How to disassemble a mixer: types of mixers, their device

More often than a faucet, little goes wrong in a bathroom. First of all, the problems are related to the locking elements - especially if the water in the tap is not of high quality. All kinds of impurities, salts, etc. do not make life easier for this device. Sooner or later, but the moment will come when it will need to be taken apart. Disassemble to tidy up or make sure it's time to get a new one.

Types of mixers and their device

From the entire range of mixers available for sale, the following main types stand out:

• with two levers;
• with one lever;
• mixers with a thermostat;
• touch-controlled faucets - this category also includes smart faucets that are controlled by the display.

Many bathrooms and kitchens have still retained the "classics" of the domestic "mixer building" - two-valve mixers.

Indeed, for a long period of time, people simply had no other options. Such devices simply separated streams of cold and hot water.

A little later, another know-how was invented, or to be more precise, a mixer with one lever. By moving the lever of the mixer up or down, it was possible to control the force of the pressure of the water flow, and by turning it to the left or right, switch to cold or hot water. The kind of mixer familiar from Soviet times is gradually disappearing into oblivion.

Designers are trying to come up with something new, striving for a more modern appearance of plumbing. From a practical point of view, this approach has only been beneficial. Now the device can be adjusted much faster and easier to operate.

Devices with two valves are divided into two subspecies. The first can be attributed to the option in which a gasket made of elastic material plays a locking role. The reciprocating type cartridge can open and close the water passage. It is the silicone gaskets that extend the life of such a device. The second subtype of mixers includes those in which a pair of ceramic plates serves as a locking element. The top-mounted plate can rotate while the bottom plate is fixed. This type of mixer is much more expensive than the first.

Mixer with one lever

There are many different holes on the body of a device with one lever; they are needed for pipes and mounting elements. The spout of such a mixer can be both movable and made in the form of a single piece with the body. Monolithic with a body is most often found in mixers in which the handle is installed at the top. If the lever is mounted at the bottom, the spout is usually very long and high. On modern single-lever taps, aerators are installed, which not only fill the water flow with oxygen, but also significantly reduce water consumption.

In faucets with one ball-type lever, a rounded part is located in the central part. There is a cavity inside, as well as three holes. Smooth operation and durability are ensured by the rubber seat. This element is fixed with retaining rings. The mixer lever, when returned to its original position, comes into contact with the rod. By turning the lever, the streams of cold and hot water are combined into one. If the lever is lowered, then the water is cut off.

Mixer with thermostat

One of the modern models. Thanks to the built-in thermostat, the water coming from the tap always has the same temperature. The thermostat itself is hidden inside the crane box. There are two handles to control the water flow. One of them regulates the water pressure, and the second regulates its temperature. Such a device scheme allows satisfying the requests of a larger number of users.

Faucets of this type are mounted either on walls or on washbasins. As a rule, the kit includes elements that limit the maximum temperature of the water. If something breaks down in such a device, then you can correct the situation on your own. Leave the bigger troubles to the experts.

Reference. If you want to purchase a similar model, then choose it from the electronic type options, equipped with batteries and a large number of functions.

Contactless faucets

All devices where water is supplied automatically are called non-contact or, in other words, touch. By raising your hand to the sensor, you can activate the water supply. Thanks to such a device, time and effort for performing simple actions is reduced.

In addition to the usual ones with sensors, there are also smart mixers. In terms of various built-in functions, they are clearly in the lead. The basic delivery of sensor models consists of a one-piece housing with a spout, a battery and an electronic control unit.

Similar names:

1. The mixer is automatic.
2. The mixer is infrared.

The sensors themselves, which are installed on such mixers, can be not only of the infrared type. Touch-controlled devices use water intelligently. Perhaps some people will not like it - those who prefer to turn on the water pressure more. But the fact that they have increased hygiene is definitely liked by all users. They very rarely fail and almost never get dirty. And certainly with such mixers it will be difficult to arrange a lake in the bathroom.

How to disassemble a single-lever mixer

The need to disassemble a rotary mixer can arise for various reasons. In any case, you first need to prepare the necessary tools. When working, the following may come in handy:

• pliers;
• sharp knife;
• set of wrenches;
• adjustable wrench;
• set of screwdrivers.

The steps you have to take to disassemble the device will differ slightly depending on the cartridge model. And it can be made of ceramics or spherical.

First you need to remove the plug, which has a designation in the form of circles in red and blue. This can be done with a screwdriver, or you can pry it off with a knife. Then unscrew the screw holding the lever. After that, you can remove the handle from the body and then we get to the upper half of the cartridge, which has a clamping nut and a stem. The clamp, which has edges, can be removed with a wrench, and in order to unscrew the round nut, you will need a screwdriver. Next, we take out the cartridge. We remove the case from the base and all the elements that are still there.

If the mixer is equipped with a ball valve, then it will have to be disassembled a little differently. First of all, you will need to loosen the fixing screw and remove the handle. Using a screwdriver, press on the ring and turn it slightly against the clock. Separate the dome with pliers, the main thing is to do it slowly and carefully, otherwise you can damage the ring under it. Now you can unscrew the ring and get the shield-like element. Now all that remains is to remove the ball and remove the body.

Disassembly procedure for a two-valve mixer

Usually the need to completely disassemble this mixer arises if a defect is visible, water is continuously dripping or flowing somewhere. If all of the above is clearly not your case and outwardly everything seems to be normal, but... it works "somehow wrong", this indicates the need to buy a new device. First you need to disassemble the old and look. If there are minor problems with the valve or with both at once, then it is enough to unscrew and inspect them for a malfunction and return to their place.

First of all, you need to get rid of the plugs that are installed on the valves. Next, we arm ourselves with a Phillips screwdriver and unscrew the screws that are found under the plugs. We take out the valve and unscrew its inner part. Let's see in what condition the sealing elements and the thread itself are. It is likely that they could have shifted or deformed.

Often, in order to return the kitchen mixer "to operation", it is enough to carry out cosmetic resurfacing and cleaning. To disconnect the spout, you only need to unscrew the nut. If a malfunction can occur with the spout, it is usually closer to the body, maybe something is wrong in the aerator. To disassemble everything entirely, you will have to disconnect the mixer from the wall and remove the cartridges.

Is it possible to independently disassemble a mixer with a thermostat

Very often, the owners of such devices ask themselves the question: "Can you disassemble such a mixer yourself?" Of course, you can make out anything you like. The whole question is different: will it be possible to collect, and even so that it works?

In any case, the first step is to remove the cover and remove the screw. Next, remove the handle, as well as the retaining ring. To locate the screw, just look at the bottom of the thermostat block.

Attention! This screw is very small - it fits freely in the palm of your hand. And he also tends to get lost. Fast and meet, so be careful with it.

You don't have to rack your brains with how to unscrew the screw, since the delivery set contains a special key for this case. After unscrewing the screw, we remove the block. Actually, that's all. What they could, they sorted it out.

And now you need to try to put everything together as it was, and manage to make it work as well. A certain algorithm is needed here. We place the block in the body, while trying to fit the hole onto the thread deepening. We tighten the screw into this recess.

It will be quite useful to lubricate the sealing elements with petroleum jelly. It is advisable not to those that you yourself use, but plumbing. Now we set the temperature so that the handle value matches the set temperature. We turn the stem until its mark coincides with the mark applied on the body. We put back the retaining ring.