Features of cascade mixers

The main principle of modern manufacturers of sanitary products is functionality and aesthetic appeal of all products that come out from under the conveyor. If earlier, in order to get water, a person only had to turn the valve, today he needs something more, namely style, beauty, ergonomics and modern design. All these criteria are met by the cascade spout mixers.

Waterfall mixers differ from all existing analogues in the shape of the spout. In their body there is no aerator mechanism that saturates the flow of water with air, and the opening at the end of the tap is flattened and wide - for this reason, the flow of liquid flows at a high speed. The similarity with a natural waterfall gave the cascading devices their second name - waterfalls.

Another feature of waterfall mixers is a large throughput (the bath is completely filled in a matter of minutes), which standard devices cannot boast of.

This moment is provided by large diameter pipes that are included in the set. The rest of the waterfall taps are designed in the same way as their other "brothers", they can be used with almost all types of plumbing devices.

In fact, thanks to cascade taps, you can create a mini-waterfall in the house, which will already make the interior unique and inimitable. But manufacturers don't stop there. In an effort to emphasize style and originality, they produce waterfall gander from the following materials:

• chrome-plated metal;
• glass;
• ceramics;
• brass;
• bronze.

More often than others, they buy chrome and glass models. But on sale you can find products decorated with colored or gold enamel. Stone, crystal, crystal-decorated mixers and even wooden models are often created according to individual projects.

Manufacturers also supplement their creations with various ultra-fashionable mechanisms:

• backlight (often use LED lamps);
• thermostat;
• pressure compensator;
• touch control panels;
• contactless sensors.

Mixers with a waterfall do not differ from conventional devices in the principle of control. The main methods with which you can control a mini-waterfall include:

• Valve. For water to flow, you need to turn the lever / valve / knob a few turns.
• Single-lever. The most popular and demanded type of management. Opening the tap, mixing water and adjusting the pressure of the water flow is due to the operation of one lever. Turning it to the right / left changes the temperature of the flowing liquid.
• Sensory. New in recent years. To regulate the flow of water and set the desired temperature, it is enough to lightly touch certain touch buttons.

Based on the above, the main advantages of cascade mixers can be distinguished:

• fast speed of filling the bathroom;
• reduced noise during operation;
• less water splashing;
• a large number of designs.

Meanwhile, the "cascades" have disadvantages:

• High price. Even a mixer of a renowned manufacturer, good in all respects, will cost less than a cascade mixer, especially a touch one.
• Complexity of installation.Some models of cascade faucets require special fasteners on the bathroom (sink) or require pre-installation of supply lines along the wall or floor covering.
• Increased humidity in the room due to the evaporation of a large volume of warm water from the flat spout. As a result, the formation of mold and mildew on the finishing surfaces. Good ventilation is everything.
• Large fluid consumption.
• Fixed design. The cascade mixer has a clear purpose - to direct the stream of water into the sink or to fill the bathtub. It is impossible to pour water into narrow and small containers with it.

Waterfall faucets are unique not only because of their original design. By the way of location, they are divided into types:

• Placed on the side of the bathroom... The ideal solution for small rooms and rooms where there is already hidden piping (installed on acrylic, steel, and stone bathtubs).
• Wall mounted. Wall mounted. Can be sold as a set for a shower cabin. The advantage of wall-mounted faucets is the choice of height, that is, you can put both a low and a high gander.

• Outdoor. They are very rarely used in residential premises, as they require additional space.
• For the sink. The only negative point is the limited functionality.

Such devices attract designers and ordinary consumers with the opportunity to decorate and revive the old and boring bathroom interior in an original way, while maintaining comfort, convenience and functionality.

The appearance of cascade-type units can be so unusual that it is not immediately possible to understand that this is a source of water supply. Examples of memorable designs are:

• mixer shelves;
• slabs with a barely noticeable gap;
• different gutters;
• curved plates;
• rectangles or other geometric details in the wall.

The taps themselves with a cascade spout are already impressive, but manufacturers are trying to make them even more expressive and memorable, decorating with precious stones and metals, colored lighting and other interesting elements.

Cascade mixers can be in the form of a perfectly flat plate or oval dish, a curved or flat plate, strictly square or rectangle.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand exactly where the built-in faucet is, until the moment the water flows. Using this feature of cascade mixers, designers never cease to amaze with unique interior solutions.

A beautiful example of bathroom decor is the shelf spout. As long as the water does not flow, the granulator is inconspicuous, but it is worth turning the skillfully veiled valve, and the liquid begins to pour from a previously invisible place.

Another good example is a cascade installed in a vertical panel. On initial inspection, you might think that this is a decorating board glued to the wall, with a narrow slot in the middle. But at a certain moment a small waterfall begins to flow from the gap, and immediately it becomes clear what exactly is in front of your eyes.

As a rule, cascade mixers are “hidden”, trying to surprise the guests of the house. Few will guess where the water should come from if there is no usual tap, and next to the sink there is a glass plate with a metal leg and a lever in the middle. A waterfall mixer is a very effective device, but many factories are constantly inventing something new to make it difficult to walk past their products.

These unique units include:

1. Glass faucet with a waterfall.This product is a small tilted bowl. These mixers come in all shapes and sizes.
2. Backlit models. Such mixers are unique in that the stream of water flowing from the tap is illuminated. There are different options for backlighting, when the liquid "burns" in a certain color, for example, green, and there are options when the color of the water indicates its temperature. For example, dark blue indicates that the water is cold, red indicates that the liquid is hot. Such a useful function will become indispensable in families with children.

The specificity of the design does not allow creating cascade mixers for all manufacturers of plumbing fixtures in a row. A limited number of organizations make truly high-quality products. Buyers speak positively about Italian, Czech and German brands. The worst devices, according to the same consumers (and experts as well), are mixers from China and Turkey. But in the first case, decent specimens appeared.

Ledeme Is a Chinese brand that offers inexpensive waterfall faucets. Basically, all taps are made of multicolored shockproof glass and brass. Includes ceramic cartridge for single-lever control and flexible hose. The manufacturer's bonus is the price of the spout. The cost of Chinese devices differs significantly from European ones, in addition, the brand gives a warranty card for its products for a period of three years.

Popular brands also include:

• Am-Pm (Germany) - mixers have a classic shape, their cost starts from 12,800 rubles;
• Emmev (Italy) - the company produces mixers in the Hi-Tech style, their price starts from 24,000 rubles and more;
• Ravak (Czech Republic) - a trademark with a large assortment of sanitary ware. The price of cranes starts at 19,000 rubles.

Czech brand Slezak rav today it is the only manufacturer of stainless steel waterfall spout faucets. The company cooperates with well-known manufacturers of sanitary cartridges: Kerox (Hungary) and Saint Desmarquest, and is considered one of the best of its kind.

Italian company Vega Group manufactures bathroom and kitchen faucets. It is an importer of components to various European countries.

Popular brand NSK is a leader in the production of sanitary ware. Known for unusual and stylish designs. Having been on the plumbing market for over 40 years, it is the guarantor of the quality of its products.

Feedback from those consumers who decided to install units with a waterfall spout from the above manufacturers are always positive. Some buyers complain about the increased water consumption, but this must be taken into account even before purchasing a mixer. If you need to save money, such a crane is not suitable for installation.

There can be no difficulties when buying a mixer with a waterfall spout, except for the choice of design, because due to the wide variety of models it is sometimes difficult to make a quick choice in favor of a particular option. Experienced plumbers recommend, before purchasing this product, to study what it is made of, to find out the country and the manufacturer's company, the installation method.

The cascade mixer is unpretentious in use. Attention should be paid only to the glass surface and ceramic devices - fragile materials should not be subjected to mechanical stress, since the resulting chips are difficult to disguise, and in the worst case, the product may even break.

Caring for a waterfall faucet is quite simple, the main thing is that the cleaning agent is correctly selected. It should not contain acids, alkalis. Aggressive mixtures can deform the coating. Also, when cleaning, it is not recommended to use abrasive materials - the appearance of the product will deteriorate forever if you rub the gander with such a powder.

A mild liquid detergent is ideal for cleaning any faucet. It will delicately clean both glass, ceramic and metal parts. It is better to first apply such a tool to a sponge or rag, and only then gently clean the structure.

If the owners of the cascade mixer notice that the faucet is leaking, it is better not to do it yourself. Only a professional knows what to do in such situations and better deal with the problem that has arisen. Not everyone can afford to buy another set of cascade mixer, so it is worth entrusting the repair of any faults to an experienced plumber.

For an overview of the WanFan 6009 cascade mixer, see below.