Bidet faucet: types and recommendations for selection

The mixer is an important part of the bidet design. It makes hygiene procedures convenient and comfortable. Thanks to the large selection of models available on the plumbing equipment market, each consumer will be able to choose a product in accordance with his taste, bathroom interior and wealth.

The history of the emergence of a bidet as a plumbing fixture goes back to the second half of the 18th century, when the first prototypes of such equipment began to appear in the palaces of French royalty. However, the early bidets were not equipped with a tap, let alone a mixer, but were an elongated bath in which cold and hot water was mixed.

The situation changed only during the time of Queen Victoria, when engineering thought "started" water supply and sewerage pipes into houses. It was since then that bidets began to be equipped with a water tap and acquired the forms with which they have survived to this day.

In the earlier classic bidets, water was supplied according to the principle of a fountain, the pressure opening of which was at the bottom of the tank or slightly to the side. However, this method of supplying water was not entirely convenient and often caused difficulties in adjusting its temperature. For this reason, the idea of ​​gushing ablution was abandoned and they began to equip appliances with special bidet mixers.

Around the middle of the 60s of the last century, the bidet was combined with the toilet, so that the need to place two appliances at once in small-sized bathrooms disappeared. However, if the space of the toilet permits, most consumers prefer to install both a toilet and a bidet.

The latter became possible thanks to the installation of a floating head that can easily move and be fixed in the desired position. Due to the specific nature of their use, the outside of the bidet mixers can be anticorrosive treatment by plating with chrome, nickel or colored enamel. Big variety spraying options, naturally imitating gold, bronze and even marble, allows you to choose a mixer for any room, from a retro interior to an ultra-modern style.

As materials for the manufacture of the body and external parts of bidet mixers, use stainless steel and brass. These metals have a long service life and do not corrode. Ball valves and fittings are also made from steel, and ceramic, plastic or aluminum are used for the manufacture of cartridges and seals.

Despite the external similarity, bidet faucets are fundamentally different from sink and washbasin faucets... Their main difference is equipping bidet taps with an aerator that smoothly sprays the water flow... In addition, most models are equipped with a thermostat that allows you to regulate the temperature of the supplied liquid, and nozzles that make it possible to direct the stream of water in any direction.

Bidet mixers are classified according to several criteria, the main of which is the type of installation of the appliance. According to this criterion, there are two types of mixers - built-in and wall-mounted.

• Built-in mixer with spout mounts directly on the bidet in a special hole on the body. Such models are mainly installed on classic bidets and are practically not used for toilets. Built-in mixers are small in size and equipped with a floating head to easily change the direction of the jet.

• Wall models They are installed on the wall to the side of the bidet or toilet and are concealed. In this case, communications are hidden in a wall or niche and covered with a decorative coating. When using wall-mounted models, it is necessary to provide in advance the possibility of direct access to the water pipes located in the wall, therefore, instead of ceramic tiles, it is recommended to cover them with easily removable overhead panels with an inspection hatch.

Wall-mounted models are equipped with a pull-out spout or a flexible shower hose with a hand shower, more commonly known as a hand shower. This makes it possible to fill the containers standing on the floor with water, as well as use the shower to wash your feet.

The next criterion for classifying bidet mixers is the type of control. On this basis, valve, lever and contactless (sensor) models are distinguished.

• Lever mixers equipped with one knob, with which the pressure and temperature of the liquid are controlled simultaneously. The presence of a lever allows one-handed adjustments and makes this type of mixer very convenient and hygienic.

• Valve models equipped with two hot and cold water valves that supply water to the tap independently of each other. Such models fit perfectly into classic interiors, especially if the mixer is made in the same style, has a gold or bronze finish and is equipped with an ornate spout.

• Contactless faucets are the most hygienic and easy-to-use devices.Their work is based on the principle of a photosensor's reaction to ultraviolet radiation, which is interrupted when a person's hands are placed under a tap. In this case, the automation itself turns on the water, the temperature of which is preset by the user using a regulator installed on the thermostat. Such mixers work from a lithium battery and are considered the most convenient and economical type.

The modern plumbing equipment market offers a large number of bidet mixers, among which there are both models of little-known young enterprises and examples of famous brands. Below is an overview of the most popular, according to online stores, manufacturers, whose products are most often mentioned in consumer reviews and are in high demand.

The undoubted leader in the production of bidet mixers is the German company Grohe... The company produces a large number of high-quality models of different price categories, which allows you to choose a product for any wallet.

For example, a simple but very aesthetic single lever mixer tap with ceramic cartridge Grohe Eurosmart New 32927002 will cost only 4500 rubles. The model is made in a modern design, equipped with a function of limiting temperature and water flow, has a fixed spout, aerator and a 5-year warranty.

The product is equipped with self-cleaning aerator, foot valve and two-valve control.

High-quality and inexpensive products are created by Polish Armatura company, offering its consumers reliable and durable sanitary ware. As an example, consider Ecokran Azuryt model 5517-025-00 with foot valve costing only 1274 rubles. The model has single lever design and chrome plated. All products are guaranteed for 2 years.

Original and durable bidet mixers are manufactured by Czech company Lemark, in the assortment of which there are not only modern design models, but also retro-style products. A good example is model Villa LM4808B worth 11,800 rubles, made of brass and stylized in antique style. The product is equipped with fixed spout, aerator, bottom valve, has a 4-year warranty.

The Italian company Artis is well known in the world market. It offers the consumer high-quality and very interesting design sanitary ware. Of particular note is the collection of black bidet taps, which are impressive in design and fit perfectly into any modern interior.

For example, model Cristallo 3950NO Black It has single lever design, matt surface and striking chrome elements, which are very harmoniously combined with the black body. The product is equipped with a bottom valve and costs 10,300 rubles. All products of the manufacturer have a five-year warranty.

Of the Russian manufacturers, it can be noted young company Rossinka and, in particular, its wall-mounted model with a hygienic shower X25-51. The mixer has a single-lever design, chrome-plated coating and costs only 3430 rubles.

Before you start choosing a mixer for a bidet, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with a number of important points on which the ease of use of a sanitary fixture depends.

First of all it is necessary to decide on the type of model, the choice of which will depend on the design of the bidet. Structurally, bidets are of two types - with top filling, when water comes from a tap located on the wall or the device itself, and with an internal (bottom) filling, in which water comes directly from the side or wall of the bidet.In the first case, the choice of a mixer depends on the presence of a hole for the mixer in the tank body and involves the purchase of a wall-mounted or built-in version.

For internal filling, a special type of mixer is needed, consisting of two separate taps and a special switch located between them.

The next important selection criterion will be matching the size of the mixer to the dimensions of the bidet. In this case, use common sense and select the valve so that it is not too large for a compact tank. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient to use it, and it will look somewhat cumbersome.

Pay attention on the appearance of the product and choose it so that it fits harmoniously into the space of the toilet and does not seem like something foreign. It is advisable to purchase the faucet together with other bathroom accessories such as toilet paper holders, towel hooks and tissue baskets. In this case, it is advisable to select items in the same style and with the maximum presence of the same elements. In addition, if the bathroom is combined, then the bidet mixer should overlap in its design with the sink and bath mixers.

It is necessary to pay attention to the set of the mixer. Responsible manufacturers must equip the device with a flexible or rigid hose for connecting to the water supply and fasteners for installing a faucet with a hygienic shower on the wall. In addition, the box must contain a product passport with a warranty card and detailed instructions for installing the mixer.

When buying a mixer, it is important not to forget to purchase a special siphon designed to connect the bidet to the sewerage system.

To extend the life of the mixer, models containing plastic parts are best avoided... Such cranes are a little cheaper, however, given their flimsy and fragility, the savings are very dubious.

If funds allow, it is better to purchase a mixer with additional functions. For example, in order to once and for all set a certain water temperature and no longer touch on this issue, it is recommended to purchase a thermo mixer. In order for the bidet to be used as a container for washing or washing, it is better to buy a model with a bottom valve, which will allow the tank to be used as a spacious basin.

If the water in the tap is too hard, then it is wiser to buy a two-valve model. In comparison with lever models, such mixers are much easier and cheaper to repair. In general, for problematic water, you need to choose a mixer with an aerator equipped with an anti-lime filter. This will help to improve the quality of the supplied water and reliably protect the plumbing from the negative effects of plumbing suspensions.

For information on how to install a wall-hung bidet with a mixer with your own hands, see the next video.