How to choose a mixer

The assortment of sanitary ware is truly huge, so choosing a mixer is not easy: different models differ in design, quality, price. How to make the right choice? Let's try to figure out how to choose the right mixer.

The choice of mixer depends on where you plan to install it: this will determine the type of installation. So, Washbasin Faucets usually mounted directly on the sink, although there are wall-mounted faucets. Bathroom Faucets, on the contrary, are usually mounted on the wall, although they can be mounted directly into the side of the bath.

Shower mixer also mounted in the wall, but usually it does not have"Spout", but only the shower hose, which is fixed on the holder. There are "hidden" faucets for shower cabins, in which the mixing mechanism is walled. There are even bidet faucets, their design depends on the number of holes for fixing the reinforcement in the bidet body (one or three).

Finally, if you need to choose kitchen faucet, you need to pay attention not only to the typefastening, but also on the length and design of the "spout", which will depend on the location and shape of the shell. And for whatever room you choose a mixer, you need to orient yourself pipe routing: if you do not plan a major overhaul, with this moment you need to reckon.

If you want to choose a faucet that you really like, you need to pay attention to mixing mechanism. The simplest, inexpensive and reliable option is the traditional two-valve mixer with separate cranes. It has two valves or a tap - one for cold water, the other for hot water. Its disadvantage is that for choosing the optimal temperature and pressure, it sometimes takes a long time to "play" with the cranes.

There are also single-lever mixers. In such mixers there are two degrees of freedom on one lever, so you can adjust the water head and its temperature separately. Depending on the regulating element, single-lever mixers are available spherical and ceramic. Balls have a simpler design, butIt is more difficult to regulate the water current. Ceramic provides smoother adjustment, but their design is more difficult, for their normal operation, an additional filter may be required.

Finally, you can select a thermostatic mixer. Thermostat Mixer is equipped with a water temperature regulator. Once you have set the temperature, you can save the parameters, and the next time it is turned on, it will have the desired temperature. The temperature limiter protects you from too hot water: when the fuse is switched on, water will never warm up above 38 ° C. Similarly, there is protection from too cold water.

There is also mixers with infrared sensors, reacting to movements, but they are more often used in public toilets, houses in such a mixer without handles need, as a rule, no.

To select the mixer correctly, you need to pay attention to the material. Traditionally, the mixers are made of brass or bronze - they are hopeful and convenient. In addition, the metal can be coated with a special enamel or nickel. This coating performs not only an aesthetic, but also a protective function. A good option is a brass mixer body, nickel-plated to protect against corrosion, and then also chrome plated. A chrome mixer is more expensive, but different microorganisms do not multiply on its surface.

Mixers made of alloy steel are foundmuch less often because of the complexity in processing. There are cheap mixers made of silumin (aluminum alloy with silicon), this is not the best option in terms of quality. Also used for making mixers are plastic and ceramics, but they are still unable to compete with metal.

Finally, if you want to choose a faucet that will last for a really long time, remember: a good mixer can not be cheap. For quality it is necessary to pay. But at the same time, you should not choose the extra expensive mixers: most likely, you just overpay for the brand.