floor the taps are equipped with an elongated swivel gander; it can be used alternately over the wash basin and the bathtub. The sample is quite convenient, it attracts with an interesting design, but its moving parts quickly break.

The manufacturing material of the plumbing device is also important. At the moment, several varieties are offered.

1. Metals and their alloys. They are the most reliable and strong, if only they are non-corrosive or covered with a protective material from the formation of rust. Mostly used are brass, nickel, bronze, steel. The most practical and reliable is brass. There are also modifications with a combined housing or coating. The optimum coating is chrome.
2. Ceramics. Most often, internal elements are made from it, and they do not corrode and are durable. However, the body of the spout may be ceramic.

Hansgrohe - reliable and uncluttered products with traditional German quality. On the market for more than 100 years. The product range of the company contains hundreds of samples, among which any buyer will choose what he needs.

Pros:

• 5 years warranty;
• ergonomic design.

Minuses:

• the fragility of individual elements that will have to be purchased on order and wait a few weeks.

Grohe - progressive German technology in fashionable design. The consumer receives equipment that has passed rigorous quality testing, with a 10-year guarantee of uninterrupted operation.

Pros:

• there are all possible types of mixers in a wide variety of style solutions;
• high quality;
• ease of installation.

Minuses:

• lack of genuine spare parts in our market, therefore, repairs may take a long time;
• high price.

Understanding the general economic situation and solvency of the client, he manufactures his products in China.

Thus, their product is much cheaper than European prototypes, while not at all inferior to them in quality. Variety of styles. Retro, classic with handheld shower and hi-tech, matte, color and chrome finish, complex kinks or clear lines - All this makes it possible to choose a device for any bathroom: for commercial or personal use.

Of great importance is the material of the body. Brass products are more expensive, have a long term of use. Faucets with plastic parts fail very quickly.

To determine the fake of silumin for any material, it is only necessary to compare a number of samples with similar dimensions by weight - an inexpensive option will be much lighter than any metal. The acquisition of a cheap product is advisable in the form of a temporary solution for a rented apartment.

Stainless steel proved to be the most durable metalcapable of serving more than a dozen years, only the cost of such structures is overstated. The price is justified by the high strength characteristics of devices made of this material. Bronze is a strong metal, but during long-term operation it becomes dark, a greenish coating appears.

The number of "legs" is an indicator that determines the reliability of fixing the floor device. A monotube sample is much easier to fold or pull when loaded or pressed. 2-lever fix the device more thoroughly in the floor, but require more space.

It is also necessary to pay attention to fittings: the less parts the regulating component has, the more reliable. The valve design needs regular replacement of gaskets, lubricating compounds must be added to the cartridge to facilitate rotation, and the ceramic valve head wins by the integrity of the structure and the absence of the need for lubrication of internal elements.

Of the auxiliary functional advantages, modifications with a mounted aerator should be preferred, which will give a silent outflow of water and partially clear it of chlorine.

See below for how to choose a bath faucet.