The simplest ceramic axle box tap. Crane axle box for mixers: types and features of use

The faucet is not the most reliable piece of plumbing in your home. Over time, they manifest this by forming leaks, unpleasant noise and difficulty in shutting off the water. Most often, the axle box valve requires replacement to simple solution current problem. Today we will talk about its varieties, features of selection and replacement.

• 1 Types
  • 1.1 Worm
  • 1.2 Ceramic
• 2 Nuances of choice
• 3 Replacement

Kinds

Now the axle box crane is divided into two main types:

• Worm-shaped;
• Ceramic.

They have their own design features, advantages and disadvantages.

Let's talk about each separately.

Worm

For the complete closing or opening procedure, 2-4 turns of the tap handle are required. The device is based on the worm principle of operation. There is a rubber gasket on the retractable rod. It presses against the valve seat and shuts off the water. This gasket is easy to replace and make yourself. They are made of rubber different varieties, on which the service life of the device largely depends.

TO strengths can be attributed:

• Affordable cost of gaskets;
• The ability to make a gasket from a scrap piece of rubber;
• No need for complex repairs;
• Widespread.

But along with the advantages, one should take into account the disadvantages that are characteristic of already somewhat outdated types of crane axleboxes. Perhaps they led to the emergence of ceramic analogues and the concentration of consumers around them:

• Short service life of the rubber gasket;
• The need to make several turns to shut off and open the water;
• Loss of smoothness over time;
• Resonance and unpleasant noise;
• Gradual destruction of the water supply network.

Ceramic

A complete opening-closing cycle requires only half a turn. This axlebox crane has main element designs - two ceramic plates with identical holes.

One plate is firmly fixed in the axle box body, and the second is mounted on the rod on which the mixer handle is held. When the flywheel is turned, the holes on the plate are shifted or aligned, thereby opening or closing the water supply.

Note that such a device is not easy to repair. Changing just the plate will not work, since you need to find a similar one. It’s easier to immediately change the axle box completely.

The advantages of this type of device include:

• High service life;
• It only takes half a turn to close and open the tap;
• Smooth ride;
• Less noise generated.

But there are also negative points:

• It costs a little more than an axle box valve with a rubber gasket;
• They don’t really like interacting with contaminated water;
• Requires installation of a fine filter if tap water there is sand.

Nuances of choice

Today, vidima and grohe devices have proven themselves very well and are in deserved demand among consumers. But in order not to limit your choice only to vidima and grohe devices, check out the basic selection rules.

1. Crane axleboxes are presented in the widest range on the market; there are many varieties of them. This makes the choice difficult for inexperienced people who know little about plumbing. Sometimes it’s difficult even for a specialist to choose the right option. Therefore, the first piece of advice is to unscrew your old axle box, take it with you and show it to the seller. So he will quickly find an analogue.
2. Decide on the type. It cannot be said that a ceramic axle box is significantly more expensive than a rubber one. There is a difference in price, but it is small. But the vidima and grohe ceramic device is much simpler and more convenient to use, it provides long term services. On the other hand, replacing a rubber gasket is much easier than repairing a ceramic analogue. Therefore, think carefully and make a choice.
3. If you change the axlebox valve of the old one, domestic mixer, modern solutions may not fit. They use their own special types.
4. Pay attention to the imported mixer flywheel. They are often cruciform. This suggests that the usual axle box valve from Vidima and Grohe will not work, but you should look for an element with a double thread.
5. Other types of flywheels have only one thread on which the mixer is mounted. In this case, vidima and grohe devices will certainly come in handy.

Replacement

If the axle box valve has worn out and can no longer cope with its duties, it must be replaced. This is not difficult to do, even without special skills in working with plumbing fixtures.

Follow the instructions step by step and everything will work out.

Before changing the axle valve, be sure to turn off the water supply. This is the first action that needs to be taken.

1. You need to remove the top cap from the flywheel. If it was used long time, was not filmed, certain difficulties may arise. Arm yourself with pliers to remove the element. Under the cap you will see a bolt. It unscrews quite easily, thereby removing the tap valve.
2. The valve will also have to be unscrewed with force if the metal begins to oxidize. After removing it, clean the bolt and thread from accumulated dirt, and also clean the flywheel inside.
3. Remove faucet fittings that are sometimes tight. If you can’t do it without a tool, be sure to place a piece of cloth under it. This will avoid damage to the surface.
4. Remove the fittings. This will give you access to the axle box. Unscrew it.
5. After dismantling the axle box, clean the threads of the mixer. This will help the new axlebox fit tightly and securely into its new location.
6. Try on the new axle box, make sure the dimensions, holes, and threads match. Experts advise wrapping a couple of layers of crowbar on Vidima and Grohe axle boxes. Due to this, the thread will be sealed and the element will be able to hold more securely.
7. If you have thoroughly cleaned the device beforehand, installation will not take much time and effort.
8. Reassemble in reverse order.
9. Watch how tightly the ceramic plate is tightened. If you overtighten, the ceramic disc will burst and you will have to buy a new one. Use a locknut for a tight fit.
10. Turn on the water supply and check the results of the work done. If everything is functioning, it means that you managed to repair the axle box crane with your own hands.

A high-quality faucet axle box from Vidima, Grohe can last a long time for the benefit of your comfort. But even the most reliable grohe models weaken over time and require replacement.

Repair is often an impractical undertaking when it comes to ceramic plates. It is easier to replace the entire element completely. But with rubber ones it’s much easier. It is enough to disassemble the faucet, remove the faucet axle box, replace the old gaskets with new ones and continue to use the device. At the same time, give preference to high-quality rubber. The degree of reliability and service life of the crane axlebox after repairs depend on it.

It is not necessary to resort to the help of specialists to perform simple repair work on plumbing. But if you don’t have the time, opportunity or desire to carry out such repair and restoration activities yourself, contact trusted professionals.

Figure 248.1. Valve mortise mixer with worm-wheel valve - on the left, and ceramic crane axle box- on right.

The main difference between ceramic valve axle boxes and worm axle boxes is that when the handle rotates, the shut-off valve of the worm axle box moves up or down, depending on the direction of rotation, and thus the gasket shut-off valve rises above the saddle or is adjacent to the mixer saddle (the saddle is not shown in the figure), allowing or stopping the flow of water into the mixing chamber. But in ceramic faucet axle boxes there is no upward or downward movement. The supply of water or the termination of the water supply is carried out by rotating one ceramic plate of the faucet axlebox relative to the other plate. Thanks to this feature, the wear of the rubber gasket of the faucet axlebox is minimized, and in order to open or close the water, you do not need to rotate the handle 2-4 turns; a slight movement is enough, in which one plate rotates relative to the other by 45-90°. Why? Let's figure it out now.

There are more and more models of faucet axleboxes with ceramic plates every day and this is not surprising, since ceramic faucet axleboxes are installed not only in new models of mixers, but can also replace worn-out worm-type faucet axleboxes in old mixers. In addition, there are people who, on principle, for aesthetic or other reasons, do not want to use cartridge faucets, and for such people, faucets with ceramic axle-boxes are the best option.

There are ceramic faucet axleboxes with a tetrahedral head of the rotating rod; such faucet axleboxes are designed for old, Soviet-style faucet models (oddly enough, for many people faucets installed in the era of socialist realism still work to this day). But crane axle boxes with a head in the form of a 12 or 16-pointed star are in much greater demand. Previously, ceramic crane axle boxes were produced in which the rod could be rotated by a maximum of 90 or 180°, but now such models are considered obsolete; they have been replaced by ceramic crane axle boxes without a rotation angle limiter. But be that as it may, the structure and basic operating principle of most ceramic axle-box cranes are similar.

The device of a ceramic crane axle box:

Figure 248.2

1. Body.

Made from alloys of non-ferrous metals. It has a rubber gasket 1(1) to ensure a tight connection to the mixer body after screwing in the faucet box, so no additional winding is required when installing the faucet box. If the gasket does not fit tightly to the mixer body, then through threaded connection water may leak. There are holes 1(2) in the lower part of the housing on the sides, through these holes water enters the mixing chamber. The body of the ceramic valve axlebox is screwed in and out with a wrench or an adjustable wrench; you can also use a gas wrench. If the faucet box has stood for several years, then unscrewing it from the mortise mixer is not so easy. The crane axle box may “stick” to the body. In such cases, you first have to completely remove the mortise mixer. WITH wall-mounted mixers there is no such problem. When purchasing a ceramic faucet axle, you should pay attention to the length of the body, since there are many models of valve mixers, not every ceramic faucet axle may fit your mixer. Before inserting the rod, the body is filled with waterproof lubricant (for example, grease); this is necessary not only to reduce friction between the body and the rod, but also to ensure that water flows out only through the holes 1(2) intended for this purpose. Over the years, the lubricant can wash out and then water can ooze from under the handles. Repairing the crane axle box in this case is simple - you just need to fill the oil seal with grease.

2 Rod lock.

Made from spring steel. Provides connection between the body and the stem. After the rod is inserted into the valve body, the latch snaps into place. When disassembling, the lock can be snapped off with a simple (not Phillips) screwdriver.

3. Rod.

Made from alloys of non-ferrous metals. The stem head has a special cut 3(1) for the mixer handles. Since the handles are different, you need to pay attention to the cut of the rod when purchasing a crane axle box. After installation, the handle is fixed with a screw (the crane axle box is not included in the kit). In the middle part of the rod there is a recess 3(2) for snapping the latch. In the upper part of the rod there is a threaded hole for screwing in the handle screw, in the lower part there is a tetrahedral recess for the turn signal.

4. Turn signal.

Made from plastic or metal, the shape of the turn signal may not be the same as shown in the picture. Plastic turn signal - weak link ceramic valve axle, if you turn the handles with excessive force, the turn signal may break. The turntable ensures the transmission of the torque that we apply to the handle to the upper ceramic plate.

5. Top rotating plate.

Made from aluminum oxide. In older models of ceramic faucet axleboxes, the plate rotated a quarter or half a turn (90 or 180°) when the handle was rotated. Which, if the turn signal is plastic and the user does not understand the principle of the design of the ceramic faucet axlebox, can lead to a fairly rapid failure of the ceramic faucet axlebox. IN modern models this drawback has been eliminated, the top plate can now freely rotate at least half a turn, at least 10. The top plate has grooves for the turn signal 5(1) and holes for the passage of water 5(2). The shape of the holes for water passage may differ from those shown in the figure.

6. Bottom fixed plate.

Also made from aluminum oxide. The top surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the top plate fit very well and press quite tightly against each other. When the holes in the top plate 5(2) and the holes in the bottom plate 6(2) do not match as shown in the figure, water will not flow through. This is ensured not so much by the precise fit of the surfaces of the plates, but by the presence of a waterproof lubricant. Typically used to lubricate ceramic plates. Silicone Grease(not to be confused with sanitary silicone). To ensure that the bottom plate is always in the same position, position locks are made on the sides (indicated in red in the figure). Structurally, fixation of the lower plate can be achieved by other methods.

7. Sealing gasket.

Made from rubber. When screwing the ceramic faucet into the mixer body, the gasket is pressed tightly against the seat and thereby allows water to pass only through the hole in the gasket. Thus, if the holes in the plates do not match, the water will be blocked. Since the sealing gasket does not belong to the rubbing parts of the faucet axlebox, the service life of the gasket is limited only by the chemical aggressiveness of water. Moreover, the gasket can be damaged if the faucet axle is screwed in too tightly or the seat is milled poorly, due to which the gasket may not provide sealing of the junction, which means that the mixer will leak. Of course, you can polish the faucet saddle at home, but if the saddle has chips, cracks, cavities or other defects visible to the naked eye, then it is better to immediately buy a new faucet.

Operating principle of a ceramic crane axle:

When the handle is turned, the rod rotates the upper ceramic plate through the turn signal. Moreover, if the holes in the upper and lower plates coincide, then the water, passing through these holes, rises higher and exits through the holes in the housing 1(2) into the mixing chamber, and from there into the mixer spout. When the holes of the lower plate are blocked by the body of the upper plate, there is nowhere for water to flow - the valve is closed.

If the ceramic faucet axlebox begins to leak and it is not possible to fix the problem using the methods described in the section: “Crane axlebox design”, then it is easier and faster to buy a new faucet axlebox and replace it than to look for a repair kit for a ceramic faucet axlebox.

Modern engineering systems It is difficult to imagine the supply of hot water to premises, residential or office, without mixers. An ordinary kitchen faucet has a mixer, its purpose is to regulate temperature regime supplied water for household needs.

The bathroom is always equipped with plumbing fixtures, which include a faucet. This is not a simple device, it depends bathing comfort and water saving. The correct valve is a locking element that does not allow water to flow through the tap, which saves costs on water consumption.

What is a crane axle box, definition

A faucet axle is a locking element that is used to regulate the flow of water in a tap (in the kitchen or bathroom). In everyday life, the operation of the mixer and this element can be observed every day. The faucet valve is:

1. Ceramic product, the angle of rotation of the rod until water appears from closing to half a turn.
2. Worm device, which is necessary to turn the rod 1 - 2 turns to supply water.

Each mixer in the apartment has two cores, two valves, respectively for cold and hot water in the tap. Worm crane devices have rubber gaskets. As a gasket ceramic products They use metal-ceramic material, which ensures reliable locking of water without an elastic seal.

A modern faucet is sold in two types: with a rubber collar or a ceramic insert.

How does a ceramic and worm axle work?

It is very simple to understand the operation of a worm axle box with a rubber gasket; the whole principle of locking water is based on the tight fit of the gasket to the valve seat, this ensures that its supply is stopped.

The water pressure in the tap is adjusted using a flywheel, turning it one or more revolutions. Often the reason for the ineffective use of this type of product, a quickly wearing rubber gasket serves.

The ceramic element (plate) in faucets of this type is the main one. Through the holes in them, which are symmetrically located and of equal shape, water is supplied to the tap. One plate is installed in the axle box, and the other on the rod flywheel.

By combining ceramic plates by turning the flywheel, complete or partial alignment of the holes is achieved, according to this principle adjustable water supply pressure. The mixer with ceramic axle boxes has two types of models:

• Star shaped head with 12 ends.
• Improved star models with 16 endings.

The ceramic device has a square rod section and is fixed with a screw in seat. To replace this type of devices It is necessary to take into account the height at which the crane handle is installed and the size of the landing site. It is advisable to choose a replacement based on the existing sample.

Advantages and disadvantages, ceramic and worm axle boxes

Each product has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the disadvantages of a worm axle box in which a rubber gasket is installed:

The advantages of this locking product are its low cost and accessibility to the population. Repair can be carried out by replacing one gasket. You can make the rubber gasket yourself.

Disadvantages of ceramic axlebox:

• Replacing the product is significantly more expensive than a worm valve with a rubber gasket.
• The quality of the water supplied to the mixer must be high, without sand and suspended particles.

The advantage of a ceramic axlebox is the duration of trouble-free operation.

Construction of a ceramic crane axle box

Let's look at what a ceramic axle box consists of and its elements:

The housing is screwed into the mixer. Its design is made in such a way that there are holes for water at the bottom.

A rod for turning the handle; a flywheel is put on it. It has a fastening screw at the top, in There is an expansion ring in the middle part of the rod, which fixes it. Using an adapter located at the bottom of the rod, it is fixed to the ceramic plate. After installing the rod, a locking washer is installed.

Using a special adapter, the rotary rod and the upper ceramic plate are rigidly fixed in the tap. The adapter can have different shapes, it depends on the product model. In the tap with ceramic mixer Due to the upper and lower plates, the rod rotates freely.

The rubber gasket is necessary for a close connection of the axle box to the crane saddle.

Self-replacement of ceramic axle boxes

You can replace the crane axle box yourself, but you need to remember when choosing in a store that they are different.

Russian crane elements (axleboxes) differ from imported products square shape of the flywheel and the presence of a screw for fixation. Foreign-made crane devices are selected according to the number of slots and length for the handle; it is important to choose the correct diameter of the threaded connection.

The most commonly used and found in everyday life are valves with half-inch threads. It is recommended to choose them according to an existing sample, which can be removed at home.

To replace ceramic valves, you will need pliers to remove the top cap. Further, you need to unscrew the fixing screw under it and pull him out. It is necessary to clean the fastening from debris. We remove all the fittings of the crane and clear the way to the axle box. We unscrew the crane axle box and clean it internal thread mixer We are trying on a new axle box.

Ceramic valve selected according to the sample, easy to install in free space in the opposite order of operations in the mixer. The fasteners are fixed with a control nut.

Important! We must remember that the mixer can always be repaired if the valve is faulty. The ceramic axle box must be installed so that its end is pressed tightly against the valve seat.

Characteristics of ceramic crane axle box

Factors that create the characteristics of a ceramic product:

• Long operating time compared to worm-type locking devices.
• During operation, it works quietly, there is no noise possible in a worm product.
• It breaks directly if foreign particles get between the plates (purity of the incoming water).
• Replacing an axle box is easier, but more expensive than a module with a valve.
• The working stroke of the handle is from ¼ to ½ turn of the rod.

The first symptoms of crane axle box malfunctions

Let's look at some firsts crane axle malfunction symptoms:

• Water leaking from under the faucet handwheel.
• The appearance of extraneous sound.
• In the “closed” position, water drips from the mixer.

Crane box for mixers is a device inside valve mixers designed to open and shut off water. In fact, this is a valve mixer cartridge, which, if it fails, must be replaced or repaired. The latter is not so easy to do, which is especially evident in the case of ceramic models. The advantage of faucet axle boxes is ease of use, as well as an economical mechanism for passing water, which allows you to create a fairly strong pressure, despite the fact that the amount of water consumed per unit of time is less.

Types of faucet axle boxes for mixers

There are two main types of faucet axle boxes for mixers:

• Worm-shaped;
• Half-turn.

Worm-mounted crane axle boxes are actually an analogue of the usual Soviet cranes. At the end of the extendable rod there is a rubber gasket, which after 2-4 turns of the tap is pressed against the valve seat inside the mixer, thus cutting off the water supply. The advantage of such crane axle boxes is their relative durability, which depends on the service life of the gasket. In addition, these devices are easily repaired, for which it is enough to change the gasket. However, there are also disadvantages, the main one being the time spent on opening and closing the water, as well as the need to expend additional effort if the gasket wears out.

Half-turn faucet box for mixers designed to eliminate the disadvantages described above. These crane axle boxes are equipped with ceramic plates with two holes. One of them is rigidly fixed to the axle box body, and the second rotates on the rod to which the mixer handle is attached. The water in such faucet axle boxes is shut off when the faucet handle is turned 180 degrees (half a turn), which greatly facilitates and speeds up this process and allows further saving of water.

However, such crane axleboxes also have disadvantages, the main one of which is the rapid wear of the ceramic plates, after which the entire crane axlebox has to be replaced. In addition, ceramic faucet axle boxes are somewhat more expensive compared to conventional ones, and selecting a worn-out device for each individual mixer can sometimes be problematic. At the same time, ceramic crane axle boxes are very popular today, practically displacing worm-type models from the market.

You can always choose from a wide range of faucet axle boxes and buy them at a low price in Moscow in our online store of high-quality plumbing fixtures “SanComf”, where you can also find many other plumbing items, components and equipment.

A faucet is a mechanical device designed to regulate the flow of water. Installed in a one- or two-handle wing-type mixer. Two types of products are used:

• threaded axle box;
• metal-ceramic construction.

The device of a ceramic crane axle box

The design consists of:

1. Bolt (body), equipped with a thread for fixation in the mixer. On the body of the product there is a hexagon designed for a wrench or adjustable wrench. Insulation is carried out with rubber and silicone gasket.
2. Rotary rod (fitting)- designed to displace movable disks that regulate water supply. The product ends with a square or gear (spline) head, on which a flywheel (wing) is fixed.
3. Ceramic plates mounted inside the bolt. One is fixedly mounted, the other has freedom of movement - rotation around a vertical axis. Made in ceramics through holes. Sealing is ensured by precise adjustment of the metal-ceramic planes to each other. The material used is aluminum oxide.

Operating principle

The water supply is adjusted by turning the flywheel (thumb). The rotational movement is transmitted through the rotary rod to the upper cermet plate.

Shifting relative to the lower disk, the upper one aligns the holes, thereby opening or closing free access to water. A full revolution of the flywheel is 180°. In this position, when open, maximum water flow is ensured.

A rubber gasket is mounted under the lower end of the bolt, which ensures the pressing force of the plates against each other - due to this, it turns out hermetic connection with the mixer closed.

Pros and cons of using

Compared to its predecessor, the threaded axle box, cermets have a number of consumer properties:

1. Extended service life, which is ensured by the high precision of manufacturing of metal-ceramic locking plates, as well as the increased wear resistance of the material from which they are made. An additional factor contributing to improved working conditions is the absence of excessive forces encountered when closing the tap. Such phenomena are characteristic of threaded axle boxes, where there is a need to press the rubber gasket to ensure tightness.
2. Ease of use, which is ensured by the complete opening of the water flow - by turning only 180°, or, using the colloquial expression, “half a turn”. A threaded design, to obtain a similar result, will require 2-3 full revolutions of the flywheel around its axis.
3. Serviceable ceramic-metal product During operation, it makes virtually no sound - the noise is produced by flowing water.

Flaws:

1. Ceramic products are very sensitive to water quality. Presence of suspended mechanical impurities, increased content chemical substances, forming insoluble salts, leads to accelerated wear of the surface of the disks, as a result, the tightness is compromised;
2. Metal-ceramics are 50–100% more expensive than threaded valve axle boxes, but their price is justified by their increased service life and ease of use.

How to choose a crane axle box

If it is necessary to replace the crane axle box, it is necessary to perform a number of measures:

• Remember or determine from the documents the manufacturer of the mixer and its purpose;
• Determine the type of axle box. In a ceramic-metal product, white ceramics are visible through the side holes; In addition, there will be gaskets at the end of the fitting various shapes And different materials. Threaded products are equipped only with a rubber gasket of increased thickness; For ceramic devices, silicone or rubber is used;
• Remember the beginning of the fitting- equipped with a square or spline type head.

The external threaded part on the body (jumper), intended for fixation in the mixer, has dimensions of ½" or 3/8".

The number of slots on the head of the fitting is 20 or 24. Moreover, this type of flywheel mounting is most often used on imported mixers.

Repair and replacement

The ceramic-metal product is repairable; it can be disassembled into separate parts and replaced those that have failed.

Causes of malfunctions

The main factors causing failure to operate:

• poor quality of water, which may contain solid mechanical impurities or be saturated with chemical minerals;
• poor quality manufacturing of the product;
• violation of the mixer operating rules (given in the accompanying documentation).

To reduce negative factors from poor water quality, a filter is built into the main line mechanical cleaning.

A more expensive option is a comprehensive device for complete water purification, including chemical impurities. But this design is expensive, so it is advisable to use it for country houses using water from wells.

A malfunction of the mixer caused by a failure of the faucet axlebox will require repair or replacement.

Crane axle repair

For restoration work, the faulty product must be removed from the mixer.

Operating procedure:

• turn off the water supply to the mixer using an external tap;
• remove the decorative cap from the flywheel and unscrew the fixing screw;
• using a wrench or adjustable wrench, the main product is removed;
• Next, the lower gasket is removed and the rotary rod is removed.
• the damaged part is visually identified.

It may not be necessary to carry out a complete disassembly, if the problems are caused by a decayed lower gasket, replace it. It’s more difficult when ceramic discs wear out. This is due to the fact that it is quite difficult to find the necessary cermets - most retail outlets offer an assembled ceramic faucet-axlebox.

Considering this factor, as well as the amount of time that will be spent searching for the necessary spare parts and repairs, it will be easier to replace the entire product.

Replacing the entire crane axle box

The process of dismantling a faulty product is described above. Next, you need to purchase exactly the same or interchangeable one. To do this, with the required axle box, specialized retail outlets are visited, where, visually comparing the available plumbing products, the required product is selected.

Installation procedure:

• The area for the new product is wiped, any debris and dirt are removed;
• The purchased product is tried on. In case of an error in selection, the purchase is changed to the required one;
• Waterproof lubricant is applied. This will make it easier to install when screwing and remove after a period of time;
• To improve sealing, you can additionally wrap the thread with 2–3 layers of fum tape;
• The faucet axle is screwed into the mixer manually;
• Next, the blocked water in the riser opens;
• Using a wrench or an adjustable wrench, the axle box is tightened until the water stops flowing;
• The flywheel is mounted;
• The crane box is installed.

Tip 1. If the thread is soured (sticky), the latter can be treated chemical preparation, for example, WD-40. After 15–30 minutes, in most cases the axle box can be unscrewed.

Tip 2. If there is no waterproof lubricant, it can be replaced with graphite.

Tip 3. Most often, faucet axle boxes fail on cheap mixers, about the quality of which one can say: “it’s not cheap, but cheap.”

Tip 4. You should not neglect the installation of a mechanical cleaning filter, especially if water meters are installed, this will save nerves, time and money in the future.