Thermostatic shower and bath faucets

For the average homeowner, arranging plumbing rooms usually raises many questions. They are even posed by the development of technology. But knowing the main features of thermostatic faucets for shower and bath, the principles of their work and the rules of choice, you can significantly simplify your life.

Most often, going into the bathroom in a house or city apartment, you can find a mixer with 1 or 2 levers (valves). But such devices do not allow precise and flexible temperature control. Plumbing manufacturers promise that the use of thermostatic appliances solves this problem. And indeed it is. Due to more precise temperature control, the total water consumption can be reduced.

You no longer have to pour hot water into the bath first, then dilute it, check by hand, pour and refill many times. Each of these procedures individually seems like a trifle - but together they increase water bills. And the time for all this when using a thermostatic mixer will need to spend less. However, during bathing, many people forget about such subtleties. Relaxing, it’s not up to receipts anymore, and temperature control is carried out rather mechanically.

But here it’s time to recall the more significant plus of the thermostatic mixer. It makes the very procedure of taking a bath or shower much safer than an old-fashioned faucet. It excludes the situation when very hot water suddenly pours. A stream of very cold water, however, is not much nicer - and if it also distracts during shaving or other critical procedures.

Water in them can be heated up to 80 degrees. It is also slightly colder and the flow is supplied centrally in severe frosts. Another undoubted advantage is the convenience of thermostatic mixers. Adjustment to changing parameters occurs instantly and does not even require human intervention. Only the price can be considered a clear drawback of such a technique as a whole, but given its practical advantages, this is not too significant.

The use of thermostatic mixers justifies itself:

• when the pressure in the water supply constantly changes;
• when storage water heaters are used;
• when water is heated using a gas column;
• when a problematic (sometimes including maximum mode) gas water heater of a modern type is used;
• when the habit of using such devices is already developed;
• when there are small children or elderly people in the apartment or house.

It is also useful to consider how thermostatic mixers work in practice. There is not much difference between cheap and very expensive devices. After all, the main task (mixing flows of hot and cold water) is unchanged. The thermocouple is responsible for the preparation of water. It is on its perfection that the speed of adjustment depends.

If necessary, one or the other water flow is reduced. Accordingly, the proportion between hot and cold liquid changes. Adjustment of mixed flows occurs in 1-2 seconds. It is not possible to notice any changes. Some models have a special lock that reliably cuts off the water supply if the temperature does not match the specified bar.

The only problem is that with a centralized water supply, waiting for a coveted stream can be difficult. Due to large jerks of pressure, sometimes cold water is replaced by warm water, it is impossible to predict this. Then the thermostat will automatically shut off the hot water. The overall temperature will drop.

This type of thermal mixer is the cheapest. To adjust the temperature, you need to use a valve or a small lever. The absence of electronic components makes it possible to achieve independence from power supply. A special thermostatic cartridge (sometimes called a cartridge for simplicity) should respond to water temperature. This part is made of materials with very active thermal expansion.

Cartridges for thermoregulation are often made of bimetallic plates. There is another solution - there is wax inside the cartridge made of one metal. A special adjusting screw helps to indicate the temperature. Manually set the required value allows the handle with a button lock. The highest set temperature is usually 38 degrees (stronger heating is no longer always pleasant, but it can also be set).

The main properties of mechanical thermostatic mixers are as follows:

• long service life;
• simplicity of the device;
• optimum reliability;
• quick reaction to temperature changes;
• the ability to set the desired value only manually.

An electronic component crane usually has a touch display. You can set the required temperature both with its help and using the keys. But it already depends on the features of a particular model. A subspecies of the electronic mixer is an infrared contactless device. It is equipped with sensors, some of the models are controlled from the remote control.

Main characteristics of electronic mixers:

• excellent accuracy of adjustment;
• work comfort;
• increased cost;
• complicated installation;
• the need for mains power or connecting batteries.

The double-lever thermostatic mixer involves a combination of a pair of faucet-boxes. They track the required pressure and maintain the optimal proportion when mixing water. The double-lever device has recently been at the peak of popularity. Many similar models are in the assortment of firms Lemen, Damixa, Alveus Mura-PS. A pipe is connected to each of the two taps, which supplies hot or cold water. When the valve is open, the flow enters the mixing tube. Water already flows from there with the necessary force. The spout is equipped with a special spray, the shape of which determines the type of jet. Double lever mixers:

• are inexpensive;
• serve for a long time;
• can have a wide variety of design styles;
• sometimes wear out quickly and begin to leak;
• work effectively only in favorable conditions.

The single lever mixer is more complex. It is controlled by valves with restrictive plates or ball valves. For mixing water, not different axle boxes are responsible, but one cartridge. The vast majority of single-lever devices are represented by products of firms Iddis, Vidima, Oras, RAF.

A number of plumbing fixtures are used mixers with top spout. The shape of the tube varies greatly. Its length is also different. The upper spout is usually equipped with a check valve.

The advantages of the upper spout are as follows:

• mechanical strength and durability;
• variety of sizes;
• ease of installation and use;
• compatibility with various cranes;
• comfort;
• high hygiene standards;
• low price;
• aesthetic diversity.

Swivel spout allows you to direct the flow in the right direction. This is a universal device, applicable both in the bath and shower, and in the sink, and even in the sink. A static solution cannot be rotated, however, the absence of a mobile device can improve reliability. Cascading spout is also popular.

Cascading spouts work like a small waterfall. They allow you to achieve a feeling of increased comfort. Such devices can be mounted on the wall, side of the bathtub, on a decorative stand, podium. Designers love spring spouts. Thanks to modern advances, springs have become much more flexible and practical.

Spring mixers are usually mounted on vertical surfaces.. Faucets with a thermostat for the shower system differ in length. The short type is strong enough and reliable. However, it is clumsy and not suitable for filling buckets, bottles. A long spout is more universal, however, rubber pads wear out faster.

Some users reasonably choose a thermostatic mixer for a hygienic shower. The essence of a hygienic shower is washing after a visit to the toilet. It is located above the toilet. This option is very convenient for families with small children or for people with serious illnesses. In such devices, single lever mixers are used.

Both built-in and wall-mounted installation of a hygienic shower, its individual components is possible. This device is designed not only to maintain cleanliness in certain places, but also to restore order in the toilet. The thermostat is usually mounted in a hidden way. The flow of water from the mixer into the watering can is provided by pressing a button. With proper installation, a hygienic shower with a thermostatic mixer works as reliably as possible.

Corner panels deserve special attention. In addition to the thermostat itself, they include:

• hydromassage nozzles (usually 2 to 6);
• overhead shower with tropical rain function;
• comfortable manual spout;
• sometimes shelves for important accessories.

The mixer with thermostat can be made of a wide variety of materials. However, in practice in the mass segment use metal alloys, ceramics and plastic of special samples. Only in the elite price range can you find wooden or stone faucets. Usually they are equipped with a separate exclusive bath. But much more often they use brass and bronze.

These alloys are very resistant to the harmful effects of water. Mineral salts and crystals are hardly collected on them. If we compare the two main options, then brass will definitely be preferable. Alloy steel is not used as often. In particularly hard water, mixers from it quickly become clogged.

As for silumin, that is, a silicon-aluminum alloy, it is not durable enough. Yes, and a lot of dirt will accumulate inside. Plastic is used only for single parts. It is valued for its low thermal conductivity, comparative lightness and chemical resistance. In this regard, ceramics is close to plastic - it is more expensive, but more attractive.

In black bathrooms, the most practical solution is a white faucet. But his black color is not welcome - it can act oppressively. Only experienced designers can sometimes comply with a reasonable measure. The chrome surface helps to increase the attractiveness of the mixer. If the room is relatively small, you can recommend orange or even bright red.

The room, decorated in the style of the country, will look nicer when using a faucet imitating bronze. Ordinary copper can also be imitated. But such a solution does not fit into the bathroom, which uses high-tech plumbing or even just modern. In a large bathroom without a certain style, you can choose the sanitary elements in green and yellow. But in any case, one must think whether it will be nice to see them in a few months, when the feeling of freshness passes.

Concern Products Grohe invariably falls into all lists of consumer preferences. It looks no less good than performed technically. Grohe engineers thoroughly run every innovation and test it in the most severe conditions. Much attention is paid to maximum security and saving resources.

Brand products also deserve attention. Hansgrohe. Since the founding of the company, she has been trying to achieve the optimal balance of appearance and functionality. The design of Hansgrohe mixers and showers is virtually unlimited in variety. The range includes products of various price ranges. There are options:

• water flow control by pressing a single button;
• cooling the thermostat (reduced risk of burns);
• aeration of water;
• maximum savings;
• quick removal of limescale.

Fans of Italian products should pay attention to the brand. Bandini. The company's developers are trying to realize the maximum individuality - not forgetting about advanced developments. The characteristic features of Bandini sanitary ware differ from collection to collection.

Relatively cheap products of firms:

• Damixa;
• Oras;
• Ideal Standard;
• Iddis;
• Vidima (Quadro line);
• Lemark.

The main thing is to immediately determine how much can be allocated for the purchase of a mixer. It is not necessary to count on special savings when choosing a quality mixer. Inexpensive models, even if they look good, can quickly go bad. The next important point is the mandatory assessment of the product for compliance with the interior.

Mixers made of good materials should be weighty. Light models are much more often not enough quality. If the mixing device is equipped with a long spout, it will take up a lot of space, which is unlikely to please owners of small-sized housing. When the bathtub (shower) and sink are close, you can get by with a mixer 0.3 m long.But with a large distance between them, it will be more correct to use 2 separate cranes.

A long spout works well only when equipped with a reliable locking nut. But in budget-class models, it is rarely made from solid materials. And even high-quality versions will last less than a short spout. It makes no sense to overpay for a foreign brand, but if you have the money, you need to buy world-class products. And as in other cases, it is necessary to study the reviews for a specific model.

See how to install the thermostatic mixer in the bathroom yourself in the video below.