Installing A Mixer With Your Own Hands, Installing A Faucet In The Kitchen In The Bathroom, Device, Types And Operating Instructions For The Mixer

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

Types of faucets for bathroom and kitchen, device
DIY installation of a shower and bathroom faucet
Mixer operating instructions

You have decided to make repairs and change the plumbing and pipes. Replacing mixers and taps is indispensable here. It used to be easier. Small selection, standard products. No need to fool your head with a choice. I went and bought it. Things are much more complicated now. The market offers a huge variety of products of all kinds of configurations and designs. It's really hard to choose. After all, along with a beautiful design, we also want durability. But the device of the mixer, in principle, remains unchanged and has several types, we will also tell you how to install the mixer with your own hands, and at the end you will be given a good short instruction on the operation of the mixer, but let's take turns.

Types of faucets for bathroom and kitchen, device

What to choose: a tap or a mixer, you decide. The faucet differs from the mixer in its design. Either cold or hot water can pass through it. Mixers are more popular and convenient. They are also varied in design.

Depending on the pipe layout, you can choose a wall-mounted mixer, a rack-mounted mixer or a shelf mixer. The last two options are design delights and give a special charm. But at the price they are an order of magnitude superior to the wall ones. The simplest mixer is a wall-mounted one.

Wall mounted faucets are available in short, medium and long sizes. It is very important that the length of the faucet matches your sink or bathtub. It is better to choose mixers of medium length. Wall mounted mixers have a slight advantage. A stationary shower arm or a flexible hose can be mounted to it. Faucets with a swivel spout are convenient. These mixers can serve both shower stall and bathroom.

There are mixers with two taps that supply hot and cold water separately. The most common cranes are now one-armed. These valves have a ball mechanism. Thanks to him, the crane can perform several functions. By moving the handle of the tap, you can adjust the water pressure and its temperature. Taps with pressure compensators and temperature control are of course very convenient. But, unfortunately, they are not designed for the quality of our pipes and water. Therefore, at their high cost, they do not cope with their functions and quickly fail.

An important part of a one-hand mixer (single-lever ball, as in the photo above) is the shut-off valve. It is made from metal and ceramics. These materials are quite resistant to the chemical attack of water. Valves made in the form of a hollow disc made of stainless steel are resistant to mechanical damage. Gaskets last much longer. But they are more sensitive to chemical attack. The cheapest, but also not durable, are valves made of rubber or leather. They wear out quickly and require frequent repairs. The only plus is easy repairs. It makes sense to put cleaning filters on the pipes. Then a far from perfect plumbing will not soon disable your faucets. By the way, see the article do-it-yourself mixer repair for bathroom and kitchen, perhaps you should just fix the old one and use it further.

DIY installation of a shower and bathroom faucet

To replace and install the mixer, you need an adjustable wrench, hoses, sealant, pliers, plumbing tape, rack wrench, flashlight, knife and basin. Don't forget the mixer itself.

To start the installation, turn off the water. Place a basin under the tap of the mixer to drain the water remaining in the pipe. Using an adjustable wrench, disconnect the mixer from the hose and piping.

When removing an old mixer, consider how it is attached. If the mixer has a wide base, start by removing the faucet handles, then disassemble the gaskets and nuts underneath. If the faucet has a narrow base, then it is mounted under the sink. You will need pliers here. Sometimes pipes block access to the base of the mixer. For such cases, a rack wrench is used. When you unscrew all the nuts, the old mixer can be easily removed. Any dirt that has accumulated under it should be removed.

Then proceed with the installation of the new mixer. Install it in the desired place, add spacers and tighten the nuts. Coat the base of the mixer with silicone or sealant. Then install the mixer handles and cover. If the faucet has a narrow base, apply sealant to the sink before installing.

After installation, connect the water. Leave it open for a few minutes and check if the mixer is leaking. The water will also wash away the remnants of dirt that got in during installation.

If the mixer has a copper tube at the inlet, then there is more installation work to be done. This will require a device for hermetic crimping of pipes - collet. They are screwed onto the end of the water pipe and the tube is inserted. Collet diameters and thread connections must match the faucet and water pipe. Do not twist the threads. Otherwise, the joints may leak.

Mixer operating instructions

Shower faucet photo

Only use detergents and cleaners specifically designed for faucets, faucets and showers. It is categorically unacceptable to use products with acid and chlorine solution. You will ruin the coating permanently. Abrasive powders, pastes can also damage the coating.
If you use special products for cleaning, make sure that they do not stay on the surface for longer than the intended time.
After using the shower or bath, rinse the faucet with clean water. Residues of soap and shampoo can damage the surface.
The cleaning agent is applied first to the surface of the sponge, and then the product is washed.
If the surface of the mixer is already damaged, exposure to detergents will only increase the damage.
Try not to twist the mixer tap. Doing so could damage the valve and damage it.

In conclusion, it is important to note. If you want taps and mixers to serve you for a long time, then it is better to purchase them in specialized stores. Ask sellers for a warranty card. This will ensure a free mixer repair in the event of a breakdown. Yes, and the advice of experienced specialists will not hurt you if you install the mixer yourself. See below for related articles on the topic and share your impressions in the comments.