Bath stoppers: what are they and how to choose?

Nowadays, among a large number of products, it is quite difficult to find something good and of high quality. And even such a simple accessory as a stopper for a bathroom also requires careful consideration when choosing.

In specialized stores, you can find any option: from a simple rubber plug to a semi-automatic. In addition, this simple thing can add a touch of romance and comfort to the interior. Manufacturers offer rubber and silicone corks in the form of algae, flowers, rubber toys, and so on.

The simplest and cheapest solution is a classic end cap on a chain. Such products were made of rubber back in Soviet times, but then they were devoid of originality and were produced in the form of a cork.

Manufacturers now offer these options in rubber, silicone and plastic. The design of the plug is extremely simple, therefore it will serve for several decades. But experts recommend choosing rubber and silicone varieties for a number of reasons:

• they are more durable, do not break, do not crack;
• it is easier to remove such a plug from the drain hole if it is stuck;
• a rubber or silicone plug closes the hole more tightly, and water does not pass through it;
• she is not afraid of temperature changes, she is easy to use - by installing a rubber plug, you can safely enjoy a hot bath.

Despite the simplicity of the design, today you can choose many creative and beautiful plugs, adding a touch of humor, romance and comfort to the bathroom interior.

• Variety of colors. Choose accessories of any color: classic white or black, bright pink, blue, green. The main thing is that you like it and fit the general style of the room.
• Variety of shapes. There are corks in the form of animals, fish, figures of men, algae, flowers. There are works of art: prototypes of Greek statues, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and the Egyptian pyramids.
• With toys on a chain: ducks, boats, fish, dogs. This option will especially delight children.
• High-tech plugs... They are equipped with a thermometer that changes color when the water temperature changes.

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By design, such plugs are similar to a classic plug, but their principle of operation is slightly different. It is not inserted into the drain hole, but is applied from above and, due to the creation of a vacuum, reliably closes the hole. The material from which the suction cups are made is silicone. It is flexible, lightweight and practical to use, and is also not afraid of high temperatures. In specialized stores, you can find suction cups of any color and with different decorative elements. This design is easy to operate and reliable.

A semiautomatic plug is a less popular solution for classic bathtubs, more often such a system is installed in a jacuzzi. In appearance, it practically does not differ from more complex automatic traffic jams, but the principle of operation is simpler.

The plug is installed in the drain hole of the bath, and a special toggle switch is placed under the mixer, which is connected to the plug with a cable. To open or close the plug, you need to turn the toggle switch, then the cable is pulled and pushes the plug into the drain.

The advantages of the semi-automatic system:

• ease of use;
• attractive appearance.

The disadvantage of the system is its low reliability. Such plugs fail especially quickly when the water is not of very good quality - with a high content of iron or lime. And the cable that connects the lever and the plug begins to jam over time. In regions with soft water, such a system will last about 4 years.

Automatic plugs are considered the most modern and beautiful. An automatic stopper is a metal round piece that is embedded directly into the drain. To close the drain hole, simply press on the plug with your hand or heel. You can open the hole in the same way.

These models look very stylish and expensive. They are widely used by designers in the design of bathrooms. Nevertheless, the machines also have disadvantages:

• when the bath is full, it is not very convenient to open such a drain;
• an automatic mechanism, in comparison with a simple rubber plug, will not last long;
• when using an automatic plug, a lot of dirt and hair accumulates under it.

Almost all bathtubs have standard drain sizes, but there are exceptions. If you want to choose the options semi-automatic or automatic, then you cannot do without accurate measurement of the hole diameter There are several ways to find a stopper that matches your bathtub exactly.

1. Measuring the drain hole. Take a tape measure or thread and stretch it along the bottom of the drain hole. The resulting figure will be the size of your future plug.
2. Cut a circle out of paper that matches the size of your plum... With this circle, contact the store, and the consultant will select the right option for you.

For information on how to make a bath stopper, see the next video.