Types of divertors for mixers, how to disassemble and assemble the mechanism yourself
Sooner or later, the bathroom faucet begins to junk. A common symptom is the poor operation of the flow switch from the spout to the shower head. This means that the divertor is out of order - a unit that redirects water to the shower and back. If the mixer is inexpensive, its service life is quite solid, it is easiest to replace the entire device. But often, malfunctions in the switch are detected after a year, and the mixer is expensive and you do not want to change it. How to be
Content
What is a divertor, its device
The diverters installed in the mixers are two-way (sometimes three-way) taps that open one nozzle for the flow of water and simultaneously overlap another. Outwardly, it can be either a separate unit connected to the mixer and visible from the outside, or built into the housing in such a way that only the lever or switch button can be seen from the outside.
The device of most switches is a crank that moves a barrel with a valve between two outlet pipes. As an option, a rod with rubber cuffs is used, which, when changing the position, opens one or the other nozzle, simultaneously blocking the other. It is difficult to call any type of design the best, since all options have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Externally, the divertor is a separate mixer assembly
In general, this is a rather weak mechanism, it first starts to junk and fails. Failures are caused by the following reasons:
- wear of rubber gaskets (cuffs);
- the formation of a layer of limescale, formed due to the low quality of tap water;
- electrochemical corrosion that corrodes the rod or crank has a strong effect on the details of the mechanism. The consequence of this is the insufficient fit of the valves that allow water to pass through both pipes. The spout and the handshower begin to flow at the same time.
If necessary, any type of switch mechanism can be changed to a new one, but the lifetime of the entire mixer should be taken into account. Sometimes it’s more correct to change it completely in order to get rid of an old device that has lost its appearance than to repair it.
Types and modifications
There are several options for making divertors. There are designs in their own case, attached to the mixer as an additional unit.
Shower switch can be disconnected to clean threaded connections or replace
It can be disconnected, and the mixer will work as before, only without a shower. There are also devices that are built directly into the mixer body and are an integral part of its design.
Such divertors can be removed, but the mixer will not work, since an open hole will appear in the housing. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are almost equivalent in terms of efficiency or ease of use. In addition, existing structures can be divided according to other characteristics. Consider them carefully.
Type
Two main types of divertor design can be distinguished:
- Lever The device consists of a crank mechanism that moves a brass barrel with valves that block the outlet of the shower or spout, depending on the position. The switch has the shape of a lever that must be rotated around an axis to turn on / off the shower. Such a mechanism is considered less reliable due to the rapid "fouling" of the structure with limescale and a weakening of the density of the overlapping exits.
The lever divertor is considered less reliable, because with prolonged use, the density of the overlap of the outputs deteriorates
- Push-button (exhaust or push). Rubber cuffs are installed on the stem - valves that block one outlet, opening the other when the buttons are pressed or pulled out. Some models work when pressed, which is more convenient, but the most common type of design is the exhaust button. There are options where the stem is fixed in the "shower" position due to the force of the water flow. If the pressure is weak, the button does not hold and constantly turns off the shower. You can solve the problem by turning the elongated button 90 °, but not everyone knows about this useful and convenient function.
Chrome push-button mixer lasts longer than lever type divertor
There are also cartridge modifications that are easy to use and maintain. They are not amenable to repair, in case of malfunctions they immediately require replacement.
By material
As a material for switches in mixers are used:
- Silumin, aluminum alloys. This option belongs to the cheapest and short-lived. The manufacture of such a divertor is inexpensive, which determines its final cost. The quality of work is fully correlated with the strength of the material - the device shows good results at first, but, as the material breaks down due to electrochemical corrosion processes and constant temperature changes, the divertor begins to frankly junk. There are often situations when the mechanism simply falls apart. For continuous use, choosing such a sample is not recommended.
Silumin is a material that is easily susceptible to corrosion, so the mixers from it do not last so long
- Brass. The material is used in high-quality and relatively expensive mixers. The only problem that can degrade the operation of the mechanism is the poor quality of the water that forms the calcareous deposits and deposits. They gradually change the shape of the details of the mechanism, which means that the fit of the valves decreases and water begins to flow into the shower and the tap of the tap. There is also a danger in the face of electrochemical corrosion. This process gradually destroys metal parts, they form shells, bumps and other flaws that violate the tightness of the valves and cause leaks in both outlet openings.
Brass mixers are one of the most expensive
- Ceramics. In devices of this type, the case and other details are made of chromed metal, only the plates of the locking mechanism are made ceramic - the most loaded elements, the first to fail. Manufacturers claim a huge resource mechanism - up to 300,000 switching, or 50 years of daily use. Ceramics is a durable and resistant to mechanical influences material that can withstand water shocks and other loads, destructive for mechanics of brass or silumin. Such qualities determine the price of ceramic devices - they are the most expensive of all possible options.
Ceramics are more resistant to mechanical stress.
With all the advantages of ceramic divertors, they do not have protection against low-quality water. To increase the resource and service life of the device, it is recommended to periodically clean it of lime deposits, not allowing them to turn into a petrified layer. This will help to avoid premature failure of the mechanism.
Switch replacement
Replacement or minor repair of the switch is made in cases where the mixer is relatively recently installed and it is not practical to purchase a new one. The cost of the unit is several times lower than the price of the mixer. In order to make a choice - only change the divertor, or the entire mixer, you need to consider what they are made of and how much time they worked by the time the problems appeared. If there is an inexpensive sample of weak materials that has worked for 5 years or more, then the full replacement will be the best choice. In other cases, you can do with the repair of one divertor. First of all, you will need to purchase a replacement mechanism, for which it is best to take the old, worn mechanism with you to the store so as not to make a mistake when choosing.
How to disassemble
It should be noted right away that disassembling the device is not particularly difficult, but it is often difficult due to the formation of layers that tightly clog threaded joints. The procedure for dismantling the diverter is determined by the type of structure. If the device has its own housing and is installed as an intermediate element at the outlet of the mixer, then just disconnect it and unscrew the shower hose and spout. Disassembling the divertor located in the mixer body is a bit more complicated. The procedure is shown below.
- Remove the button or switch lever. They are installed in different ways, most often you need to carefully remove the decorative plug, unscrew the fixing screw from the stem and remove the lever. Sometimes there is no decorative cork; its role is played by the screw itself, designed in the same style as the mixer body.
Remove the diverter button
- Unscrew the nut securing the mechanism in the mixer housing.
A special nut locks the mechanism inside the mixer housing
- Remove the mechanism (cartridge).
When the nut is unscrewed, the mechanism can be easily removed
- For eccentric switches, you will need to unscrew the spout and the lower part that locks the eccentric inside the housing. You will have to tinker with this, since you will need to wrap the chrome part with something and use a gas key. The work is delicate, and the connection is most often clogged with calcareous deposits, so proceed carefully and carefully. After this part has been unscrewed, the cam is freely removed from the housing.
Unscrewing the bottom of the mixer, you can get the cam
After that, you need to take the old mechanism and go to the store, where to buy a new one, the same. In some cases, there is no serious damage, then you can try to eliminate the shortcomings that have appeared. Most often you have to clean the plaque, which interferes with the normal movement of parts and violates the tightness of the valves.
How to assemble and install
Assembly and installation of the diverter in the reverse order of disassembly. Before starting work, clean all threaded joints from plaque and apply a layer of plumbing sealant to them. The best option is the composition of “Unipak”, which does not dry out over time and allows you to unscrew the connection even after many years of continuous use. It is also necessary to replace all existing gaskets with new ones, if possible - silicone ones. They do not deteriorate and do not dry out from contact with hot water, and their service life is much longer.
A divertor is one of the most fragile parts of any mixer. The specifics of the work contributes to the appearance of various malfunctions, and their prompt elimination is not for everyone.As a result, the state of the device becomes completely deplorable; replacement is required. If you service, clean the mechanism of scale and other deposits in time, you can significantly extend its service life.
