2. The mixer got on the ball. Well, as on a ball ... in the house of the mother-in-law, the Housing Office did a major overhaul. I don’t know how major repairs are done now, but before that it meant that after overhaul all plumbing fixtures including toilet and geyser, needs to be changed. Where contractors get the most obsolete, cheapest and low-quality equipment is a mystery to me. But the fact remains. Moreover, the faucet box mixer in the kitchen had to be changed to a cartridge faucet during the overhaul, since the mother-in-law, who was not accustomed to the delicate handling of Chinese faucets, out of habit twisted the valve, as if it were Soviet-made and the gasket in the faucet box was worn out for another 20 years back. Accordingly, the asterisk on the silumin handle of the cold water valve of the Chinese mixer licked off in 2 weeks.
3. The faucet in the bathroom turned out to be more reliable, but the shower switch initially did not work well. Water switched tight and not completely. And when a wonderful automatic gas column is attached to such a mixer, which lights up from 5-6 times, and goes out at any moment even without drops in water pressure, it is a little annoying. Pretty soon, the wife demanded to put a new "normal" faucet, after which the old faucet migrated to the country. And a dacha is such a tricky place where everything that is a pity to throw out will fit: old furniture, dishes, clothes, toys and much more.
4. In the country hot water so far only in the project, because as with cold water big problems. For this reason, no one uses the shower except me, which means that the shower switch is not particularly needed.
However, the shower switch still broke and had to be repaired.
Treatment
1. Turn off the supply of cold and hot water. Why close the corresponding valves.
2. Remove the mixer - unscrew the mixer from the water outlet. To do this, you can use a wrench or wrench at 30.
3. Remove the faucet carefully so that the rubber gaskets installed between the water outlet and the faucet are not lost. As a rule, gaskets after unscrewing the mixer remain in the nuts. It is better to take them out and put them in a safe place.
4. Place the mixer on the operating table:
In this case, an old camping table was used as an operating table, which ended up in the country for the same reasons listed above.
5. Unscrew the plug of the shower switch handle:
As a rule, this can be done by hand, but if the plug is screwed tightly, you will have to use pliers.
6. Unscrew the screw securing the shower switch handle. This will require a Phillips screwdriver.
7. On this stage mixer will look like this:
8. Unscrew the shower hose. usually this can also be done by hand. But you can use a wrench. The gasket should also be removed and put in a safe place.
9. We unscrew the spool fastening nut.
10. Unscrew the top nut of the shower switch (water supply to the shower)
11. Unscrew the spout
12. Unscrew the bottom nut of the shower switch. In fact, there are notches on the nut for a wrench or adjustable wrench. But if the nut has not been unscrewed for a long time, then only a gas wrench will help.
13. So we got to the shower switch
As it turned out, the shower switch stuck tightly to the nut, I had to knock it out, because the water did not switch.
In addition, the thread on the nut was partially destroyed. Apparently, the material of the nut turned out to be the same silumin, in any case, clearly not brass, not bronze, and not another non-ferrous metal alloy known to me. Before assembly, the outer surfaces of the switch and the inner surface of the nut were cleaned with sandpaper and a file, and the end of the nut was also machined to ensure a tighter fit of the switch gasket.
After everything was fitted, the switch was lubricated with waterproof grease (grease) and screwed into place. In principle, the mixer is assembled in the reverse order and is not particularly difficult, you just need to insert the spool correctly
That's basically it. After the repair, the shower switch works like new, but I don’t know how long it will last. In any case, for this season, problems with the mixer have been eliminated.
It is probably very difficult to imagine a modern bathroom without plumbing. It is the functionality and a large number of models of devices provides high comfort of sanitary and hygienic procedures, without which a person can no longer imagine his life.
In particular, the mixer makes life much easier - a device where hot and cold water are mixed, which results in a jet optimal temperature. Exist different models mixers that differ in design and function. For a bath, models equipped with a special switch for a shower head are often used. In this article we will talk about the installation of a bathroom faucet with a shower.
What is a mixer and what functions does it perform?
System central water supply in our country is organized in such a way that hot and cold water are fed to the apartment through separate pipes. In order to get a bath at the desired temperature with this design, you must first fill it with hot water and then dilute it with cold water, which is not very convenient and economical. The task of mixers is to combine cold and hot water in the required proportions in their inner chamber in order to obtain a jet of comfortable temperature. They perform the following functions:
Interestingly, in some countries, for example, England, hot water taps in the sink do not have mixers and, moreover, are located on different sides of the bowl. Imagine how inconvenient it is to use such a design. Therefore, the only way for the British to get water at the right temperature right away is to use a faucet with a shower.
Device
Many homeowners are interested in how a bathroom shower faucet works, how it differs from conventional ones, and what allows it to redirect the flow of water from a faucet to a shower head or vice versa. In fact, the design of these multifunctional models is not much different from sink appliances. However, a number of their characteristic features can be distinguished:
Note! When choosing a bath faucet with the ability to switch to a shower and understanding the characteristics of various models, many are wondering what a foot valve is. This term hides special device, which is installed on the drain hole of the sink or bathtub.
The bottom valve shuts off the drain if the water is not mixed in the mixer, but directly in the wash tank. This installation scheme is popular in European countries, where hot and cold water are supplied separately, it allows to reduce the volume of wastewater.
Types of shower faucets
A bath is undoubtedly a comfortable sanitary ware that provides maximum relaxation when washing, however, the modern pace of life requires faster solutions. A shower cabin or a shower has become a real alternative, which is used if the bathroom has small size. Despite the large number of similarities between shower faucets, their design can vary significantly depending on the type. There are the following models of shower faucets according to the type of switching mechanisms:
Note! Single-lever mixers are much faster and easier to adjust the jet temperature, which reduces water consumption, but they are very sensitive to quality. tap water so they often break. Two-valve models are recommended to be installed on a tap drawn from a geyser or water heater.
Problems in operation
Like any plumbing fixture, a faucet with the ability to switch to a shower head has its own service life. A common problem that homeowners face during operation is digging taps. Knowing what the mixer consists of, you can independently eliminate the leak and extend the life of the equipment. The most common causes of leakage are:
Remember that the key to the durability of any plumbing fixture is compliance with the installation technology, as well as timely preventive maintenance. To keep the faucet as long as possible, you need to periodically clean it, replace gaskets, and improve water quality with a filter.
Video instruction
Faucets are one of the weakest elements in the plumbing system. This is because even the highest quality of them with high reliability indicators will someday begin to leak. And, of course, he needs repairs. you can make it on your own. Bathroom shower faucet repair and diverter repair is not too difficult. An ordinary person can handle it, you just need to know how to repair a bathroom faucet with a shower. First of all, you need to understand the device of the crane, as well as understand the reason why the leak occurred.
A mixer of a similar design can be of a lever type and valve type. Their work takes place a little differently, and it is important to understand this before starting work.
The composition of the valve mixer includes several valves. They rotate so that the owner can get the pressure of water at the required temperature. The design also includes a stainless steel housing containing a crane box. It is with the help of it that water with different temperatures is mixed.
The lever mixer is the most popular. It's all about his beauty appearance and ease of use. To regulate the required temperature, as well as the pressure, one lever should first be switched to the side, and then up. Such a mixer consists of a body, nuts, a rubber ring, a replaceable cartridge, a cover and a fixing bolt. However, such a mixer has a rather serious drawback. It cannot be repaired, because the case cannot be disassembled.
Repair of the faucet switch in the bathroom to the shower
Understanding that the switch needs to be repaired is quite simple. As a rule, it starts to flow immediately. The faucet switches water from bath to shower different ways. It all depends on the type of specific switch. They are:
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- push-button;
- spool;
- Cartridge;
- Cork.
And the most common among them are cartridge. Most often, their breakdown is the wear of the rubber ring, which is located between the housing and the switch lever. As a result, a leak is formed. It is easy to fix it, you need to replace the gasket. Do the following:
- Completely shut off the water;
- The lever of the body should be disconnected from the crane;
- The screw must be unscrewed from the switch;
- Then remove the switch itself;
- Change the old unusable ring to a new, high-quality one;
- At the place where the lever is attached, the FUM tape is wound onto the thread in several layers;
- Put the lever back in place and secure it with the screw.
If you have a spool switch, then most often it breaks the nut that fixes this same switch. Such a defect can also be repaired. It is recommended to do the following:
- Remove the mixer and completely disassemble it. It is necessary to unscrew all its parts;
- Pay attention to the thread of the nut, if it is worn, it is recommended to replace it with a new one. It is better if it is bronze;
- Take sandpaper and with it, clean the nut inside, as well as all surfaces that come into contact with it;
- Lubricate all parts with grease;
- Reassemble the mixer.
The repair kit for the bathroom faucet with a shower is quite easy to assemble. Prepare in advance everything you may need, including new parts. All tools should be at your fingertips while you work. Remember also that when doing any work with the mixer, you should turn off the water to avoid even more water influx in case something goes wrong.
Things to keep in mind when doing repairs
Quite often, a leak in the place where the water switches from the bath to the shower appears for quite different reasons. Among them:
- Broken button;
- Water immediately enters both the faucet and the shower hose at the same time;
- The mechanism with which you can control the water is worn out.
If it's all about the breakage of the button, then this happens, as a rule, due to the wear of the gasket. You can solve the problem quite easily - replace the set of rings with a new one or fix the one that already exists. For example, you can lubricate old rings with gasoline. However, the result will be temporary and soon you will find a leak again. Therefore, it is still recommended to replace the rings with new ones.
Cleaning the aerator
A clogged aerator often causes a small pressure of water in the shower hose. An aerator is a device necessary for regulating the pressure of water. It is located in the place of the spout. To eliminate the problem, you should thoroughly clean the aerator.
It is necessary to unscrew the aerator from the gander and wash it under water. Please note that its pressure must be strong. After that, just put it back in place.
If after that nothing has changed, you should take a thin needle and carefully remove debris from the aerator. Put it back in place and check the result. If this does not help, then you should purchase a new aerator.
Prevention
Despite the fact that the repair of the mixer is within the power and ordinary person It is better to prevent the occurrence of problems with it than to solve them later. To do this, remember a few simple recommendations:
- Poor quality tap water is the first and foremost enemy of any modern plumbing. The substances that it contains, as well as mechanical impurities, can spoil even the highest quality and most expensive mixer;
- Do not allow solid particles contained in water to enter the elements of the product. The classic rubber gaskets found on conventional faucets are more resistant to such particles than those on ceramic discs. They get scratched instantly. To solve this problem, it is enough to install filters for mechanical cleaning;
- It is recommended to reduce the hardness of the water as much as possible. Excessive content of carbonates spoil not only taps, but also electric kettles, coffee makers and so on. To reduce the hardness of the water, you should purchase a softener filter.
All of the above recommendations will help extend the life of your faucet. Please note that you can make a rubber ring yourself. However, it will be short-lived. It is better to install such rings as temporary, and immediately change them to new high-quality ones if possible.
Many, faced with this problem, are wondering how to fix the bathroom faucet switch, which is also broken. To do this is quite simple. Must have on hand necessary tools, new replacement parts and know exactly what to do.
It should also be noted that when buying a quality faucet, you will significantly increase its service life and reduce the possibility of leaks. Don't skimp on plumbing. Otherwise, you will constantly have to spend money on repairs.
The faucet is undoubtedly an integral part of any bathroom. It is used for hot and cold water supply and comfortable use of a shower or bath. Thanks to this device, you can easily control the water pressure and temperature. A special switch helps to redirect the flow from the bathtub to the showerhead, which is (not to be missed) convenient.
Like other mechanical devices, faucets often break down. This is explained by the rapid formation of scale. Repairing such a structure is easy with your own hands. It is not too tricky, and the problem is fixed in a couple of minutes.
In this article, you will get acquainted with the varieties and types of mixers, as well as find out what their device is, and how to independently eliminate unwanted damage to the mechanism.
Species diversity
Knowing how a bath and shower faucet works, you can understand how it works and deal with the problems that arose as a result of a breakdown. All bathroom faucets are divided into three groups:
- Sensory - those that respond to movements by activating a photocell built into the device. Self repair such a device is complex, so it is better to entrust such a device into the hands of specialists. most new development considered for the bathroom. The price for such products in Russia starts from 10,000 rubles. It is usually higher than other types of bathroom faucets.
- Valves consist of three structural parts: housing, spout and valve. The pressure of the water jet is controlled manually. During assembly, old Soviet models were equipped with a rubber gasket, modern ones are equipped with ceramic plates.
Important! Old models of faucets with rubber gaskets are still on the market, so when choosing plumbing for your bathroom, give preference ceramic faucets. Such a bathroom faucet device is more durable and practical.
- Lever models of mixers in Lately are very popular. The design of such a mixer is presented in the form of a body, a spout and a ceramic or ball cartridge, in which cold and hot water are mixed until the temperature you choose is reached. The cartridge bath faucet device cannot be disassembled. If the cartridge is out of order, the only way to restore the bathroom faucet device is by replacing the unusable element.
shower faucets lever type consist of:
- a control handle that acts as a pressure and water temperature regulator;
- corps;
- a nut that acts as a retainer for the internal element of the cartridge;
- housing cover that protects the cartridge and gives the design a more aesthetic appearance.
The most common causes of breakdowns
Having carefully studied the device of the bathroom faucet, you will see that fixing it is not such a problem. It is only important to understand the reasons for the breakdown. There are several main factors that affect shower faucets and provoke product breakdown:
- The device of the bathroom water faucet is of poor quality. This means that the product is assembled from low-quality components and consumables.
- Use of outdated Supplies, the service life of which is much lower than modern paronite or silicone gaskets. In addition, they are less prone to deformation and drying out.
- Low quality piped water.
- Hard water that adversely affects wear resistance internal parts mixer. Scale can form not only inside, but also outside, negatively affecting the bathroom faucet. Bronze and chrome - protective covering for plumbing products that protect them from the formation of scale and the development of corrosion processes.
Leak in the spout and body joint area
The device of a single-lever bath faucet with a shower may break during prolonged or continuous use. You can fix this design yourself.
A malfunction associated with a breakdown of the mixer may manifest itself in the form of a leak in the area where the body and spout are joined. Plumbers face this problem almost every day. The rubber gasket that isolates the joint between the gooseneck and the body is in constant rotation, which leads to a quick breakdown. When the gasket wears off, the gander starts to leak. You can fix this problem by replacing the rubber gasket with a silicone one, the service life of which is longer.
Bathroom faucet companies offer a wide range of accessories and consumables for products, so you can easily find spare parts for faucets of the required model.
Water leaks from under the control lever
Such breakdowns are typical for single-lever mixers, the cause of which is the wear of the cartridge. Scale can accumulate inside the device, then the bath faucet breaks. Bronze - a coating that protects inner surface. When it overheats, the protective properties are lost. In this case, it is better to give the mixer to the workshop, where disassembly and restoration will be done efficiently. If your bathroom has single lever mixer for bath and shower, you can determine the breakdown of the cartridge by the following signs:
- the lever is difficult to turn;
- the temperature of the supplied water changes spontaneously;
- no water supply;
- The water in the faucet does not shut off completely.
If you notice one of these problems, you need to replace or restore the cartridge. Sometimes you have to buy a new mechanism, in the event that the bathroom faucet cannot be restored. The price of cartridges depends on the type of mechanism and type of mixer and ranges from 60-100 rubles.
How to fix a faucet yourself
To set up the operation of your mixer yourself, follow the instructions:
- Remove the red and blue plug from the housing.
- Remove the faucet lever by loosening the fixing screw. Use a small Phillips screwdriver for this.
- Remove the lever and unscrew the decorative cover.
- Pull out the broken cartridge.
- Mount the new device inside the box and assemble the faucet.
Important! Pay attention to the small protrusions on the cartridge - they must match the grooves knocked out on inside corps. If you mount the element incorrectly, the mixer will leak.
Leaking faucet in a two-valve mixer
The reason lies in the wear or damage to the sealing gasket hidden in the crane box. Sometimes there is a destruction of the crane box itself. If your bathroom faucet is leaking and you don't know how to fix it inexpensively, do it yourself.
A quick recovery of the mixer is performed by shutting off the water:
- The leaking valve is freed from the plug.
- Unscrew the holder with which the valve is attached to the body of the product. After that, using a tool (open-end or adjustable wrench), the crane box is unscrewed.
- Depending on the degree of damage, the crane box or seal under it is replaced.
- New parts are installed in place of the old ones, after which the mixer is assembled.
How to prevent leaking faucet-shower regulator
In place of the regulator responsible for switching the flow of water from the tap to the shower, there is another seal that is often damaged. To fix the mixer, faced with such a problem, you can disassemble only one of its switches. To restore the mechanism you will have to:
- Remove the knob/switch. Use pliers for this and hold the stem in a stationary position.
- Remove the stem valve.
- Pull out the damaged oil seal.
- Install a new consumable in place of the old one and place the switch with the stem in place.
Breakage of the "faucet-shower" button
If, after pressing, the button does not return to its natural position, then the spring inside it has broken. In this case, the button is disassembled according to the scheme described above, and the broken spring is removed and can be replaced. If, when you press the button, water continues to flow from the tap and from the shower, this indicates a breakdown of the stuffing box, which is located in the switch stem.
In this case, you must do the following:
- Remove button/switch.
- Pull out the stem.
- Change seal.
- Assemble the switch back.
Shower hose leaking
Damage to the hose gasket will cause the hose to leak. All that needs to be done to fix the problem is to buy a new gasket and replace the old one.
If the cause of the failure of the mechanism is serious, and it cannot be repaired, you will have to buy another bath faucet. Bronze on the inside and chrome on the outside will help the new product last longer, protecting it from scale formation and rapid wear of parts.
After studying this material and familiarizing yourself with the main causes of a bathroom faucet failure, you will become a real jack-of-all-trades and will be able to fix the problem in a matter of minutes, without resorting to anyone's help. Just use the tips and tricks, and you will definitely succeed.
- Varieties
- Device with two valves
- Components of the device
- Lever constipation
- Other types
Usually when renovating a bathroom or shower Special attention is given to the selection of tiles, broom or linoleum to cover her floor and shower cubicle and various small accessories and details. At the same time, the most important element of the bathroom often falls out of sight - a mixer, which is simply indispensable in modern city apartments. People often have no idea about its device, types of this device and varieties.
At the same time, they often forget that the main condition for convenient use of a toilet or bathroom is the right one, which should last at least 10-15 years. Therefore, before buying this unit, you need to at least approximately know its main types and device.
Varieties
They differ in the way they are installed and the place of fasteners, the principle of operation of the mechanism that supplies water. According to the last parameter, several types of mixing units can be distinguished, namely:
- Devices with water supply through one valve - they are used when only cold or hot water is needed.
- Mixers of the normal scheme with two valves and an exit to the shower head.
- Appliances in which a lever with a ball lock is used to regulate the water.
- Mixing units with thermostat.
- Devices in which the locking device is equipped with sensors are touchless faucets that help save water.
According to the method of installation, all these devices can be divided into the following groups:
- mortise type mixers;
- devices that are built into the wall;
- floor mounting units.
According to the place of use, the following types can be distinguished:
- faucets for installation in the bathroom;
- sink appliances;
- units for showers or having access to a hose with a watering can;
- special devices for a bidet (sometimes combined with a shower).
Back to index
Device with two valves
This is a classic type of bathroom fixtures. In them, the pressure of water and its temperature are regulated by turning the handles of the mixer manually. This appliance is a small volume chamber designed for mixing jets of hot and cold water.
This mixture enters the consumer through his spout, on which a mesh is installed to prevent splashing of water. The device with two shut-off valves also has some features:
- To strengthen it to pipes water supply network special eccentrics are used.
- The distance between the underwater water pipes must be between 14.8 and 15.2 centimeters, otherwise the mixer cannot be installed.
- The most important detail(the duration of the device’s service life and its reliability depend on it) - these are two valve heads built into the mixer body. Handles are fixed on top of them with screws. They are made from various materials and they can come in a wide variety of designs, shapes and sizes.
To prevent water from escaping from the attachment points to the mixer body of its various parts, sealing gaskets made of rubber or plastic are used. For the normal functioning of the device, they must be changed periodically so that there are no water leaks. Since such mixers are widespread, the following is Full description apparatus of this type.
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Components of the device
To understand its design in more detail, let's turn to the Soviet-style faucets that are still preserved in many, which were produced for combined bathrooms. They consist of such main parts as:
- housing-chamber in which mixing of hot and cold jets of water takes place;
- spool switch;
- eccentrics;
- spout with mesh (or without it);
- decorative flanges - they cover the connection point water pipes to the mixer
- rubber gaskets for different parts device,
- valve heads-constipation;
- pens.
Such units are connected to the water supply through steel corners if the pipes were laid in the wall. The distance between them is selected at 148-152 millimeters. For precise installation eccentrics are used in the horizontal plane. They differ from modern models. When installing, linen tow was previously used. Before screwing the eccentric into the corner (coupling), you must first put on the union nut, and then the decorative flange. The whole of this type consists of about twenty parts.
Rubber gaskets are installed between the eccentrics and the mixer body and are needed to prevent water from escaping from the junction.
Locking valves are screwed into the main body of the device and must fit very tightly to the seats of the device. They have gaskets installed. The valves themselves are closed with handles that are put on their rotating stems. These elements are fixed with screws, which are closed with plastic plugs of red and of blue color(respectively, hot and cold water)
The mixer spout is sealed with rubber and plastic gaskets. A fixing nut is provided for fixing it on the body. The shower-spout switch consists of several elements, the main of which is the spool. In order for it to tightly block the flow of water jets, rubber gaskets are installed on top and bottom of it, fixed with screws.
To ensure the movement of the spool up and down in this design, a crank is used. The stem of this part has grooves for rubber rings, but a linen cord can also be used to ensure tightness. The crank itself needs to be well lubricated. It has a switch knob on it. A special screw is used to fix it.
On the body there is an adapter for attaching a hose from the shower, which is fixed with a transition nut with a rubber gasket.
