Balletto taps: overview of types – lever, thermostatic, under-sink

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Balletto taps: overview of types – lever, thermostatic, wall-mounted

When a customer comes in looking for a new bathroom tap, the first question I usually ask them is not "What color do you want?" or "How much are you willing to spend?" The first question is always: "How do you actually plan to operate the tap?" It may seem like a trivial matter, but the type of control – whether it will be a lever, thermostatic, or wall-mounted tap – determines how your daily routine in the bathroom will look over the next ten to fifteen years. Balletto is a brand that covers the entire spectrum in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and in this article I will try to explain in detail what each of these types means in practice, where they have their strengths and where you hit their limits.

This article is part of a broader knowledge center about Balletto taps on atria.sk/balletto/. If you are looking for a practical guide on how to choose a specific model, read the article How to choose Balletto taps for the bathroom and kitchen. If you are dealing with technical parameters of water supply, the article What pipe diameter and flow rate do I need for a tap will help you.

Why the type of tap matters at all

At first glance, it may seem that a tap is a tap – water turns on, temperature is set, done. But reality is different. The type of mechanism affects comfort in daily use, water and energy consumption, service costs, and also the overall aesthetics of the bathroom. Someone buys a tap for ten years, someone does a complete renovation and replaces the tap after fifteen years from the wall. In the end, it is a technical decision with long-term consequences – that is why it pays to understand what you are actually choosing.

Balletto offers basically three basic concepts: lever taps (single-handle with cartridge), thermostatic taps (with preset temperature), and wall-mounted taps (built into the wall). Each of these concepts has its own internal logic and suitable use.

Lever tap – a classic that still makes sense

Lever taps (also known in technical jargon as single-handle or single-lever taps) are today by far the most widespread type of tap in Slovakia. Their principle is simple: one lever controls both the water flow and its temperature. Moving the lever up or forward (depending on the design) opens the flow, while moving it to the right or left (in the horizontal plane) sets the temperature from cold to hot. The heart of a lever tap is a ceramic or plastic cartridge – a compact cylindrical mechanism with two ceramic discs with precisely embossed holes that regulate the mix of cold and hot water when moved relative to each other.

Balletto lever taps are available in several outlet heights and handle shapes. A standard basin lever tap has an outlet spout about 120 to 150 mm long and a height of about 200 mm, which is an ideal combination for a standard basin with a depth of 40–50 cm. For a kitchen sink, where greater maneuverability is needed, you will find models with a swivel outlet arm and an outlet height of 250 to 350 mm.

How a ceramic cartridge works

This is a topic that customers often underestimate until their tap starts dripping. A ceramic cartridge consists of two circular discs (usually made of aluminum oxide Al₂O₃ with a purity of 99% or higher), which are mutually so precisely polished that they do not let even a drop of water through without movement when properly set. The upper disc is connected to the lever and moves relative to the fixed lower disc. The holes in the discs overlap to varying degrees during movement – this regulates the flow and the ratio of hot/cold water.

A quality ceramic cartridge can last at least 500,000 cycles of opening and closing – that is about 90 to 100 years with normal household use (12–15 openings per day). The problem is not the wear of the ceramic itself, but the deposition of limescale and dirt between the discs. Therefore, in areas with hard water (over 20 °dH, which applies, for example, to much of western Slovakia), cartridges last much shorter – realistically 5 to 10 years – and then the tap starts dripping or has a stiff lever. More about this can be read in the article Replacing the seal and cartridge in a Balletto tap by yourself.

Tap for sink, bathtub and kitchen – differences in practice

Balletto lever handles are available in several functional versions depending on the installation location:

Sink tap: Compact shape, outlet height usually 150–220 mm, without swivel arm. Connection to standard hole spacing of 150 mm (G 3/8" or G 1/2" supply). The most frequently sold type in the entire Balletto range.
Shower/bathtub tap: Larger body dimensions, built-in bathtub/shower switch (divertor), G 1/2" hose connection. The lever is larger for comfortable operation from the bathtub. Some models also have a built-in shower set.
Kitchen tap (for sink): High spout arm (250–350 mm), often swivel 360° for double sink lines. The spout is either straight or with a high-flow aerator (min. 6 l/min). This category usually has a more robust construction due to higher daily load.
Corner and wall-mounted tap: Mounting on the edge of the bathtub, larger reach of the spout, often with a swivel arm or a drop for filling the bathtub from above.

In practice, I often encounter that customers underestimate the selection of the spout height. A sink with a shallow basin and a high-mounted tap causes problems when washing – water sprays out. On the contrary, a too low tap on a deep sink complicates, for example, washing hair. I always recommend checking the depth and height of the sink before choosing the tap model.

Thermostatic tap – comfort and energy savings

Thermostatic taps are one step more sophisticated than lever taps. Their main advantage is the separate control of temperature and flow – they have two independent knobs or levers. One sets how much water flows, the other determines the temperature. You can pre-select it so that it is always the same – without having to adjust the mix of cold and hot water every morning.

The thermostat inside the tap works on the principle of a thermostatic cartridge – a special actuator (usually wax or shape-memory alloy), which expands and contracts depending on the temperature of the passing water. This element automatically adjusts the ratio of cold and hot water so that the resulting temperature corresponds to the set value – even when the pressure in the system changes (for example, when someone else turns on the water in the kitchen).

When a thermostatic tap is really worth it

A thermostatic tap is not for everyone – in the usual use of a sink in the bathroom (washing hands, brushing teeth), it has no significant advantage over a lever tap, because you set the temperature individually each time. Its potential is fully revealed in a shower column or bathtub tap in a household with children or elderly people.

Specific situations from practice where a thermostatic tap makes a difference:

Family with small children: A safety lock against scalding is standard in most thermostats – automatic shut-off at 38 °C (or adjustable up to max. 42–48 °C). A child cannot accidentally open full hot water.
Household with multiple people with different preferences: Each person sets their favorite knob once, and every time they shower, it starts exactly there.
Hot water consumption: Because the temperature is correct almost immediately (you don't have to wait for the cold water to run out and reach the correct mix), hot water savings can be 10–20 % compared to a lever tap during a typical shower.
Luxury bathroom with a rain shower or multiple outlets: Thermostatic taps are the standard solution for shower systems with multiple outlets (head shower + handheld shower + side jets), where one thermostat is connected to multiple valves.

Difference between a shower and bathtub thermostat

Balletto, like other brands, distinguishes thermostatic taps according to the number of outputs (connection points). Two-way thermostatic taps have one thermostat and one flow valve with the possibility of switching between bathtub and shower (divertor). Three-way thermostatic taps add another output – for example, for a rain shower in the ceiling. When choosing, it is important to know how many outlets you will have and whether you want to activate them simultaneously or alternately.

Technical detail that surprises customers: the thermostatic cartridge requires a minimum pressure difference between cold and hot water for proper function (usually min. 0.5–1 bar) and a minimum flow (0.8–1.5 l/min). If you have very low water pressure (for example, older buildings with gravity-fed tanks), the thermostat may not work properly and will "dance" between temperatures. In such cases, I recommend a lever tap or a consultation with an installer before purchase.

Wall-mounted tap – aesthetics and durability at the cost of more complex installation

Wall-mounted taps are becoming increasingly popular in today's bathroom practice, and for good reason. The entire mechanism – including the body of the tap, valves and piping – is built into the wall. Only the external cover plate and control elements (knobs, levers, buttons) are visible from the outside. The result is a clean, minimalist look without water pipes and without a protruding body of the tap.

Balletto offers wall-mounted taps for shower enclosures and bathtubs, in versions with lever control and with a thermostat. The combination of wall-mounted installation and thermostatic temperature control is currently considered standard for premium bathrooms.

Wall-mounted shower system – what is inside the wall and what is outside

A wall-mounted shower system consists of two main parts:

Mounting box (installation box): Installed in the wall before tiling. It contains the valve body or thermostatic module, connections for cold and hot water (G 1/2" internal thread, axis spacing usually 150 mm), outlet connections for individual outlets and service shut-off valves. The depth of the box is usually 55–75 mm, which must be considered during the construction or renovation of the wall.
External set (trim kit): Cover plate (cover for the installation box), control elements and visible outlet elements (shower head, floor drain, etc.). This set is replaceable without any intervention in the wall – which is an important advantage when replacing or changing the design.

An important practical detail: Balletto wall-mounted shower systems are designed so that the external set can be replaced without breaking the tile. Service access to the internal valves is either through the cover plate itself (after unscrewing) or through service doors, which should be built into the adjacent wall or possibly into a false wall. When planning the bathroom, this access must always be planned in advance – otherwise every service becomes a renovation.

Types of Balletto wall-mounted shower systems

In practice, we distinguish the following basic versions of wall-mounted shower systems:

Single-function wall-mounted shower system: One valve, one outlet. Most commonly used for simple showering with a handheld shower. The price and installation are the most affordable in this category.
Dual-function with diverter: One mechanism, two outlets (e.g., overhead rain shower + handheld shower), switchable. Suitable for medium-sized bathrooms with multiple outlets.
Thermostatic wall-mounted system: A thermostatic module built into the wall, controlled by an external knob. It can serve 2–4 outlets simultaneously or alternately via individual wall-mounted valves. This is a solution for luxury shower areas and walk-in shower zones.
Bathtub wall-mounted shower system: A spout built into the length of the bathtub or into the tiling next to the bathtub, with hidden water supply. Extremely aesthetically effective, technically more demanding to install.

What to pay attention to before installing a wall-mounted shower system

Over the years of practice, I have seen many problems that arose because the customer bought a wall-mounted shower system without checking a few basic things. Here are the most important ones:

Wall thickness: A standard mounting box requires a minimum depth of 55–75 mm in the wall (without tiling). If you are renovating an older house with 30 mm thick brick and tiling, you may need to consider a false wall.
Wall material: A wall-mounted shower system is anchored to the wall using mounting brackets. In drywall without proper reinforcement, the box can loosen and twist over time – so it is necessary to pre-install steel reinforcement or choose a special mounting kit for drywall.
Water pressure: The recommended operating pressure for wall-mounted shower systems is 1.5–5 bar. At pressure above 6 bar, damage to seals and noise are possible – a pressure reducer is necessary.
Service access: Always, without exception, plan service doors or access panels on the back side of the installation box. Without them, it is not possible to close the water supply during repairs.

If you are renovating a bathroom and considering a wall-mounted shower system for the first time, I recommend reading the article Step-by-step installation of Balletto water supply system, where these steps are explained in more detail.

Comparison of types in everyday practice – who actually needs what

After years of selling and recommending taps to customers, I have a clear framework I orient myself by:

A lever tap is the right choice when you are replacing an existing tap, have standard requirements for a sink or kitchen faucet, have a limited budget (quality Balletto lever taps start in the tens of euros), do not plan any interventions in the wall and want a tap that you can install yourself and replace the cartridge yourself when a problem arises.

A thermostatic mixer makes sense in a larger bathroom with a shower cabin or bathtub, where multiple people shower daily, in households with children or seniors (temperature lock for safety), and when you want to save hot water. It is a reasonable middle ground between the classic and a full built-in installation.

A built-in mixer is appropriate during a complete bathroom renovation (where the tiling is being demolished anyway), in the construction of a new house or apartment, when you want a clean, minimalist design without visible hoses, or when you plan a more luxurious shower system with multiple outlets. It should be noted that a built-in mixer requires a professional plumber and good preparation – it is not something you can install in the wall over the weekend without experience.

Material finishes and surface treatments at Balletto

Regardless of type (lever, thermostatic, built-in), Balletto taps are made of brass (CW617N or a similar Cu-Zn-Pb alloy), which is standard in the bathroom taps segment. Brass is resistant to corrosion, has good machinability, and allows for precise insertion of ceramic cartridges or thermostatic inserts.

Surface treatment affects not only aesthetics but also resistance to water, soap, and cleaning agents. Balletto offers traditional chrome electroplating (PVD chrome), matte chrome, and in some series also a black matte finish. Black taps are trendy, but it should be known that they are more prone to visible fingerprints and require more delicate maintenance (no aggressive acids). Classic chrome finish remains the most durable and easiest to maintain surface. More on cleaning and care can be found in the article Maintenance and cleaning of Balletto taps – how to extend their lifespan.

Technical parameters to know before purchasing

A few numbers and values that every customer should know before ordering a tap:

Supply spacing: Standard is 150 mm (center of cold and center of hot water). Some older installations in panel buildings have different spacings (e.g., 120 mm) – always measure before purchasing.
Supply thread: Standard is G 1/2" external thread on supply hoses and G 1/2" or G 3/8" on the tap body. Balletto usually supplies taps with hoses and fittings.
Operating pressure: 0.5–6 bar (optimum 2–4 bar). Below 0.5 bar, thermostatic taps may have issues. Above 6 bar, a pressure reducer is necessary.
Flow rate (l/min): Basin tap with aerator: 5–8 l/min at 3 bar. Shower: 8–15 l/min. Bathtub (filling): 15–25 l/min. Kitchen: 6–12 l/min.
Max. temperature: Standard taps are designed for a max. of 65–70 °C on the supply pipe. If your hot water temperature exceeds 65 °C, a mixer or mixing station before the tap is necessary.

A more detailed explanation of these values can be found in the article What connection size and flow rate do I need for a tap.

Common faults and their relation to tap type

Each type of tap has different typical faults and service requirements. From experience in customer service:

Lever tap – dripping from the outlet is usually due to a worn or limescale-clogged ceramic cartridge. Replacement is simple and cheap (a cartridge costs 5–20 €), and a skilled DIYer can do it in 30 minutes. A rigid lever has the same cause – the cartridge needs to be replaced or cleaned of limescale.

Thermostatic tap – unstable temperature (water is sometimes warmer, sometimes colder) indicates a worn thermostatic insert or a clogged secondary filter. Replacing the thermostatic insert is more complex than replacing a cartridge, but still manageable by an experienced DIYer. In case of a fully clogged filter screen, the issue may also be low flow – decalcification (using citric acid) helps, see the article How to remove limescale from bathroom taps.

Built-in tap – dripping through the closed valve is the most common fault in older installations. The cause is a worn valve seal or dirt in the valve seat. Service is more complex due to access – this is why service doors are so important. If you don't have them, it may mean tearing up the tiling.

A comprehensive overview of faults and their solutions can be found in the article Common faults of water taps – dripping, stiff lever, weak flow.

Balletto in the market context – what this brand offers

Balletto is a mid-range brand that offers solid quality with a focus on functionality and availability of spare parts in its price range. It is not a premium brand like Hansgrohe or Grohe, nor is it a no-name product with questionable origin. For most Slovak households looking for a reliable tap with reasonable warranty and available service, Balletto is a logical choice. More on how Balletto compares to the competition can be found in the article Balletto vs other bathroom tap brands – what to focus on.

The full range of Balletto taps can be found at atria.sk in the Balletto category, where products are divided by type and use.

Most frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the main difference between a lever and a thermostatic tap?

A lever tap combines control of flow and temperature into one lever – you set the temperature each time you use it. A thermostatic tap has two separate controls: one for flow and one for temperature. You set the temperature once, and the tap maintains it automatically thanks to the thermostatic insert, which reacts to changes in pressure and temperature in the supply pipes. A thermostatic tap is more comfortable and safer (protection against scalding), but more expensive and technically more complex to service.

Can I replace a built-in tap with a surface-mounted one without breaking the wall?

Theoretically yes, if the water supply in the wall is terminated with accessible shut-off valves and connecting fittings at the correct height. In practice, this means you have to bury (or cover) the hole from the installation box and route the pipes outside the wall. I recommend consulting a plumber – sometimes it is more convenient to buy a new built-in box and keep the entire installation, just replacing the external set (trim kit).

Is a built-in tap suitable for DIY installation?

Partially. Rough installation (embedding the mounting box, connecting to the water supply) requires an experienced plumber and in many cases a review of the plumbing. The external set (rosettes, control knobs, shower head) can be installed by a skilled DIYer following the instructions. Never start with rough installation without turning off the water and without experience with soldering or compression fittings.

How long does a cartridge in a Balletto lever tap last?

With soft water (up to 10 °dH) and normal use (10–15 openings per day), realistically 8–15 years. With hard water (over 20 °dH, common for example in Bratislava or Trenčín), the lifespan is reduced to 4–8 years. Regular cleaning of the aerator and an annual flush with a cartridge cleaning solution extends the lifespan. Replacing the cartridge is simple and cheap – there is no reason to replace the entire tap just because the cartridge is worn.

What is a "divertor" in the context of taps and why do I need it?

A divertor (selector) is a mechanism that allows switching the water flow between two outlets – for example, between the bathtub spout and the handheld shower. In bathtub taps, the divertor is standard: when you pull the relevant knob or button, the water is redirected from the outlet to the shower hose. In shower systems with multiple outlets (rain shower + handheld shower), the divertor may be built into the thermostatic tap or as a separate built-in valve.

Can I install a shower column with a thermostat on an existing preparation for a lever tap?

It depends on the spacing and position of the supply lines. If you have surface-mounted supplies (surface installation) with a spacing of 150 mm at a height of about 100–110 cm, most shower columns with a thermostat can be connected directly – the column is mounted into the wall, and the supplies are connected to its base. If you have supplies at a different height or spacing, you will need extension or reducing fittings. In any case, before purchasing a shower column, measure the supply spacing and check the mounting height.

Conclusion

The choice between a lever, thermostatic, and wall-mounted Balletto faucet is not a matter of fashion or chance – it is a technical and economic decision that should be based on your specific needs, the condition of your plumbing system or bathroom, the water hardness in your area, and your experience with DIY maintenance. A lever faucet is reliable, inexpensive, and serviceable. A thermostatic faucet brings comfort and safety at an acceptable price. A wall-mounted faucet is a good investment during renovation, when you want a clean design and a long-term solution built directly into the structure of the bathroom.

If you are still unsure which type is right for you, also read other articles in this knowledge centre – especially How to choose Balletto faucets for your bathroom and kitchen and Frequently asked questions about Balletto faucets. And if you have specific dimensional or technical questions, take a look at the full range at atria.sk/balletto/.

Do you have a question about this topic?

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