More and more people in our time prefer single-lever mixers. They are in the model range of almost every manufacturer of modern sanitary ware. But, like any technique, mixers periodically fail. Whether to repair them or buy new ones depends on the cause and extent of the failure. As a rule, the problem is most often covered in cartridges for mixers. We'll talk about them today. It turns out that the cartridge mixer for a bathroom , a bathroom with a shower , a kitchen or a shower is not that difficult, and you can replace it in case of a malfunction yourself. From this article you will find out what this part is, what cartridge is better for the mixer and how the cartridge is replaced in the mixer.
Types of cartridge for mixers
There are two main types of such cartridges - a ball and disk. They are different in structure and are approximately the same in quality and service life. Let's look at their differences and features.
- A ball cartridge is an empty ball with two holes. It is made of stainless steel and is also called a "regulating head". From the bottom, water pipes are suitable. When the balloon rotates, the holes are displaced and open to hot or cold water. Or, these two streams are mixed inside the bowl, giving warm water to the outlet. Such cartridges are absolutely hermetic due to their tight shrinkage and equipment with special gaskets. Therefore, if the ball cartridge suddenly began to leak, look for the problem in the depressurization of its holes.
- In another form of cartridges the main working element are cermet wheels. Therefore, such cartridges for the mixer are called disk or, more often, ceramic. The mechanism of operation of such a cartridge is as follows. When the lever is turned, the upper and lower disks shift relative to each other, giving access to one or another water. Also the inclination of the lever can adjust the head of water. Ceramic cartridges are also used in two-ventilated mixers - one cartridge is installed for each lever. Cartridges for mixers can be equipped not with two, but with three ceramic discs (one of them will be intermediate, performing an auxiliary function). Most often they are installed in systems with low water pressure.
How do I change the cartridge in a mixer?
Since the cartridges for the mixer are replaceable parts, you should not buy a new mixer in the event of a cartridge failure. It will be enough to replace the cartridge itself.
- First, shut off the hot and cold water supply.
- Remove the decorative part, on which there is colored marking of hot and cold water.
- Under this plug is a screw. Unscrew it and remove the lever that is on the cartridge's rod.
- Remove the decorative ring, and then unscrew the clamping nut.
- Remove the old cartridge.
- Put a new one in its place, trying to place it in the same grooves.
In this case, the projections on the cartridge must necessarily coincide with the holes on the mixer itself. - When the cartridge is installed, assemble the mixer in the reverse order (tighten the clamping nut, return the ring and lever, replace the screw and cover the decorative plug).
- Turn on the water and check if the mixer is leaking. If this is the case, you may have chosen a wrong cartridge or the protrusions do not match the mixer connectors. A problem may also be a fine grain of sand, trapped between ceramic discs. Try again to repeat steps 1-8 - you may have just done something wrong.