How to choose a mixer

Recommendation points

• Mixer classification
• Kitchen faucet-axle boxes
• Cartridge Kitchen Faucets
• Basin faucets
• Bath-shower faucet-axle box
• Bath and shower cartridge
• Prices and service life of mixers

In order not to be mistaken when choosing a mixer, you need to know what types they are, how they are arranged, what their service life is and how much they cost. You will find answers to these questions in this article..

Choosing a mixer is not an easy task. It is not enough to choose the one that you like more in appearance. It is necessary to have as few problems as possible with this mixer during operation. In order to understand what problems can arise in principle, it is necessary to know what kind of mixers are, how they are arranged and, accordingly, which are structurally better for solving certain problems. This will be discussed in this article..

First, let’s figure out what kind of mixers exist. Generally speaking, one should immediately make a reservation that it is not possible to describe absolutely everything within the framework of one article, due to the too significant amount of material. We will limit ourselves only to those that you are most likely to encounter. The types of mixers that will be considered here account for about 95% of all used for domestic purposes.

So, all mixers are divided into two classes: washbasin mixers and bathtubs and showers. The former are used in kitchens and fitted on sinks in bathrooms, while the latter, as their name suggests, is used in bathrooms to draw water in a bath or take a shower. Now let’s consider them in more detail, taking into account the design features..

Mixer classification

Kitchen faucet-axle boxes

The most famous mixers. Adjustment of the pressure and water temperature is carried out using two knobs – handwheels. They set in motion locking devices – crane axle boxes. It is because of them that the mixers got their name..

Crane axles in such mixers are of two types: worm-gear – they work on the principle of a plug, a rubber round gasket at the end of the stem simply plugs the hole through which water enters, and ceramic – two plates with slots rotating relative to each other, provide water supply when the holes match, and block the water when they don’t match.

You can distinguish them without disassembling the mixer by the free running of the flywheels. If they rotate no more than half a turn, then there is ceramics in the mixer, if more and at the end additional force is required for rotation, then a worm gearbox. Unfortunately, there is no single standard for crane-axle boxes in the world, therefore the specified division is far from complete. All of them are divided into subspecies: by size, by the number of threads, by the type of stock, and so on. Therefore, if it is necessary to replace the crane-axle box, you need to either clearly know which one is in your mixer, or take out your own and look for a similar one in stores..

Pros:

• high maintainability – the mixers have a one-piece body that does not contain moving parts, the rest of the parts can be easily replaced with similar ones.

Minuses:

• there may be problems when finding the right crane-axle box, since there are a lot of types of them;
• excessive consumption of water during adjustment. To achieve the optimal pressure and water temperature, both knobs must be rotated, which takes time and is not always convenient, especially if your hands are dirty.

Cartridge Kitchen Faucets

They are also called one-armed. Mixing cold and hot water, as well as adjusting the pressure is carried out by one device – a cartridge. It is controlled with a single handle rotating in two planes. Such mixers are mistakenly called ball mixers. This is due to the fact that the rotation of the handle relative to the body resembles the rotation of a ball, however, according to the principle of operation, the cartridge actually looks more like a ceramic faucet-axle box – the same ceramic plates with holes move relative to each other, while providing regulation of the water temperature and pressure. Kitchen cartridge faucets can be divided into two types.

With swivel body.Part of the body, after being attached to the sink, has the ability to rotate. The handle on such mixers is always located at the top, which is quite convenient and practical..

Pros:

• economical. The adjustment is carried out by one lever, initially standing in the middle position, which corresponds to warm water, which means that it takes less time to obtain the desired temperature than with crane-box mixers;
• the mixer handle becomes much less dirty, since the back of the hand can be used to open and close, and this is important if the hands are very dirty, which often happens in the kitchen;
• cartridge mixers are much more economical to repair. The service life of the cartridge is longer than the crane axle boxes. It is clear that everything depends on the operating conditions, but under normal conditions the crane box lasts about five years, and the cartridge is twice as long. In addition, their price is the same (from 60 rubles), but repairs require either one cartridge or two crane axle boxes.

Minuses:

• increased risk of case breakage. If the figured gasket between the rotating and the inner parts of the body fails, most often the entire mixer must be replaced, since it is quite problematic to buy the specified gasket.

Cast Body Faucets.As the name suggests, they have a one-piece body. The rotating spout is a separate, replaceable part if necessary. Accordingly, the handle is located on the side.

Pros – everything that was listed for cartridge faucets above. Besides:

• more reliable since they do not contain moving parts of the body;
• more maintainable than cartridge ones with a rotary housing, since all parts are replaceable.

Minuses:

• splashing water in the sink is possible, since it is structurally higher;
• less comfortable than taps with a swivel body, side handle.

Conclusions. Thus, we can say that the optimal faucet for the kitchen is a cartridge with a one-piece body. It will last longer than others and is easier to repair. Crane axleboxes and cartridge cranes with a rotary body are approximately the same in terms of service life and maintainability, but it is still more convenient to use cartridge.

Basin faucets

There are also crane-axle boxes and cartridge ones. They can also be divided into two classes:

• with a rotary body – absolutely similar to kitchen ones, only the spout is shorter;
• cast body.

Since there are no moving parts of the body, the service life of such mixers is practically unlimited. All you need to do is replace the cartridge or valve axles from time to time.

When buying a faucet for the kitchen or sink, it makes sense to pay attention to the type of attachment to the sink itself. It can be: one or two studs – not the most convenient and not the most reliable fastening, and a nut screwing onto a part of the body below – a more convenient and reliable fastening.

Bath-shower faucet-axle box

Everything that has been said about faucet axles in the kitchen section is also true for bathroom and shower mixers. Available with swivel and non-swivel spouts. Faucets with long swivel spout supply water to both the bathtub and the adjacent sink.

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Faucets with fixed spout for filling the bathtub.

Structurally, the crane-axle bath-shower mixers are divided according to the spout / shower switching mechanism, and we will analyze it using it.

With eccentric shower / spout switch.The most common switching mechanism. The rotary movement of the handle on the mixer through the eccentric is converted into a translational movement of a double-sided rod with plugs (rubber gaskets) at the ends, plugging either the water supply hole to the shower or to the spout.

Pros:

• by replacing the corresponding gaskets, the switching mechanism can be repaired.

Minuses:

• fragility of the mechanism – rubber gaskets do not last long;
• the difficulty in buying a whole mechanism if it is not the gasket that is out of order, but some part of it;
• the complexity of replacing the mechanism – disassembly of the entire mixer body is required, which is not always possible.

With cartridge shower / spout switch.The whole mechanism is a one-piece device – a cartridge. In appearance (right) it is similar to the cartridge for supplying and regulating water in the corresponding mixers (left), only smaller in size.

Pros:

• more reliable than eccentric;
• have a longer service life;
• easy to replace.

Minuses:

• the mechanism is not repaired, it is only replaced entirely.

Ball-type shower / spout.The mixer body has a permanently built-in mechanism similar to a through (shut-off) ball valve.

Pros:

• the most reliable among all mechanisms;
• the most durable.

Minuses:

• has no possibility of repair and replacement. In fact, the breakdown of the mechanism entails the replacement of the entire mixer.

Bath and shower cartridge

Structurally, different mixers differ only in the type of shower / spout switching mechanism.

With removable mechanism.The switching device is a separate, removable, non-separable element. In the event of a breakdown, it is completely replaced. There are two types: cork – less reliable, old-style, and rotary – modern, based on a cartridge or a box.

Pros:

• a separate mechanism, always available on sale, is a guarantee that you can easily repair the mixer in the event of a breakdown.

Minuses:

• the mechanism is quite cumbersome and requires additional space at the bottom;
• turning the spout loosens the connection between the switching mechanism and the mixer body.

With integrated cork shower / spout switch.Switching is similar to the eccentric mechanism of axle-box faucets, only the rod is driven perpendicular to the frontal plane directly by the hand on the handle (pull / push).

Pros:

• more elegant appearance;
• compact body does not require additional space.

Minuses:

• the mechanism is very difficult to repair, due to the lack of necessary spare parts on sale;
• possible spontaneous switching of the mechanism.

With integrated cartridge shower / spout switch.Switching is carried out due to the operation of a cartridge similar to that described above.

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Pros:

• the most reliable and durable cartridge bath and shower mixers used;
• replacing the cartridge is quite simple.

Minuses:

• the cartridge cannot be repaired, only replaced completely, which can become a problem if it is not on sale.

Conclusions. If you choose among all the listed bath and shower mixers, then the cartridge mixer will be optimal, with the cartridge built-in shower / spout switching mechanism. Further in the row can be any of the remaining ones, since they all have specific features and their pros and cons. Perhaps only the closing one can be distinguished – it will be a crane-box mixer with an eccentric switch, as the most unreliable and short-lived.

Prices and service life of mixers

In conclusion, for the description to be complete, it is necessary to talk about the prices and service life of different types of mixers..

First of all, you need to understand that the material from which the mixers are made can be different – silumin or brass. Silumin is used in the production of the cheapest – kitchens from 200 to 600 rubles, bathtubs from 700 to 1500 rubles. – and the most unreliable – the maximum service life is two years, regardless of the design – mixers. Low weight will indicate the use of silumin in production and, accordingly, should warn you about the undesirability of buying such a mixer.

A more reliable brass body will be indicated by a significant mass and a higher price – kitchen ones from 800 rubles, bathtubs from 2000 rubles. In this price category, you can buy constructively any mixers made in China. Service life – about five to seven years.

Faucets not made in China can be bought at a price – kitchen ones from 2000 to 4000 rubles, bathtubs from 3000 to 5000 rubles. Chinese licensed mixers of very good quality are in the same range. Service life – about 10 years, of which 3-5 (depending on the manufacturer) warranty.

Brand faucets are faucets with prices for kitchens from 4000 rubles, bathtubs and showers from 5000 rubles. Their service life is also at least 10 years..

Below are the prices for the main spare parts for faucets:

1. Crane-axle – from 60 rubles.
2. Cartridge – from 60 rubles.
3. Spout for kitchen faucet – from 80 rubles.
4. Spout for the mixer bath-shower – from 150 rubles.
5. Shower / external spout switching mechanism – from 150 rubles. for cork and from 200 rubles. for turning.
6. Shower hose – from 100 rubles.
7. Shower head – from 60 rubles.