One of the essential elements of the bathroom - the sink - is one of the items that all family members use.
Adults and children, women and men wash their hands, wash their face several times a day ...
The comfort of these actions is provided by one parameter - the installation height of the sink in the bathroom. Hanging the device at such a level that it would be convenient to use it for a tall dad and a diminutive mother, a teenager and his younger sister, a kindergarten, is a difficult task. How can you solve it?
Types of sinks
Bathroom sinks are classified according to two criteria:
- the way the mixer is placed;
- installation method.
In the context of this article, the first feature does not play a significant role. The second is much more important: the possibility of adjusting its placement relative to the floor level depends on the installation method of the sink.
In this regard, all existing shells can be divided into three groups:
- built-in;
- on a pedestal;
- suspended.
There is another uncommon type - height-adjustable sinks.
They cannot be classified as common: they are expensive, and you have to use such a device with great care.
The adjustment range can be up to 315mm. To ensure the movement of the device, special guides are mounted on the wall. Adjustment is carried out using a lever-type handle.
Models of this type are equipped with flexible hoses for supplying hot and cold water and the same drain hose.
In some cases, such designs are indispensable - for example, for disabled people or elderly people whose capabilities are limited by an illness.
Built-in
Built-in structures are a symbiosis of a sink and a bedside table. From the point of view of aesthetics, this option is very advantageous: all communications are hidden, there is no need to fence any boxes. But the "moidodyr" takes up a lot of space, and the height of the sink itself is determined by the size of the cabinet and does not have a "plus or minus" range.
On a pedestal
This group includes the well-known "tulips". A pedestal is called a stand-leg, which is included in the package of the device. The standard stand height is 700-800 mm. Reducing it, as in the case of the curbstone, will not work. But you can increase it by installing the device on a pedestal.
Pedestal sink
But there is a variety of tulip shells, completed with semi-pedestals. In this version, the leg of the structure is shortened and attached to the wall. This design feature allows the installation height to be varied according to the user's requirements.
Suspended
The most common type of sinks are still suspended structures. They are attached to the wall with brackets. They can be screwed on at any height from the floor - if only the siphon fits.
These sinks take up little space, but the entire piping remains open. You can hide the pipes by building a bedside table of any non-standard size. From the point of view of ensuring the required installation height, such a sink is the most successful.
Hanging sink
A flat wall-mounted sink is now available. This model allows you to install a washing machine under it. The installation height of the device in this case will be determined by the dimensions of the machine. The drain in such a sink is located in its back wall. A sewer outlet must also be connected there.
Materials (edit)
Whatever the size of the bathroom sinks, they also differ in materials. Each has its own pros and cons.Before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the features of each design:
- Ceramics. This is a popular option. Customers are more likely to choose porcelain and faience. Porcelain is considered to be more expensive and of higher quality. This is due to the fact that it has a small porosity and a smooth surface.
- Marble. Such products are very expensive, but also look chic. They are distinguished by their beauty and aesthetics. A small disadvantage is the presence of porosity and cavities where dirt and bacteria accumulate. Frequent and careful maintenance is required.
- Artificial marble. This is a wonderful option, similar in appearance to natural stone, but inferior in cost. Due to the smooth surface, it is more hygienic. Dirt does not accumulate on the product.
- Glass. Such products are original and have a high cost. The washbasins are made of high-quality glass, so they won't break even when hit. But still, the products have drawbacks. They show stains from detergents, dirt and drops. Leaving takes a long time.
- Metal. The main one is stainless steel, which is durable and has a long service life. When caring for them, it is important to avoid the use of powder products, as they scratch the surface. Their disadvantage is that a dull hum appears due to the water.
What height to choose?
The installation height of the plumbing fixture is selected according to the laws of ergonomics. The average is:
- for men - 900 mm;
- for women - 800 mm.
The growth of children is usually taken into account only in children's and school institutions. Requirements for the placement of plumbing are specified in the sanitary standards. In residential buildings and apartments, kids have to adapt to "big" ones. You can alleviate their fate by arranging a special stand, but then safety issues come first.
Replacing a mixer is a fairly simple matter; in this case, it is absolutely not necessary to involve a specialist. How to change the mixer in the kitchen with your own hands: see the recommendations of the specialists for the implementation of the work.
An overview of water meter designs is presented here. Fundamental differences between different types of meters.
Ceramic borders are actively used to cover the gap between the bathroom and the wall. This topic https://aquacomm.ru/cancliz/mnogokvartirnyie-doma/santehnika/keramicheskij-bordyur-dlya-vannoj.html presents the rules for installing corners.
Norms
All requirements for the quality of products are presented in GOST-R 50851-96. According to this document, plumbing must have the following characteristics:
- On the reverse side, the presence of noise-absorbing material is important.
- The roughness of the inner layer should not exceed 0.31 µm.
- It is important that the coating is smooth.
- Sinks should not be fragile.
This plumbing is covered by a manufacturer's warranty. To extend the life of the structure, you must follow the rules for installation, use and maintenance. The rules depend on the shell material.
How do I calculate the optimal height?
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Before heading to the plumbing store behind the sink, there are a number of things to do:
- Choose the tallest and shortest family member (small children are not taken into account - it is clear that it is simply impossible to ensure comfortable use of the sink of a two-meter dad and a meter son).
- Measure the distance (in a standing position) from the elbow to the floor for each of them.
- Subtract 5-8 mm from the obtained values.
Why is it necessary to subtract such values? Because ergonomic studies have shown that it is at this height of the working surface that the user's hands will be in the most comfortable position.
Suppose, as a result of calculations, you get the following picture: for the tallest inhabitant of the apartment, the sink must be hung at a height of 110 cm, and for the smallest one - at a height of 98 cm.It is clear that one of the household members will be in a not very comfortable position if the sink is installed according to one of the above parameters. In this case, you will have to compromise and hang the device at a height of 105 mm. By sharing the inconvenience in fairness, you at the same time minimize their consequences.
Colors
The classic washbasin color is white, which suits most rooms. But if you want to highlight the interior, then you can perform cladding with original tiles or purchase plumbing of the desired shade.
In shops you can find gold, red, green washbasins. The colors are varied: silver, yellow, blue, blue, black. Which one to choose depends on personal preference.
How to install a sink?
Most users rightly believe that fixing the sink with brackets to the wall is the most reliable way. Even "tulips" are rarely supported on the leg - more often than not, the pedestal is assigned the role of a decorative element that hides the sewer pipe.
In order for the plumbing fixture to take the place determined by the preliminary calculation, the following must be done:
- on the wall, mark the height of the working surface of the sink (the size is set aside from the floor);
- measure the distance from the holes for fixing the sink to the work surface. Set the resulting size down from the first mark;
- at the second mark mark the center-to-center distance and drill holes;
- fix the brackets and hang the sink on them.
After that, you can proceed with the installation of the mixer and connecting the siphon to the sewer outlet.
The brackets can be omitted if the sink is supported by a bedside table.
If you are going to order a cabinet according to individual dimensions, do not forget to inform the contractor about the height of the sink you have chosen.
Consequences of improper installation of the washbasin
Installing a washbasin in the bathroom will be considered incorrect if it is located too high or too low.
If the sink is suspended too high, a small user will inadvertently lean on its edge, which can eventually lead to the structure breaking off.
It's good if the sink just falls to the floor and breaks (smashing a few floor tiles along the way).
It is much more unpleasant if it injures the user when it falls - and this thing weighs a lot - from 8 to 12 kg.
A sink placed below the required one can also do a lot of trouble. Firstly, it is not very pleasant to be bent over it. Secondly, there is a danger of putting your face to the shelf, which is usually hung under the mirror.
From the above, it is clear that an incorrectly selected height of the sink installation from the floor can lead to injuries or additional costs in the form of buying a new sink and repairing the floor and communications in the event that the device comes off. Therefore, experts pay great attention to this issue.
Previously, all mixers were of the same type, but now on sale you can see a variety of types of structures - ball, two-valve, with a thermostat and even electronic. The device of the mixer tap must be known so that, if necessary, the device can be disassembled for subsequent repair.
What if the water from the cistern flows into the toilet? We will analyze the reasons for this type of breakdown and their elimination in this material.
Nuances of choice
In terms of operational parameters, when choosing, it is important to highlight several important points - service life, geometry, tactile sensations. The sink is chosen according to the following criteria:
- Strength. Anyone can have a heavy object fall into the sink. Artificial stone is considered the most durable, and glass and ceramic products are considered less reliable.
- Wear resistance.It is important that the coating is durable, resistant to mechanical factors.
- Antibacterial properties. In terms of this parameter, the construction of natural stone is not so good compared to metal and porcelain.
- Moisture resistance. If the outer layer of wood or ceramics is damaged, then the materials will absorb water, and this can damage the structure.
- Resistant to mechanical factors. Constant exposure to detergents eats away at the top layer of the sink. For this criterion, a fiberglass sink is best suited.
Plumbing of their metal is in demand. This sink includes some nickel, chrome. These materials make sanitary ware resistant to aggressive detergents. If you want to choose a metal sink, then you should check that it is made of stainless steel.
