The bathroom contains a variety of plumbing fixtures of various types, including faucets. The number of taps may vary depending on the filling of the room with different appliances. It is necessary to know the structure of the faucet in a bathroom with a shower so that, if necessary, it can be easily repaired. You can fix problems yourself.
A faucet is a device for regulating the strength of the water supply and the temperature in the bathroom or kitchen.
Faucets are installed on any plumbing: in the sink, in the shower, and in the bathroom. Faucets can break, sometimes they can be repaired, and sometimes the entire assembly needs to be replaced.
What types of mixers are there by design?
As we have already said, faucets are used to regulate the temperature and flow of water. Below we will describe a number of design features of these units, and also touch upon their advantages.
Double lever mixer
The design of the double-lever device consists of two faucet axle boxes, with the help of which the water pressure is regulated, as well as the mixing of hot and cold flow to the required temperature. This model has long held the palm in popularity.
With this design of the device, two tubes are connected to the tap, through which cold and hot water are supplied, respectively. When the tap is turned on, the liquid enters the mixing tube, from which it flows out under a given pressure. The spout (the part from which water flows) is equipped with a spray nozzle, the shape of which forms a stream. At the same time, it can be divided into several threads. Many bathtub faucets, the design of which contains lighting, add attractiveness and variety to the design of the room.
The strengths of a double-lever mixer include the following points:
- reasonable cost compared to other models;
- long service life;
- the ability to choose from a variety of designs. The double-lever mixer is made in retro, modern, country, etc. styles.
The disadvantages of devices of this design include the following factors:
- rapid wear of gaskets in valve axle boxes leads to leaks;
- sensitivity to water quality. If it contains a lot of impurities, then the aerator spouts of such a device will quickly clog - the place where the mixing of hot and cold liquid flows occurs.
Single lever mixer (design)
This design of a bathroom faucet is more complex than the previous one, since the operation of a single-lever device involves several axle boxes, and the water is combined in a cartridge, which can be ball or ceramic.
A ball valve with a ball cartridge has a special round head in its design, which controls the pressure and temperature of the liquid. To open the water, lift the handle up, and to obtain the required temperature, turn it to the left or right. Unlike the previous type of device, in a single-lever device, pipes with hot and cold water are connected to one point, and which of them will be larger in the total flow is controlled by a ball inside. This type of faucet design is used for showers, kitchens, bathrooms, and washbasins.
The device of the ceramic principle is similar to the previous one, except that in it it is not a ball, but ground ceramic plates that are responsible for regulating the flow. A mixer of this type is not subject to corrosion, practically does not require repairs and special conditions of use.
Also, thanks to the design of ceramic plates, this device allows you to save water when washing or showering.
Thermostatic tap
This mixer design is the most advanced to date. In it, water is mixed using a thermostat.
At the same time, despite its advanced design, such a device cannot be called complex. Its principle of operation is the operation of a mixing unit, which is controlled by a cartridge with wax and bimetallic plates. These elements are highly sensitive to fluctuations in water temperature, and the cartridge itself almost instantly contracts or expands when the temperature changes. By placing the handle opposite the selected value, you activate the fastening and adjustment screw, thereby setting the temperature regime of the mixer.
Also, the design of this device includes a thermometer, on which, during installation, a temperature is set, upon reaching which the hot water will be shut off.
The thermostatic mixer can be installed in place of the old tap, just on the wall or in other places in the kitchen or bathroom.
Read material on the topic: How to choose a bath faucet: 12 tips
Schemes and drawings
Often, many consumers have to deal with breakdowns of the faucet in the bathroom, so in this case it is necessary to know how these devices work. Knowing all the features of faucets with or without a shower will help you make quality repairs.
Valve type
The valve device is considered the most common design. In order to disassemble this structure, it is worth carefully considering all its constituent elements and their arrangement. Below you can find photos with diagrams and design drawings, which detail all the constituent elements of valve devices. These products usually come in two types - with a worm mechanism or with a crane axle box made of a ceramic base.
The first type of device has a simple design, but its rubber gaskets, which are located in the rod of the worm mechanism, often wear out. The axlebox valves made of ceramic base have to be constantly tightened to avoid leaks.
The design of these products consists of the following important components:
- lock washer;
- oil seals or seals;
- gasket, which is located between the valve head and the valve body;
- axle box;
- coupling with guides;
- valve gasket;
- saddle.
Valve tap
Lever products
In order to understand more clearly what the diagram and drawing of single-lever products look like, you should look on the Internet for pictures with a detailed description of all the elements of these structures.
The description of the circuit looks like this:
- the main structural element is installed in the device body - a cartridge, which is responsible for mixing hot and cold water;
- all other parts that can break are installed inside the cartridge. Therefore, if it breaks, you have to replace the entire cartridge;
- the device is controlled by a lever, from which the device got its name;
- closes the device, spout or gander through which water comes out.
Lever
But in order to carry out repairs yourself, it is worth considering the detailed drawings of these devices, on which each element and their location are marked. The drawings will help you easily disassemble the structure and then reassemble it.
Choosing a bathroom faucet is not such a difficult task. You can choose any device - two-valve, single-lever, with a thermostat, the main thing is that you like it. But if your bathroom has a classic style, then many professionals and designers recommend using two-valve appliances; they will be most appropriate in these rooms.
What is remarkable about the design of a kitchen faucet?
The design of a kitchen faucet must be durable, include quality materials, and be comfortable for the end user. Let's consider the types of such devices.
- Double-valve mixers.
The design of these devices is simple: the spout is located between two taps, which regulate the temperature and water pressure. However, even the low price of such mixers does not make them popular. The reason is the low reliability of the gaskets, the rapid wear of which leads to frequent repairs.
- Single lever mixers.
The most popular device design on the market. These faucets allow you to set the water pressure and temperature in one movement, which makes them very comfortable to use. In addition, the single-lever design does not require frequent repairs.
- Contactless devices.
Very convenient - water starts flowing when you put your hand near the mixer. The modern design of such devices makes their use very comfortable, and the room where it is installed is not devoid of style. But the high price of such mixers does not allow them to seriously compete with single-lever devices.
As for the requirements for spouts, ergonomic rather than aesthetic indicators come first. In order for the stream of water to hit the middle of the sink, its dimensions must correspond to the parameters of the mixer. If you are using a two-bowl sink, then a device with a pull-out spout fits well under it. Also, this design is very convenient when collecting water in a bucket or large pan.
Don't forget about the spout level. If the faucet is installed high and water falls from a long distance, splashing around the sink cannot be avoided. If the height is small, then washing large dishes under such a mixer will be extremely difficult. In this matter it is necessary to find a middle ground.
There are two types of nozzle design in the mixer:
- with a regular aerator;
- with a dual-mode shower head that can operate both in shower mode (for washing the sink or gently rinsing food) and in normal mode.
If the design of the mixer tap is equipped with a filtration system, then such a device will have two spouts - for purified and ordinary water.
Despite the variety of materials used for the manufacture of faucets, only devices made of brass and bronze are always popular. Silumin, ceramic or plastic devices cannot seriously compete with them. The leaders among coatings are chrome plating and stainless steel.
Caring for your kitchen faucet will not require much expense. It is enough just to regularly clean it of lime deposits using a soft cloth and dishwashing detergent (you can also use vinegar). But using steel wool or abrasives is unacceptable.
Read material on the topic: Ball valves for water: types, application, choice
How to properly disassemble a ball mixer
This type of single lever faucet is as easy to disassemble as a cartridge faucet. It should be borne in mind that if a serious breakdown occurs, the entire mixer will have to be replaced. If the malfunctions in the operation of the faucet are insignificant (for example, when the faucet is turned on at full power, the flow of water is weak), you need to disassemble the faucet and repair it yourself. The cause of such a breakdown may be clogging of the faucet with abrasive substances.
Instructions:
- Remove the nut from the faucet spout.
- Pull out the mesh, rinsing it with water.
- Place the nut and screen back into the mixer.
If the tap leaks, it is necessary to replace the rubber seals with new ones. To do this you will need: a screwdriver and a hex key.
Instructions for replacing the rubber seal:
- The screw is unscrewed and the lever is removed.
- The connection is removed from the thread, then the screw is unscrewed with a screwdriver. Usually plaque collects on it, which needs to be removed with a cloth.
- The rubber seals are removed and replaced with new ones. The ball is also removed.
- After replacing the gaskets, the ball is installed in its place. The seals are secured with a plastic nut.
- The lever is installed and the screw is fixed. Finally, you need to check the operation of the mixer system by opening the tap. There should be no water leaks.
Prevention of breakdowns of a single-lever mixer
In order for joystick taps to serve for a long time, it is necessary:
Knowing the diagram and principle of operation of single-lever mixers, you can independently repair a failed joystick tap.
Various types and designs of bath and shower faucets
If the bathroom does not have a faucet, its functionality will be incomplete. The main quality of a bathroom appliance is ease of everyday use.
If we touch on the design aspect, it is better to install single-lever mixers, although the double-lever classic is still in demand. Relatively new thermostatic devices, whose design is more modern, also deserve consideration.
Also, bath faucets may differ in the type of installation and are mounted on:
- bath side;
- wall.
The operation of each type of faucet depends on its design.
When installing the device, it is worth considering that the bathtub will also be used for showering. Most modern faucets are structurally suitable for both filling a bathtub and a shower. Sometimes two devices are installed at once: one on the sink (without a shower), the other on the bathtub (with a shower). But a more common option is to install one device on both the sink and bathtub. The design of such a device requires the presence of a long spout (“gander”). Shower and bath faucets are classified slightly differently than kitchen faucets.
Two-valve
(“Christmas trees”) This type is classic and will be quite relevant for a bathroom interior in retro, country and classic styles.
Single lever.
The degree of demand for faucets of this design for the bathroom is no less than for kitchens. In addition, devices of this type have an excellent price-to-use ratio, since all operations can be performed with one hand. By turning the tap up and down you can adjust the pressure, and moving left and right allows you to set the desired water temperature. Fast flow shut-off and excellent design reliability are additional advantages.
Thermostatic.
Mixers of this type have a number of significant advantages:
- no need to constantly rotate the knobs to regulate the supply of hot or cold water;
- the temperature regime is set once and does not change depending on the degree of heating and flow pressure in the supply pipe;
- The safety system will prevent burns from too hot water.
The design features of each mixer will help you understand their operating principle. Let's look at these properties.
Sensory.
The control part in this mixer design is a photocell, which sends a command to flow and shut off water. If such a device fails, it is very difficult to repair it yourself; in this case, it would be better to seek help from specialists.
Valve.
The design of such faucets is simple and consists of a spout, valves, and a faucet axle box. At the same time, older models have crane axle boxes with gaskets, while newer ones have ceramic plates. Tip: ceramic parts are much more reliable than old elements with rubber gaskets. In addition, in such a crane box the valve cannot rotate more than 180 degrees, which greatly simplifies operation.
Lever.
Recently, faucets of this design have become increasingly popular. The lever model consists of:
- housings;
- spout;
- cartridge (ceramic or ball) that mixes water. At the same time, the ceramic cartridge is non-separable and if it breaks, a new unit is installed as a whole;
- an adjustment handle attached to the cartridge lever. With its help, the pressure and temperature of the water changes;
- fixing nut;
- a housing cover that performs an aesthetic function and also covers the cartridge.
Read material on the topic: How to choose components for pipes
General information
Types of mixer, their structure
The following types of mixers are distinguished: - single lever, - valve.
The valve type of device consists of two valves, which, when rotated, supply water of the required temperature and pressure to the tap. This type of faucet has a lightweight design and is easy to repair if necessary. When replacing parts, you should follow the step-by-step instructions.
The single-lever type is a lever that supplies water to the faucet when you turn it to the side or lift it up. This device contains a ball inside the structure that has special slots. It contacts the lever mechanism. Water of different temperatures flows through the holes, which subsequently mixes. The force of pressure changes when the angle of the lever shifts.
If the mixer is based on a ceramic cartridge of two plates, then when the position of the lever changes, the plates contact each other, shifting. In this case, hot water is mixed with cold water.
Seals for axle box cranes are: - made of ceramics, - made of rubber.
The components located in the valve head must be replaced. The axle box crane may have both tees and branch pipes. Using a tee, several circuits are connected at once; the tap from the pipes has a special layout.
Positive properties of a mixer with a lever:
1.Easy to use.
3.looks beautiful in appearance.
4.convenient for assembly.
Attention! The lever type of mixer cannot be repaired, as it has peculiarities in the structure of the body; if necessary, the entire assembly is replaced.
Types of switches
The faucet switches to the shower using special mechanisms, which are:
The cartridge type of switch is considered the simplest and most widely used. Basically, the device breaks due to wear of the rubber seal in the form of a ring, which is located between the mixer lever and its body. The seal is affected by moisture and mechanical stress, so it wears out. Bad gaskets should be replaced with new ones by disassembling the device.
Faucet spare parts
It is believed that only professional plumbers need to have a good understanding of the design of plumbing equipment. The average person needs to know only the most basic things, for example, how to change the gasket in a dripping faucet or how to clear a blockage in a pipe. However, knowledge of the structure and operating principle of some plumbing fixtures can serve you well if necessary. By repairing a simple breakdown in plumbing equipment yourself, you can save on the work of a plumber and save yourself from the often long wait for professional help. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about the design of the faucet and its spare parts.
Non-contact mixer device
These faucets are used extremely rarely in everyday life and their main use is in places where there are large crowds of people, where it is highly undesirable to touch the faucet handle again. They are usually installed in public toilets.
The structure of a bathroom faucet of this type provides for the placement of infrared sensors that react to the warmth of the hands and automatically turn on the water at the desired temperature. Motion sensors or a photocell can also be used. Each such product has a drawing of a bathroom faucet with an exact indication of the location of the sensors and their operating parameters.
A few words about faucet repair
The faucet, no matter how much we would like it, is a short-lived thing. Due to constant use, some structural elements may fail. The result of a breakdown may not only be a dripping faucet - periodic noises and leaking faucet connections will also not bring much joy. If you have some plumbing and repair skills, then you can fix a broken faucet yourself.
We have studied the components of the bathroom faucet, all that remains is to understand what is the cause of the malfunction. Among the most common breakdowns, there are only two:
- Noises;
- Leaks.
If noise occurs, it is better to contact a plumber and not try to do anything on your own. Then you can fix the leak yourself. To work, you will need a gas wrench, fum tape and a purchased gasket.
Carefully disconnect it and carefully examine the body and elements of the device for the presence of microcracks. If none are found, we move on to the gaskets. We remove the old, worn out “consumables” and insert new ones (spare gaskets are included in the kit). If time permits, in order to avoid further leaks, you can change the rubber bands in the entire structure, thereby saving yourself from additional problems. After fixing the problem, we install it in place - we wrap a small layer of fum tape around the eccentrics and tighten the nuts evenly. Technicians do not recommend over-tightening connections! Modern eccentrics are made of brass, which does not withstand strong compression (it may burst).
Now we can say that you have a good understanding of the circuit of mixers of different designs, and in the event of a malfunction, you will quickly figure out what’s what. =”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzqpcciBwGM” namevideo=”Installing an inexpensive bathtub faucet” desc=”Installing a cheap bathtub faucet during renovation. From the video tutorial you will learn about the secrets of high-quality installation of plumbing in the bathroom with your own hands, as well as hidden problems when installing a mixer.” durationmin=”15" durationsec=”43" upld=”2016-06-27" tmburl=”https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jzqpcciBwGM/maxresdefault.jpg” thumbnailwidth=”1280" thumbnailheight=”720" ]
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What can you repair yourself?
You can repair the mixer yourself if:
- mechanical damage to the spout or valve is detected - cracks and chips can be treated with plumbing sealant;
- the cartridge of the single-lever mixer is broken - in this case, the spare part just needs to be replaced;
- the gaskets are worn out - here you will need a set of seals from the repair kit;
- the aerator is clogged - the part needs to be washed under a strong stream of water;
- The bath-shower switch does not work - in this case, you will need to replace one of the sealing gaskets.
