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

Streams of cascading water and the overflow of jets playing under the sun are a fascinating sight that will leave few people indifferent.And with the development of modern technologies, such a miracle can appear in every home, albeit in a very miniature version.

We are talking about an original masterpiece of plumbing – a cascade faucet. Let's look at how a waterfall faucet works and what to look for when purchasing it. To make the task of choosing easier, we have prepared a review of the best manufacturers of “cascade” plumbing.

Design features of cascade mixers

The main difference between a waterfall faucet and a standard faucet is the wide shape of the spout. Thanks to the flat plate, the water flows in a continuous stream and very reliably imitates a single-cascade mini-waterfall.

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

The control elements of the waterfall tap 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 visual nuances, such taps also have an important design feature - separate installation of the mixer and control lever. The water supply is carried out simply - using metal-plastic tubes or flexible hoses.

A glass or glossy metal faucet with lighting looks very impressive. But before you install such a decorative element in your own bathroom, think about the difficulties of maintenance

In addition to the aesthetic pleasure that comes from the sight 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 suggest taking a closer look at the real advantages and disadvantages of home waterfalls.

Pros and cons of waterfall taps

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

But the throughput of the faucet 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 receives. Therefore, only waterfalls with a wide liner can quickly fill the bathtub.

Ease of use can also be considered a controversial statement, because the design of the waterfall mixer is designed so as 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 ease of maintenance. Indeed, compared to a standard gander, where only the filter mesh and spout are cleaned, 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 include only the original appearance and lower noise effects compared to the narrowly directed flow of water from a standard mixer.

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

But the list of shortcomings will be much longer:

1. High price – a cascade faucet will cost several times more than a good mixer from a brand manufacturer.
2. Difficulty of installation – many waterfall models require separate mounting on the side or preliminary installation of inlets along the wall or floor.
3. Higher heat loss when filling a bathtub compared to a regular faucet.
4. Inability to switch to narrow jet If necessary, collect water in a small container or vessel with a neck.
5. Increased humidity in the room due to the intense evaporation of warm water from a wide spout, which can lead to the development fungus and mold, damage to finishing materials due to insufficient ventilation.
6. High water consumption if necessary, for example, simply wash your hands or wash your face.
7. Fixed design - it will not be possible to redirect the stream.

Therefore, cascade mixers are more often used for filling bathtubs, and less often for washbasins. But they are practically never found on kitchen sinks, because here functionality is more important than the aesthetic spectacle of flowing water.

Detailed information about choosing a kitchen faucet is written in this article.

Types of home waterfalls

The main feature of cascade mixers is their non-standard design. When choosing, it is important to take into account 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 sink faucet or a bath system, which is additionally equipped with a shower head with a hidden hose.

Moreover, thanks to separate installation, each unit can be installed in the most convenient place, for example, a faucet 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 at the desired height of the wall or ceiling, and the water supply is hidden behind finishing materials or a decorative panel

In addition, cascade mixers can be:

• single lever, when all control is carried out by turning a single knob/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 the water, as well as adjusting the flow temperature.

To install a simple faucet with one built-in lever, 1 hole will be enough, but to install the system on the side of the bathroom, you may need from 3 to 5 - for the spout, shower head, switch and separate valves for supplying hot/cold water.

Difference in installation method

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

Wall models. Wall-mounted mixers will require a preliminary supply of hot and cold water, the pipes for which will need to be disguised under cladding or a false panel. At the outlet of the inlets, a special strip is installed, on which the spout is fixed.

Wall-mounted faucets are universal, because they can be used both for a sink, and for a bath or shower, the main thing is to make sure that the spout is of the appropriate length

In-basin faucets easy to install.Almost all washbasins have a hole for mounting a mixer, but if the design does not provide for it, you can make an insert into the tabletop of the cabinet or on the work surface of the kitchen corner.

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

But with installation on the side of the bathtub You will have to work hard, because in cast iron or metal products it is quite difficult to cut holes of the required diameter.

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

Floor-standing faucets look stylish and original, but they should only be installed in bathrooms with a large area

Floor-standing faucets - the rarest type of waterfalls. They are a vertical stand that masks hot/cold water supplies.

Such systems are used to fill swimming pools or free-standing bathtubs and are installed during the renovation process before covering the floor.

By originality of design

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

Waterfall faucets can be made in the form of a round or oval plate, a flat or intricately 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 stream or the faucet itself, indicating the temperature of the water heating

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

Another interesting model that combines laconic forms and practicality is a faucet disguised as a mini-shelf where you can place hygiene items or decor.

Manufacturers offer as additional elements:

• illumination of the water flow and the tap itself;
• pressure compensators;
• thermostat that controls the temperature of the water supply;
• contactless sensors.

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

The faucets themselves are most often made of bronze, chrome-plated, enameled steel or brass. In the premium line you can also find options coated with precious metals.

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

Review of the best manufacturers

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

Rav Slezak - one of the first European manufacturers of cascade mixers. For 15 years now, it has been replenishing the sanitary ware market with original models for bathtubs, washbasins and kitchen sinks.

The faucets are made from high-quality brass or stainless steel with chrome plating and ceramic switches. The warranty period also inspires confidence - 6 years.

Slezak faucets are produced in series, for example, for installation on the side of the bathroom, you can look at options from the Niagara, Danube or Seine batch

Vega (Italy) is another well-known European brand whose products have excellent throughput.

Such faucets can easily cope with filling a standard bath in 5 minutes with good pressure in the water supply, and if there is none, it is proposed to additionally install a reducer. Product warranty – 5 years.

The Vega Piccolo Lux cascade mixer for mounting on the side of the bathtub will require 5 holes of different diameters and a water pressure level of at least 1 bar

Grohe (Germany) – produces sanitary ware with the perfect combination of laconic forms and German quality.

Branded “highlights” from the manufacturer are a patented technology for reducing water consumption while maintaining flow, built-in temperature sensors and safety stops. The product is guaranteed for 10 years.

The stylish two-valve GROHE Grohtherm is an excellent solution for safe children's bathing, because thanks to the built-in stopper, the water temperature in the waterfall will not exceed 38 °C

Ledeme - Chinese brand. Offers budget waterfalls made of colored high-strength glass and brass, which are equipped with a ceramic cartridge, single-lever control and flexible hoses.

Among the pleasant bonuses from the manufacturer are the price, significantly lower than European analogues, and a warranty period of 36 months.

Other trusted manufacturers of plumbing fixtures have also performed well:

• Kludi, Hansa (Germany);
• Webert, Fiore, Bugnates (Italy);
• Genebre (Spain);
• Jacob Delafon (France);
• Alpen (Austria);
• Cisa, NSK (Türkiye).

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

If you are still undecided on your choice, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with information about different models of bathroom faucets:

1. How to choose a bathroom faucet with shower: types, characteristics + manufacturer ratings
2. Thermostatic mixer for bath and shower: device, operating principle and selection rules
3. Bathroom sink faucets: device, types, choice + popular models

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video materials will help you learn more about the operating principle of a cascade crane in various designs, as well as the features of its installation.

Spectacular and functional – how a faucet equipped with LED lighting works:

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

Although installing a cascade faucet is not much more complicated than installing a regular faucet, owners often have difficulties with connecting water supply, high-quality sealing of plumbing fixtures or masking communications.

Therefore, if you are not confident in your own skills, it is better to invite a qualified plumber to carry out the work, who will help decorate your interior with a mini-waterfall.

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