Elbow mixers: varieties and specifications

The choice of plumbing fixtures in modern stores is simply huge, and this fully applies to mixers. Some of them are controlled by valves, others are divided into movable or fixed. Some consumers prefer spherical structures, and some prefer ceramic ones. But there is another novelty on the market, which until recently was not used in private houses and apartments at all: these are elbow-type faucets. It's time to get to know them more thoroughly.

The elbow faucet does not differ from other solutions in its function: it is designed to mix hot and cold streams of water, turning them into liquid at a comfortable temperature. Where the water comes from, whether it is heated at a CHP plant or in a local gas boiler, it does not matter. Initially, such products were produced only for medical institutions:

• polyclinics;
• hospitals;
• dental and other specialized clinics.

This is not surprising, as the elbow mixer makes it easy to achieve maximum cleanliness and maintain hygiene standards. But now these devices can be found in the most ordinary bathrooms, because they are much more convenient than traditional switching devices. It is not difficult to recognize such a mechanism, it is always equipped with a surgical handle (elongated and thickened at the end). In any film that shows preparation for operations, it is such a mixer that is pressed to wash your hands. You can use it without touching it with your palm or even with individual fingers.

A single-arm mixing device can supply water to the tap, heated to 80 degrees under a pressure of up to 1 MPa. A ½ ”inlet is used to connect to the main line. Consumers can choose the length of the handle and the feeding part on their own, there are a number of different models. In addition to wall mounting, you can also put an elbow mixer underneath the sink.

It is recommended to install such a device in the kitchen., then the inevitable contamination of hands when working with food and eating food will not be deposited on noticeable parts of the water supply system. The throughput varies over a very wide range: if standard samples are served per minute 15 liters of water, then in the most modern versions this figure can be four times higher.

Like other washbasin faucets, washbasin, the elbow surgical apparatus contains the following parts:

• outer case;
• a block pouring out water;
• pen;
• ceramic cartridge.

Manufacturers are adapting to mass demand and the latest models have moved away from the previous purely utilitarian design. Doctors have no time to look at the crane, and ordinary residents of apartments and private houses will be able to choose avant-garde and classical performance, country style, and many other directions.

As with any other technical device, you must first read the instructions and assemble the mixer in accordance with it. For those who are not confident in their abilities and skills, it is better to consult a specialist.

After assembling the mixer, the water supply is turned off, then you need to disconnect the liner to the old tap. The nuts are carefully cleaned and removed from the old hardware. A properly equipped mixer is put in the right place and fixed, pipes or flexible hoses are supplied.

The elbow mixer can have quite different technical characteristics, largely depending on the specific version.

Models with swivel spouts:

• designed for installation on sinks and sinks;
• made of brass;
• are made in chrome color;
• can supply water heated to not less than 20 and not more than 75 degrees;
• have a working pressure of 6 bar;
• able to work up to 10 years.

Single lever mixer with fixed spout for washbasins. It also uses brass to make the structure lighter without compromising its mechanical properties. The period of operation and the admissible working pressure are the same.

Wall structures are intended only for vertical mounting and are made strictly from aluminum alloys. The uptime promised by the manufacturers is slightly less, just 7 years. Wall-mounted mixers are also fixed vertically; they use high-strength brass (which increases the service life up to 10 years). The maximum working pressure is 600 kPa.

The classic mixer design with a surgical handle is equipped with an extended arc spout. In such devices, the base material must necessarily be strong and well withstand strong deforming effects. Quite a few modifications are supplemented with aerators, but they should only be chosen by owners of deep sinks of large format.

To supply water to the washbasin, it is recommended to take a mixer with a pull-out hand shower. The small surcharge is fully justified by the practical advantages of the design. In a bathroom with a hygienic shower, wall-mounted versions with shortened spouts are preferred.

• The device that supplies water to the bath almost always has a low spout, but the choice of a rigid or variable trajectory is up to the buyers themselves. Electronic control units are convenient, but they inevitably increase the cost of the entire structure, so you need to think carefully before choosing them. When purchasing a faucet belonging to a specific collection, it makes sense to order additional accessories and accessories from the same selection.
• Some consumers like it when the mixer is placed on the side of the bath itself or on a tiled side, but such a solution will require the selection of a vertical mounting kit designed specifically for a particular mechanism. If the gap between the wall and the inner side of the bath does not exceed 0.15 m, it is recommended to use fixed mixers, which automatically switch from tap mode to shower mode and vice versa. However, if the distance exceeds 150 mm, a swivel spout is acceptable.

• But its standard design can lead to a spill of liquid on the edges and even on the floor, so experienced plumbers believe that it is necessary to install extension filters or aerators with ball joints inside. All experts believe that the most modern solution is flush-mounted schemes, this not only masks unattractive looking details, but also allows you to free up more space.
• When purchasing a sink mixer, you need to make a choice in favor of products from the same manufacturer as for the bath; external compatibility is very important. And it is precisely the precise geometry of the chrome surfaces typical of the elbow mixer that turns out to be the perfect combination. And in the kitchen, it is advisable to choose products with a retractable shower, so that you can wash sinks of any geometric shape.

For more information on the elbow mixer, see the video below.