Choose a hose for the mixer

Without a flexible hose that will be connected to the mixer, it is impossible to assemble a water supply system. This element plays an important role in the installation of a water supply system that will supply the user with water at a comfortable temperature.

A mixer hose is an integral component of any water supply system that incorporates this element. They cannot exist separately from each other. It is not so easy to buy a hose, because they are on the market in a large assortment. It is necessary to understand the features of these devices, to understand the main principles of choice, to study the available proposals.

A good hose must meet several requirements:

• high-quality design;

• reliability of joints;

• convenient and clear installation;

• impeccable quality, reliability and ability to withstand workloads.

Also, before choosing, you must consider the installation process. Perhaps he will have some specifics that will require the purchase of additional components or add special criteria for selecting a hose.

There are only a few basic types of hose for the mixer.

• Rubber hose, enclosed in a metal braid - a common option, which is present in the standard sets for the installation of the mixer.

This water connection option is available, easy to install and use. But it is difficult to call it durable, although everything directly depends on the materials and quality of performance. The upper protective braid is created from thin filaments, which can be steel, aluminum and galvanized. The hidden part, the hose itself, can be rubber or rubber. This option is often chosen for homes and apartments.

To connect a tap with a mixer and to a water source, flexible connecting systems are equipped with a brass cap nut and fitting. Special plumbing gaskets are responsible for the tightness, which are also installed on the faucets.

• BellowsFor which the ring steel tube is used, is an innovative development. The device has the form of a corrugated metal sleeve, for which stainless steel is used. At the ends of the tube there are brass cap nuts for easy connection to the sink, shower or sink (from the underside, closed from prying eyes). The process of creating such an eyeliner consists of folding a metal tape, welding the seam and corrugating the sleeve.

Such a system of connecting pipes to the mixer is a reliable and durable way. The eyeliner withstands air diffusion, temperatures up to 250 degrees, compression, bends, temperature drops and aggressive environment. There is no corrosion on this hose.

• Polyethylene connecting tubes, equipped with pressed-in connectors, are a novelty that users are just beginning to try.

• Nickel plated copper systemEquipped with flared tips, this is a tough kind of joint. It can definitely be called the most reliable and durable. In addition to copper, brass and steel can be used. To connect such a hose on one side, it must be connected to the thread on the pipeline, and on the other side, the thread must be attached to the mixer.For such a system, high temperature of the water, frequent disinfection and other negative effects are not terrible.

During installation, angle valves may be required as one of the installation options. Such a connection is often chosen for rooms with high traffic and stringent requirements regarding sanitary and hygienic conditions.

The length of the rigid connection for the mixer varies in the range of 20-50 cm. The length of flexible hoses starts from 30 cm and can reach 2 meters.

The connecting node is available in several versions.

• Fitting and cap nut, the internal thread of which has a diameter of ½ inch.

• A standard-type thread for the M10 mixer, or a ½-inch flare type nut, equipped with an internal thread.

• Non-standard connection is rare, it can be a 3/8 inch or ¾ inch M8 / nut choke. To connect such a supply, you may need a special adapter or even a replacement of plumbing equipment.

Dimensions need to be selected accurately and correctly, so that the installation was not complicated and was carried out according to the standard scheme.

Even if you have chosen a good hose that meets the requirements and fits the operating conditions, it still needs to be properly connected. Any model with inept installation will not be able to demonstrate high-quality and long-lasting work. In the near future, the device will have to be removed and replaced with a new one.

The basics of proper connectivity are presented below.

• The presence of a strainer at the beginning of the distribution system of the plumbing system can not only improve the quality of water, but also protect the user from frequent repair and replacement of system components.

• Before installing the hose, it is necessary to perform a piping check. Attention must be paid to damage, threads and sleeves. When in doubt about the condition of these parts, it is better to change worn parts or repair, if possible.

• Flexible eyeliner does not tolerate excesses, so the installation must be neat. The permissible bending radius cannot exceed the diameter of the hose more than 6 times. Otherwise, the extension cord will be damaged and will leak. Just a few single microcracks contribute to the rapid formation of leaks.

• If the fittings are screwed tightly, the tightness may be broken or the fitting may be damaged. It is necessary to delay it, but it is important not to overdo it. Though there are gaskets in the fittings, but you still need to do the winding of sanitary flax.

• Screwing fittings carried out in the holes of the mixer. Hoses must be passed through the hole in the sinks. For fixing the crane at the bottom of the sink, clamping brackets are used. Connection of a sleeve to water pipes is carried out at the expense of cap nuts.

• After completion of installation work, the system is checked for tightness. For 20 minutes, check connections for leaks. If this was not found, the mixer for hot and cold water will work properly. If a leak is detected, it is necessary to unscrew the connectors, check the gaskets, wind up and mount the system back.

• The failing system can be hidden and open. The hidden option is often chosen for the bathroom. It is easier to implement it at the stage of repair, because you will have to make walls or build plasterboard boxes.

Hidden summing should be done at a high level, using expensive and reliable materials. After all, unscrew any part and perform repairs will be problematic. For an open system, it will be sufficient to screw the fasteners into the wall and install them according to the plan created earlier.

Just starting to choose a hose for the mixer, you can realize how extensive the market for these items. A large number of manufacturers sometimes delays the choice of the necessary products. To prevent this from happening, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the most popular and reliable companies that are on the list.

• Grohe (Germany) demonstrates the high quality that is characteristic of this country. The company produces an elite eyeliner, which attracts the consumer with ergonomics, reliability, impressive durability. Against the background of these characteristics, even the high cost does not seem to be a problem.
• ProFactor also based in Germany. The company has a 50-year history, during which time the products proved to be on the world market and became the undisputed leader. Each unit of the ProFactor range is the benchmark for high quality.

• Remer - This is an Italian brand, which is a serious competition for the products of the two manufacturers listed above. This product is well known to the Russian consumer. The company has a full production cycle, which allows it to control each stage.

On the market there are often fakes of this brand, which are characterized by an incomplete set. Original feed systems are always supplied complete.

• Mixing hoses are common among Russian consumers. ST Giant. This trademark belongs to the Russian company Santrade. It is difficult to make unambiguous conclusions, since reviews of products are different. In some cases, users are satisfied with the work of the hoses and have no complaints about the manufacturer, but sometimes the company's customers have negative reviews.

The company manufactures products for different price niches. Inexpensive products do not have the highest quality. Therefore, it turns out the difference in opinions.

• Industrials Mateu - It is a Spanish manufacturer who is constantly engaged in research and development work and exercises strict control over its products.Such a principle of work allows him to produce an actual product that always meets international requirements.

• Rispa - This is a manufacturer, which is not provided a lot of information. According to some data, this is a Turkish company, from other sources it becomes clear that it was founded in China. The products are affordable, which allows it to keep well in the Russian market, and, moreover, it does not have the worst quality. Hoses for mixers can last for several years even with particularly frequent use, so in a limited budget you can stay on this brand.

To make the right choice of hose for the mixer will help the following recommendations.

• Each cart must contain a label with technical parameters. This information will allow you to accurately select the hose in diameter and method of attachment.

• By weight, you can determine the material of manufacture. Aluminum will be light, steel will be heavier. Light carts often turn out to be of poor quality and break, not having served for even six months.

• Plastic fitting - a sign of unreliable hose. With such a mount, the supply will not be able to withstand workloads.

• The hose must be flexible. With insufficient flexibility, we can talk about poor quality, which will lead to the formation of cracks and deformation after a short working time.

• For press sleeves used stainless steel. They must hold tight, which is achieved with good and high-quality pressing.

• Cap nuts should not be thin and light - such a product in the process of work will bring a lot of problems.

• The hose for the mixer should not have a sharp smell of rubber. This indicates the low quality of the material that was used to produce the internal supply element. Such a product is not intended for domestic use, over time it will leak, and an emergency replacement will be required.

• For hot water, only hoses with red markings are used. The blue bar corresponds to hoses that are meant for cold water. Available universal supplies with blue and red stripes. They can be used for water of any temperature within the recommended values.

• The length of the hose must be chosen with a small margin so that the feed line hangs a little or at least is not very tight.

• Many serious manufacturers complete the device with hoses of 50 cm. This length is usually enough only for the kitchen. In the bathroom used carts and a half meters.

Some plumbers practiced extension of length due to such hoses. In this case, an extra connection is added to the system, which reduces its reliability. It is better to immediately replace the product with a hose of the desired length.

The fact that you need to pay attention when choosing a hose for the mixer, is described in detail in the video.