How to fix a faucet in the bathroom

FLOWING Faucet IN THE KITCHEN - HOW TO REPAIR YOURSELF

To repair a kitchen faucet you will need:

• knife with a sharp end;
• hex and adjustable wrench;
• screwdrivers;
• a new cartridge, valve box, rubber gasket, etc. - depends on which part you will be changing;
• WD40 is a technical aerosol that will come in handy if the parts are "stuck" to each other. However, you can get by with the traditional tapping of a hammer on a screwdriver, but there is a great risk of damage to the mixer.

Regardless of which faucet you have installed, before starting the repair, you must shut off the water supply in the system and drain the remaining water into a sink or a separate container. To do this, just open the tap. Then you can start repairing it, taking into account the design features.

To repair a single lever mixer, you need a hex wrench

SINGLE LEVER KITCHEN MIXER REPAIR

The main principles of repair are sequence of actions and accuracy.

1. Using a thin screwdriver or knife, pry and remove the decorative plug on the valve body.
2. In the resulting hole, you will see a screw that connects the lever and adjusting rod. Unscrew it with a hex wrench.
3. Remove the lever from the body and unscrew the decorative cover. This can be done even with your hands, if the parts are not stuck to each other.

Removing the decorative cover

1. A locking (clamping) nut will be located under it. Unscrew it carefully with an adjustable wrench or by tapping a screwdriver with a hammer.
2. If you are disassembling a ball mixer, you will see a sealing collar under the nut. Inspect it for dirt, deformation, and tears. Take out the ball. Examine its surface - it should be flat and clean. It is necessary to remove the seals and supporting springs - their poor condition can leak the valve.
3. If you disassemble the faucet with a cartridge, then remove it and subject it to a thorough inspection.
4. Replace the defective part.
5. Reassemble the tap in reverse order.

Installing a new cartridge

To extend the life of the product and ensure the smooth running of its rubbing parts, you can use a special silicone grease.

Removing the mixer flywheel

TWO-VALVE MIXER REPAIR

What to do if a two-valve faucet is dripping in your kitchen? Almost everything is the same.

• Hook and remove the decorative plug on the valve flywheel.
• Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screw securing the flywheel.
• Take off the flywheel. There will be a crane box in front of you.
• Unscrew it counterclockwise and examine it.

Removing the crane axle box

• If this is a worm-type axle box and its gasket is damaged, replace it separately - buy it in the store (it costs a penny) or cut it out of rubber of suitable thickness yourself. The axle box with ceramic discs is completely changed.
• Assemble the crane in reverse order.

General scheme of work on repair of the mixer

Everything is as simple as possible and slightly resembles a constructor. But faucet leaks are not the only problem that you may encounter while using it in the kitchen.

How to repair a single lever mixer in case of leaks

Typically, this kind of leak occurs as a result of cartridge breakage. This element has the form of a composite cylinder, below which there are three holes. One of them is intended for the flow of cold water, the second for hot water, and through the third, the already mixed warm flows.

Replacing the cartridge in the mixer

Depending on the mechanism used for mixing cold water with hot, cartridges are divided into two types: ceramic and ball. In the upper part of the cartridge there is a rod with a lever of the mixer itself attached to it.This is where the leak comes in.

What are the signs to determine the moment when it is time to replace the mixer cartridge?

The main ones are:

• there is no supply of cold or hot water;
• spontaneously the water becomes hot and cold, and without using a lever;
• the valve does not close completely or does not function normally;
• switching the lever, you need to make a fairly significant effort;
• the presence of a leak from under the lever.

Repair of single-lever mixers

Instead of two-valve mixers, single-lever mixers are increasingly used in the kitchen and bathroom. In them, both the water pressure and the temperature are regulated using one lever: the temperature to the right - to the left, the pressure up and down.

Mixer cartridges are more durable than gaskets

These mixers use disc or ball cartridges, which are much more durable than gaskets, but also more expensive. It is not difficult to notice that the cartridge needs to be replaced - water begins to ooze and flow in the "wrong" places. Externally, different models have quite a lot in common, but the internal structure of the "ball" and "discs" is different, so you will not be able to replace one cartridge with another. When buying, you need to know exactly which cartridge you need. At first, it is better to entrust the replacement to a specialist, observe the work of the master, and then you can try and deal with the breakdown yourself.

Let's figure out how to fix a ball valve. Its repair cannot be called a simple procedure. We will offer a specific sequence to be followed when eliminating a tap leak:

• first you need to turn off the water supply and drain the remaining water from the system;
• then unscrew the screw that holds the mixer lever;
• slightly loosening, pull the lever part up and remove;
• the opened threaded connection is unscrewed clockwise;

• the dome of the crane is removed and the plastic part underneath is removed;
• if a plaque is found on the gasket, it is carefully removed, and if the seal itself is worn out, gently replace it;
• carefully inspect the ball, taking it out of the attachment point, if there are obvious defects, then replacement will also be required;
• the seals that fix the ball are also dismantled and inspected; if necessary, change to new ones;
• after all the "medical" procedures, the tap is assembled and checked for leaks.

After the screw is unscrewed, the lever part is slightly loosened up and removed.

Preventive actions

Experienced plumbers recommend getting rid of problems with taps even at the stage of their use, for this it is necessary:

• Install filters. Modern water in urban systems “kills” any tap in six months.
• Do not spin the mixer unnecessarily. Any intervention will shorten the life of the seals.
• Close the tap tightly. Due to incomplete closure, the seals also wear out.
• Do not delay repairs if necessary. Most faults are much easier to fix early.

Thus, all malfunctions of the faucet in the bathroom can be prevented by an ordinary person.

Exercise caution when working and heed our prevention tips

Shower Switch Repair

There are several types of shower switches, let's take a look at some of them.

Zolotnikovy

The leakage in such switches comes from under the handle, which opens and closes the water supply.

Reasons for the malfunction:

• the rubber rings on the swivel rod have worked or not,
• the gasket on the axle box is worn out,
• the axle box is unscrewed.

After correcting or replacing parts, the switch must be assembled and checked. Do not forget about the lubrication of the switching mechanism.

Button

To disassemble this mechanism, you need to turn off the tap, remove the cap, unscrew the screw and pull out the button with the spring.

Breakdown reasons:

• the spring has sagged and does not hold,
• the valve rings are worn out.

If the spring has subsided, it is worth replacing it with a new one or making it yourself. To do this, it is stretched and heated red-hot, after which it is dipped into cold water. After cooling, it is necessary to reheat for uniform hardening. You can also make a wire spring in the same way.

If the valve rings become brittle, replace them. After replacement, the entire mechanism must be lubricated with petroleum jelly or other lubricant.

Suberic

The main malfunction is that the plug does not adhere well to the body and is leaking. It can also be:

• poor rubbing,
• erosion of the mechanism,
• presence of solid particles in the housing.

In order to fix such a switch, you must unscrew the screw, remove the handle, unscrew the nut and remove the retaining ring. After a thorough inspection, grease the parts with Vaseline and reassemble.

Faucet breakdown reasons

To start repairing a mixer, you need to know the frequent problems and malfunctions of mixers that may arise during operation.

The second reason may be that old-style materials are used in the production, for example, if you use rubber for a gasket, then such a gasket will last less time than a silicone one. An important point is that the silicone gasket is less deformed and does not deteriorate from drying out.

The most common reason in our time is hard and dirty water that goes through pipes. This water forms deposits in the mixers and contributes to the destruction of seals and other parts of the device. Also, this reason contributes to the corrosion of metals.

These were the reasons for the breakdowns of the mixers, and now it is necessary to disassemble the specific malfunctions that may arise.

Two-valve

Breakdowns for two-valve mixers are usually the same as for single-lever devices. Usually, the elimination of problems does not require the intervention of a specialist, because everything can be quickly fixed on your own. The most common breakdowns are usually the following:

• wear of oil seals;
• wear of the flywheel rubber gaskets;
• leakage from under the valve;
• leakage from under the spout union nut.

Two-valve mixer diagram

The old oil seal is changed according to the following scheme:

• first it is necessary to seal the gland, if this does not help, then it will need to be completely replaced;
• to replace this sealing element, unscrew the union nut and remove the stuffing box sleeve;
• then the old oil seal is removed;
• it is necessary to perform a high-quality seal, for this the valve stem is wound;
• an oil seal is installed;
• after that it is necessary to put the bushing in place and tighten the union nut.

How to replace the old rubber gasket:

• first you need to shut off the water and remove the casing, which is attached to the bolt and held on the thread;
• the neck is removed with a wrench;
• at the bottom of the neck there is an old rubber gasket, which is replaced by a new element;
• after that, the mixer is assembled in the reverse order.

Dismantling a two-valve mixer

The appearance of a leak from under the valve can occur due to a pin ejected from the stem. This problem can occur because the pin was not seated tightly initially, or because the sealing tape wrapped around it has worn out and is worn out. In this case, the water is shut off, the flywheel is removed from the valve head and the fallen stem is removed. Next, a sealing tape is wound up and the pin is installed in place.

Water leakage from under the spout union nut can occur due to wear of the rubber gasket. In this case, remove the union nut of the spout, remove the old gasket and replace it with a new one. Cut a new gasket yourself from rubber material.

If a leak appears from the tap, then it must be disassembled and inspected.A dripping mixer is the first sign that the device of this element needs repair. Do not start this process, otherwise you will have to completely change the mixer. Therefore, if your faucet is dripping, immediately proceed to troubleshoot the problem.

Lever cranes: repair

Newfangled lever models that allow you to adjust the water temperature with a single lever are considered more reliable, although they also fail. How to fix a faucet - so it doesn't drip - of this type? The most common cause of a lever valve leak is that it is clogged. In this case, you need to do the following:

• remove the decorative plug, thanks to which the water supply is carried out;
• unscrew the screw, and with it dismantle the handle, which is fastened with it;
• get the bottom nut under the handle and replace the cartridge with a new one.

The crane is assembled in reverse order. How to fix the video when water is dripping from the tap, you can find out by watching a thematic video.

Another common problem is a weak water jet. Cleaning the aerator will help to correct this defect. It is located on the mixer spout. You can even unscrew the aerator with your bare hands, without resorting to pliers.

Often the reason why the faucet is leaking is the wear of the rubber gasket. The latter has contact with water, is under pressure, can dry out, which has a bad effect on its service life. Sometimes the gasket lasts up to 7 years, but this rarely happens. The malfunction is accompanied by an unpleasant hum coming from the bathroom. In this case, disassemble the mixer and replace the gasket.

These are the recommendations on how to fix if the faucet is running in the kitchen. In addition, problems often arise not with the tap itself, but with the push-button switch that transfers water to the shower. If it does not work, the spring has broken, then it can be easily replaced. If a leak is observed, it is necessary to replace the old gaskets in it with new ones.

Cranes of this design are considered simpler and more convenient in terms of repair. How to fix when water flows from a valve-type tap? In this case, a worn out gasket is most often to blame. To do this, unscrew the valve by turning it counterclockwise, and remove the part that has become unusable. The gasket, which should come to replace its predecessor, can be made from rubber with your own hands. As an alternative to home making, purchase a new part.

Leaking faucet mixer in the kitchen? Perhaps the reason lies in the wear of the gland seal. In this case, water comes out when the tap is in the open position. The algorithm for how to fix the current faucet in the kitchen, in this case, is simple: unscrew the gland nut, remove the unusable liner and replace it with a new one. The latter can be made from a sealing tape. If the work is done correctly, the question of how to fix it - if a faucet drips in the kitchen, it will cease to be relevant.

There are times when a newly installed gasket lasts for several days, and then water problems begin again. This indicates that cracked irregularities have formed in the saddle. You can get rid of them with the help of a special cutter on the body, which replaces the worm crane.

An alternative to the capricious "worm" can be a mixer with ceramic discs. What to do - when the ceramic faucet leaks? Its owners usually do not have such questions for several more years during operation. If, nevertheless, problems appear, then it is simple to fix them by tightening the lock nut, which is located on the body. The recommendations are similar if you want to know how to fix a plastic faucet.

Sometimes it is necessary to change the O-ring. It is its deterioration that is the reason that the faucet is leaking in the kitchen in the area where the mixer and shower hose are attached.The replacement is carried out as follows: unscrew the shower hose with a wrench (this must be done as carefully as possible) and take out the old seal.

In more detail, you can find out how to fix if the faucet is leaking in the kitchen, from the video.

How to fix a faucet leak

What to do if the valve leaks in the closed position? If a two-valve mixer is leaking. Such a crane has been used in apartments for many decades. It's just that nowadays it has become more modern. But the principle of the device is the same, and there are exactly the same malfunctions. The two-valve mixer is designed in such a way that one valve responds to the supply of cold water, and the other to hot water. This mixer uses a worm gear. And the most common malfunction in a two-valve mixer is when water drips from the tap, that is, the tap leaks.

In this case, the gasket in the tap fails. You can replace it yourself. The required product can be bought at any specialized store or on the market. Many men know how to fix a tap. After all, not everyone wants to call a master because of such a minor breakdown. Replacement sequence:

1. First you need to shut off the hot and cold water.
2. Unscrew the fixing wing and bolt.
3. The valve body must be unscrewed using an adjustable wrench counterclockwise.
4. Replace the old rubber gasket with a new one.
5. Then you should take any seal that is available, and wind it clockwise under the stop flange onto the thread.
6. Then screw on the body. The valve is fixed with a screw, that is, it is assembled in the reverse order.

But it so happens that a new gasket is installed, the tap in the bathroom functions normally for some time, but after a while it is discovered that the tap is leaking again.

In this case, the cause must be sought in the so-called valve saddle. After prolonged use, it can crack, serrate and wear out. Then you should walk through the problem area with a cutter, align it. And the tap will stop flowing.

In modern cranes, instead of a worm gear, a crane box containing ceramic discs is often used. In this case, if the tap is leaking, then you need to tighten the lock nut more tightly, which is in some models.

If it is not possible to eliminate the leak, then the valve should be replaced.

How to fix a faucet with a cartridge

There are slotted plates inside the valve with the cartridge. The lower one is securely fixed, while the upper one remains movable and is connected to the stem. Turning the lever moves the stem and displaces the movable plate, thereby delivering water.

If problems arise in the functioning of a crane with this design, a new cartridge must be installed. In most situations, water begins to flow from under the handle, and it is impractical to try to repair the structure. When starting the assembly of the component, first shut off the water and then remove the handle. To do this, take out the plug hiding the screw, lift the handle up and remove the pressure ring. After replacing the cartridge, the assembly of the structure is carried out in the reverse order.

The consequences of leaks

Often people for years simply close their eyes to the fact that the faucet is dripping in the bathroom, without taking any action. In fact, "chronic" leaks tend to lead to much bigger problems. Therefore, a leaking shower mixer or faucet can lead to an emergency and extensive leakage. The most negative consequences of the leakage of plumbing on the territory of the bathroom are:

• Increase of humidity inside the bathroom. The bathroom is already characterized by high humidity, which negatively affects the finishing materials and furniture inside the room, and a dripping faucet further increases the amount of moisture in the air.

• Annoying sounds. When a faucet or mixer is leaking, the sound of falling drops is heard throughout the apartment, especially if the sink or bathtub is made of thin-walled metal.Historians claim that during the Middle Ages they even tortured with such sounds, so it is not surprising that this situation annoys households.
• Increased water consumption. Almost every apartment is now equipped with meters installed on the water supply pipes, therefore, when a mixer, faucet or shower flows in the bathroom, water consumption increases significantly, and therefore utility bills.
• Danger of flooding lower floors. If you do not figure out in time why the tap is leaking and the cause of the breakdown is not eliminated, the situation can worsen and result in an extensive leak, which will ruin the repair not only in your bathroom, but also in the apartment of the neighbors below.

Who is to blame, or why is the tap leaking?

If the tap is leaking, the reasons can be identified at the place of the leak.

The main "culprits" of the leak:

• Damage to the rubber seal. Repeated switching on and off of water leads to natural wear of the moving parts of the crane, including rubber seals - cracks appear, size changes, flattened and tucked. When a closed tap flows, the reason is precisely in the gasket, which will have to be replaced.

• Oil seal wear. The gland seal tends to wear out quickly. It is very simple to identify this cause - in the closed position, no malfunctions with the mixer are visible, but as soon as the tap opens, water begins to leak from under the valves.
• Poor installation. Errors made during the assembly and installation of the mixer, sooner or later lead to a leak. For example, excessive force when tightening the nut damages the gasket and accelerates its wear. A loose connection or a defect in the flexible hoses leads to the fact that water simply flows under the tap.
• Ball cartridge dirty. The device of the ball mixer cannot be called successful - there are tightly fitted parts inside the body, which react very "painfully" to mechanical impurities from tap water. To eliminate the leakage of the ball valve, it must be completely disassembled and cleaned.
• Mixer wear... As a rule, all cranes have their own operational shelf life, therefore, over time, wear of the thread, gander filter or locking mechanism is possible. In this case, neither replacing the sealing and turning elements, nor tightening the nuts will help - the mixer will still have to be replaced completely.

Repair of a two-valve crane

How to repair a two-valve faucet? The specifics of the repair work depends on the cause of the leak.

Gasket problem

How to determine if the gasket needs replacement? Try to tighten the tap tightly. Even if it continues to leak, the problem is probably with the gasket. To replace it, follow these steps:

1. We remove the valve body. To do this, scroll it counterclockwise;
2. We take out the old gasket;
3. By analogy with the old gasket, we make a new one. For this we need rubber or thick leather;
4. A new gasket is inserted into the structure;
5. A seal is screwed onto the thrust edge;
6. The valve body is screwed on again and then tightened with a wrench.

Important. You don't have to do the gasket yourself

They can be found in any store of the corresponding focus. A homemade product is usually used when the leak is strong and there is no time to visit the store.

Problem in the gland packing

How can you tell if a leak is due to a worn seal? In this case, a leak is observed near the valve stem. Water starts to flow when you open the tap. To eliminate the problem, it is recommended to carry out the following work:

1. Unscrew the gland nut. For this we need a screwdriver;
2. We make a new insert from a fluoroplastic sealing tape;
3. We remove the old insert.We screw a new one onto the valve stem;
4. The nut is tightened.

Important. At the end of the work, try to turn the valve

It should turn smoothly. Also check if the leak has been repaired. Only in this case can we assume that everything was done correctly.

Read a separate article on how to change the mixer.

Shower hose O-ring problem

In the event that the O-ring is worn out, a leak is usually observed in the area of ​​the connection between the hose and the mixer. To fix the problem, you will need to carry out the following work:

Carefully, so as not to damage the thread, the hose is unscrewed. This requires an adjustable wrench;
The old seal is removed;
Ring lining is installed;
The hose is screwed in.

After the work is done, you should turn on the water and check if the leak has been eliminated. If a small leak remains, it is worth considering replacing the locking elements (crane boxes). You can purchase new closures at any plumbing store.

Leakage reasons

Leakage is the most famous problem that occurs with plumbing.

And it doesn't matter if it is in the kitchen or the bathroom. A tap leak can appear for many reasons.

Table # 1. Reasons for valve leakage.

Cause
Solution
Poor mixer quality
Often times, in order to save some amount of money, people prefer lower cost mixers. But it is worthwhile to understand that cheap taps can leak water. It is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid this problem if you have already purchased such a mixer. Therefore, when buying, always choose only tools from trusted manufacturers, whose products you are sure of. It also happens that you buy a product from a well-known brand at a low cost. Here you need to be able to distinguish a fake from the original, because a common model is unlikely to be sold for a penny.
Incorrect installation of the mixer
This is the second most common reason. Most often occurs in people who, without experience, install the mixer on their own. Also included are cases of improper assembly of the faucet. With such errors, often even the most expensive mixers lose all their advantages, begin to drip, rust, creak. To solve the problem, you must trust the installation of mixers to people who have a lot of experience in this and cannot in the hands of a mixer with unfamiliar structures or fastening systems, etc.

If you give this work into the hands of a master, be sure to check the availability of qualifications, otherwise you risk losing time and money.
Incorrect use of the mixer
Although the mixer provides for the possibility of twisting and moving in the other direction, or the rotation of the screws, you still need to work with it with extreme caution. Problems in this direction can arise if you applied great force during installation of the mixer, turned the valve itself at the wrong angle, lifted up or pressed down, unscrewing the screws further than necessary. All this spoils the product and in the future can lead not only to the heat of the crane, but also to the final breakdown. In this case, the only solution is to buy another crane and handle it with care.
Wear of parts
Few people think that the crane is literally "outliving" itself

Constant on / off of the lever, the movement of parts over time wears out materials. This is especially the case with rubber gaskets; it is not difficult to solve this when some of the materials have been damaged. It will be enough to replace them here. This can be prevented by carrying out preventive maintenance of the cranes.
Equipment expiration date
Although this happens less often, even this reason can lead to water leakage. As a result, you will also have to buy a new faucet, which can last several years if used correctly.

Plumbing set

Causes and procedure for eliminating leaks in a single-lever valve

To repair a single-lever mixer with your own hands, you need to establish the reasons for its breakdown. There can be many of them, let's consider the main ones:

• mechanical damage caused by breakage of the case or the formation of cracks on it;
• the formation of a gap on the seats and the ball;
• working out on the strip;
• malfunction of the aerator due to rusting of the material;
• gap on the aerator.

If the problem arose due to a broken case, it is worth using a waterproof sealant or cold welding. The necessary parts are wiped off with a rag, the damaged areas are carefully smeared. However, such repairs will not last long, and soon it will be necessary to replace the body completely.

If the tap is leaking, but it is impossible to determine the cause of the malfunction from the outside, then you need to completely disassemble the entire mechanism and look for the cause thoroughly, checking each detail separately:

1. To begin with, the water supply is shut off, then the plug is removed with a screwdriver.
2. Next, you need to unscrew the screw that holds the decorative cap.
3. Then the cartridge is pulled out - for this, the nut is unscrewed with a key. All details should be reviewed for defects. If none are found, move on.
4. Having removed the valve completely, we look at the gasket, springs, ball and rubber seal. The developed parts should be replaced with new ones. The rest are wiped with a rag from accumulated sediments and deposits.

One of the most common problems is debris getting under the ball and valve seat. In this case, you will have to change the entire cartridge as a whole.