Water taps: types and selection rules

A faucet or mixer is a small device, but extremely necessary in any home. Designers are developing more and more new design options for faucets, but the internal design of these products is not very diverse. Having studied the design of the water tap, it is easier to choose the appropriate mixer model. You can even install the faucet yourself or make the necessary repairs.

• 2 How are valve taps arranged?

  2.1 Tap with one valve

• 2.2 Two-valve mixer

Types and types of water taps

Until recently, the consumer could choose mainly from two valve options: a valve design with one or two levers. A ball valve of a very simple design was used mainly in heating systems. Today, more modern products can be found on the shelves of plumbing stores. By type, cranes can be divided into:

• single valve;
• two-valve;
• single lever;
• equipped with a thermostat;
• sensory.

You should immediately understand the difference between the concepts of “faucet” and “mixer”. All devices that allow you to regulate the flow of water in a pipeline and stop it completely are usually called taps. Mixers are devices that have two pipes connected to them: hot and cold water. The faucet mechanism allows you to regulate not only the water flow, but also its temperature.

Whatever the type of tap or mixer, each of them has elements such as:

• a housing in which the water flow control mechanism is located;
• spout, in common parlance - a spout through which water flows;
• the lever or levers (valves) that control the mechanism;
• the actual locking mechanism located in the housing.

The shape and color of the mixer, the design of the spout largely depend on the design tricks of the manufacturer. Often the spout spout is equipped with an aerator or divider: a special mesh that distributes the water flow more evenly. The main difference between different types of taps and mixers is the design of the locking mechanism and levers.

Faucet installation

Having studied the technical characteristics of the Mayevsky tap and comparing them with the parameters of the heating network, you can begin installation. But how many products should I buy and where should I put them? Here are some recommendations:

• In heating devices, when the network is filled, air always accumulates. Hence the recommendation - to install air vents on each battery;
• U-shaped compensators and bypasses facing upward can also accumulate air. Here, a more suitable option would be a Mayevsky valve built into a ball valve;
• sometimes homemade registers or coils welded from steel pipes are installed in technical rooms. Here an air vent is also needed;
• other elements of the system located at the highest points.

For reference. Almost all modern heating devices are sold with installation kits, which include Mayevsky taps.

It should be noted that automatic vent valves must be installed at the highest points of vertical risers, near the boiler and in the manifold distributors of underfloor heating. These devices remove the air mixture from the system without human intervention, in automatic mode. Their use is due to the fact that in some places there is always a danger of air pockets forming and it is difficult to remove them manually.

Such air vents are also called “automatic Mayevsky valve”, since they perform the same function, although they are structurally different from the manual devices described above. The product consists of a body with a float inside. The latter is mechanically connected to the needle valve via a lever. The chamber where the float is located has a vertical orientation in space, and the hole for the coolant is located in its bottom.

In normal mode, the chamber is filled with water, and the principle of operation of the automatic tap is to respond to a decrease in its level. When the water leaves, displaced by air, the float lowers and the lever opens the needle valve. The air mixture leaves the chamber under coolant pressure, its level rises again, and the valve closes.

In fact, installing a Mayevsky tap or automatic air vent is quite simple. When the system is mounted from polymer pipes, then to insert the device you need to install one additional fitting and screw a tap into it. It is somewhat more difficult to do this with steel pipes; here you will need a metalworking tool, and possibly a welding machine. The simplest thing to do is to install a device for releasing air from the radiators; to do this, you just need to screw it into the top plug that covers the horizontal channel of the last section. In this case, the tap is located on the side opposite to the connection of the radiator to the supply pipeline.

How are valve taps arranged?

Single valve faucet

Good old valve taps are distinguished by their simple design and fairly high reliability. Models with one valve are used for taps with cold or hot water only. The copper or brass body of the device contains a locking mechanism in the form of a faucet: worm or ceramic. The first option uses the principle of reciprocating motion. The valve controls a worm rod, which presses a rubber or leather gasket against a special “seat”. Gasket wear is the most common cause of valve failures. To stop water leaking from under a leaky gasket, you just need to replace it with a new one.

The ceramic faucet box consists of two plates with a clearance. One of the plates is fixed motionless, and the second is rotated using a valve. Both plates have gaps; when their positions coincide, water flows into the spout. Since ceramics are extremely resistant to wear, such a mechanism rarely breaks. Valve valves with a ceramic valve axle are more expensive than worm-type models, but they are much more reliable.

Single-valve faucets are used only to control the flow of cold or hot water. It is recommended to purchase more durable models with a ceramic valve axle box

The spout of such a faucet is sometimes cast as one piece with the body. In this case, the faucet spout will be stationary. Much more convenient and popular are models of valve taps with a spout in the form of a tube. The spout is inserted vertically into the product body and held in special grooves using two plastic hinge rings. This design allows you to rotate the spout in a horizontal plane, installing it in a position suitable for use.

Note! When choosing between a steel and brass model, you should give preference to the latter, since brass is much more resistant to corrosion.

Double valve mixer

Of course, in a house with hot water supply it makes sense to use a mixer. For two-valve devices, almost the same valve axle boxes are used as for valves with one valve. Cold water flows into the mixer through one locking mechanism, and hot water through the other. When controlling crane axle boxes, appropriate valves are used.

To repair a two-valve mixer, you also often have to change worn gaskets. However, sometimes it makes sense to completely replace the entire crane axle mechanism, which is relatively inexpensive. The procedure for this type of repair work is presented in detail in the following video:

This model is perfect for a kitchen sink or washbasin. Faucets with an additional hole for a shower hose are also installed in bathrooms. The design is complemented by a switch that directs the flow of water from the spout to the hose and back. Two-handle faucets have been used in plumbing for many years and continue to compete successfully with newer faucet options.

How to choose the right model?

Before you go to a plumbing store, you need to decide on the purpose of the purchase - where the future model will be installed. Depending on this, the shape, material, design and other factors will be determined. If you are replacing or installing a new water supply, a drawing of the water drain valve, water tap and other elements of the system will also be needed.

Water tap with shower head

Main selection criteria:

1. Design. Two-valve models are suitable for classic interiors, single-lever models are easy to use, and thermostatic and touch-sensitive models will appeal to lovers of comfort and novelties.
2. Material of manufacture. Stores offer water taps made from a combination of bronze and brass - this is the highest quality and most reliable option. Models made of silumin are not durable, the same can be said about the plastic insides of the faucet.
3. Mounting type. They can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted, as well as built-in or mortise-mounted – it all depends on the user’s preference and the installation location.
4. Form. Models with a curved spout are suitable for the kitchen, while short versions are suitable for the bath. Models of medium length with a slight bend will fit well into the sink.
5. Size. Faucet connecting installation units are measured in inches, so it makes sense to ask the seller about these parameters. The diameter of the spout is also important - the pressure of the supplied water depends on it.
6. Repair frequency. New items with a thermostat and touch-sensitive models are considered the most durable. It often happens that the tap on a two-valve mixer turns, and on single-lever models the rubber seals break.

When purchasing, you should also pay attention to the aeration nozzle - the more holes it has, the more water will be sprayed.

Modern water taps are presented in a wide range, which allows each buyer to choose the option and design that best meets the needs of the family. Compliance with the rules of operation of the product will extend its service life.

Design of ball mixers

Ball mixers have been used relatively recently in plumbing. They quickly gained popularity due to their exceptional ease of use compared to valve devices. The design of a water ball valve is shown in detail in the diagram:

The central element in the design of a ball water tap is a cartridge that can be rotated both left and right and up and down.

Inside the case there is a spherical cartridge with three holes. Through two of them, cold and hot water enters the cavity of the cartridge, and through the third, the flow, already mixed and brought to the required temperature, is supplied to the spout.

Only one lever is used to control the movement of the cartridge. The left-right movement regulates the amount of cold and hot water entering the mixer, i.e. its temperature. To increase or decrease the water pressure, you need to move the lever up and down. This way you can adjust the temperature and pressure of the water flow with just a couple of movements.

Please note that due to the high popularity of ball mixers, many low-quality fakes have appeared on the market. The thickness of the metal body of such a device must be at least 2 mm. You can tell a good faucet by its weight: a high-quality model is heavier.

It should be noted that it is quite possible to repair a ball mixer at home. To do this, the device is disassembled and the ceramic cartridge is completely replaced with a new one. Of course, the cost of such repairs is much higher than replacing a conventional valve mechanism gasket. Cartridges of different models may differ, so when repairing it is recommended:

• disassemble the damaged mixer;
• remove the faulty cartridge;
• take it to a plumbing store;
• purchase an identical device;
• complete the repair.

When removing the cartridge, you need to remember its location in order to install the new element correctly.

The simplest model of a ball valve has been in use for quite some time. This is a simple mechanism that allows you to simply shut off the flow of water. Most often, such devices are used in pipelines, for example, in heating systems. The design of a crane of this type is shown in the diagram below:

Such a simple and reliable ball valve is not used to regulate temperature or water pressure, but only to open and close the flow

To stop the flow of water, just turn the handle 90 degrees. This simple design is usually not used very intensively, so it breaks extremely rarely.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of water ball valves?

The ball valve for water compares favorably with previous shut-off valve options. Main advantages:

• 90 degree rotation ensures full opening and closing.
• The rod is inserted from the inside and ensures safety when water pressure increases.
• Due to the fact that there are no internal pockets or stagnant zones in such a faucet, there is no accumulation of dirt.
• When a full bore ball valve for water is open, its hydraulic resistance is almost the same as that of a pipe.
• Installation of such a structure can be carried out from either side, since the direction of flow does not matter;
• Such a faucet has a high degree of reliability due to the absence of a large number of gaskets, the wear of which can lead to flooding of the premises in the absence of the owners.
• A fairly simple design of a ball valve for water allows its repair not only by a specialist, but also by an ordinary user.
• Easy to use as you just need to raise or lower the lever. In addition, they are reliable and ergonomic, which protects against small but annoying breakdowns.
• Ball valves for water provide good tightness, since the ball fits tightly to the riser and high-quality metal is used in its manufacture.
• Unlike other cranes, such structures are smaller in size, which allows installation in almost any chosen location.

The disadvantage of this type of tap is that it operates in regulation mode (when the ball valve does not completely shut off the water). In this case, the surface of the shut-off ball may collect contaminants, which, upon further closing or opening, will lead to a violation of the tightness and, as a result, leakage of the faucet.

Features of the design of mixers with a thermostat

Modern technologies make using the mixer simpler and more convenient. Devices equipped with a thermostat are gradually gaining popularity. What distinguishes them from a conventional faucet is the presence of a thermocouple that controls the flow of hot and cold water to bring the flow to a predetermined temperature. A handle is mounted outside, with which the temperature indicators are set. Another lever regulates the water pressure coming from the spout.

Water faucets with a temperature sensor are very convenient to use. Using the valve, only the pressure of the water flow is regulated, and the temperature value can be set in advance

Read more about this type of faucets in the article: Faucet with a thermostat: design and principle of operation + example of self-installation.

What to look for when buying an air vent valve?

Heating systems are susceptible to water hammer. This happens rarely, but the possibility exists. Therefore, it is better to choose models with a safety valve that is sensitive to pressure changes. When the indicator reaches critical levels, the valve opens and water leaves the heating circuit.

Reference. Water hammer is a pressure difference that is caused by a sharp change in the speed of the coolant. This phenomenon leads to the formation of cracks, ruptures of pipes and radiators, as a result of which the coolant flows out of the system and floods the premises. PVC pipes are most often damaged.

It is better to choose products with rubber or silicone gaskets. There are also paronite gaskets, but they have proven to be worse. Additionally, the thread can be strengthened with linen tow or fum tape.

Water hammer in the heating system

When choosing a faucet, take into account its location and the design of the heating system itself.

Manual models of cranes are universal. When purchasing them, you must take into account the distance from the pipe on which the valve is installed to the wall. The distance is left such that the tool can be used, especially if this requires a screwdriver or pliers.

Automatic machines are not very suitable for centralized heating systems. There, the purity of the coolant raises questions, so the unit often gets clogged. Such models are not very suitable for cast iron radiators either. In the latter case, manual models in a brass case have proven themselves better. They can also be used in steam heating systems.

But AKMs are convenient in tight spaces and places with difficult access. They are also used in underfloor heating systems, since it is difficult to detect the formation of an air lock.

The Mayevsky tap will not interfere with the “warm floor” water system

When purchasing, pay attention to the thread parameters. You should also find out the type of socket on the radiator. For sale, manufacturers offer KM models equipped with a handle with a side outlet, which are more convenient than those located in the traditional way.

Also, when choosing a node, take into account the following characteristics:

• permissible pressure;
• working temperature.