Herringbone mixer: photo, device, specifications, installation

The "herringbone" mixer, the technical characteristics of which are presented in the article, is the simplest plumbing fixture that appeared in the 19th century. Despite today's extensive assortment and competition in the form of other types of devices, firmly established in the everyday life of modern man, it still has a sufficient demand. This was helped by the effort of designers who offered many new materials and forms to create aesthetic appeal and improve technical characteristics. Thanks to such measures, the "Christmas tree" mixer, the photo of which is presented below, has acquired a second wave of demand among consumers.

How to choose

To select a mixer, you need to know the washing parameters. The most important thing is that the device does not take up much space and is conveniently located on it. Especial attention requires spilling. It should be of sufficient size for comfortable operation. A useful feature will be the ability to turn.

The choice of faucet in the bathroom should also be based on size and suitable design. The most widespread are the wall variants. The optimal solution in many cases is a design with a large body. It is important to have a short spout with a large diameter.

It is worth noting the undesirability of purchasing too cheap devices, since they are often made of poor-quality materials and are prone to frequent breakdowns. A high-quality mixer has a high cost, justified by a long period of operation. Particular attention should be paid to checking the completeness of the equipment of the chosen option, the terms of the guarantee and the availability of the certificate.

Design

Now you can find a two-valve type device for any kitchen furniture and stylistic orientation. In terms of cost, they are the most attractive. Mixers are presented in sanitary ware shops in a wide range of prices, which is able to satisfy both great opportunities and rather modest needs.

Despite a noticeable external transformation, the design itself remained the same. The center of the mixer is a spout with flaps or handles on each side that allow you to adjust the required volume of water and a comfortable temperature. Accordingly, one handle is used for hot water, and the second one is used for cold water. The modern herringbone mixer is conditionally divided into two types, differing with each other by the construction device for mixing water and the characteristics of the valves.

Two-Ventile Mixers of the First Group

This type has not the highest reliability, which determines the low cost. Elastic sealing gasket acts as a locking device. To produce it today, materials with a low silicone content were used, whereas before it was completely made up of rubber. Proven companies use parts with a new composition of high strength. Due to this, the period of operation of the device and the time to replace the gasket are extended.

The principle of operation consists in the reciprocal movements of the crane boxes, in which a special elastic material is used as the locking part. It has much greater wear compared to European manufacturers due to the constant rotation.

The imported "herringbone" mixer for the bathroom has significant differences from the domestic one. The first option is more reliable due to the fact that the connection of crane boxes and gaskets occurs in a way of translational motion, rather than by rotation. As a result, the need for repair arises much less frequently.

Advantages and disadvantages

The herringbone mixer, whose device loses to the single-lever mechanism, is in great demand due to the following advantages:

• Easy adjustment of the desired temperature, it can be adjusted when using a single valve;
• To such models it is not necessary to get used, and to use them very simply;
• There is a possibility of using ceramic crane bunks under the condition of one manufacturer of the old and the new element;
• Simple, quick repair and affordable cost.

The drawbacks include the need to use two hands when using, as well as making two full revolutions of the valve to turn the water on and off. Quick wear of the gasket leads to a fairly frequent repair.

Two-ventilated mixers of the second group

This herringbone mixer has a ceramic valve as a locking device, the so-called ceramic plate. Its principle of operation resembles a ceramic cartridge. In order for water to flow from the spout, the openings of the lower and upper plates must be aligned. The latter, which includes aluminum oxide, closes or opens water by rotating around its axis. While the bottom plate is always stationary. Such devices are characterized by greater durability of use, reliability and, consequently, belong to a higher price category. Among the advantages worth noting the following:

• Sufficient reliability;
• Quick temperature adjustment;
• The slope of rotation of devices of this type is 180 and 90 degrees, so that it is possible to reduce the number of movements during the adjustment of water.

Mounting Features

To ensure proper functioning, competent installation is required. In the absence of relevant skills, it is better to leave such work to specialists who are versed in all the intricacies of installation.

The installation of the herringbone mixer is carried out in special holes located on the sink. It is also common to install water conduit terminals using decorative concealing structures, for example, partitions. In the wall there are all the fastenings, and only the spout and the gates are open to the gaze. But this technique has one significant disadvantage: in case of malfunctioning, it is necessary to disassemble the wall.

A threaded bushing is used for external mounting on the sink. But often there is such a problem as blending the mixer. Because of this, you periodically have to tighten the fastener.

Metal devices

Of particular importance is the material of manufacture. From him to some extent depend on such parameters of the device as appearance, practicality, period of operation, cost.

Kitchen mixer "Christmas tree" is mainly made of chrome, bronze and brass. Recently, this category has acquired an upgrade in the form of options from light alloys or mixed materials, as well as from ceramics and plastics.

Brass has long been popular. It is not afraid of corrosion, it also has a strong and long service life. Accordingly, the cost is based on the quality characteristics of the material and starts on average from 2-3 thousand rubles.

Bronze mixers have similar aesthetic and qualitative properties. The best option is to combine the body, made of bronze and brass thread.

Light alloys, including silumin (a mixture of silicon and aluminum), can not be called high-quality. Devices made from them are fragile enough and quickly lose their attractive appearance.

Ceramic and plastic devices

Leaders for fragility are plastic faucets "herringbone", the characteristics of which fully correspond to the cost. Despite the resistance to the influence of hard water, they are characterized by frequent breakdowns.

The appearance of ceramic devices is noteworthy, they can become an excellent addition to the kitchen interior, but because of their fragility are not the most durable. Because of what there is a probability in the near future to face problems in work or with a real flood.

Top coat

The metal herringbone mixer basically has a decorative coating of glossy chrome, colored enamel or nickel. The latter has excellent anti-corrosion properties. Most often it covers external brass elements.

A practical material is chrome. It prevents the reproduction of bacteria that live in a humid environment. Due to it, the appearance lasts longer due to the reduction of deposits of mineral salts, which also protects from breakages that arise due to their formation. Products with chrome plating stand somewhat more expensive, which is quite justified, because a quality device will please for many years.

Enamel is also not the most budgetary coverage. But it has less durability and strength characteristics. The new device has an impeccable and attractive appearance, but over time, chips and microcracks form on the coating, which makes the device lose its aesthetics.

The chrome plated version does not fit all stylistic solutions, and the mixer with enamel coating with small practicality can be an optimal addition to a bright kitchen.

How to install

To begin with, the old faucet for the herringbone kitchen is removed after the preliminary water shut-off. It is detached with a wrench from the water pipes. Mounting is usually done in two ways. Devices on a wide base are dismantled from the valves. You need to remove the handles to gain access to the nuts securing the mixer.

Devices on a narrow base are fastened from the underside of the sink, and their dismantling has to be done under the sink, which is not always convenient with limited space. With the help of pliers, the existing nuts are loosened. There may be a need for a wrench if access is blocked by rigid pipes.

When installing a mixer having a broad base, it is first put in place at the installation site, and nuts are manually healed. They are twisted with a key after aligning the device. The base is treated with a sealant or a special silicone compound, after which the lining and valves are mounted.

Installation under the sink

Another installation option assumes the same work algorithm, but with minor changes. Apply sealant to the base before the installation. Since the main work is done under the sink, it is advisable to have an assistant who will keep the mixer on top and level it while tightening the nuts.

After the installation is completed, the water supply is connected and the tap is opened to detect a possible leak. Surround the base, excess sealant must be removed before use.