A mixture shower combines hot and cold water to reach the already set temperature and then delivers it through the showerhead. These are available in two designs. In one design, the entire assembly is mounted on the wall. While in the second design, the pipes are concealed within the wall and only the valve is visible.
Mixer Types:
Nowadays, thermostatic showers are used to maintain the temperature. The shower works properly if the pressure of both cold and hot water is the same. There are some modern thermostatic showers that even shut off when the pressure of one of the taps is reduced. This modern shower prevents cold bursts and scalding heat. Let us describe a few common designs of shower mixers.
Mixer Tap Designs:
Single lever: That can be moved up or down to control the flow of water. Also from side to side, it controls the temperature.
Sequential: A single control that you turn to adjust the temperature.
Concentric: Two same (rotary) style controls that sit on top of each other. One is used for controlling the flow of water and the other is used for adjusting the temperature.
Dual control: Two controls that can be adjusted horizontally or vertically on one another. One controls the water flow and the other takes care of the temperature.
Bar: Two bar controls that sit on each other. They serve the purpose of controlling the water flow and temperature.
Why Do We Need Shower Tap Replacement?
There are always problems related to the taps and valves. Leaks and malfunctioning are noticed after some time in the taps. If your shower tap has the same issue, you are at the right place because this article will guide you about shower tap replacement.
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Required Tools:
For your shower tap replacement, you will need the following tools:
- Mixer shower kit
- Spanner
- Spirit level
- Pencil
- Pipe slice
- Drill with a masonry bit
- Silicone sealant
Now we will move to the step-by-step process.
1. Turn off the Water Supply
The first step of the replacement is to turn off the water supply. This is important because water can be wasted during tap replacement. The hot water supply must be cut off as it is dangerous to work with during the tap replacement. Locate the source of cold and hot water and turn these sources off. If you do not find the source, turn off the water supply of the complete house.
2. Unscrew The Old Tap
If you are mixing an existing shower tap, first remove the old tap. This is done by unscrewing the nuts that are holding the tap together. Be sure to unscrew it completely and clean the area before you move on to the next step.
3. Position the Water Supplies Rightly
If you are newly installing a shower tap be sure to position the hot and cold water inlets rightly and also adjust the pipework accordingly. It is a normal practice that the left tap is for hot water and the right one is for cold water. However, if the inlets are reversed, the unit can be accommodated to adjust accordingly.
4. Remove Burrs From the Pipe
After you finish the wall surface and utilize standard pipe slices, cut the recessed pipe length it adjusts with the finished surface well. Remove the burrs from the pipe but be sure not to use a hacksaw for this purpose. Hacksaws can damage the seals of the valve and can result in leakage.
5. Adjustment of Elbows
Make sure each elbow on the supply pipe route is properly adjusted. The hex screws of the unit must be loosened to achieve proper adjustment.
6. Flow Regulator Placement
The flow regulator is important in the sense that it does not affect the overall temperature of water at the showerhead. For example, if the pressure of the cold water inlet is more than that of hot water, it will result in a cold burst at the showerhead. Similarly, the increased pressure of the hot water inlet will result in scalding heat.
The mixer unit usually comes in two designs, 6 and 12 liters per minute delivery. If the shower force is too low or the running pressure of water is insufficient, you can remove the regulator as well.
7. Replace the Tap
You have already removed the old and faulty tap. The other necessities have also been fulfilled, now it’s time to put on the new tap. Fit the nuts and O-rings onto the supply pipework. Push the valve firmly back onto the back plate. Use hex screws to secure the valve on the wall. Screw the nuts and assemble the unit with great care.
Conclusion
Shower taps are available in different designs. Once you complete the pipework, you can choose a suitable design for the shower tap. However, if it starts malfunctioning, you may need to change it after some time. This article introduces different designs of shower mixer taps. Regardless of the design of the mixer tap, the process of tap replacement is discussed in detail.
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