The plumbing market is filled with various models of faucets, which is a difficult task for an ordinary buyer to understand without the help of professionals. After all, they have a different design, construction, and functionality. The variety of faucet models is explained not only by competition between plumbing companies, but also by an increase in the range of bathtubs. In addition, there are more and more new types of installation of faucets with a shower, which also have an impact on the design of bathroom equipment.
Therefore, before choosing a faucet for a bathtub with a shower, you need to accurately determine its type, installation method and water supply system. With the usual replacement and dismantling of the old mixer, you just need to purchase new equipment similar to the old one, or choose a more advanced option.
Classification of cranes according to the principle of operation
Many models currently sold in plumbing stores can be divided into four types of control type:
- single-lever,
- two-valve,
- thermostats,
- touch.
Two-valve models were widely used not so long ago and are faucets with two valves for separate supply of cold and hot water.
But more functional single-lever devices were able to surpass them. Nowadays, they are very popular due to their unique design, ease of installation and ease of daily use. The design uses different colors, but the bath faucet with shower is especially popular in white.
The device of single-lever models has a regulating mechanism called a cartridge. It is the most vulnerable part of the faucet, as poor water quality will quickly disable it over time. If there are metal particles and scale, as well as sand in the water, this is due to the high degree of deterioration of the networks and the low level of their cleaning. Therefore, when using a bath faucet with a single lever shower, it is necessary to install household water filters in addition to it, which will increase its service life.
Thermostats
Not so long ago, competitors for taps with one lever appeared on the domestic market - thermostatic mixers. They positively stand out among other devices due to their beautiful design, reliable construction, high level of security, comfortable use.
Thermostats are made in the form of a special panel with handles. One of them serves to regulate the temperature, allowingkeep it constant until the next change of settings. The second handle turns the water on and off.
Feature of thermostatic taps
The main function of such devices is a special safety stopper, when activated, the possibility of getting burned from hot water is minimized. It simply blocks the flow of water, the temperature of which exceeds thirty-eight degrees. To get hotter water, turn off this function.
Moreover, the thermostat can also limit the flow of too cold water from the tap. This functionality will be very useful for families with small children. Better and safer bathroom faucets at the right price are hard to find.
Sensor faucets
No less advanced is the bathtub faucet with a touch shower, which has no valves or levers. With the help of a specialized sensor, which is built into the body of the device, water is automatically turned on when any object with the established dimensions approaches the device. After the object disappears from the sensor control zone, the water is also automatically turned off. Probably, some noticed that such mixers are usually found in cinemas, shopping centers, restaurants, offices and other institutions.
With this type of faucet, you can save money on utility bills. For those who have installed hot and cold water meters in their apartments, these devices will reduce cash costs forpaying utility bills. Acrylic bath faucet with shower will be best represented by this particular model, thanks to its touch control.
What's special about the universal faucet?
In bathrooms with small dimensions, a popular solution is to install plumbing fixtures at a close distance to each other. At the same time, it is very convenient to use a universal mixer, which incorporates a long spout (length thirty or more centimeters).
Usually these faucets are used both for the bath and for the sink, you just need to turn the spout in the required direction. Despite this, the demand for this type of faucet is falling, as new models of faucets provide much more comfort, have clearly separated functions and ensure high quality of the device.
The universal single lever model can also be used for different types of sanitary ware that are installed in close proximity to each other. The spout of this device also has a good length.
Which faucet material is more preferable?
Tub shower faucet is usually made of chrome and brass. Devices made of these metals and their various combinations are the most reliable and last longer in operation. Quite often, brass faucets are coated with protective coatings of nickel or specialized enamel, which gives an attractive shiny shade to such a device asbath faucet with shower (you can see the photo in the article).
However, you need to understand that the enamel coating can be easily damaged, and the faucet will lose its chic appearance. Some people are allergic to nickel. Therefore, experts in sanitary products advise in their choice to focus on devices with conventional chrome plating, which are made in Europe.
Faucet brand recommendations
In terms of quality and service life, German-made devices show high results among bathroom faucets. For example, consider the Grohe shower faucet. Its advantages include: the possibility of wall mounting, the presence of a ceramic cartridge, an automatic switch from bath to shower and an aerator, the ability to adjust the water flow, a chrome surface and a built-in additional temperature limiter.
Good mixers are devices made in Bulgaria. Their prominent representative is the Vidima bathtub faucet. It is made of brass, the surface of which is chrome plated. It has a convenient and highly functional body and is quite easy to install. The advantages of this mixer also include a long spout.
Installing a faucet in the bathroom
When installing a faucet, remember that it is better to entrust the installation of a faucet to professionals. However, if there is a great desire to produce it on your own, thenthe instruction that we offer you should help with this.
- First of all, you need to turn off the water supply.
- Using an adjustable wrench, carefully loosen the union nuts on the old faucet. Also unscrew the quick releases.
- It is best to use FUM tape for thread wrapping. Wind it around new eccentrics, which then need to be screwed into the fittings of the water inlets. Don't forget to try on the mixing block at this point - if both sides screw on without difficulty, the adjustment has been made correctly.
- Next, install decorative overlays.
- In the final stage of the work, the mixer block is installed. An important point in this case is to check the tightness of the connections, if necessary, tighten the nuts on them.
- Finally, the faucet is assembled according to the instructions, the shower hose is screwed to the already installed faucet. Don't forget to double check all connections for leaks.
As you can see, the installation process is not particularly long for such a device as a bathtub shower faucet. Installation is not something difficult. However, if you do not have building skills, it is better to turn to specialists.
For installation, it is necessary to choose mixers made in Europe. Because their Chinese counterparts can break down quite quickly during installation.
