Repair mixer in the bathroom (switch on the shower): tips, instructions

Mixers are rightly considered one of the weakest links in the plumbing system. After all, sooner or later even the most reliable of them begins to flow. And what can be worse for an irritated and tired person than the importunate sound of dripping water? In this case, only the only correct method of eliminating the problem is possible - repair of the shower mixer. And you can do it yourself, without waiting for the arrival of plumbing. Therefore, any average owner should know how to repair a mixer in the bathroom. The switch on the shower is one of the most vulnerable parts of this device.

The main causes of breakdowns

Perhaps one of the most common factors that cause the mixer to fail is the low quality of the product. The modern market is flooded with plumbing of Chinese and Turkish production, which does not have high consumer properties. Typically, the life of such products is rather short, and soon you may need to repair the mixer in the bathroom. The switch on the shower, made of poor-quality materials, will quickly break down, therefore, having decided to save on its acquisition, the buyer has rendered himself a disservice.

The next obvious cause of breakdowns is the use of short-lived consumables. In cranes, from which the hard water flows , it is not practical to apply rubber gaskets. In this case, it is better to replace them with ceramic or paronit inserts that extend the life of the product. Often, problems occur due to incorrect installation of plumbing equipment. Therefore, in order to avoid the need to frequently repair the mixer switch during installation, follow the instructions clearly.

Types of mixers

To date, there are several varieties of this equipment. Therefore, before starting the repair, it is necessary to understand the mixer device. From a constructive point of view, thermostatic, single-lever and valve models are considered more convenient. Depending on the type of installation mixers are divided into recessed and wall-mounted.

Design of ball mixer

Most consumers prefer single-lever models. This is due to the high reliability, convenience and ease of operation of such products. To study the mixer device, it's enough just to look at it in a section. So, the single-lever ball model consists of:

• From the decorative plug, which is marked with hot and cold water;
• Screw;
• Regulating rod;
• A hollow ball with two holes in which water is mixed;
• Two rubber seats for the passage of hot and cold water;
• Steam cuff;
• A regulating ring;
• Ball joint;
• Aerator.

The most important elements of the mixer are the saddles and the ball, which are part of the non-separable cartridge. Therefore, if one of these parts fails, the repair of the mixer with its own hands is usually reduced to a simple replacement of this module.

Purification of the aerator

One of the most common problems that most people face is the weak pressure of water. As a rule, this is due to clogging of the aerator, which consists of many small grids. To eliminate this malfunction, you do not need to have specific skills at all. It is enough just to thoroughly rinse under a strong head of water in advance the aerator, unscrewed from the gander, and then screw it into place. If the washing did not give the desired results, then you can try to carefully remove the debris with a thin needle. If this did not bring the expected effect, you will have to purchase a new aerator.

Repair of the faucet in the bathroom: the switch on the shower

The essence of such a breakdown is that the water flows simultaneously into the spout and shower gauze. The main cause of this problem is the worn out spool of the spool located in the switch. To remove this fault, the gaskets must be replaced.

However, everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. The most important feature is that in some cases such deterioration leads to the deterioration of only one insert. If there is absolute certainty that the cause lies in the upper gasket, it can be extracted with a thin hook, without dismantling the mixer itself. If necessary, the flexible hose and spout must be disconnected in order to replace both gaskets. After that, unscrew the adapter and remove the handle of the switch. The worn out rubber rings are removed from the removed spool and replaced with new ones.

Prevention of breakdowns

To avoid the need to periodically repair the mixer in the bathroom, the switch on the shower should be subject to precautionary measures from time to time. First of all, it is necessary to learn that the worst enemy of modern sanitary engineering is poor quality tap water. The substances dissolved in it and mechanical impurities can disable even the most expensive crane. To extend the life of an expensive mixer, you need to follow a few simple rules.

First, the possibility of penetration of solid particles contained in water into the working elements of the product should be eliminated. Traditional rubber gaskets installed in conventional cranes are relatively resistant to mechanical damage. But on the ceramic discs there are always scratches. To protect the mixing device from premature wear, it is recommended to install self-cleaning main filters for mechanical cleaning.

Secondly, you should try to minimize the hardness of the water. Excess carbonates can spoil not only plumbing, but also coffee makers, electric kettles, dishwashers and washing machines. To reduce the hardness of water, it is recommended to use filter-softeners. Such devices can easily cope with carbonates that reduce the life of the mixers.