Rigid faucet connection

An eyeliner is a tube or hose through which water from a water supply system is supplied to taps or a mixer. To connect the mixer to the water pipelines, eyeliners can be used. three types: elastic, bellows and rigid type.

Elastic or flexible water supply to the faucet using rigidly braided hoses is an inexpensive and simple way to connect the faucet to the water supply system. It is in this way that the plumbing systems of bathrooms are carried out in commercially built residential buildings. The length of the hoses is determined by consumer demand, and each manufacturer is free to set it himself. As a rule, the trading network is represented big choice, and you can always pick up hoses of the length you need.

Bellows th inlet - according to the design of a flexible hose made of corrugated metal - of stainless steel. In contrast to the metal-braided rubber hose, the bellows hose does not have other materials in its design, except for metal, and therefore its service life is much higher. It can withstand water temperatures up to 250 degrees, and is not susceptible to corrosion. In terms of installation, bellows hoses are no different from metal-braided hoses.

Initially hard eyeliner was used for public places where a reliable water supply system that excludes violations of sanitary and hygienic standards is required: medical and educational institutions, places of recreation, transport stations and sports facilities.

A hard water supply to the mixer also differs in the place of its installation. On the kitchen sink the mixer is installed directly on the side of the sink, and the eyeliner is installed under the sink. Such an installation is called the bottom eyeliner. In the bathroom, the picture is reversed - the faucet is attached directly to the wall, not under the sink, as it is also designed for the bath and shower.

Advantages and disadvantages

The water supply to the faucet, as a rule, is not available for public viewing. She hides behind the plumbing equipment itself. Nevertheless, some masters recommend installing a hard eyeliner. In doing so, they point to the following positive points:

Like any coin, there is a downside to hard water supply: firstly, this is installation and it requires a lot of accurately maintain distance to the mixer, both cold and hot water. Secondly, the faucet, together with the sink, becomes fixed, which will complicate possible repair drain device.

Material selection

Most often, food-grade annealed copper is used for the manufacture of eyeliner, followed by chromium plating. Such a tube bends easily and it is convenient to lay any route to the supply point of the conduit.

Rigid copper piping is connected to internal wiring pipes in two versions: directly without transitions, or by means of adapters of various types.

Rigid faucet connection can be made from metal or plastic tubes, their length is standardized, the minimum is 20 cm, the maximum is 50. The tubes are reinforced, on the one hand, with a thread (nut or fitting) for connecting to the mixer, on the other - to the internal wiring pipes. metal tubes can be aluminum, brass, copper and steel. The materials of all these tubes are resistant to corrosion, and the choice is up to you. It is important not to fall for fake material - painted, not natural. When choosing a hard eyeliner, you should pay attention to some details:

The most famous manufacturers of hard liner - German firms Grohe, Kaiser and Italian Remer. When buying, you need to check the completeness of the product, often the shortage of the product is due to the fact that the product is a fake.

Installation and safety measures

You can install a hard water supply hidden or in open version whoever likes it. In the first case, you will either need to make grooves in the wall (strobe), or hide them in trays from a decorative plate. If done in an open design, then it should be laid in the wall at the installation site of the mixer fastener under a copper collet.

During installation, be guided by the following description:

Upon completion installation work you can tile the wall with tiles.

Security measures. Before proceeding to dismantling works, you should turn off the indoor taps in the bathroom, and warn your family that you are working. Wear gloves to protect your hands and use goggles when cutting metal. It is recommended to close the apartment taps also when prolonged absence in the apartment of residents, this can protect yourself from a possible accident on the intra-apartment water supply.

Most often, when repairing a bathroom or kitchen, a hidden faucet connection is used. It is done using flexible hoses. But what if design decision suggests an interior vintage style where copper is used or Or is it not possible to make a hidden water supply system? In such cases, a rigid faucet connection is used. It is worth considering this topic in more detail.

What it is?

The faucet hose is a product made in the form of a tube with a diameter of 10 mm. Adapters, corner connectors, collet connectors are produced for such products. Stainless steel faucets are available in sizes ranging from 200 to 500 mm.

Types of materials

There are several options for the execution of such products:

• Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper. The color ranges from red to yellow. Good thermal conductivity, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. If not applied protective covering it may turn black over time.
• Copper. The color is golden red. It is highly resistant to corrosion, but may acquire a greenish tint over time in damp areas. Excellent thermal and electrical conductive properties. Resistant to chemical attack, mechanical abrasion.
• Stainless steel. Possesses high anticorrosive properties and strength characteristics. Has a shiny metal surface.

As can be seen from the listed materials, the faucet liner has a number of advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are a number of positive features:

• Corrosion resistance. This is important for wet rooms, especially since condensation forms on the liner during operation.
• Smooth surface. Does not accumulate dirt, easy to clean.
• Chemical resistance.
• Presentable look.
• Durability. Compared with flexible, the service life is 4-5 times longer. Rigid faucet hoses are used for up to 20 years. Flexible 3-5 years, depending on quality and manufacturer.
• Hygiene. When interacting with water, it does not emit harmful impurities into it.

The disadvantages include installation, but this is a moot point.

If the size of the pipes is correctly selected, then installation difficulties should not arise. The price of such products is much higher than the cost of analogues. But given the service life, we can say that the cost justifies itself. Mobility - in case you need to move plumbing or household appliances, will require a major overhaul. As you can see, the advantages of a hard eyeliner are obvious.

Scope of application

Stainless steel faucet hose is used not only in household purpose, but also in institutions that are subject to increased requirements sanitary norms. This is due to the fact that the surface is smooth and easy to clean. If we consider a flexible eyeliner, then it has an interwoven or corrugated structure in which dirt and dust can accumulate. Pipes are most often used in the following areas:

• Medical institutions: hospitals, sanatoriums, polyclinics, laboratories.
• Children's institutions: schools and kindergartens.
• Sports and health centers.
• Stations, airports.

This is just a number of establishments using such an eyeliner.

Very popular is the use of such products in household purposes. Antique cranes have beautiful view, and to complement this effect, some designers use open piping in the same style as the faucets.

In the kitchen, the intensity of the use of water supply implies a high probability of equipment wear, plus the room itself is an aggressive environment. Maintenance of furniture and equipment should be as comfortable as possible. Therefore, an eyeliner for faucets in a hard-looking kitchen is the best option.

Nuances of selection

There are a number of subtleties for the selection of hard eyeliner:

• Exact size. Deviation up or down will cause installation difficulties. Therefore, before buying, you should make accurate measurements. You also need to pay attention to the diameter of the fittings. They must match the size of the main eyeliner and mixer.
• Manufacturer. Before buying, you should read the reviews and options.
• Material. It all depends on the design idea and price category, as well as visual preferences.

In general, the main difficulties may arise during installation.

Installation

As with conventional water supply, there are two options for the system - hidden and open.

For the first, you will have to ditch the walls, or sew them into drywall boxes. For open piping, a fixing system to the wall should be provided.

Before installation, the layout of the planned wiring is done. After the pipes are laid, the craftsmen install old faucet and assemble the whole system. Further, all fittings are already fixed with winding fum-tape or tow. If the eyeliner is hidden, then plaster. Give time for the solution to solidify. Unscrew the old mixer and mount the new one. Turn on the water, check the tightness.

Install completely new system much easier than replacing flexible hoses with rigid ones.

Replacing an old plumbing

If it is decided to change to a rigid one, pipes of the required length should be selected. If the size is non-standard, cut according to desired parameter. Then connect through the collets. Details are put on before cutting.

There are cases when the length is less than necessary, you have to weld or buy a new one.

As a rule, the installation of a hard liner is trusted by professionals, due to certain difficulties. Experienced Master will determine how best to install with minimal risk of damage to the product.

Manufacturers

The market is replete with firms that specialize in the production of elite eyeliner. One of these manufacturers is Grohe(Germany). The eyeliner for the Groe mixers differs in ergonomics, reliability, durability.

There is one more well-known manufacturer this type of eyeliner - Remer (Italy). This company has been on the market for a long time and has a full production cycle. Quality control of products begins with the evaluation of raw materials and is monitored throughout the entire production cycle of these products. That is why Remer copper faucet hoses have proven to be a quality product.

When buying such systems, you should pay attention to completeness.

Branded original eyeliners have a complete set, including gaskets. Counterfeits may be incomplete.

Cost and reviews

The price of hard eyeliner varies from 1200 rubles and above. This cost is due to the high cost of the material, in the first place. And, accordingly, for products famous brands the price for the brand itself will be included. But it guarantees the quality of products.

According to reviews, the main problem with the installation of such systems is precisely the size adjustment. Otherwise, consumers confirm the reliability and durability of such systems.

A distinctive feature of such an eyeliner is the rigid fastening of the mixer and pipes. Some masters consider it more aesthetically pleasing than flexible eyeliner, although this is more a matter of personal preference and taste.

pros

TO positive aspects hard type eyeliners include:

• Looks quite stylish compared to flexible;
• Long service life, which is about 20 years;
• High quality materials that are not subject to corrosion;
• Installation is quite convenient (although it has its own nuances, therefore it cannot be called a purely plus);
• The product is reliable;
• Due smooth surface, keeping the eyeliner clean is not a problem. Dirt on the tube does not accumulate;
• The device is not afraid of thermal and chemical influences, is able to withstand more high temperatures and drops than flexible counterparts.

Minuses

No matter how you slice it, there are some downsides here.

We noted that installation is a controversial issue, therefore it should also be attributed to the minuses. It is quite problematic to perform it, since you are limited in moving the eyeliner. Actually, this forms another drawback - stationarity. The product does not bend, does not give in even to slight deformation, which would allow for a more correct, aesthetic installation.

Otherwise, even experienced specialists do not find serious shortcomings that could characterize a hard eyeliner.

Kinds

It is possible to classify the varieties of hard eyeliner based on the materials from which it is made in our time. It is a metal tube. This metal, in turn, can be:

• Brass;
• Steel;
• Copper.

Which option is more reliable is up to you. This largely depends on the manufacturer and his degree of responsibility for own products. The most important thing is that the metal has anti-corrosion properties, not a cheap fake. Unfortunately, some firms use ordinary ferrous metal, which rusts over time. And to hide this fact, they cover it special paints and compositions. As a result, the tubes look like steel, copper or brass.

When choosing a hard liner for your faucet, try to follow a few simple rules. They are wearing advisory nature, however, allow you to make a really right purchase.

• Material. Carefully study what material the eyeliner is made of. In fact, steel, brass and copper have their own advantages and some nuances, because the most important thing is the absence of a fake. If you are told that it is brass, you must be sure of the truth of these words.
• Size. Hard eyeliner is a little problematic in that it is demanding on right choice size. You need to take into account the diameter of the water pipe and the inlet to the mixer. Some houses are equipped with non-standard communications, so be sure to take measurements before going to the store.
• Length. A separate topic for conversation. The bottom line is that you need to choose the right length. If the tube turns out to be short, you will have to buy a new one or weld the missing element, which is a solution in the most extreme case. If the tube is long, you will not be able to fully install it, since the material does not bend. This is the main problem with choosing a hard eyeliner.
• Manufacturer. Now the market has formed its own elite of manufacturers of plumbing and plumbing equipment. Also, there is probably a store in your city that enjoys the greatest authority. It is advisable to purchase products from them. Both the manufacturer and the distributor are not interested in losing credibility and customers. Because they try to offer a product High Quality. He is exactly what you need.
• external aspects. As a rule, they try to hide the eyeliner from the eyes by lining it, installing bathroom furniture, and so on. But in some situations, the eyeliner remains in sight, which means that you have to pay attention to its design.
• Price. Let's just say one thing - a good hard-type eyeliner cannot cost a penny.

Mounting

Following the sequence of installation work, you can easily connect a hard connection to your faucet.

• Determine the location for the mixer.
• Prepare the wall for the subsequent installation of pipes. Mark special strips for placing pipes. Make a strobe. Some pipes can run along the wall, others can be recessed. Do not forget, the system will have knees, so first mark them on the wall.
• Collect pipes. Mostly even experienced home craftsmen entrust this task to professionals. One way or another, do not forget to wind the eccentric at this stage. Winding is not required yet.
• Fix the old faucet to make sure the system is properly positioned. Don't worry, all faucet models have the same distance between the mounting points.
• If you understand that everything is done correctly and evenly, proceed to seal the strobe. For this you will need cement mixture. Also provide a layer for subsequent application finishing material(since this is a bathroom, most of us use ceramic tiles).
• When the cement mixture dries, you can remove the old mixer, install a new one in its place.
• The final stage will be the surface treatment of the walls and installation tiles. Make sure that all fasteners are tight so that there are no leaks during operation.

How to put instead of flexible

You can certainly see for yourself that flexible eyeliner stands everywhere, almost everyone in the house, office and so on. It's easy to install and costs a little.

But how many people know that it needs to be changed every 3-5 years?

This is due to the fact that the eyeliner ages, the hoses inside it become covered with cracks, the seals fail, and the elasticity is broken. As a result, leaks are almost inevitable.

In this component, the rigid analogue of the eyeliner is more reliable, able to work with more high pressure, and the service life is several times higher.

Experts recommend when repairing a bathroom to provide for the possibility in the future to connect hard piping, even if it is now planned to install a flexible one. Water outlets located under the sink should not be more than 0.5 m from the faucet. If this condition is not met, you can use alternative solution- corrugated tubes. But they must be made of stainless steel.

Unscrew all old pipes, dismantle the mixer and turn the corner taps. Screw the tubes into the mixer and make sure everything fits in place. If not, carefully unbend the product or mark points for cutting off excess elements.

After you have fitted the tubes to the right dimensions, check the axle ratio and assemble the system. The mixer is fixed to the sink first, after which the collets are tightened. Turn on the water and make sure everything is working properly. Also remember to check the system for leaks after a few days. If provided decorative trim or furniture covering the system until it is installed. Only when you understand that everything is working properly, close the eyeliner.

Security measures

Experts recommend using a pipe bender during the installation of a mixer with a hard connection. This device allows you to bring pipes without bending them too much. An inflection can lead to undesirable consequences.

Of course, one of essential conditions personal safety is to shut off the water before starting repair work. Follow the safety rules, use protective equipment, gloves when working with metal.