Before choosing a built-in mixer in the bathroom, you need to understand what it is and how it differs from a conventional mixer. That is, to imagine whether it makes sense to use such a device at all. And if it does, then what should it be.
Advantages and disadvantages
The integrated bath mixer is extremely convenient. It differs from traditional models in the introduction of covert communications and an indoor unit. Since only control levers, a spout and a shower head are located outside, the risk of injury by hitting something protruding is minimized. This property is especially valuable where there are children or very old people. For many consumers, however, another feature of built-in mixers comes to the fore - their increased aesthetics.
After all, any pipes and even the main details are hidden inside and will not spoil the interior. Masking decorative linings are selected to your liking. In addition, manufacturers are not too eager to pay warranty costs. Therefore, they try to make sound constructions that are most reliable and rarely provoke leaks. It’s easy to repair the built-in mixer; almost always the work is limited to replacing the seals.
Spout and watering can may not be where technically justified, but where convenient. It is even possible to install them on different walls. In the small space of a typical bathtub, the built-in faucet is very valuable. Moreover, the room contains less than all kinds of parts and structures. And to establish an elementary order will be easier.
This does not mean, of course, that the built-in mixer is ideal. It has relatively significant disadvantages. So, the product itself is more expensive. Installation is also expensive.
And in this case, only those who can properly ditch and draw up professional plumbing wiring diagrams can do without specialists.
Kinds
The built-in mixer of external installation is a monoblock. All the main parts are assembled in one piece and are mounted on board the bath. But the mixing unit is located under the side. The main components are:
- mixer;
- spout;
- valve elements;
- shower head and hose for it.
The flush mounting scheme also has another name - mortise installation. It means refusing to connect parts. Instead, functional details are used, each of which solves only one problem. Each part is attached to the body of the bath and can be set apart from other parts. Detached parts with wall mounting are also found, but it is much more practical to mount them all directly on board the bath.
In the process, the font is cut several times. You may need 1-5 holes, it depends on which components you plan to use. If only 2 holes are made, then a watering can, a spout and valves are fixed on board. Three-channel mounting involves mounting on board a pair of control levers in combination with a spout or shower head. When using 4-5 holes on board, you can fix:
- shower head;
- spout;
- 3 control levers.
The watering can extends, and the hose is masked by the wall of the bath. As necessary, it is pulled by the watering can. If a flush-mounted design is chosen, the hose will extend 1.2 m. For outdoor installation, it can be extended by 1.6 m. The difference between the structures is also associated with the type of spout.
In products of an economic class are used tubular spouts. Such faucets look like a metal tube. Savings are achieved due to the rejection of small parts and expensive materials.
Important: in any case, 2 retaining rings must be used. "Noses" have different lengths, and in shape resemble a square, triangle or circle.
Soldered spouts are more expensive than tubular ones. In many cases, they have a non-standard shape and stand out for their design. But the most expensive spouts are obtained by casting. But this technology allows you to make only heavy mixers. Instead of brass, they use stronger and “weighty” materials.
Fundamentally important: stainless steel structures are not practical. The key quality parameter of the spout is its throughput. Simply put, this is just a stream of water per unit of time. This property is determined by the diameter of the hole and the length of the spout. Ultimately, however, the difference will still be small.
Single lever
This type of faucet has become very popular in recent years, it is considered a completely modern solution. Its major advantage is its visual appeal.. The lever performs the function that in a two-valve system is assigned to a pair of separate heads. Using the lever, both temperature and pressure are monitored in the apartment (home) highway. The case is made of a variety of materials.
Along with spout, switch and cartridge apply gaskets and other accessories. Some nodes allow you to increase the comfort of use. The spherical lever crane perfectly resists even a powerful hydraulic shock. But there are problems:
- fairly high price;
- rapid accumulation of scale;
- quick wear of rubber parts;
- high complexity of repair.
Cascading
The water cascade is like a small waterfall. Some models of such mixers are additionally highlighted. However, there are no special differences from standard spouts inside. Spout geometry - a metal or plastic panel with a narrow slotted hole.A wide flat stream (the same waterfall) flows from there.
The flow rate and throughput of the structure are quite large. It will be possible to collect a bath twice as fast as usual. At the same time, splashing of water on the sides is reduced. The fact is that the jet is oriented not to the bottom, but to the walls. The negative sides of the product are the increased price and inconvenience of filling containers (for example, buckets or bottles).
Dual valve
An alternative name is two-handle mixers. A similar solution is often found in retro style rooms. One of the valves is responsible for cold water, and the other for hot water. The device works simply and is highly reliable. There are two subspecies of dual-valve mixers.
Sometimes used crane box with rubber seal. The problem is that due to exposure to water, especially hot water, the sealant layer may become thinner over time. Therefore, the seal must be replaced from time to time. In a half-turn embodiment, water is supplied when the holes in the ceramic plate are aligned.
Important: for prolonged use, you will need to use an additional filter unit.
Thermostats
Thermostatic type mixers can be programmed in a specific way. The required temperature is indicated once. In the future, before changing the settings, it will be maintained at the same level. There are also options for adjusting the water pressure. Thermostatic mixers can work on electronic or mechanical element base.
Electronic versions typically use an LCD screen. The necessary indicators are displayed on it. The devices are powered by batteries or a network connection. For control in different versions, both buttons and touch panels are used. Certain types of faucets respond to a hand approach that is recognized by thermal sensors.
Mechanical thermostats are arranged differently. They adjust the water temperature using levers or valves. In any case, the risk of burns due to pouring hot water is eliminated. No need to adjust the flow temperature helps save both water and time.
But you will have to pay for the thermostat more than for a simpler mixer with other similar characteristics.
Materials
The indoor unit of the mixer is made of silicone, rubber, plastic or ceramics of special brands. The choice of a specific option is the prerogative of the engineers. But consumers can choose the case material themselves. Stainless steel is the worst option. After the appearance of scratches, the corrosion protection will automatically disappear, and on the scratched places the destruction of the material will begin.
Because stainless steel taps last a maximum of 5 years, even under ideal operating conditions. Brass is not able to rust in principle. It perfectly survives the hydraulic load and is resistant to mechanical stress. Spraying makes the surface of brass products more beautiful. In addition, the service life of the brass mixer is at least 8 years, and it will cost a lot.
Bronze is heavier and stronger than brass. In terms of chemical and physical properties, these alloys are close. However, bronze products are darker, which makes them acceptable only in certain interior styles. You will have to pay for bronze more than for brass. In terms of wear resistance, there is not much difference between them.
Silumin mixers are very cheap. They are produced in Asian countries and are used as a temporary solution or where water is rarely used. Aluminum-silicon alloy is not durable enough. By the end of the first year of operation, leaks will begin. No caution of the owners will help here, repair is fundamentally impossible.
Functional
The main functional feature of any mixer is the height of the spout. With a low (up to 0.15 m) and medium (up to 0.25 m) spout, you can only wash your face and brush your teeth.But you can only wash your hair, get water or bathe your pet using tall taps. As for the shower head, the models of the traditional simple design are steadily pushed aside by more modern ones with additional functionality. The basic versions are able to provide aeration and the so-called hard massage shower. Watering in any case, it is desirable to choose from metal. Plastic varieties are not strong enough.
If the device is equipped with a check valve, then a sharp increase in pressure in the pipe will not lead to a return flow of water. Such a property is very valuable where interruptions in water supply have become commonplace.
Important: without a check valve, water meters are not allowed to be installed, because otherwise it will be easy to unscrew the counting disk back.
Bottom valves are a good replacement for sink sinks or bidets. The button on the case helps to manage them.
Selection tips
When choosing a faucet for both an angular and a direct bath, you definitely should not be guided by the price. In some cases, manufacturers and wholesalers overestimate the price of low-quality goods without any reason. In others, they sell relatively cheap solid products. Predicting this is completely impossible. To understand which product is better, to some extent only reviews and ratings help.
Important: in Russia and even in Asian countries they can make good plumbing, but its price is not too inferior to the prices of good European designs.
In single lever mixers, the cartridge is critical. It is because of failures with this element that many problems with the shower occur. As for two-valve taps with a rubber seal, they are useful for water of any quality, even with small contaminants. Hard water or rust is not harmful to them.
A long nose is needed:
- to reduce costs;
- for bathing children;
- for a combination of washing with the economic use of the bath;
- if it is impossible to supply pipes to the sink.
Wall-mounted faucets are advised to attach to a steel bath. Mounting on the side is long, and without special skills and tools is impossible. There is a high risk of damage to the enamel and provoke severe corrosion. Everything can be mounted on a cast-iron bathtub, except for an onboard crane. Any mixer is placed on the acrylic bath, but we must remember the fragility of acrylic.
See how to install and connect the mixer on board the bathtub in the next video.
