Single lever faucets are increasingly installed in bathrooms and kitchens. Such taps have recently become an excellent replacement for the usual old stuffing box mixers. Ball valves are convenient in that they have only one handle for regulating the pressure and temperature of the water. Despite the convenience, taps often break, and it is not always possible to call a plumber. Therefore, every man should know how to disassemble a single-lever mixer in both the kitchen and the bathroom.
Varieties of taps
Usually, one of two types of faucets are installed in apartments: single-lever or gland faucets with two taps.
Single-lever faucet allows you to adjust the water pressure and its temperature by tilting and turning the handle. The mixers of this type themselves are divided into two types: ceramic and ball. The device of a ceramic mixer is quite complex, it has ceramic-metal plates that fit tightly to each other and ensure tightness and pressurewater. Ball valves got their name from the design used: pressure and temperature are regulated by a ball mechanism with three holes.
In gland mixers, you need to adjust the water with two knobs each time after turning it on.
The tool you need to get the job done
If there is a weak pressure in the tap, or the mixer itself is leaking, repairs are needed. You do not know how to disassemble a single-lever mixer? Stock up on the following tools and supplies:
- flat screwdriver;
- hex key;
- pliers;
- sealing grease;
- wrench;
- work gloves;
- chrome stripping cloth.
Pros and cons of single-lever faucets
Each mixer has some pros and cons in operation. The advantages include the divided adjustment of the strength of the flow of water and its temperature. The presence of only one handle at the mixer allows, after the selected optimal temperature, to leave the tap in this position and no longer adjust, but change only the flow rate. An equally important plus will be the relatively low cost with good reliability, as well as a large assortment that will satisfy even the most capricious buyer.
The disadvantage will be strong friction between the gaskets during adjustment, when solid particles enter the water, the tightness of the mixer is broken, which requires the installation of a water filter.
If you know exactly how to disassemble a single-lever mixer, you canavoid many problems when working.
Mixer device
Before disassembling a single-lever bath or shower faucet, you need to find out how it works. The design of such a mixer consists of a large number of elements, despite the fact that it is a rather small mechanism.
Durability and reliable operation in the faucet is ensured by a non-separable ceramic cartridge, which is one of the design elements. There are no seals in the single-lever mechanism, because all its elements are precisely adjusted to each other. In fact, there is nothing to break in such a mixer, but most often breakdowns occur due to the appearance of scale in the locking mechanism. That is why, when making repairs, you have to change the swivel head of the crane and its lever.
Step-by-step disassembly of the mixer
Let's take a look at how to disassemble a single-lever kitchen faucet, and how to do it right. All tools necessary for work must be prepared in advance.
A special valve shuts off the supply of cold and hot water, otherwise flood the neighbors. Having opened the mixer, be sure to make sure that the water is turned off and does not flow. Then the decorative cap on the mixer is removed. After that, the screw that secures the lever is unscrewed using a hexagon or a flat screwdriver. The lever is then gently lifted upwards, with a slight rocking from side to side. The protective screen is unscrewed counterclockwise, you can unscrew it by hand if it does not lend itself- you can lightly hit with a hammer. Be careful not to rotate the screen, otherwise it may damage the water pipes under the faucet.
Use pliers to remove the chrome dome, taking care not to damage the 4-toothed ring underneath. Remove the ball from the mixer, after it the sealing springs, if necessary, they will need to be replaced. Seals are removed with a screwdriver and later replaced with new ones. After the mixer is disassembled, you need to inspect it for rust, scale or defects. If any of the above is found, the part must either be replaced or cleaned. If necessary, replace the cartridge.
To assemble the crane, you will need to reverse the steps.
Single-lever shower or bath faucet is disassembled according to the same principle. The disassembly method may differ only depending on which version of the single-lever faucet is installed.
Helpful tips
Getting a general idea of how to disassemble a single-lever faucet in the kitchen, shower or bath is not enough. Need more practice and a couple of good tips.
When the lock nuts do not loosen due to rust or scale, the application of excessive force will deform or break the faucet mechanism. Professionals advise applying WD-40 to the place of the stubborn joint, it will help remove rust and scale, after which the lock nuts can be easily unscrewed.
There are times when the composition of WD-40 isuseless. Then the only option remains - to cut the nut with a grinder across. And then, using an adjustable wrench and pliers, carefully remove it.
When examining the details of a disassembled faucet, you need to pay attention to the cartridge, it is he who most often can cause faucet leaks. It can be removed from the faucet with a hex wrench or a small screwdriver.
The surface of the faucets is mostly chrome, so use a cloth when removing these parts to avoid scratching them accidentally.
Inexpensive faucets are made of light and thin metal, which is very easy to deform when disassembled. This must be taken into account when disassembling the mixer and replacing some elements in it.
Try to keep these tips in mind when you study material on how to disassemble a single-lever faucet.
