Bathtub faucets: what are there and how to choose?

The mortise mixer on the side of the bath is a type of plumbing designed for horizontal installation. This is an original and worthy alternative to the classic models. Such products have significant differences from traditional mixers. They are not attached to the wall, but to the side of the font. Mortise models are available in an extensive range, they have certain pros and cons that are worth studying in detail before purchasing.

Mixers for on-board installation on a bath have a number of significant advantages. With their help, you can save space in the bathroom, which is especially important for small rooms. Thanks to such products, you can decorate the bathing area in a beautiful and original way. The advantages of the faucets on the side of the bath do not end there.

• Quieter filling of the bathing tank with water (especially important for steel hot tubs). Water intake is often accompanied by a loud noise, which is sometimes heard even from neighbors. This is due to the high mounted mixers. The plumbing fixtures on the side of the bathtub are located much lower, which makes the water intake much quieter. In addition, in this case, the spray will not fly onto the walls, which will preserve the decoration of the room.
• Operational comfort... To use a traditional faucet while taking a bath, you will need to raise or stand up. The plumbing, located on board the font, can be reached with your hand without getting up.
• Possibility to hide communication hoses. When installing a traditional mixer, you will have to gouge the walls to hide the pipes. When installing mortise products, this problem will disappear.
• The designs of such plumbing are different durability.

These products also have disadvantages, which are confirmed by numerous user reviews. One of the disadvantages is the high cost - a mortise mixer will cost more than a traditional wall-mounted mixer.

If the product fails, he will need to buy a similar replacement, since each model has a different diameter and number of holes for installing accessories.

Mortise mixers on the side of the bath can be made in the form of a monoblock or modular models. The first is an assembled view, the second includes several elements. Plumbing is connected to pipes supplying hot and cold water using a special adapter (eccentric). Most of the models on the market have a lever located on the spout body. Due to this design, the switching of the water supply from the shower to the tap occurs automatically when the watering can is returned to the holder.

Products are classified into two types depending on the installation method.

1. Outdoor. Outwardly, such devices resemble a classic mixer with a switch for a shower head. To mount such products on the side or corner of the bath, you will need one or 2 holes.
2. Mortise. These mixers have separate elements for which special mounting holes are needed. Flush fittings include a spout, hand shower, switch and control knobs.

Distinguish between devices valve, lever, with built-in thermostat and sensor... The work of the first is based on the use of a crane-axle box. It can be reversible or semi-reversible. A small chamber is built into the body of such products, thanks to which cold and hot water is mixed before the liquid exits through the tap.

Lever-operated plumbing is equipped with a single handle, with which the flow head and water temperature are determined. The main detail in such devices is the cartridge, which is a small ball of metal. If it breaks down, it is easy to replace it with a new one.

Mixers with a thermostat are equipped with a specialized sensitive cartridge that reacts to temperature changes in the liquid. Automatic mixing of cold and hot water takes place in accordance with the preset settings.

The main disadvantage of products with a thermostat is the complexity of the repair.

The most compact sensor mixers... There are no levers or valves in their design. They are equipped with a sensitive infrared sensor that “senses” heat and movement.

The mixer spouts are available in various shapes. However, these are always monolithic structures, in which the rotation of the crane spout is not provided. Thanks to this feature, the products are distinguished by their reliability and durability. Spouts can be rectangular, tubular, square, triangular.

Cascade models are also gaining popularity. They are able to form a wide stream of flow, visually resembling a waterfall.

The spouts of cascade mixers can be of the form:

• plates;
• gutters;
• metal plates.

Often, manufacturers equip spouts with decorative lighting. Such solutions look stylish and original. Their only drawback is the high price compared to other models.

Various materials are used in the production of mixers. They must meet a number of requirements, namely: have high corrosion and chemical resistance, and also not be "afraid" of sudden temperature changes. Several materials meet these criteria.

1. Brass. It is the most widely used material in the manufacture of sanitary ware. Brass is made from copper and zinc and can include lead, manganese, or iron. The material provides good resistance to threaded connections, it has little adhesion to deposits of mineral origin.
2. Bronzea. A material obtained by melting copper and tin. The alloy is distinguished by its aesthetics and durability. Outwardly, it looks more beautiful than brass, and at the same time it is more expensive.
3. Stainless steel... The material is used in the manufacture of budget mixer models.

Some manufacturers apply patterns and ornaments to brass or bronze faucets. During use, a patina is formed on them, giving additional luxury to such products.

Mortise faucets on the side of the bath are produced by many domestic and foreign companies. Consider the best models that the consumer loved and have proven themselves due to the best price-quality ratio.

• Vega Niagara Lux (3 holes). Mixer made in Italy with lever control. Has a ceramic cartridge. Made of brass, equipped with a cascade spout.

• Triton "Super Fingerboard". Mixer made in China, 3 holes, made of brass. Equipped with a ceramic cartridge. The product has a 5-year warranty.

• Bravat Iguassu F5173218CP-1. German mixer tap, made of brass, with lever control. Equipped with Kerox 35 mm Sedal ceramic cartridge with rotating disc. The model is designed for 3 holes.

• Cobra from the Russian manufacturer Marka One... Lever controlled product. Has a cascade spout, ceramic cartridge. The manufacturer gives a 24-month product warranty.

• Hansgrohe Metris classic... Mixer from Germany, made of brass, 3 holes. Has a convenient and secure mount. Designed for acrylic bathtubs.

• Agger Splendid A0902500. German mortise mixer with a 5-year warranty. 1 hole device. It has a traditional form of spout, the faucet is made of brass. The plumbing is equipped with an aerator and a diverter and has a lever control.

Faucets on the side of the bath are suitable for acrylic, cast iron, steel and other types of baths with a hydromassage system or without additional functions. When equipping a bathroom, one should take seriously the choice of such a sanitary ware. Reliable equipment will keep its uninterrupted performance for more than one year. When choosing a product, it is important to pay attention to several important parameters.

1. Manufacturing material... The most reliable and durable products are considered to be made of chrome-plated brass.
2. The weight. Low-quality products are distinguished by light weight, so it is best to give preference to heavy items. Lightweight plumbing has thin and fragile walls, which is why it may soon fail.
3. Aerator... Experts recommend buying a mixer with this important detail. It is a mesh nozzle, due to which the water jet is diluted with air.As a result, the pressure of the liquid and its consumption are reduced. Models can have a removable aerator nozzle. In this case, if it breaks down, it will be easy to replace it with a new one.
4. Equipment. When choosing a mixer, it is important to ask what parts and additional elements are included with the purchase. These can be cartridges, adapters, hoses and decor accessories.

When changing plumbing, you often have to choose an adapter. Robust products are made of electroplated brass. A high-quality eccentric is distinguished by its weight and high cost.

You will learn how to install the mixer on the side of the bathtub in the next video.