Aerators for the mixer: types, principle of operation, how to choose and install

Saving water for many of us today is not just a tribute to fashion, but rather a necessity. And to facilitate the solution of the task helps the aerator for the mixer - a functional nozzle that helps to disperse and maintain the intensity of the jet.

By what principle the device works and what nuances to consider when choosing and installing it, we will consider in more detail.

Design and principle of operation of the aerator

The main purpose of the device is water conservation. An ordinary water tap is not always able to cope with the pressure of the jet, the flow rate of which can reach 15 liters per minute.

It takes time to adjust it manually, and with it, streams of water run away, for which considerable amounts have to be paid.

The principle of operation of the aerator for the mixer is that the water passing through the nozzle is mixed with oxygen, due to which it forms a soft foam stream at the outlet. At the same time, the flow rate remains unchanged, and the water flow is reduced by almost half. In addition, a natural barrier helps trap small particles of debris.

The design of the nozzle, which looks like a hard-cleaning filter, consists of three main elements:

• the basis - a cylindrical module in the form of a metal ring;
• gasket - rubber or silicone ring for tight connection;
• strainers - several layers of simple dividers with rectangular mesh openings or complex “tunnel” systems.

The material for the manufacture of the nozzle body of budget models can be plastic or metal. Plastic elements are famous for their high resistance to temperature extremes. They are inexpensive, but will also serve a short time.

Integrated mesh nozzles help fill water jets with tiny droplets of air and retain small insoluble particles present in tap water

Metal cases are known for their aesthetic appearance, but they are more vulnerable to mechanical damage. In addition, they are susceptible to corrosion, often oxidize and stick to mixers, making it difficult to dismantle them for replacement or periodic cleaning.

In more expensive models made of non-ferrous metals, ease of use and a long service life are a worthy compensation for the high cost.

The economical device allows you to reduce the volume of water passing through the mixer in two times, while its pressure even increases due to the specific design of the filters

Strainers can be made of ceramic, polymer composition or non-ferrous metal.

The first two filters of a multilayer design are responsible for the retention of large fragments and give direction to the stream, and the subsequent ones provide air redundancy in the water stream.

Devices for reducing water consumption related to the high price segment are made of ceramics and non-ferrous metals such as brass or bronze

Also on our website there are articles where we talked in detail about how to choose a mixer depending on the purpose, we recommend reading:

1. Bathroom faucet with shower.
2. Kitchen faucet.
3. Bathroom faucet.
4. Bidet mixer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the nozzle

In addition to the main advantage of the device - to reduce water consumption, and as a result - to save money on its payment, it has a lot of "pluses".

The main ones are:

• saturates water with oxygen and contributes to the weathering of chlorine;
• built-in filter system provides water filtration;
• helps to reduce the noise level of the water flow by mixing it with air;
• It has an easy-to-use construction, the installation of which is possible for any person who owns only the basic skills of repair work.

The presence of membranes in the nozzle allows for the purification of water from chlorine. Due to this, it can be used for cooking without first defending.

As many housewives note, the aerator is effective to thoroughly flush detergents from kitchen utensils or dishes, that is, it allows you to not spend large volumes of water on it.

The universal nozzle is compatible with most modifications of modern taps for kitchen sinks and washbasins

The aerator has only two drawbacks. So when using it, the process of collecting water into the tank takes a little longer. With a low quality of water, which contains mechanical impurities and a fine suspension, the risk of a quick clogging of the nozzle is high.

In this case, it becomes necessary to frequently clean or completely replace the device.

Competent selection criteria

The designs of nozzles from different manufacturers may vary slightly. The simplest budget models have a filter in the form of a plastic insert, more modernized devices are equipped with a multi-stage rotating design.

Main parameters of aerators

On sale there are stationary models with an unregulated flow and those in which it is convenient to change the flow intensity using a rotary or clamping mechanism.

In adjustable models, the first mode, forming a single stream, is convenient to use when filling containers, and the second in the form of a shower - for taking water procedures.

The device provides the supply of tap water in two modes convenient for different purposes. Simple adjustment allows you to increase the pressure of the jet or increase the area of ​​flow distribution

Widespread use and nozzles that allow you to change the angle of the water supply. They help to make the process of washing dishes or making water procedures as comfortable as possible.

Wanting to save water consumption by more than two times, it is worth choosing vacuum models. They are equipped with a valve, the main purpose of which is to create a strong compression of water for the further discharge of a powerful jet. At the exit of such nozzles, a jet is obtained with a water flow rate in the region of only 1.1 l / min.

When choosing an aerator, three parameters are key:

1. Device thread dimension. It should correspond to the diameter of the spout of the crane on which the nozzle is mounted.
2. Fixation method. On sale there are devices with both an internal thread D 22 mm and an external cross section of 24 mm.
3. Additional featurese.g. temperature sensors and LEDs.

If the size of the selected nozzle does not match the diameter of the tap, it is easiest to solve the problem by installing an adapter, which can always be purchased in the plumbing department. The main thing is to choose a device from the same material as the aerator.

If an external thread is provided on the spout of the mixer, then a nozzle with an internal thread must be purchased for it

When choosing products, experts advise giving preference to models, complemented by a silicone coating. Lime is not deposited on such nozzles. You can clean the tip with just one touch of your finger.

The list of additional options

For connoisseurs of aesthetics, manufacturers offer aerators for the mixer with a bright informative backlight, which, depending on the temperature of the water, can paint the sprayed jet in different colors.

The backlight turns on automatically when the tap is opened, depending on the temperature of the water, it paints the jet in green, blue or red.

A microturbine equipped with an electric generator and a temperature sensor is built into the body of such nozzles. These devices work due to the rotation of autonomous miniature turbines with their own generator, and therefore do not require the presence of additional power sources.

Such a multi-colored stream can transform the intimate atmosphere of the bathroom and give a little romantic touch to a family dinner in the kitchen

A certain shade of the jet gives the system of diodes mounted in the housing. The operating temperature of the device is limited by a parameter of +60 ° C.

Illuminated aerators are often chosen when installing bathrooms in homes where there are small children, since the skin of babies in the first months of life is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Nozzles in the form of animal figures can turn an ordinary water treatment into exciting fun

Color shades help mothers and their little fidgets during the adoption of water procedures to determine the maximum comfortable temperature without a thermometer, thereby ensuring a safe bath.

A striking example of the fact that an ordinary jet can be turned into a bewitching dynamic picture is the invention of Simin Qiu, a student of design department.

A bizarre twisted spiral is formed under the influence of microturbines built into the device

Two microturbines are built into the body of this aerator, which split the flow of water passing through them into numerous swirling jets. The finest jets, like braids, interwoven with each other, at the exit form a beautiful water grid.

Overview of leading manufacturers

The key to the reliability of the device and its long life are high quality characteristics of the aerator. Therefore, when choosing a nozzle, it is worth focusing on trusted manufacturers guaranteeing the quality of the products being created.

Among the leading manufacturers that have proven themselves in the market, it is worth highlighting:

• "Grohe" - A German company manufacturing sanitary fittings, as well as faucets and accessories, which differ in their original design and high performance parameters.
• "Oras" - Another leader whose production facilities are located in Finland, Norway and Poland. The application of innovative approaches allows the company to create easy-to-use faucets equipped with automation and plumbing accessories.
• "Timo" - The Finnish manufacturer, when creating plumbing, uses only modern technologies, creating nozzles from high-quality materials of various shapes and colors. It provides a 5-year warranty on manufactured products.
• "Jacob Delafon" - The French company, whose motto is “to give style and comfort”, specializes in the production of mixers and sanitary porcelain, is famous for creating exquisite collections of luxury equipment.

The cost of aerators of the above brands, depending on the design features, varies between $ 2-10.

The price of the device depends on the materials used in its manufacture, the percentage of water savings and the availability of additional functions

Standard nozzles will cost around $ 2-5, models with swivel and clamping mechanisms - up to $ 5-7. Modified aerators equipped with LEDs and temperature sensors will come out around $ 3.5-10.

Among the less well-known brands, it is also worth highlighting Bossini (Italy), Tescoma (Czech Republic), Ango (China). The products of these companies, although it costs a little cheaper, are almost as good as the “untwisted” brands in quality.

Nozzle Installation Sequence

There are no special difficulties in connecting the nozzle to the crane. The device is screwed in manually without the use of tools.Installation of the aerator begins with the installation of the gasket, which comes with the device.

If a threaded adapter is used during installation, make sure that the gaskets are in both joints

To tighten the threaded connection, use pliers. The main thing when working with the tool is not to damage the outer surface of the plumbing equipment.

The easiest way to prevent this is by pre-insulating the tool with construction tape or simply wrapping the surface with a piece of fabric.

When tightening the thread, it is important not to overdo it so as not to damage the body of the aerator or water tap

Installing the device in the shower is carried out in a similar way and in the same sequence.

Device maintenance and repair

In order for the nozzle to carry out the task assigned to it, it must be kept clean. To do this, the filter mesh of the device will have to be periodically cleaned. The fact that the time has come to clean the nozzle will be indicated by a decrease in water pressure or the elimination of the hiss of the outgoing stream.

Procedure for dismantling the device:

1. Using pliers or a metal wrench, unscrew the threaded connection of the nozzle. Two diametrically located notches are provided for gripping the tool on the body.
2. The gasket is removed from the dismantled nozzle and its degree of wear is checked. To remove the cylinder with filters, you must carefully press the grid from the side where the water stream comes from. If the o-ring is broken, or the rubber has lost elasticity, the gasket will have to be replaced with a new one.
3. Remove all strainers from the nozzle and clean them mechanically using a toothbrush, awl or needle, as well as by washing under running water. To disconnect the strainer, it is necessary to pry it with a screwdriver blade through a slot in the side of the housing. The easiest way to detach a spherical grating is by tucking it with a spoke or with the sharp tip of a knife.
4. After cleaning, the structure is assembled in the reverse order, remembering to place the gaskets. The aerator body is twisted counterclockwise without excessive force.
5. To verify the installation, open the tap with water. If a leak is detected, the aerator is pulled a little longer with pliers.

When assembling a cleaned instrument, it is important to ensure that all parts fit snugly together. In the future, to clean the surface of the aerator, it is enough from time to time to wipe it with a damp cloth and disassemble and rinse the elements under running water every six months.

To extend the life of the device, it is advisable to repeat the filter cleaning every 6-9 months

If the salt and calcareous deposits on the strainer cannot be removed mechanically, use the chemical method. Acetic solution or household “chemicals” designed to care for plumbing equipment do a great job of removing mud and lime deposits.

To achieve the desired effect, the filters are placed for 30-45 minutes in a container with a solution and left until the layers are “corroded” or delaminated.

After this, the nets are thoroughly washed with clean water and layered in layers into the module, not forgetting to maintain a rotation angle of 45 ° relative to the direction of the cell faces of the previous layer.

Acidic medium easily destroys any mineral deposits on the strainers of the device

To extend the life of the device, try to use it not at maximum flow power. This will slow down the wear of the elements and prevent breakage.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video nozzle installation guide:

There is nothing complicated in installing an aerator on the mixer and using it in everyday life. The main thing is to adhere to the installation technology and regularly perform maintenance on the device.

With a good work of the plumbing system and quality care, the device will last much longer.

You still can not decide on the choice of aerator? Perhaps you have questions about the topic of the article and want to get a specialist answer? Please leave your comments in the block under this article.