London bathroom fitters: How to choose combination faucet. Part2.

Variety of combination faucets.
Let’s examine the main types of combination faucets and their features in greater detail. Today there are three main types of combination faucets: single-knob, double-valve and temperature control devices. Single-knob combination faucets are the most easy-to-use. To start or to intercept the flow of water or to change its temperature all you have to do is to turn the tap. Moreover, the process of installation of such combination faucet is not time and efforts consuming.

Nevertheless, double-valve combination faucets become more and more popular. Double-valve combination faucet is well-known tap with two handles for hot and cold water. In order to have the water of required temperature one has to make some more moves by comparison with single-knob tap, but the result will be more accurate and water consumption will be less. There are two sub-types of double-valve combination faucets – with ceramic disks and rubber seals for gasketing. If you have hard water, containing fine sand and dirt, you have to choose the second sub-type.

Temperature control devices are combination faucets of new generation; they combine all best features of combination faucets and meet all main reliability, convenience and safety requirements. Temperature control device looks like the panel with several handles for switching on/off the water flow as well as for regulation of its temperature.

Undoubted advantage of temperature control device is that its adjustments are saved during the whole period you need. The temperature control device automatically limits water heating by 38 degrees to avoid scalds and if you need the water of higher temperature you can switch-off this function. The temperature control device does not produce too cold water and that makes its utilization by kids as much as possible comfortable and safe.

There is one more type of combination faucets – cascade combination faucets.
That combination faucet reflects the aspiration of man to recreate beauty of the nature in his bathroom as realistically as possible. Cascade combination faucets produce wide jet of water simulating waterfall. The capacity of such combination faucet is approximately half as small as of usual combination faucet. As for hot and cold water mixing those combination faucets are similar to other types of combination faucets. Cascade combination faucet is contained almost in all expensive bathroom equipment complete sets.

Materials of which combination faucets are made.
Traditionally combination faucets are made of brass and chrome, but there are also mixed models. For now, the brass remains the best material for combination faucet case manufacturing. Exterior parts of the armature are nickeled and then chromized or enameled for the purpose of corrosion prevention. Chromized combination faucets are more expensive, but their main advantage is that various microorganisms cannot germinate on their surface. Brassy cases encasements, handles of combination faucets, showerheads are often made of polymeric material. Among exclusive models it is possible to find grained coating as well as golden and other precious metals garniture.

Installation of combination faucets.
Installation of combination faucets may be both external and internal – in the wall. The second type of installation is more aesthetic, because mountings remain in the wall and from outside there is only decorative panel with switches. At installation of combination faucet you have to consider features of bathtub or shower and their technical specifications. If you plan to install the combination faucet on a skirting board but not vertically on the wall, then you have to choose specific combination faucet as well as fixing set suitable for that combination faucet.

A lot of companies are engaged in combination faucets manufacturing. It would be better to buy the combination faucets in specialized stores which guarantee quality of goods and work with reliable, well-reputed manufacturers.

London bathroom fitters: How to choose combination faucet. Part1.

Nowadays starting the repair of a bathroom may get into number of difficulties because inexpert buyer may be unable to make head or tail of sanitary equipment variety. There are a lot of different combination faucets, starting with standard functional models and up to design models which hardly can be named as sanitary equipment as they are objects of art. A lot of buyers consider combination faucet to be not only the hot and cold water mixing device but also one of the main elements of bathroom design. Industrial manufacturers continuously satisfy us with novelties which meet diversified tastes and needs of population and embody the boldest ideas of designers. So how can one choose the most suitable combination faucet?

First, you’ve got to remember the purpose of that purchase. Combination faucet is not just a bathroom decoration, so it shall function properly, i.e. to mix hot and cold water.

Number of combination faucets installed in the bathroom is important, too. It would be better to choose independent combination faucets for bathtub, shower, wash sink and bidet because combination of several functions by one combination faucet is not beneficial for the quality of their performance. If you have rather small bathroom and you don’t have a shower cabin, then you may choose one combination faucet for bathtub and shower and one faucet for a wash sink.

Types of combination faucets according to places of installation.
So, what’s the difference between combination faucets for bathtub and shower? First of all, combination faucets for shower are more compact, they do not have the tap and bathtub/shower switch. Water flows right into the shower fittings and is mixed there, so you receive the water of required temperature.

Combination faucets used for bathtub are usually with low tap, rotating or fixed. Combination faucets with hand spray and height-adjustable shower holders as well as wall-mounted combination faucets are usually used with bathtubs. Some models are equipped with electronic control system. There is one more difference of bathtub combination faucets: they are designed for three/four apertures. It looks like several handles – for filling of bathtub, for hand spray and so forth.

Bathtub and wash sink combination faucets are very much akin to bathroom combination faucets, but the buyers, when choosing the combination faucet, usually take notice of sanitary equipment compatibility in the bathroom but not of its technical features. There are models with special drainage set which is used to open or close the plug hole by a small lever placed on a combination faucet.

Wash sink combination faucets may be as well designed for one or several apertures though combination faucets designed for one aperture are much more popular because of their easy installation. In order to make your wash sink maintenance easier and more pleasant there are combination faucets equipped with special absorbing tap.

Bidet combination faucets are to the large extent similar to wash sink combination faucets, because in most cases they are installed on a skirting board and designed for one or three apertures. The difference is that the bidet set contains aerator with a ball joint enabling to change the jet direction and over-simplifying the use of combination faucet.