Modern manufacturers offer a variety of faucets and elements of plumbing systems that can be various designs, with certain types of mechanism, of any quality. Even if the products of the highest quality were chosen, sooner or later everything can become unusable and a situation where flowing mixer, is familiar to many.
When the mixer begins to flow, the type of valve is first determined. If an ordinary faucet is installed that spins, most likely it has a rubber gasket installed. Such gaskets are installed in inexpensive models, but if the crane belongs to a more expensive category, or we are talking about a single-grip joystick crane, then it has a ceramic liner. But ceramics fail very rarely.
First you need to carefully consider where and how the water flows. If water flows from the tap, then the problem is gasket that just needs to be replaced. To do this, cover the cold and hot water, unscrew the valve using an adjustable wrench. If the surface of the valve is nickel-plated or coated, it is advisable to wrap the key jaws with a cloth so as not to leave ugly scratches on the surface of the parts. If the valves are too tight, you will have to use a second wrench to hold the pipe so as not to rip it off in the end.
After everything is unscrewed, you need to find the rubber gasket, which is located at the end of the crane box (a locking element in the mixer handle, which can also be replaced if necessary). It needs to be unscrewed, but if this is difficult to do, then you can soak it in WD40 or kerosene. In addition to replacing the gasket, you can clean the valve itself, which will not be superfluous for sure, and then screw it back.
Once upon a time, tow was used for sealing, many plumbers use it today. But more the best option technological materials will become - it can be a thread "Tangit" or a fum-tape. If a thread is used, it must be wound in two passes - first in the hollows along the thread, and then along the protrusions of the thread. If a fum tape is used, it must be wound in 5-6 layers, making sure that the winding goes exclusively in the direction of the thread twist. Otherwise, when trying to screw in the valve, the winding will be unwound.
Plumbing equipment is an integral part of the residential water supply system. The most common failure is a leaking faucet or faucet. You can fix leaks with the help of professionals or with your own hands. The main thing is to fulfill necessary work required quickly enough not to flood your apartment and the apartment of your neighbors, located on the floor below.
Reasons for the formation of leaks
The main causes of mixer leakage are:
- low quality product. Experts recommend purchasing mixers from the world's leading manufacturers, for example, the German company Hansgrohe or the Italian company Gessi. Large companies with years of experience works supply high-quality and reliable equipment;
- using rubber gaskets sealing elements. The most durable are seals made of silicone or paronite;
- the entry of contaminated water into the mixer from . To extend the life of sanitary ware, it is recommended to install filters for water purification;
- water hardness, which contributes to the formation of various deposits on the main parts of the mixer, which leads to product failure.
If all is removed possible reasons the formation of breakdowns, then high-quality mixers serve long time and do not require constant maintenance.
Fixing leaks with your own hands
Currently, the most common mixers are of two types:
- ball (single lever). Water adjustment is made by one handle located in the middle of the device;
- two-valve. Standard device with two taps for adjusting cold and hot water.
Troubleshooting Ball Mixers
To identify the cause of the leakage of ball valves, it is necessary to carefully examine the device. Water can enter:
- from the mixer body. This phenomenon indicates the presence of a crack on the body, which may be formed due to a manufacturing defect or mechanical impact. For immediate elimination, you can use or cold welding. But this measure is temporary: the mixer with a crack must be replaced;
For two-valve mixers, this breakdown is corrected in a similar way.
- from the joints of the individual parts of the mixer. Most often, the problem lies in the wear of the sealing rings, which must be replaced. If the leak ball valve after replacing the gaskets is not fixed, you will need to replace the cartridge.
To replace the gaskets in the mixer body, you must:
- block the flow of water into the plumbing device. Most often, you can turn off the water supply directly in the apartment. To do this, before the start of the wiring, cranes are installed. If there are no such taps, then you need to contact the Housing Office or management company to shut off the water in the basement;
- open the taps so that the water in the device flows out;
- dismantling the old gasket. In order to remove the sealing ring that has become unusable, it is enough to unscrew the mixer element that is leaking;
- installing a new gasket and assembling the mixer.
For each nodal element of the mixer, different gaskets are used. To correctly select a new sealing ring, you need to know dimensions gasket installed in one or another part of the product.
To replace the cartridge, you must perform the following steps:
- block and drain water from plumbing equipment;
- remove the decorative cap located on the mixer handle;
- loosen the fixing screw with a screwdriver and remove the lever;
- remove the retaining ring, through which the cartridge is attached to the mixer body;
- remove the cartridge. If you cannot loosen the cartridge with your hands, you can use an adjustable wrench;
- install a new device and assemble the mixer in the reverse order.
Since faucet cartridges are not standard, it is advisable to purchase a new device according to a sample taken from a sanitary ware.
Process self replacement mixer cartridge is discussed in detail in the video.
Troubleshooting Two Valve Mixer
The main causes of valve leakage are:
- aging or destruction of sealing rings;
- failure of the crane box.
We have already familiarized ourselves with the replacement of sealing rings. To fix the second problem, you need:
- turn off the water;
- remove the decorative trim from the mixer tap;
- loosen the screw located under the decorative trim. The screw is a locking device for the axle box;
- unscrew the crane box using an adjustable or open-end wrench;
- replace the gasket or the device itself, depending on the problem found;
- assemble the faucet in reverse order.
Valve leaks must be constantly monitored. It should be remembered that even a small leak, if not eliminated in a timely manner, can lead to serious consequences.
The most frequent breakdown one that is encountered in the bathroom is when the faucet is leaking. It is difficult not to pay attention to how it flows, since the annoying sounds of drops do not stop day or night. Moreover, your finances will literally flow into the sink, as water consumption will increase, and the meter performance will increase markedly.
No need to turn a blind eye to problems with the mixer, over time they can only get worse
Repairing a bathroom faucet yourself is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is enough just to figure out which one you have - single-lever or with valve heads. The repair of each of them implies certain nuances.
It is this type that is most often used in the modern world, since their wear resistance is higher than that of mixers of the "past" - with valve heads. But occasionally they fail. How to fix a faucet in a bathroom of this type?
Mixer leak
It is most often caused by small debris that gets stuck between the discs or balls and the ball sleeve. Repair of the mixer in this case is carried out by replacing the cartridge:
- it is necessary to remove the decorative plug (the handle that regulates the cold / hot water supply);
- under it is a screw that needs to be unscrewed;
- the screw secures the handle, which, after unscrewing it, is removed;
- under the handle there are upper and lower nuts, the last of which secures the cartridge, so we take it out and change the old cartridge to a new one.
Assemble in reverse order.
When buying a new cartridge, it is better to take the old one with you and compare them, as they are different types and sizes.
Scheme of a single-lever mixer
Weak water jet
Perhaps the most easily repaired defect for a bathroom faucet. Weak pressure usually caused by clogged aerator. In order for the water jet to become powerful again, it is enough to unscrew the aerator and clean the aerator mesh. Sometimes you just need to shake it, and sometimes you need to remove it. small particles, plaque, rust with a needle or other sharp object.
Simultaneous flow of water to the shower and drain
The reason for such a malfunction of the faucet in the bathroom is most often the wear of the rubber gaskets of the spool located in the switch. There are two of them, so to get to them from both sides and replace them, you have to tinker:
- disconnect the hose;
- dismantle the spout;
- unscrew the adapter;
- remove the decorative cap, unscrew the screw and remove the cartridge;
- remove the spool itself from the mixer body;
- replace the spool rubber rings with new ones.
By the way, they are not sold in the market or in stores. It is extremely difficult to buy them from the hands. Spare rubber rings usually come with a new faucet, so save them when you buy one and don't lose them.
Button Switch Problems
If you cannot switch the water supply to the shower because the switch button has sunk, this means that the spring has broken in it. It can be freely purchased in stores and is easy to change.
If you notice that the faucet in the bathroom is flowing in the area of \u200b\u200bthe push-button switch, then you need to:
- unscrew the button, and then the switch itself (a wrench will help you);
- pull up the exhaust rod;
- replace worn rubber gaskets with new ones;
- grease them with oil;
- collect everything in reverse order.
Repair of a mixer with two valve heads
The design of such a mixer is simpler, and therefore it is easier to repair it when breakdowns occur. Here are the most common ones.
Mixer leak
First of all, remove the decorative cap with a slotted screwdriver. After that, unscrew the screw with a Phillips screwdriver. Next, we are dealing with a nickel barrel, which is important not to damage when unscrewing. To dismantle it, use a gas or adjustable wrench. Then we unscrew the crane box and change the rubber gasket.
You can buy it, or you can cut it yourself from a sheet of rubber, the thickness of which is at least 4 mm. In the latter case, be prepared for the fact that this is not for long, and the faucet will leak again. Cutting the gasket yourself is more of a temporary step until you purchase a factory gasket.
Shower switch broken
The repair scheme is utterly simple:
- disassemble the mixer;
- identify the broken element;
- we change it.
Dismantling the mixer is only half the battle. The main thing is to collect it back.
Dripping water from a faucet
This may be due to two reasons:
- wear of rubber gaskets;
- conical plug defect.
In the first case, it is enough to replace the rubber gaskets. How this is done has already been discussed several times.
If you encounter the second problem, then you need to install a new conical plug.
3. Prevention of minor breakdowns: what should be done to avoid breakdown of the faucet?
In order not to bring the matter to repair, it is enough to observe following rules when working with a mixer:
- open and close it all the way, but without making any special efforts (if you feel that it doesn’t turn any further, you don’t need to press);
- periodically disassemble the mixer and lubricate it with oil (in this way increase its service life by 3-4 times);
- install a water filter that will prevent various debris from entering the mixer mechanism.
Every person with average ingenuity, free time and the ability to think logically can figure out how to fix the faucet in the bathroom.
