How to choose a reflector for the mixer?

Arrangement of bathrooms and showers does not end with the installation of tiles and the installation of plumbing. As a rule, a number of small nuances remain that cannot be ignored. First of all it concerns the gaps between the wall and the mixer. Such interior flaws are hard not to notice, but they are fairly easy to fix - it is enough to close the junction points with special devices - reflectors.

The reflector for the mixer is a decorative ring that hides the space between the wall and the outlet of the water supply pipe.In addition to the decorative function, this device performs a protective role, because due to the sealing of the seams, the probability of formation of a fungus, which often occurs when over-wetting the room, is reduced to no. Flanges also prevent dust and dirt from entering.

In addition to sanitary facilities, bowls can be found in the kitchen. In this place they look especially beautiful and are installed to a greater extent for the decor.

Typically, the reflectors are put on the pipe outlet before installing the mixer. But in the production there are different models of decorative flanges that can be installed at any stage of the installation of plumbing systems.

The range of reflectors for mixers is quite large. To date, there are two main groups of these products. The first is represented by conventional reflectors, the second - plug-in.

Conventional nozzles are installed before mounting the mixer.They do not have any slits, resemble a solid ring. Visually look more aesthetically pleasing, but it is rather difficult to fasten them - they interfere with the subsequent installation of the plumbing system.There are different shapes (square, rectangular), as well as different depths (flat and deep), and differ in width.

They also represent decorative rings, but their main difference lies in the presence of slots, through which the flange can unfold into two or more parts. Such a reflector is also called telescopic. It is convenient to work with him, because you can wear it after installing the mixer. Of the drawbacks, it should be noted that after installation, the slot can be visually viewed. However, this can happen only when the reflector is viewed too closely.

In the manufacture of reflectors for the mixer modern industry has surpassed all customer expectations. The abundance of materials for the production can not but surprise. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, so before buying a product it is necessary to find out all the possible nuances.

Decorative bowls can be made of:

• plastic;
• nickel-plated steel;
• of stainless steel;
• non-ferrous metals.

Plastic models are considered the cheapest, but meanwhile unreliable. Most often used in the production of polyvinyl chloride, which is additionally applied a metal coating.

The main advantages of the material - low price and attractive appearance.

The disadvantages are also present:

• the fragility of plastic - it can be easily damaged without exerting much physical effort;
• rapid erasability of the upper layer of the product, as a result, the deterioration of aesthetic indicators.

It is also worth noting that under the action of hot water, plastic can decompose, releasing harmful substances into the surrounding space. Their effects can manifest themselves in the form of allergic reactions in humans, with constant penetration of health problems can be aggravated.

Nickel-plated steel is a more reliable material. It is not toxic, but amenable to corrosion processes. Decorative bowls are usually covered with rust, because manufacturers often use low-quality coatings to save money. As a result, the life of the reflector is significantly reduced.

The only advantage of nickel-plated steel flanges can be called their high decorative performance. There are more disadvantages. The first minus is the high cost. The second is a short service life due to the appearance of blue patina, the third is pickiness to detergents.

Reflectors made of non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, bronze) are rarely used. As a rule, they are ordered, or they are sold complete with a mixer.

The reflector for the mixer can be purchased at any salon-shop sanitary products.But before buying it is necessary to figure out what sizes and shapes of these devices exist.

The shape of the decorative flanges are divided into: round, rectangular and square. In the bathroom often set wide bowls of 5 cm in width and height. There are also 3 cm and 4 cm products.

The universal is called a reflector for a monorachka crane D = 35 (it is round and deep - 15 mm), there are also flanges for a handle 40 and even 80 mm. This is a fairly large reflector, which is impossible not to notice, so it’s better not to save on such a product, and to buy more expensive devices that will last longer due to high-quality material performance, and aesthetically looking more attractive than cheap options.

When buying a decorative flange, however, as in all cases, the purchase of plumbing, you must always pay attention to certain points. It may show strange, but first of all you need to hold the reflector in your hands and understand its weight. Decorative stainless steel cup will be weighty, much heavier than plastic and chrome counterparts, which means that it will be able to withstand any loads and will last longer.

An external examination is also very important. On the surface of the product should not be chips, any visible damage and irregularities.

The diameters of the reflector (its wide and narrow part) also need to be well measured. This is done to ensure that all gaps and cracks are completely closed. A large diameter should be taken with a margin, since the reflector may move slightly to the side.

Do not chase for cheap. There is a high probability that products with low cost are made of low-quality material, or unscrupulous manufacturers try to hide manufacturing defects at an attractive price. It is better to choose more expensive versions of well-known manufacturers, guaranteeing the quality and long life of the product.

If financial capabilities do not allow for regular replacement of the reflector, it is better to abandon decorative bowls made of non-ferrous alloys. They are often “corroded” by corrosion, which can be identified by a blue bloom appearing on the surface of the product.

See the following video for how to install a mapper and mixer.