Judging by the numerous reviews, a leaking faucet in the bathroom or in the kitchen is the most common problem. Don't close your eyes to her. The fact is that dripping water is very annoying, and if you have a meter installed, it will significantly hit the budget. To make repairs, you first have to unscrew the tap. Further, depending on the situation, you either repair it or change it to a new one. According to experts, there is nothing complicated in this matter. All you need is the right tool. You will learn how to unscrew the tap from this article.
A little about terminology
Judging by the reviews, beginners often confuse a faucet with a valve. Therefore, before unscrewing the tap, you should understand the terminology. A valve and a faucet are completely different elements. For example, the first is equipped with threads at both ends and is mounted in a pipe break. Through himwater cannot run, since the task of the valve is only to block it. The valve is installed at the very end of the pipe. Attach it to pipes or fittings. In the sink and sink, it is connected to the system by means of a special hose, which is equipped with a thread at one end. Through the second, water is removed from the system. Faucets are installed over sinks, in bathrooms and showers. The inside of the device is equipped with a special mechanism, the task of which is to regulate the water supply. There is also a device that mixes hot and cold water. This explains why it is also called a mixer. It can be equipped with either two separate cranes or a single integrated one. How to turn off the tap? What will it take?
Tools
Before you turn off the tap on the mixer, you need to get the following tool:
- Gas or multiple socket wrenches. For this purpose, you can also use adjustable welding tongs.
- A durable fabric to work on chrome and nickel surfaces.
- Flat and Phillips screwdrivers.
- Knife.
- Tweezers. It is needed to remove thin gaskets.
- A flashlight and a mirror.
Types of taps
According to experts, there are two types of water taps. Structurally, they differ from each other, and therefore they are dismantled in different ways. Cranes are ball and worm. How to unscrew the water tap, read on.
About the worm
For those who do not know how to unscrew a worm-type tap, it is advisable to first familiarize yourself with its device. According to experts, this system is considered quite outdated. Milled faucet body is made by casting from bronze or steel.
It has a thread for a crane box. A product with a threaded inlet pipe, which is located below. The output of water from the system is carried out through the spout on the left. The most difficult node is considered to be a crane box, inside which water is blocked with the help of a rod moving up and down along the thread with a rubber gasket. At the top of the system there is a place for a handle. It can take the form of a steering wheel or a washer. By turning the handle, the stem is displaced, closing or opening the water. To fully open the worm valve, the handle has to be made several turns. Faucets are equipped with two separate bushings for cold and hot water.
About fixing breakdowns
The question of how to unscrew the tap may arise in the following cases:
- If the working gasket is worn out. It should simply be replaced by first dismantling the axle box.
- Maybe the thread has worn out. It needs to be replaced.
- If the problem is with the valve seat, then the entire mixer will have to be replaced.
- If the valve body is damaged, the design changes entirely.
How to turn off the faucet in the kitchen or bathroom?
If it became necessary to repair the worm crane, then you need to perform the following steps. Before disassembling the mixer, experts first of all turn off the water. The handle has a plastic cap. They pick her up with a knife and pull her out.
Now you can unscrew the screw that secures the handle. To remove, just pull it towards you. Further, using an adjustable or socket wrench, the axle box is unscrewed from the body. The sealing gasket is removed from it and inspected. To dismantle it, the axle box should be firmly held with a key, and with a screwdriver, unscrew the screw with which the gasket is attached to the structure. In addition to the question of how to unscrew the faucet in the bathroom, beginners are interested in how to assemble it? This is done in reverse order. Before screwing in the axle box, experts advise wrapping fum-tape or some other sealant on its thread from the outside. For example, tow. In order for the thread to remain intact, it is not necessary to put a lot of effort during screwing. It is possible that after replacement, the gasket will not last long. In this case, you will have to change the entire mixer.
About ball valve
According to experts, it has a more modern design and is more convenient to use. The brass bushing and rubber gasket in the body were replaced with a plastic cartridge. Mixer in ball valve withtwo inlets. Cartridge with ceramic ball inside. The building has windows. If the faucet is closed, they do not line up with the slots in the ball.
The handle can move in one of three directions. It was connected to a slotted ball through a control rod. When the ball is rotated, its slots begin to align with the windows, as a result of which water will flow in a larger or smaller stream. For example, if the handle is raised higher, then there will be a greater combination of windows and slots, and, consequently, the water pressure will be stronger. The proportion when mixing hot and cold water is adjusted by turning the knob left and right. You don't need to raise or lower it. It should be average. Thus, with just one hand, you can set the temperature and water pressure. In addition, the design provides a special aerator, which enriches the water with air. The disadvantage of ball valves is that, unlike worm valves, they are more expensive. However, cartridge life is longer than rubber pads.
How to fix it?
Based on consumer feedback, cartridges often wear out in ball valves. In this case, they are removed and replaced with new ones. The sealing gasket may also wear out. It is also changed, having previously disassembled the crane body. The hull itself must be replaced if it is destroyed or damaged.
Where to start disassemblyfaucet?
As in the case of the worm valve, the water is also shut off before removing the ball valve. In order not to lose small parts, plug the drain hole in the sink with a plug. How to unscrew the faucet handle? First, using a screwdriver or other sharp object, the two-color plug is dismantled. It is located below the handle. Then you will see a hole in the form of a narrow strip. Inside there is a screw that needs to be unscrewed with a screwdriver. When repairing some models of ball valves, a hexagon cannot be dispensed with at this stage.
After completing these steps, pull the handle up and remove. It is possible that you will have to make an effort, since the handle is usually set very tightly.
What to do next?
At this stage, the ball mechanism is removed from the body. To get it, first, a rounded cap is unscrewed in the cartridge. Since a plastic nut is mainly used to fix it, the slightest careless movement and it will be deformed. Already in the extracted ball mechanism, the condition of thin rubber sealing rings is examined. If they are worn out, replace them with new ones. You can buy suitable parts in a specialized store. If you are new to such matters, most likely you will make the wrong choice, and therefore take the ball mechanism with you. The fact is that parameters such as the height of the rubber seal, its outer and innerdiameters.
Second way
It is possible that you will have to deal with a ball valve with a slightly modified design. For this reason, its filling is extracted differently. First of all, remove the shield. It is made of plastic and has a yellow color. Seals in such designs are black. Dirt and mineral deposits often remain on the shield. They should be cleaned carefully. After dismantling the plastic shield, a slotted ball is taken out. Pull it up. When you remove it from the system, then carefully examine it. It should not have any scratches or scuffs. If these flaws exist, then it is more expedient to replace the ball with a new one. Next, you should do three rubber sealing rings. They are located inside the case. Worn parts are recommended to be replaced. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.
What do experts advise?
Often, beginners do not know which way to unscrew the tap. Since the usual thread is right-handed, you need to turn it to the left, namely counterclockwise. Very often, when starting repairs, a home craftsman notices that the faucet is rusty. How to unscrew it in this case? According to experienced craftsmen, in order for the nuts to turn away easily, they need to be lightly knocked on. This is best done with a rubber mallet or mallet. This method is mechanical. How else to unscrew a rusty faucet? In addition to the hammer, some craftsmen also use diesel fuel orkerosene. Just apply a few drops to a rusted threaded connection.
Some home craftsmen descale with table vinegar. Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, the substance will work in half an hour. Of course, if there are few deposits. The nut can start spinning after 10 minutes or after several hours. Also for this purpose, a universal professional product is sold in specialized stores, namely WD-40 impregnation. After working with chemicals, it is advisable to rinse the parts thoroughly in warm water. Judging by the reviews, the thermal method is considered quite effective. You will need a construction or household hair dryer. To prevent rubber parts from melting, you need to work at low capacities. The essence of this method lies in the fact that steel and brass have different coefficients of expansion. Steel expands under heat faster than brass, and therefore you will soon be able to rotate an element from it. Some craftsmen boil the dismantled mixer for a couple of hours in a soda solution. It also, judging by the reviews, dissolves neoplasms quite well.
