Cascade mixer waterfall: device, pros and cons + review of the best manufacturers

Streams of water falling down, overflows of jets playing under the sun are a bewitching spectacle that will leave few indifferent. And with the development of modern technology, such a miracle can appear in every home, however, in a very miniature design.

This is an original masterpiece of plumbing - a cascading tap. Consider how the mixer falls, and what to look for when buying it. To facilitate the task of choice, we have prepared a review of the best manufacturers of "cascading" plumbing.

Design features of cascade mixers

The main difference between a waterfall mixer and a standard tap is its wide spout. Thanks to the flat plate, water flows in a continuous stream and very reliably imitates a single-stage mini-waterfall.

To enhance the resemblance to a natural phenomenon and to add originality to the design, various decorative details can be additionally used.

The control elements of the waterfall crane can be installed in one place, and the spout is located at a considerable distance without compromising the functionality of the system

But, in addition to the visual nuances, such cranes have an important design feature - separate installation of the mixer and control lever. Water supply is carried out simply - with the help of plastic pipes or flexible hoses.

Glass or glossy metal mixer with backlight looks very impressive. But before you install a similar decorative element in your own bathroom, think about the difficulties of care

In addition to the aesthetic pleasure that gives the appearance of a man-made mini cascade, swimming under a wide stream of water gives an unforgettable feeling of relaxation and comfort. At least that's what the slogans of cascade crane manufacturers say.

But in order not to get confused in the sweet networks of advertising, we propose to consider in more detail the real advantages and disadvantages of home waterfalls.

Pros and Cons of Waterfall Cranes

It is believed that, thanks to a wide spout, the cascade mixer will become simply an indispensable tool for quickly filling the bath.

But the tap capacity directly depends on the outlet diameter of the holes for hot and cold water, so the shape and size of the spout do not matter.

The mixer will dispense exactly as much water as it enters. Therefore, only waterfalls with wide eyeliner can quickly fill the bath.

Ease of use can be considered a controversial statement, because the design of the mixer-waterfall is designed to supply water only in one of the most convenient places, and it is impossible to change the direction of flow

Another common misconception is the ease of care. Indeed, in comparison with the standard gander, where they clean only the filter mesh and nose, removing rust or calcium deposits on a wide, and especially glass, plate is a long and rather complicated process.

Therefore, the real advantages of waterfall taps can be attributed only to the original appearance and lower noise effects compared to a narrowly directed stream of water from a standard mixer.

The water supply to the mixer should have a high throughput, so that a wide waterfall can easily produce 25-50 liters / min and collect a bath in a matter of minutes

But the list of disadvantages will be much more:

1. High price - a cascade crane will cost several times more than a good mixer from a branded manufacturer.
2. Installation complexity - many models of waterfalls need a separate fastening on the side or preliminary installation of carts on the wall or floor.
3. Higher heat loss when filling the bath compared to the operation of a conventional tap.
4. Inability to switch to a narrow stream if necessary, draw water into a small container or bowl with a neck.
5. High humidity in the room due to the intensive evaporation of warm water from a wide spout, which can lead to development fungus and molddamage to finishing materials with insufficient ventilation.
6. High water consumption if necessary, for example, just wash your hands or wash your face.
7. Fixed design - redirect the jet will not work.

Therefore, cascade faucets are often used to fill the bath, less often - for washbasins. But on the kitchen sinks they are practically not found, because here the functionality is more important than the aesthetic entertainment of the pouring water.

Details on choosing a kitchen faucet are written in this article.

Varieties of Home Waterfalls

The main feature of cascade mixers is their custom design. When choosing, it is important to consider not only the attractiveness of the product itself, but also the place for its installation, material, shape and other important nuances.

By purpose and configuration

Depending on the installation location, you can purchase a faucet for the sink or a bath system, which is additionally equipped with a shower head with a hidden hose.

Moreover, thanks to separate installation, the installation of each node can be carried out in the most convenient place, for example, a tap next to the spout, and a shower on the opposite side. It all depends on the layout and personal preferences.

There are models of waterfalls without a flexible shower hose - the watering can is immediately mounted on the desired height of the wall or ceiling, and the water supply is hidden behind the finishing materials or decorative panel

In addition, cascade mixers can be:

• single leverwhen all control is carried out by turning a single handle / joystick;
• two-valve - for separate supply of cold and hot water;
• sensory - complex models with an electronic module and several control buttons for opening and closing water, as well as adjusting the flow temperature.

To install a simple faucet with one built-in lever, a single hole will be enough, but for mounting the system on board the bathroom, it may take from 3 to 5 - under the spout, shower head, switch and separate valves for supplying hot / cold water.

The difference in installation method

There are several options for installing home waterfalls, which vary in complexity not so much in installation as in preparatory work.

Wall models. Wall-mounted faucets will require a preliminary supply of hot and cold water, the pipes for which will need to be disguised as a cladding or false panel. At the exit of the supply a special bar is installed, on which the spout is fixed.

Wall-mounted faucets are universal, because they can be used both for sinks, and for bathtubs or showers, the main thing is to make sure that the spout is of suitable length

Sink faucets easy to install. Almost all washbasins have a hole for the mixer mounting, but if the design is not provided for, you can make an insert into the countertop of the cabinet or on the working surface of the kitchen corner.

On the side of the acrylic bath, you can cut the entrances yourself, using a diamond cutter with a crown attachment, and then fix all the elements of the cascade mixer and tighten with nuts

But with mounting on the side of the bath have to work hard, because in cast iron or metal products it is quite difficult to cut holes of the desired diameter.

But with the growing popularity of home waterfalls, many manufacturers already offer showers and bathtubs either with a mount for this system, or with an already built-in design.

Floor-mounted faucets look stylish and original, but they should only be installed in large bathrooms

Floor mixers - The rarest type of waterfalls. They are a vertical stand that masks hot / cold water inlets.

Such systems are used to fill pools or free-standing bathtubs and are mounted during the repair process before the floor is coated.

By design originality

Appearance is the main highlight of cascading cranes, so every year designers use more and more tricks to please buyers with original new products.

Waterfall mixers can be made in the form of a round or oval plate, a flat or curiously curved plate, a laconic square or rectangle.

Some design details successfully combine beauty and functionality - for example, decorative lighting can at the same time change the color of the jet or the tap itself, suggesting the temperature of the water heating

Today, the trend is to disguise the mixer as furniture or decor items. Moreover, many designer taps look so non-standard that until the water stream flows, it is difficult to determine exactly where the spout is located.

Another interesting model combining laconicism and practicality is a faucet disguised as a mini-shelf where you can place hygiene items or decor

As additional elements, manufacturers offer:

• illumination of a water stream and the crane;
• pressure compensators;
• a thermostat that controls the temperature of the water supply;
• proximity sensors.

For the sake of beauty and original design, control elements and a spout of a cascade crane can be made of various materials.

Mixers themselves are most often made of bronze, chrome, enameled steel or brass. In the premium line, you can also find options with a deposition of precious metals.

But for spout, tempered glass, stainless steel and ceramics are most in demand.

Overview of the best manufacturers

Cascade faucets are expensive plumbing, so to avoid fakes you should trust trusted brands and buy the product in company stores that provide service and warranty service for at least the first 3-4 years of use.

Rav slezak - One of the first European manufacturers of cascade mixers. For 15 years, it has been replenishing the plumbing market with original models for bathtubs, washbasins and kitchen sinks.

In the manufacture of faucets, high-quality brass or stainless steel with chrome plating and ceramic switches are used. The warranty period is also credible - 6 years.

Slezak faucets are produced in series, for example, for installation on board the bathroom, you can look at options from the party Niagara, Danube or Sen

Vega (Italy) is another well-known European brand whose products are distinguished by excellent bandwidth.

Such mixers can easily cope with filling a standard bath in 5 minutes at a good pressure in the water supply system, and if it is not, it is proposed to install an additional gearbox. Product Warranty - 5 years.

The Vega Piccolo Lux cascade mixer for fastening to the bathtub rim requires 5 holes of various diameters and a water pressure level of at least 1 bar

Grohe (Germany) - produces plumbing with the perfect combination of concise forms and German quality.

Branded "highlights" from the manufacturer - a patented technology to reduce water consumption while maintaining flow, built-in temperature sensors and safety stops. The guarantee for the operation of products is also leading - 10 years.

The stylish dual-fan GROHE Grohtherm is an excellent solution for safe baby swimming, because thanks to the built-in stopper, the water temperature in the waterfall will not exceed 38 ° C

Ledeme - Chinese brand. It offers budget waterfalls made of colored high-strength glass and brass, which are equipped with a ceramic cartridge, one-lever control and flexible eyeliner.

Of the pleasant bonuses from the manufacturer - the price is significantly lower than European counterparts, and the warranty period is 36 months.

Also, other proven manufacturers of plumbing have proven themselves well:

• Kludi, Hansa (Germany);
• Webert, Fiore, Bugnatese (Italy);
• Genebre (Spain);
• Jacob delafon (France);
• Alpen (Austria);
• Cisa, NSK (Turkey).

Fans of domestic products can be advised to pay attention to faucets Nova with original glass spouts decorated with handmade drawings.

If you still have not made a choice, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the information about the different models of bathroom faucets:

1. How to choose a bathroom faucet with shower: types, characteristics + manufacturers rating
2. Thermostatic bath and shower faucet: device, principle of operation and selection rules
3. Bathroom sink faucets: device, types, selection + popular models

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

More familiar with the principle of operation of a cascade crane in various designs, as well as the features of its installation will help video materials.

Effective and functional - how a mixer equipped with LED backlight works:

Overview of the mortise model of the Grand Niagara cascade from the Turkish manufacturer NSK:

Although installing a cascade mixer is not much more difficult than installing a conventional tap, owners often have difficulty supplying water, properly sealing plumbing or masking communications.

Therefore, if you are not sure of your own skills, it is better to invite qualified plumbers to work, who will help to decorate your interior with a mini-waterfall.

Is there anything to supplement, or have questions about choosing and installing a cascade mixer? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience in using such mixers. The contact form is located below.