How to choose the right mixer for the bathroom: with one lever, with two, with a thermostat, non-contact, with a shower, with a different type of spout, retractable mixers, the installation of a mixer, the most reliable materials for mixers.

Planning the repair work in the living quarters, every practical owner, tries to create the most comfortable interior and atmosphere in the bathroom. Such zeal is very logical. After all, the adoption of water procedures, as best as possible, contributes to the restoration of forces after a hard day's work, getting a charge of vivacity and full recovery of work capacity, which has a very positive effect on the activity of doing household tasks, solving new tasks, spending time with family, children, and so on.

Unfortunately, the owners who started repairing the bathroom, pay more attention to the choice of sanitary ware, furniture, tiles and other elements of a variety of decor, rather than a responsible choice of the mixer. Experienced designers argue that this fact can be considered a big mistake. And in this they are right: an incorrectly selected faucet can not only worsen the aesthetic perception of the bathroom as a whole, but also cause poorly performed water relaxation procedures.

How to choose a mixer

In order to purchase this kind was really successful, it is necessary to choose such a copy that would rejoice both the soul, the body, and the eyes.

The mixers offered today by the leading manufacturing companies are radically different from the unattractive and inconspicuous analogues produced 15-20 years ago. The production of this type of goods has made a big step forward - modern plumbing designs can be safely attributed to small masterpieces.

Bathroom faucets can be divided into two types:

• with one lever
• with two valves for switching and adjusting the pressure of water.

Single lever mixers

For today they occupy the first place in the rating of sales of similar goods. Buyers who opted for this type of goods, in the first place guided by practicality in use. The mechanism of the mixer of this type has a device in the design that makes it possible to adjust the water head and its temperature synchronously. Such a device involves a lever, allowing the above described functions.

Adjustment of such a plan is extremely simple and at the same time convenient. In addition, if necessary, the flow of water can almost immediately be blocked. Equally convenient is the lever-equipped bathtub faucet with shower.

Mixers with two valves

They are purchased less often, but they do not lose their relevance to this day. The reason here is not only in the lower cost of the product. Most of the plumbing is manufactured using innovations, and as a result, not all of them can harmoniously fit into the interior of a bath made, for example, in country style, retro or loved by many classics. It is in such cases that the exquisitely made cranes are recovered from the old clichés.

Adjustment of the pressure head is carried out by two handles. Each of them individually regulates hot and cold water. To obtain the desired jet, it is necessary to perform rotational movements that will help achieve the desired result.

The main disadvantage of mixers of this kind is rubber gaskets for sealing. They will have to be changed regularly, and in some cases, permanently.

Mixer with thermostat

Mixers of this kind have taken their firm position in the construction market quite recently. Their main task is to supply the consumer with water, the temperature of which is set by them in advance.

Devices with a thermostat ensure a high level of safety for the user and all members of his family, especially if there are elderly people and children in the house - the risk of getting a burn from hot water using a bathroom thermostat is absolutely excluded.

Non-contact faucets

This is one of the latest products of this kind. They do not presume control with the help of hands. Switching the water head on and off adjusts the sensor with infrared rays. The sensor perceives the delivery of hands to such a tap as a signal of the beginning of water activation, just as it happens with its shutdown.

Non-contact faucets are divided into two groups: one of them operates from built-in batteries, and others - from the power supply network.

On which kind of mixer the buyer to choose - it's up to him. In the selection process it is necessary to take into account a lot of factors related to practicality in use, constructive design decision and so on. To date, specialized stores offer a fairly wide range of products of this type. Therefore, everyone, even the most skeptical buyer, can satisfy their desires and needs.

Bath mixers with shower

The design of such products is not at all complicated, it consists of:

• spouting,
• flexible hose with shower head,
• housing for mixing hot and cold liquids,
• control valves,
• switching mechanisms.

Mounting options for mixers

There is a division of mixers and by the method of installation. In addition to the usual options for attaching to the wall, there are models mounted directly into the wall, located on the floor and mortise.

Embedded Bathroom Faucets

Each of the mixer models can be installed in several ways. The ideal option for installing rotary models is a wall mount. At the same time, the valves or the lever, the mixer and the shower head are visible, all elements of the water supply system will be hidden under the gypsum board wall. When performing the installation work, special care must be taken - otherwise a risk of leakage may occur.

A relatively new and rather stylish solution is when the mixer is mounted on the side of the bathtub. The wall in this case is completely freed, to enhance the comfort on it you can attach strips or a mirror. In addition, with this type of attachment, it is quite convenient to use all the mixer controls. Elements of the water supply system are also not visible in this case, i.e. the bathroom looks quite aesthetically pleasing.

The most modern invention in the field of installation of mixers is the installation of a special rack. This solution looks quite stylish and original, but a rather high cost of installation can become a serious obstacle to its popularization. To be able to install the rack you will need to place the bath as far as possible from the walls, and the distribution of the water supply pipes is done under the floor. This kind of mixers will appeal to fans of hi-tech style.

Bathroom mixers with different spout type

Bath mixers can also differ in type of spout, there are models C:

• short spout,
• without spillage,
• with a long spout.

If today it is customary to buy and install the first two models, more compact and suitable for modern bathroom design, then the third one can be considered traditional.

Those who like the traditional version more result convincing enough arguments about its advantages:

• a bath mixer whose long spout allows you to fill the water tank, whether it's a bucket or bottles to the top is really an excellent helper in the household,
• under such a mixer it is very convenient to wash a small child, especially if one of the parents has to do it alone,
• in case you want to wash your head urgently, without undressing or placing yourself in a bath, then do it under a jet coming from a long mixer at a sufficient distance from the side of the bathroom - it is quite possible that rotary models are particularly convenient in such cases.

Prefer to install a mixer of this kind should be in such cases:

• if there is no possibility to draw water separately to the sink,
• if there is no money to install and maintain two separate mixers,
• if the house is home to young children or pets,
• if the owners of the bath have a habit of washing their head, the arms of the leg under the tap, but there is no desire to see on the floor a puddle,
• if the purchased sink has sufficiently large overall dimensions and depth - a tap with a short spout will not look exactly right.

Pull out mixers

If the mixer with a long spout is suitable for your functionality, but its external appearance does not cause delight, then you should pay attention to modern faucets with a pull-out spout. Convenient is a mixer in the bathroom and in the kitchen, often mixers of this type are installed in hairdressers - working with it does not lead to the formation of numerous sprays.

Work retractable mixers in two modes, aerated and conventional. The flow of water during the operation of the mixer is very easy to turn in the right direction, the work can be performed within a half-meter radius.

What materials for making mixers are considered the most reliable

The most durable, wear-resistant, reliable material from which the mixer body can be made is brass obtained by means of fusing copper and zinc. The best material for casting fasteners and adjusting parts is stainless steel. Both brass and stainless steel are famous for their properties that do not overgrow mineral deposits, they are practically neutral to the influence of the aquatic environment. Mixers made of such materials are designed for a long and trouble-free operating period.

The best coating option for the mixer is chrome.

This material is endowed with antibacterial properties and in addition to this, it fits well in almost any style of the interior.

A few tips for choosing a mixer

Choosing a mixer is worth remembering that their range is great and varied.

Do not buy products in the spontaneous markets of this kind.

In such places, it is often possible to purchase products without guarantee of authenticity, as well as of rather questionable quality.

The selection of products of this kind is very responsible.

The main criteria for which it is worthwhile to search for suitable products are availability of necessary functions, convenience and practicality in use, as well as materials involved in the production of the mixer.