Ceramic faucet box for domestic mixer. Serviceable crane box - what you need for comfort

If our ancestors extracted water from wells, carrying it in buckets from a neighboring street, then it is enough for us to turn on the tap, and, please, a whole sea of ​​life-giving moisture is at your disposal. However, the faucet, like other “devices” in the house, needs to be maintained, otherwise the pipes will start to hum and the “spout” will leak. The main element of the device is considered to be a box-crane, which is responsible for the appropriate pressure and quality of the water supply. What is this "beast"?

And here is the “hero” of the article, thanks to which we get water of the desired temperature at the outlet of the pipes

You can meet this detail only in mixers with two handles, where you need to regulate the flow of hot and cold water.

Crane boxes vary in types and sizes. Devices are of this type:

• familiar - worm, equipped with a rubber cuff;
• "devices" of a new generation - with ceramic inserts.

If we talk about sizes, then this is 3/8 or 1/2 inches.

By the way, it is not so difficult to replace or repair a crane box on your own, of course, if you are familiar with its device and operation features. Let's look at both types of "devices".

Rubber cartridge

You have been familiar with the worm-drive crane-axle box since childhood, these are exactly what our parents and their parents used in the era of the Union. There simply were no other options. You may not have seen this detail, but you certainly heard it. Like this? Everything is simple. Remember, at least once, but each of us was faced with the hum of pipes, when it seems that some kind of wild animal has settled inside the water supply, rushing to freedom, or incapacitating nervous system, similar to torture by dripping - this is with the valve closed. The culprit of such inconvenience is the rubber cuff, which quickly becomes unusable and destroys, by the way, the mixer itself. So, if you hear rattling or see dripping, immediately replace the crane box or at least the rubber seal in order to protect the mixer from premature “death”.

The principle of operation of a rubber faucet is simple: the piston, following the thread, moves and closes at the right time, providing water supply and shut-off.

The biggest plus of such a cartridge is the price, the part costs a “penny”. The second positive point is the possibility of replacing the cuff, while with ceramic faucets, this number, as a rule, does not work. The lower part of the cartridge, which is responsible for shutting off the water, is rubber, which wears out quickly. If you do not change the faucet box in time, then the mixer will begin to leak, drip, flow. The disadvantages also include the need to repeatedly turn the handle to open or close the water and the cost of frequent plumbing calls if you do not know how to replace the faucet box yourself.

ceramic faucet

Capricious rubber cartridges were replaced by ceramic faucets, popularly referred to as "half-turn" - because of the convenient handle stroke: to open or close the water, you do not need to repeatedly turn the flywheel.

What kind of crane boxes does this have? specifications What are its pros and cons?

As you understand, ceramics is used in this model instead of rubber - the material is more reliable, durable and modern. It is extremely rare to change such cartridges, the pipes never “sneeze”, and the “nose” does not drip.

But there is also a minus - a significant price. However, who knows whether you will overpay or save money, because replacing the cuffs of a rubber model also costs money. IN last resort if the budget does not allow, buy at least a faucet box for switching the shower, so as not to spin in the bathroom, like in a frying pan, setting the desired temperature and water supply power.

It's important to know! If you know that the water entering the apartment contains sand, then install an inlet filter to protect the ceramic cartridge from breakage.

How to replace a faucet

Whichever cartridge you choose, sooner or later, you will be faced with the need to replace it. What are the signs that it's time to buy a new module?

1. A trickle/drop of water oozes from under the handle.
2. Flywheels are hard to turn.
3. It drips from the “spout” (rotational movements of the handle do not change the situation).

How to make a replacement?

DIY repair? Why not? See, it's just

Preparation for repair

First, when buying a new part, make sure that it fits in size (3/8 or 1/2 inch) and thread (slotted or square). If you don’t understand what we are talking about, then it’s better to unscrew the cartridge and take it with you, the seller will certainly pick up something that will fit your mixer.

Secondly, do not forget to turn off the water - both hot and cold, so that after repairing the tap, you do not have to make repairs in the entire apartment. Check if the water has really shut off by opening both taps to the limit, otherwise it happens that the valves on the risers also fail.

Third, prepare necessary tools: pliers, wrenches right size, just in case, and a drill, as well as a couple of screwdrivers with different crosses.

Step by step guide

So, a new part has been bought, tools have been found, are you mentally ready? Let's look at the stages of how to make repairs.

1. Removing the plug, which is usually round and made of plastic. Pry off the plug with a screwdriver or any flat tool and remove. If the “device” is imported, then there may be a plastic retainer under the plug, also remove it.
2. Unscrewing the screw with a screwdriver.
3. Dismantling the flywheel (handle).
4. Unscrewing the faucet box (you may still have to unscrew the lock nut present on some models).
5. Cleaning the threads and the inside of the faucet (as far as possible). Taking the opportunity, carefully inspect the surfaces for cracks, shrinkage cavities, etc.
6. Installing a new cartridge. In fact, everything happens as described above, but in reverse order. Meanwhile, you are free to change something, for example, the direction of rotation of the axle box. What is required for this? It is necessary to unscrew the locking screw screwed into the stem and screw it in from the other side, which will allow the valve to turn in reverse side.
7. Checking the operation of the new module.

It's important to know! And how to unscrew the faucet box if it has boiled, rusted or sour? Go back to the store and buy a special liquid - for such cases. Treat the screw with it, wait a quarter of an hour, and off you go.

If replacing the module did not help, change the handle, it is possible that the leak was due to the failure of this part

Agree, replacing the axle box crane is not such a difficult task ?!

A faucet box for a mixer is a device that blocks or opens the flow of water inside the mixer. Moreover, a crane box is used for a valve, that is, for a mixer with valve switches. The faucet box is directly connected to the mixer flywheel: turning the flywheel (valve) causes the water flow to be blocked by the faucet box.

Crane box device

There are two types of mechanisms of this kind: a worm-driven axle box and a ceramic mixer tap. Their device is different and we will describe each separately.

Faucet box for mixer

Worm-driven crane box- this is nothing more than a screw passing through the body, which is attached to the mixer. One end of this screw is connected to a flywheel (valve, “lamb”, etc.) located outside the mixer. The other end is connected to a rod, at the end of which a rubber gasket (cuff) is fixed. In this connection, another name for such devices is used in everyday life: “rubber box crane”.

- an article under this heading will help you find the right and most suitable product for your needs in stores

Crane boxes are used in. What are their features? Read about it on our website

When the flywheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the “worm” (that is, the mentioned screw) moves forward or backward along the thread inside the faucet box body and, with a rubber gasket, respectively, closes or opens the hole for supplying water to the mixer.

In such a crane box, the rubber wears out quickly, the gasket has to be changed. Although it (the gasket) costs pennies, and this operation is trifling, but troubles are troubles!

If the design is based crane bushings - ceramics, then its device is even simpler. Main element- two adjacent ceramic discs with holes. One disc is engaged with a stem connected to a handwheel valve; the other is immobile. All of this is packed in a sleeve-shaped body of a crane box, which is screwed into the mixer.

If the rotation of the flywheel causes the holes of the ceramic discs to align, then water is supplied to the mixer. If turning the flywheel causes the holes to move against each other, then the flow is blocked.

Crane with ceramic box more convenient than with rubber, more durable, but more expensive and more sensitive to water pollution: a grain of sand caught between ceramic discs can damage them. You can’t replace them: you have to buy a whole new crane box.

What you need to know when buying a crane box

Now there are so many crane-box options in use that replacing them becomes a real hassle. At the very least, the buyer needs to learn a few things:

The imported faucet box has an inch thread ½ or 3/8 inch (meaning the thread with which the faucet box is screwed into the mixer). The valve fastening is slotted, and the number of slots at the end of the stem is from 15 to 24;

The domestic crane box has metric thread sizes: either M22 in 1.5 mm increments or M18 in 1 mm increments. seat flywheel on the crane box - a square, with fixation after installation with a screw.

Of course, it is impossible for a mere mortal to correctly determine and remember all the characteristics of a crane box, and when going to the store, it’s better to just take an old crane box with you and pick up a new one using it.

Of course, other technical characteristics of the crane box are also important. For example, the pressure it can withstand, or Maximum temperature water, throughput (the volume of water that the box is able to skip in a minute - for those with ceramic liners). These parameters are fundamental, but all legal manufacturers make such a margin for them that few people take them into account when choosing a crane box.

Some readers are wondering if there are special faucets for bathtubs, showers, bidets, etc.?

Manufacturers strive for maximum unification of these products, and although basin and shower faucets have different design, a crane box for a shower does not fundamentally differ from other similar products.

Plumbing in an apartment is a rather complex plumbing system. And the locking mechanism in it is a crane box. Without it, it is quite difficult to imagine the normal functioning of the entire plumbing system in a home. These devices are responsible for adjusting the water supply through the mixer, for turning on and shutting off its outlet from the tap. They have a certain service life, after which they are replaced. These devices are different types They also differ in size. And when deciding how to choose the right ones for replacement, all this must be taken into account.

Types and sizes of devices

Outwardly, all crane boxes are very similar to each other, but internal device they can be quite different. Structurally, there are two types of these devices:

• worm - they are also called rubber because of the gasket made of this material located inside the mechanism, which serves to block the valve seat for supplying water through;
• ceramic - these devices can also be called disk. Only two disks are made of ceramics in such crane boxes, on which there are holes for the passage of water. One disc is fixed, the other is movable. When turning the handle of the tap to supply water, it opens or closes the holes on the first disk.

Attention! Devices ceramic and with worm gear may in some cases be interchangeable. But this is only possible if they fit the mixer body in size and thread.

In the market of plumbing fixtures and devices today you can see a fairly large selection of faucet boxes, both domestic and foreign. They may differ in capacity, water temperature and maximum pressure withstand. There are differences in these devices and in size. When buying replacement devices, you need to take into account that they may differ in the number of slots on the surface of the stem for the flywheel - this is 20 or 24. And the thread sizes for installation in the mixer are 1/2 and 3/8 inches.

Rubber bushings

Worm gear devices

Rubber or worm devices are equipped with a stem. When you turn the handle of the crane, it extends. As a result, the gasket in the device opens or closes the valve seat and, accordingly, the water supply. The gasket itself can be made from various types rubber. And it depends on how long it will last. Its wear can be determined by the hum in the pipes, which appears when the tap is turned on to supply water.

The main disadvantage of the crane box of this type can be called not too long term operation of this device. Among the advantages that devices with a worm gear have are:

• relatively low cost of these devices;
• prevalence on sale, which allows you to easily find the right model;
• ease of replacement with your own hands or for the repair of this device;
• the ability to make the gasket yourself from a rubber suitable for this.

Crane boxes of ceramic type

Structurally, they are very simple. In the manufacture of such devices, two types of materials are used - these are brass and ceramics. Ceramic in them are only discs or inserts, with the help of which the supply or shutdown of water is adjusted. The disadvantages of devices of this type include a higher cost compared to crane boxes with a worm mechanism. In addition, they are more sensitive to the quality of the water passing through them. Accordingly, if there are impurities of sand and other foreign particles in it, the device may break down. To protect your device from possible breakdowns better to think about additional installation quality, coming into the apartment.

Ceramic bushings

But despite a number of shortcomings inherent in this type of device, one should not forget about the undoubted advantages ceramic faucet box. Among these advantages are:

• quiet operation of the device;
• duration of service life;
• lack of effort to open the water supply and turn it off.

Choosing a crane box for replacement

Almost any device requires replacement over time. And when buying a crane box, it is important not to make a mistake with the dimensions, otherwise the purchased device may simply not fit the existing mixer, as a result of which its installation will be impossible. When purchasing a crane box, they usually pay attention to the manufacturer of these devices. The quality of the mechanism and the overall life of its operation often depend on this.

If, when buying a crane box, there were difficulties in determining the type of device installed in the system, and it is not known what exactly is in the mixer - a ceramic-type device or with a worm gear, then this is easy to find out using the number of turns of the valve to open or turn off the water supply . If a worm-type device is installed, then 3-4 turns must be done, and for ceramic ones - only half a turn.

Crane box device

Valves are "under the slot", which is more common in imported devices, or "under the square" - this is used mainly for domestic models. Also, the tap and valve (flywheel) may not be of the same standard. This should also be taken into account when buying. Before purchasing a new device, it is recommended to measure the faucet and stem in the old one in length, and also determine the type and pitch of the thread for the mixer body.

Advice. If there are difficulties with measurements and determining the type of device, it is better to take with you to the store as a sample those valve and crane box that were in the system, so that a specialist can help you choose the right device model.

Although the faucet box is a rather simple, but very important mechanism, which is entrusted with the function of adjusting the water supply, turning it on and shutting it off. This device is responsible for the operation of any tap in the apartment. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly select it for the mixer installed in the system.

Which crane box to choose: video

Crane boxes: photo