When replacing plumbing fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen, problems arise in choosing faucets. Today the range and price range is very wide. In large chain stores you can find a mixer for 300 rubles, and in front of it there may be a similar one in appearance, but for 5,000 rubles. The buyer has questions about the difference between the two. This article was created to answer several of these questions.
Modern faucets are made mainly from two materials:
For those who have doubts, I am posting a video from HansGrohe, which shows the process of making a real brass faucet. This is how they do plumbing in Europe. High-quality materials and expensive, qualified labor are used here
In my opinion, faucets with cartridges are more convenient. There, only one lever is used to control the flow and temperature of the water. The service life of ceramics is determined by the amount of sand and sludge in the water pipe. If there is little or none at all, then a good cartridge will last you at least 7 years. The service life of ceramic faucet axle boxes is the same as that of cartridges. Therefore, the question of choosing between them is more a matter of personal preference.
Faucet axle boxes and cartridge for mixer If you are buying a shower faucet, then pay attention to the switch. It is better to choose a faucet with a ceramic switch. This will eliminate two problems with mixers with diverters at once:
Diverter with spring and rubber band 
Ceramic diverter From my sales experience, I can say that European manufacturers are superior in quality to Chinese ones, but among the latter you can also find decent specimens. The trouble is that our importers prefer to buy low-quality goods from China at low prices and receive more profit. At the same time, Chinese goods develop a negative image, although, in fact, there are worthy copies that are not inferior to well-known European brands. I can also tell you a secret - some European manufacturers have long moved production to China. Thus, they achieved cost reduction without loss of product quality.
When purchasing a mixer, pay attention to the following parameters:
The design of the mixer does not affect its functions in any way and therefore you can choose it at your discretion. That's all! I look forward to your questions in the comments.
Who and what is the faucet made of that supplies water to the sink, bathtub or shower hose? A question that cannot be ignored if you want to install in your bathroom/kitchen not only beautiful and comfortable, but also durable equipment that can properly perform its functions for many years.
Truly high-quality faucets are made from brass, a material that is a copper-based alloy. It accounts for up to 60%. Zinc is usually added to copper, and metals such as:
Brass is resistant to constant exposure to water and is safe for human body. There is one thing - before buying, you should ask about the lead content. The norm suggests 2.0–2.5%, but some manufacturers increase the presence of plumbum to 5-6%. This is not dangerous to health, but problems may arise when using the mixer. The risk of “hot” cracks increasing, leading to leaks or even bursting of the faucet.
What are sink and shower faucets made of besides brass? Chinese models are most often made from Zamak (in our country this composition is better known as TsAM). Its basis is zinc alloyed with aluminum, copper and magnesium. This material is much cheaper, so manufacturers can install low prices to the final product. But in terms of reliability and durability, Zamak is significantly inferior. Additives that are added to tap water, corrode the mixer body relatively quickly.
As a result, leaks will form that will need to be repaired. Typically, parts that are not in constant contact with water, such as handles, are made from TsAM. This alone allows you to seriously reduce the cost of the mixer without losing quality.
It is not always possible to be sure that the model is made of brass. Some unscrupulous manufacturers “increase” the quality of their product by providing false information regarding its composition. Faucets made from Zamak are usually whiter and have a rougher surface. In addition, they are much lighter, although not in all cases. Cunning counterfeiters sometimes put a metal ball inside to weigh it down, so it’s better not to rely on weight.
In general, the original faucet for bath, shower or kitchen sink from famous brand contains an engraved or laser-printed logo. There is no such sign on fakes, since its application is too expensive and deprives the fraud of any meaning.
The answer to the question of what faucets are made of will be incomplete without mentioning the coating of the body and faucet. The surface of the device can be covered with almost any material, including:
The quality of spraying plays an important role in the issue of durability. Most often, chrome is used, giving the mixer a modern appearance. If you are more interested in noble “antique”, check out the models covered with gold, bronze or copper. The surface of the product should be as smooth as possible. If, as a result of the inspection, unevenness, sagging, or even uneven color is observed, it is better to refrain from purchasing.
Naturally, it is not enough just to know what faucets are made of. The level of assembly does not always correspond to the quality of materials. Before purchasing, you should carefully inspect the body and faucet. Ask to disassemble the faucet as much as possible to evaluate the connecting parts. Threads and edges must be smooth and clearly defined, sealing gaskets must have a uniform texture.
When choosing a shower mixer, pay attention to the quality of the shower head and nozzles. For the production of the former, plastic is usually used, for the latter - silicone. These are non-toxic materials that are easy to clean and do not stain limescale. Naturally, before visiting a regular or virtual store, you should clarify the parameters water pipes and shower hose. This will save you additional headaches during the installation process.
For anyone who wants to purchase a bath/shower faucet that does not require repair or replacement after just a couple of months of use, we recommend products from well-known European brands. These include Jacob Delafon, Lemark, Grohe, Cezares, Geberit and Hansgrohe. Their products are always certified and supplemented detailed instructions and, most importantly, a two-year warranty is provided.
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 kitchen faucets you will learn from the article we propose. 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 to 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
A modern kitchen faucet can be made from the following materials:
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.
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At the moment, the market is replete with a variety of different faucets with showers. This is no longer just useful and convenient thing, further bathroom design will be based on it. Many manufacturers pair them with various accessories, sinks, and bathrooms. Selection criteria often depend on the buyer’s financial capabilities and taste preferences. But there is general rules, which are worth considering before purchasing.
In order to understand how to choose a faucet for a bathroom with a shower, consider what it is made of, its functionality, specifications, usability and design.
When choosing a new faucet, you need to find out what material it is made of. Please note that the heavier the unit, the longer it will last you.
At the moment, manufacturers most often use the following materials:
In expensive faucet models, silver and gold plating are used. They call it "Antique".
Additional elements (watering cans, handles) of the mixers are made of ABS plastic - it is quite durable and will last a long time.
In order to understand how to choose a high-quality faucet for a bathroom with a shower, you need to have a clear idea of what they are, how they should be attached and what functions they perform. To facilitate the selection process, mixers are divided into the following types:
1) For its intended purpose:
2) By type of fastening:
3) By design they can be divided:
Often the cause of breakdowns is salt deposits. If you buy a special filter, this will extend its service life.
Having chosen a model and installed it, you need to remember several rules that will extend its service life:
The final choice of mixer model depends only on you, but correct installation, careful operation and timely detection of breakdowns, any mixer can work for more than one year.
