The mixer today plays a bigger role than just a valve for shutting off the water. It brings aesthetic aspects and is integral decorative element and often acts as the highlight of a design solution.
It is important to approach the choice of a mixer with all responsibility, as it will serve you long years. The mixer must be made of quality material, not lose its attractiveness throughout its service life, be functional and durable. Let's take a closer look at the materials from which faucets are made.
From a theoretical point of view, many materials can be used to make faucets. But since the mixer is a fairly simple device, in practice this range is limited to metal alloys, plastics and ceramics. For the design of very expensive exclusive bathtubs, special stone or even wood can be used.
Its cost and performance characteristics, as well as appearance, so do right choice, without knowing the properties and characteristics of the material, it is quite difficult.
The mixer body is made of metal. The most commonly used metal alloys today are brass and bronze. Faucets made of this alloy are not exposed to the negative effects of water, so they can last for a very long time. In addition, on metal surfaces Mineral deposits accumulate less, that is, the mixer does not become overgrown from the inside. Brass is one of the best and most practical materials for the production of mixers.
Alloy steels are used a little less often than brass for the production of faucets, since if the water is too hard, they quickly become dirty.
Inexpensive faucets are made from simulin, which is an alloy of silicon and aluminum. Unfortunately, such faucets are short-lived, as they are quite fragile and subject to excessive contamination.
The best and most durable option is a bronze faucet with brass threads.
Plastic may be used to produce some faucet parts. Despite the fact that this material is inferior to metals, it has its obvious advantages, such as low thermal conductivity, lightness and strength, chemical neutrality, that is, lack of reaction with water.
Ceramics has almost the same properties as plastic, but has a more attractive appearance.
The faucet coating, which is designed to protect against corrosion, can be enameled or chrome plated.
A kitchen faucet is an actively used appliance. It keeps the water closed, and when open it mixes the cold stream with the hot one and sets the pressure. These factors, together with incorrect handling, contribute to rapid wear. Therefore, when choosing, you need to take into account not only the appearance, but also the reliability of the product, agree.
In order to purchase a reliably working product, you need to know the structure of a kitchen faucet. In addition, this information will help you understand how difficult or simple the repair will be. Will the owner be able to do it on his own or will he need to call a plumber?
All about design features You will learn about kitchen faucets from our proposed article. We have described in detail the varieties presented to the consumer by the market. For visual perception of the information, we have attached diagrams, a selection of photos and video repair instructions.
The name “mixer” directly indicates the main function of this plumbing equipment – mixing water. The device is connected to cold and hot water supply pipes, and its task is to supply water in the required proportion.
Adjustment is carried out manually by the user. In addition to adjusting the temperature, the mixer also adjusts the pressure of the water stream.
Mixer - a device that combines two taps in a single body, connected by separate pipes to the hot water and hot water pipelines
Materials used in production
A modern kitchen faucet can be made from the following materials:
- metal alloys (bronze, brass, silumin);
- polymers;
- ceramics.
A metal faucet is the most popular option for use in the kitchen. Brass and bronze do not oxidize or corrode from regular contact with water. In addition, these materials are chemically neutral, which means that deposits of mineral salts do not occur on their surface.
Image gallery
In theory, large quantities can be used to produce mixers various materials. However, in reality, for the manufacture of mixers that are not technically complex products, a limited range of materials is usually used - ceramics, plastic, and some metal alloys. It is extremely rare that models can be made of hard wood or stone. The choice of this particular list of materials is determined by their properties: strength, presentable appearance, ease of manufacturing products from them and actual safety of use. The price of ready-made faucets varies depending on the raw materials used.
Let's start the conversation about materials with plastic. In the manufacture of mixers, it has its pros and cons. The advantages of plastic include such characteristics as strength, lightness, ease of production, chemical neutrality to water, and low thermal conductivity. Speaking about the disadvantages of plastic, it should be admitted that in terms of service life it is inferior to both metals and ceramics, and although we noted its strength, this strength is very relative and it is again lower than that of other materials used to make faucets. It is optimal if the lever in a single-lever design or the valve handwheels are made of plastic.
Ceramics are more comfortable to the touch and much nicer than plastic. In addition, it is stronger and more durable, looks more elegant and expensive. But still, it is better to produce only individual parts for faucets from ceramics, but not to make them entirely from ceramics. There have been cases when, during operation without exposure to extra loads, the ceramic body of the mixer cracked and required immediate replacement. Of course, the reason for such situations could be hidden in a manufacturing defect or microcracks, but in any case, ceramic faucets cannot be considered absolutely reliable.
The most durable and widely used material in the manufacture of faucets is metal. The most common alloys from which faucet bodies are made are brass and bronze. These alloys are durable, have high strength, are also chemically neutral to the aquatic environment, do not overgrow from the inside, that is, they are little susceptible to various mineral contaminants. Faucets made of bronze and brass create almost no operational problems for users. The surface of such faucets is usually chrome plated. And adapters and fasteners In general, it is recommended to make them exclusively from these alloys.
Alloy steel is used somewhat less frequently in the manufacture of faucets, since it causes more difficulties in processing and is more susceptible to contamination during operation (of course, the latter also depends on the level of water pollution in the area). An alloy of silicon and aluminum - silumin - is considered the least suitable. Although it is affordable and very convenient to cast, it has low strength, which quickly decreases over the years, and therefore a rather short service life. In addition, the appearance of products made from it is also significantly inferior to bronze, brass and steel faucets. Therefore, if quality, elegance and durability are important to you, it is best to choose faucets made from traditional materials for your home.
It is impossible not to say a few words about coatings. There are two main types of coatings - enamel and chrome. Both enameled and chrome-plated parts protect materials well from corrosion, protect them from possible mechanical damage and look quite decent and presentable. Therefore, the choice between them is a matter of preference for each individual user.
Due to the reliability and durability of ball valves, the market demand for them has increased. And high demand always gives rise to the production of fakes, the use of which can lead to accidents
And a legitimate question arises - How to distinguish a fake from the original?
Since counterfeits can lead to accidents and large material losses, this means that in terms of their performance 
inferior to branded products, and sometimes very significantly. And what is the difference you will now find out.
The demand for ball valves is growing due to the perfection of their design, strict control chemical composition materials and production technology. And manufacturers of counterfeits ignore all these factors and, hiding behind famous brands, create something that looks similar to the original.
First of all, these are materials
Ball valves and valve bodies must be made of brass, the composition of which is regulated by the relevant GOST in Russia, and abroad - by the national standard. They provide for zinc content of up to 60%, lead in the range of 0.8–1.9%, copper 57–60%. Fake taps are made from non-ferrous scrap, and no one cares about the percentage of metals. And as a result, for example, the lead content can reach up to 5–7%, and this is harmful to human health.
Another type of counterfeiting is the use of more cheap material for the manufacture of housings - zinc. The use of such a crane is also dangerous. Due to its increased fragility, it can crack during mechanical stress or pressure changes. To this we can add the effect of chlorine in water on zinc, due to which the walls of the product become thinner and the tap less reliable. And the solution that is formed from chlorine and zinc - zinc chloride is a carcinogen. There are also taps made of aluminum alloy.
In pursuit of saving materials, faucet bodies are made thin - 0.5 - 1 mm, and reputable manufacturers make faucets with a wall thickness of 2 mm.
Mode of production
But this is not the only way to save money when faucets are faked. Leading manufacturers of ball valves produce them using hot forging or hot pressing. In order to save money, counterfeits are produced by casting. Therefore they differ from the original products uneven surface housing, sagging, and the material has a non-uniform structure resulting in poor reliability. Ball valves are also falsified, making them not from brass, but from steel, so they rust and the seal of the faucet is lost. And manufacturers of branded taps pay great attention to ball valves. Brass balls are diamond ground and then plated with nickel or chrome. As a result, the ball gets a perfect mirror surface. Fake balls have a dull and rough surface.
Experts note that there are fakes in which the design of the taps has been changed to reduce the cost of products at the expense of quality.
Read the company name carefully
Often the company name on products is written incorrectly, but similar to the original. One of the tricks is to change one letter Bogati instead of Bugatti; distortion of the logo by placing it, for example, not in a rhombus, but in a square or circle; country name ITALY instead of the accepted made in Italy. In addition, the labeling may lack one or another element that is mandatory for a particular manufacturer.
Advice
- It is best to buy ball valves from official distributors of these companies.
- If this is not possible, you can call official distributor and ask whether he is an official supplier of the seller you are interested in.
- Manufacturers often post drawings of their products on Internet sites. In addition, you can ask about the product’s markings, what it looks like, its dimensions, weight and other signs by which you can determine its authenticity.
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Using water in everyday life, we come into contact with plumbing fixtures. In simple terms, these are shut-off valves that are adapted to regulate the uniformity of water supply, shut off its flow, control the temperature and maintain a stable pressure. When choosing components for plumbing fixtures, it is important to consider not only specifications details, but also the conditions in which it will be used, as well as the material of the mixer. You can make a purchase yourself, following the recommendations for choosing the right product.
What does the appearance of the mixer say?
Most users select products based on appearance, paying attention to design elements, their beauty and practicality. You should buy products in this category in uniform design. This means that the material of the kitchen faucet must match the material used to decorate the washbasins and bathroom. Common components of modern cranes are:
- - nickel;
- - copper;
- - bronze;
- - steel;
- - chrome;
- - iron;
- - brass.
Its appearance and appearance depend on what material is used to make the item. In particular, the nickel alloy provides a matte finish that is easier to clean. This is a real gift for the hostess. Steel is highly durable and resistant to corrosion, and bronze gives a sophisticated appearance in the format of vintage taps, which is important in vintage interiors.
What material is preferable for the kitchen?
In the kitchen, the mixer is installed in combination with a washing sink. An important role when choosing components is played by the shape and depth of the sink. For example, for a deep sink under the wall, you can install a short tap, which will be mounted not in the sink itself, but directly on the wall. For a kitchen with a small narrow sink, it is important to install a faucet with a high tube so that the water supply is optimal and so that you can wash a large frying pan or bowl.
When choosing copper faucets for the kitchen, you should pay attention to the convenience of the taps, the softness of the movement, and how stable the gaskets inside the product are. An important point is the convenience of setting a comfortable temperature.
In addition, kitchen taps constantly get dirty and scratched, so choosing a glossy finish is impractical. You will have to fight against limescale and experiment with detergents. It is much more profitable to select an unpretentious faucet in advance.
Possibilities of bathroom faucets
Unlike the kitchen, the simultaneous installation of several plumbing units is relevant for the bathroom. The first of them is located on the washbasin, the second in the bath or shower, and the third can be located on the bidet. If you have a model made of non-standard material installed in your kitchen, then a copper faucet for the bathroom will be a comprehensive solution that will emphasize the overall style of the apartment. The use of antique copper parts requires consistent use original models plumbers. It doesn't have to be a traditional white bathroom. You can experiment with shapes and colors.
In the bathroom we often wash our hands, wash ourselves, do makeup and take a bath. When choosing plumbing fixtures, focus on practicality, because they will wear out quite a lot if you count the total number of visits per day.
WITH technical point In view of this, it is advisable to install faucets with two taps directly on the bathroom, allowing more flexible regulation of the flow temperature. When choosing plumbing items, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the shower pipe and faucet, because these parts most often fail.
Why are the prices for the same models different?
Coming to the store, the client is at a loss when choosing. The problem is that a visually similar product can have a huge difference in price. The fact is that cranes of the same type can have different designs inside. For additional protection against wear, manufacturers equip modern models ceramic core. This tube prevents the formation of rust and other troubles.
The weak point of any mixer is its gasket. Standard equipment at a low price quickly brings unpleasant surprises in the form of leaks. An expensive piece of plumbing has a ceramic seal or valve that prevents premature wear. In order to recognize a quality product, pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty. The longer the warranty period, the better the quality of the product. The most expensive models taps are equipped with such a part as a thermostat.
Complete Bathroom Tools
A non-standard model of plumbing is considered to be communications associated with the shower and, in particular, with hydroboxes. As part of such a device, several types of taps with non-standard water supply at different angles can be used at once.
For greater practicality, it is recommended to install components in the same style, but with different versions, depending on the intended purpose of the item. In order to prevent breakdowns, it is necessary to learn how to use plumbing correctly and conduct preventive inspections.
Luxury items: how to preserve them
Gold bathroom faucets are unprecedentedly exotic. They can imitate a yellow coating, or they can have a layer of sputtering made of precious metal. 
As a rule, this is yellow gold, which perfectly suits the classic and Venetian interior. Complete with such an exquisite tool, you can install gold-tone faucets for the kitchen. They will endure a single range and highlight your style.
Beauty always comes at a price. If you value bathroom and kitchen accessories, use the services of a professional plumber. He will provide timely service, prevent damage to parts, take care of extending the service life and appearance your faucets. Having at hand the phone number of a specialist and the store where you bought things, you will be able to quickly eliminate any breakdown and shortage of spare parts.
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