Even the highest quality plumbing breaks after a while. However, not everyone is able to independently solve the problem and fix the leaking faucet. Do not put off repairs for a long time. After all, a leak increases water consumption, spoils the appearance of plumbing with ugly smudges and traces of rust. You can fix the faucet yourself. What is required for this and how to repair?
Plumbing preparation
If the faucet is leaking, you can fix it yourself. To begin with, you should prepare everything. If the packaging from the mixer has been preserved, then it is worth finding it. As a rule, it will contain detailed instructions describing the structure of the accessory and some recommendations for its repair. In addition, the package may contain the tools needed to repair the faucet.
Before starting repairs, turn off the water. To do this, close the valve. In this case, it is necessary to turn off the supply of not only cold, but also hot water. A deep container is required to collect the liquid,for example a basin. Dry cloths or sponges should be on hand during repairs to wipe off splashes.
What will be needed for repairs
After the preparatory work, you can start troubleshooting the mixer. If a closed faucet is leaking, then special tools will be required to fix it. They need to be prepared in advance. For troubleshooting you will need:
- Wrench.
- Slotted screwdriver.
- Adjustable wrench.
- Phillips screwdriver.
- Replacement part.
- Sealing tape or linen.
- Soft material.
- Dry cloths.
- Deep capacity.
This simple set of tools is usually enough to fix a leak. If there is no time to run for new gaskets, then they can be made from leather or rubber. Usually the faucet leaks due to wear of this part. Soft material is required to protect the sink from damage. After all, the tool can slip out of your hands. As a result, ceramic products may break, and enamel may crack on metal ones.
Two-valve faucet: gasket replacement
Why is the faucet leaking? Most often, these accessories wear out the liner or gasket. To replace it, you need:
- Unscrew the valve body. To do this, the part must be rotated counterclockwise.
- The damaged gasket can now be removed.
- A new part should be made from a piece of thick leather or rubber. A worn gasket should be taken as a sample.
- New part neededcarefully install in place of the old one.
- Wrap some sealing tape around the stop edge. You can use linen.
- In conclusion, it is worth installing the valve body in its original place. To do this, the part must be rotated clockwise.
- The installed valve must be tightened well. You can use a wrench to do this.
If the faucet has been leaking for a long time and a quick replacement is required, a new gasket can be purchased from a specialized store. This will save time. As for the homemade part, it is more suitable for short-term troubleshooting.
How to replace the oil seal
A two-valve faucet leaks for several reasons: a gasket that has become unusable or wear on the sealing insert of the stuffing box. If necessary, both parts can be replaced independently. The wear of the stuffing box liner can be recognized by the flowing water between the valve stem and the stuffing box nut. To fix the breakdown, you must:
- Unscrew the nut of the stuffing box itself. This can be done using a screwdriver with the appropriate tip.
- From the sealing fluoroplastic tape it is worth making a new liner based on the old one.
- The worn part must be carefully removed.
- A new liner should be wrapped around the valve stem.
- Tighten the nut to finish.
If done right, the leak will stop. In this case, the valve will turn more smoothly.
Howreplace shower hose gasket
Often a leak appears in the place where the shower hose and faucet are connected. The main reason for such a breakdown is the wear of the ring gasket. This part can be easily replaced. To do this, it costs:
- Disconnect the shower hose from the faucet with a wrench. Everything must be done very carefully so as not to damage the thread. Otherwise, the hose itself will need to be replaced.
- The worn part can now be removed.
- In place of the old O-ring, a new one should be installed.
- Finally, it remains to screw the shower hose into place, being careful not to pinch it.
To eliminate such a leak, experts recommend using a silicone O-ring. Parts made of rubber are short-lived and wear out quickly.
If, when switching the water flow to the shower hose, the tap flows smoothly, then the locking element needs to be replaced. This part is called "crane box". The locking element is located in the mixer handle. You can buy a bushing crane in a specialized store.
Main causes of single-lever ball valve failure
If a tap leaks, then the problem must be fixed quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, water can cause more damage and permanently ruin the plumbing. Single-lever ball-type products may become unusable:
- Due to worn gasket.
- Chips and cracks on the hull caused by mechanicaldamage.
- The rusty aerator.
- Accumulations of large amounts of dirt.
- Clog between ball and seats.
Defect on the body can be repaired by applying cold welding or sealant. However, this is only a temporary measure. After some time, a complete replacement of the structure will be required.
If the cause lies in a rusty aerator, then it should be removed and then cleaned. You can do this with an old toothbrush. It should be noted that after cleaning, the water pressure will become stronger.
If the ball valve breaks
The ball valve has a more complex structure and differs from the two-valve. Most often, such products break due to dirt accumulated inside the case. It is she who disrupts the operation of the mixer. If water flows from the tap, then it must be disassembled, cleaned well and reassembled. This requires:
- Unscrew the screw securing the lever with a screwdriver with the appropriate tip.
- Carefully remove the lever and unscrew the threaded screw with a screwdriver.
- Then it is worth removing the plastic seal and the faucet dome.
- The gasket should be carefully inspected and then cleaned of plaque. If there is obvious damage, then it is worth replacing it.
- Now you can take out the ball and inspect it. If a part is damaged, then it should be replaced. You can buy a ball at any plumbing store.
- Using a thin screwdriver, you need to very carefully pry off the seal that fixes the ball. If necessary, the sealing gasket is worthreplace.
- All seals should be treated with a special compound recommended by manufacturers before assembling the faucet.
- Finally, it remains to assemble the crane, proceeding in reverse order.
Problems with new faucet
What to do if the faucet is leaking? How to fix a new faucet? As a rule, such products cannot be repaired. The main reason for their flow is a factory marriage. To troubleshoot, you should dismantle the new mixer and take it back to the store. Damaged product must be replaced. The main thing is not to throw away the check and documents before the first sample of the mixer. Only a professional plumber can repair a faucet that has a factory defect at home.
Can breakage be avoided
If desired, the faucet in the bath or in the kitchen can be repaired by yourself. This will save you a decent amount. However, repairs do not always allow you to fully restore the functions of the crane. In most cases, a complete replacement of the mixer is required. In order to avoid frequent breakdowns in the future, you should carefully consider the choice of accessory. Please note:
- Designs made from heavy metals such as brass are the most durable.
- The most unreliable and fragile are silumin faucets from Turkish and Chinese manufacturers.
- Single lever faucets are much more convenient. Such a product allows you to open the water with one hand. In addition, the repair of such accessories can be carried out independently. As part of a single-lever mixersignificantly fewer details.
- It is possible to avoid frequent breakdowns of the crane. The main reason for the failure of plumbing is pollution that comes from the water main. To prevent this, a coarse filter should be installed. Such a device will keep the crane intact for a long time.
Finally
A running faucet in the bathroom or in the kitchen is unpleasant. Constantly dripping water irritates and spoils the appearance of plumbing. You can fix the problem yourself. The main thing is to clearly imagine the structure of the structure and have the necessary tools at hand. Repair of the product also depends on its type. Most often, ball and two-valve mixers fail.
