Mixer aerators: types and purpose

Aerators are installed on all modern mixers and are a strainer on the tap spout. This small element is essential for the plumbing system.

Many people mistakenly believe that this is a kind of filter and dismantle it. They motivate their actions by the fact that they use special water purification devices of higher quality and efficiency. Others believe that such a "mesh" reduces the already low water pressure, and also remove it from the mixer. However, this is fundamentally wrong - let's figure out why.

The aerator is a mesh in the mixer. If you try to stick your finger into the tap (the space where the water flows from), then you will feel the presence of a nozzle in it - a mesh. This is the aerator.

It includes a housing and a plastic module equipped with a filter system. Between them are rubber or silicone gaskets. The module, in turn, consists of several filter nets, which are stacked in a certain way. The first two provide the direction of the stream, and also perform the purification function, the others - mix water with air bubbles.

For the manufacture of the device, very common materials are used.

• Metal. Affordable models with a low price. However, they are short-lived, because under the influence of water and limescale, their surface is corroded and destroyed.
• Polymers. Such aerators are not afraid of exposure to water, and therefore their service life is longer. Affordability is also an advantage.
• Non-ferrous metals (bronze, brass), ceramics. The most expensive, but also the highest quality aerators.

People interested in linguistics have probably noticed the similarity of the term "aerator" to the Greek word for "aeration", which means "air." This similarity is not accidental, since the design of the aerator allows mixing water flows with air in order to reduce water consumption without a noticeable decrease in the jet intensity for the user. Simply put, the mesh nozzle is used to save water. Moreover, the latter can reach 75%.

On average, about 15 liters of water flows through the tap per minute, the use of an aerator can reduce this indicator by 2-2.5 times. This is due to the fact that when mixed with air, the volume of the jet increases, so the pressure remains unchanged.

Water-saving is not the only function of the aerator. The device also avoids splashing. Oxygenated water “softens”, becomes foamy - this ensures “enveloping” the object being washed without splashing liquid. At the same time, the consumer does not experience a lack of air flow, he does not feel a decrease in the volume of water when using the aerator.

It is important that when passing through air bubbles, water becomes less chlorinated: oxygen molecules bind and remove residual chlorine molecules. And the presence of oxygen bubbles in it contributes to better cleaning of surfaces: detergents are activated in a gaseous environment. Finally, large and medium-sized particles of limescale contamination are retained in the “grate” without getting into the water jet.

Thus, such a "economical" for the mixer allows you to reduce water consumption, as well as improve its quality.

The advantages of this plumbing element are characterized by the fact that it:

• saves water;
• improves water quality;
• reduces the amount of noise when water leaves the tap;
• has an affordable cost;
• simply installed, and also replaced with another.

There are several types of aerators.

The device is equipped with a vacuum valve. With its help, it is possible to compress water under pressure, due to which aeration is performed. The savings in water consumption are enormous: only 1.1 liters come out of the tap per minute. Depending on the characteristics of the valve, automatic, kinetic and combined types are distinguished.

It is called so because the aerator has 2 modes of operation: in the form of a jet and a spray. The principle of operation is based on changing the strength of the water flow. A feature of swivel models is the presence of a swivel joint. Thanks to this, the water jet can be directed at any angle, which is very convenient.

The principle of operation and design of this unit is similar to that of the previous one. However, the aerator here is a flexible hose. The diffuser allows you to divide the water into small jets, pre-saturating it with oxygen in the vortex chamber, and the flexible "tube" makes it possible to direct the jet at a convenient angle. A swivel and aerator on a flexible hose are most often installed on kitchen plumbing elements. This type of device is especially convenient when the size of the sink is small or the spout is not dynamic enough. Saving water when using this model is achieved by enriching the liquid with air bubbles, as well as due to the fact that the jet can be directed to a specific contaminated object.

When the jet falls, the aerator illuminates it in different colors, indicating the temperature of the liquid. Green light denotes a comfortable and safe temperature up to 29 C, blue - having a temperature of 30-38 C, red - water with a temperature over 38 C. Operation is possible due to the rotation of the device's own turbine. In other words, they do not have power supplies, and therefore are completely safe. In addition to their practical function, such models have an aesthetic meaning. Most often they are installed on taps in the bathroom and shower, but nothing prevents you from equipping a kitchen faucet with such an aerator.

According to the method of installation, external and internal aerators are distinguished. The first ones are mounted on the external thread of the spout. Aerators of the internal type are screwed onto the internal thread, respectively.

There are also decorative aerators. By their principle of action, they can be of any type discussed above. The peculiarity is that the aerator looks like an animal or other figurine. Such a tap will interest children and distract them (it is important if for some reason the child does not want to take a bathroom, for example). In addition to "children's", decorative aerators can be in the form of a spiral or have other design solutions.

The appearance of the nozzle affects how the aerator works. There are two types of sprayers.

• Disk. Equipped with discs with small holes. When passing through them, the stream of water breaks up into jets, which are then dissected against the reflector.
• Slotted. The device is equipped with slits through which the water is saturated with oxygen. The water stream then crashes into the deflecting disc, causing the liquid to break into droplets. Finally, the jet is dissected by means of a mesh.

If a mixer with a non-standard shape or spout size is used, for example, a rectangular one, then the aerator must also correspond to it in shape and dimensions. In this case, you will have to look for a device for a specific model.You can make your search easier by immediately contacting the manufacturer of the original plumbing (the same brand that is in your home). As a rule, leading manufacturers produce not only mixers, but also separately components for them.

Modern models of aerators act not only as a water flow regulatorbut can also become a filter. Such models have additional cleaning systems based on activated carbon, ion-exchange magnetic grid. A more expensive device can saturate water with microelements, purify it from viruses. An important point: such aerators can only be installed on a cold water tap. If hot water is passed through the filter, it will lose its cleaning properties.

Among the “new products” is the pressure-compensated aerator option. As you know, with an increase in pressure, the flow rate of water also increases. Compensating devices prevent this with an adjustable O-ring that keeps the water volume constant regardless of pressure. Like bottom valves on mixers, such devices can reduce water consumption by an average of 40-50%.

Also noteworthy is the sensor nozzle, which is installed instead of the aerator and also serves to save tap water. Its functioning is based on the reaction to movement. If you put your hands under the tap, water starts to flow automatically. As soon as you remove your hands, the jet stops. For more convenient use, the system is equipped with a button, thanks to which the transition from the manual operation of the nozzle (necessary if you need to dial a bathroom, fill the kettle) to automatic mode is carried out.

Depending on the type of aerator used, different types of water flow can be generated.

• Aerated. Filled with air bubbles, which visually and kinetically feels like foamed, "soft" water. The jets do not spray. This option is best suited for domestic use.
• Laminar. The jet is smooth, intense, without splashes. This type of water flow is used in medical institutions, laboratories.
• Spray. Thanks to the atomizer, many volumetric miniature jets are created. The volume of the flow is sufficient to cover the hands. Typically used in public places.

Aerators can differ not only in the principle of operation and appearance, but also in the size of the thread. This is a very important parameter, as the thread size of the device must match the diameter of the spout. In other words, a thread diameter of 18 ml is not suitable for a valve with a diameter of 22 mm, for example. By the way, the standard internal diameter of the spout is just 18 and 19 mm.

Traditionally, the diameter of the aerator is 12-1200 mm, and the diameter of the air duct is from 20 to 2200 mm. The height of the device is from 14 to 2000 mm.

There are 3 standards for external / internal thread diameters: 18/16, 24/22, 28/26 mm. That is, if an external thread of 18 mm is used for a tap, then a device with a diameter of 16 mm is required for the same tap (if necessary, mount an internal aerator).

In addition to the dimensions, it is important that the device has a suitable type of thread: external or internal. A spout with an external thread requires a similar aerator with an external thread and vice versa.

Today there are many manufacturers of aerators on the market, but not all of them can boast of impeccable product quality. The most authoritative, invariably leading the rating of manufacturers of plumbing devices, are the following companies.

• Grohe. World famous brand from Germany, characterized by high quality aerators. Some models may have a lifespan of up to 10 years. It is not surprising that the devices are quite expensive (350-1000 rubles).
• Oras. Production is established in Finland. Reviews also allow us to talk about the high quality of products. The range includes aerators both complete with a mixer and as outdoor devices.The price of the latter varies between 250-500 rubles.

One of the most important selection criteria is the throughput of the device, that is, an indicator of the maximum amount of water in liters the aerator will let through in a minute. A standard mixer, not equipped with an aerator, has a flow rate of 12-15 l / min.

Using a 3.5 l / min aerator can reduce water consumption by up to 75%. With a flow rate of 5.5 l / min, the savings are 49%.

• Timo. Another Finnish manufacturer that can take pride in the impeccable quality of its products. Provided that the manufacturer's products are installed by representatives of the company's service center, as well as subject to the operating conditions, Timo gives a 5-year warranty for plumbing and plumbing.
• Jacob Delafon. French brand known as the winner in the Bathroom Design category. Offers high-quality premium aerators, the average price of which is 500-700 rubles.

Devices from Gardena, Roka, Lemark are also popular.

Consider the main criteria that must be followed when choosing an aerator.

• Thread type: outdoor or indoor. By the way, if you bought an external aerator and the tap has an internal spout, you can use a special adapter. In this case, you can use the purchased item, however, it will be located slightly lower - closer to the sink.
• Material. Preference should be given to aerators made of brass, copper, stainless steel. They can be expensive (compared to plastic ones), but they are usually justified by the long service life of the devices.

• Diameter. It is important that the diameter of the aerator matches the diameter of the spout. The standard diameters are 20, 22, 24, 28 mm.
• Design. The aerator and the faucet should become one not only from a technical but also an aesthetic point of view. For example, if the faucet is stylized as bronze, then the aerator for it should be the same (this primarily applies to outdoor devices).

If you rarely use a tap (for example, do not live in an apartment), then you can save money and put plastic aerators. If necessary, you can replace them with more reliable ones. They do not stick to the tap and are easy to remove, unlike aluminum and steel structures, which corrode and therefore stick to the spout. Removing them is sometimes problematic.

Common sense should be used in the pursuit of reducing the amount of water consumed. In the bathroom or shower, excessive economy turns into an inconvenience of using them. Recommended capacity for shower head and tap in the bathroom is 3.5-5 l / min, for washbasins - no more than 1.8 l / min. For the kitchen, this indicator is maximum - up to 5 l / min. However, if you are using an adjustable aerator (one that can swivel to the desired angle), the flow rate can be reduced.

As already mentioned, the device needs to be replaced periodically. Signs of a malfunction can be considered a decrease in the water pressure (which indicates that the filter screens are clogged with lime deposits and dirt), the absence of a characteristic hissing sound when the water jet exits the mixer. However, it is better not to wait for such "symptoms", but to change the aerator every six months or a year.

You can remove the aerator with your own hands using pliers or a locksmith wrench. The head of the device has 2 faces directed in different directions. Your task is to grab them with a key and turn them clockwise (if you look at the crane from above).

After removing the aerator, assess its condition. - it may be enough just to clean it, not change it. Remove the strainer from the cylinder, disassemble the rest. Rinse the elements under running water. If there are traces of limescale deposits, they can be left in a cleaning solution or apple cider vinegar solution and held until the deposits dissolve.Seals should not be subjected to a similar procedure. If they have become unusable, it is worth buying new ones.

After all the parts are cleaned, assemble the aerator and screw it in, turning it counterclockwise with a wrench. Turn on the tap, make sure there is no leakage, if you find it, tighten the aerator again with a key. Try to switch the intensity of the water, make sure that the device works properly at any pressure.

If there is no possibility or desire to clean the device from plaque, you can purchase a new one. To do this, you should also unscrew the old aerator, and install a new one instead. To avoid damaging the cover of the spout when working with a wrench or pliers, wrap the working part of the tool with pliers.

As you can see, you can make a replacement or clean the aerator with your own hands, without involving professionals.

For the types and purpose of aerators for mixers, see the following video.