The faucet is leaking in the bathroom - how to fix the faucet and eliminate the leak with your own hands?

A bathroom is a room where a large amount of plumbing fixtures and household appliances are concentrated. For comfort, a modern person needs not only a bath or shower, but also a sink with a washing machine. All these devices are quite reliable, but as we know, nothing can work flawlessly forever, so sooner or later some leaks occur.

In an emergency, it is important not to get confused and quickly figure out what to do if the faucet in the bathroom is leaking. According to experienced plumbers, every homeowner should know the algorithm for simple steps, as well as have the necessary tools that will help repair a current mixer or tap.

THE FAUCET IS LEAKING IN THE KITCHEN - HOW TO FIX IT YOURSELF

To repair a kitchen faucet you will need:

• knife with a sharp end;
• hex and adjustable wrench;
• screwdrivers;
• a new cartridge, valve axle, rubber gasket, etc. - depends on which part you will change;
• WD40 is a technical aerosol that is useful if 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 high risk of damaging the mixer.

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

To repair a single-lever faucet, you will need a hex wrench.

REPAIR OF SINGLE LEVER KITCHEN MIXER

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 faucet body.
2. In the resulting hole you will see a screw connecting the lever and the adjusting rod. Unscrew it using a hex wrench.
3. Remove the lever from the body and unscrew the decorative casing. This can even be done by hand if the parts are not stuck to each other.

Removing the decorative casing

1. There will be a locking (clamping) nut underneath it. Gently unscrew it with an adjustable wrench or by tapping it with a hammer on a screwdriver.
2. If you disassemble the ball mixer, you will see a sealing collar under the nut. Inspect it for dirt, deformation and tears. Pull out the ball. Inspect its surface - it should be smooth and clean. It is necessary to remove the seals and support springs - their poor condition can cause the tap to leak.
3. If you are disassembling a faucet with a cartridge, remove it and thoroughly inspect it.
4. Replace the failed part.
5. Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.

Installing a new cartridge

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

Removing the mixer handwheel

REPAIR OF TWO-VALVE MIXER

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

• On the valve flywheel, pry up and remove the decorative plug.
• Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screw that secures the flywheel.
• Remove the flywheel. There will be a crane box in front of you.
• Unscrew it counterclockwise and inspect it.

Removing the crane axle box

• If it is a worm-type axlebox and its gasket is damaged, replace it separately - buy it in a store (costs pennies) or cut it yourself from rubber of a suitable thickness. The axle box with ceramic discs is replaced entirely.
• Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.

General scheme of mixer repair work

Everything is as simple as possible and slightly reminiscent of a construction set. But a leaking faucet is not the only problem you may encounter while using it in the kitchen.

How to repair a single lever faucet if leaks are detected

Typically, a leak of this kind occurs as a result of a cartridge failure. This element has the form of a compound cylinder, with three holes located at the bottom. One of them is designed to flow out cold water, the second - hot water, and through the third, mixed warm water flows.

Replacing the cartridge in the mixer

Depending on the mechanism used to mix cold water with hot water, cartridges are divided into two types: ceramic and ball. At the top of the cartridge there is a rod with the lever of the mixer itself attached to it. This is where the leak occurs.

What are the signs to determine when it’s time to replace the faucet cartridge?

The main ones are:

• no supply of cold or hot water;
• the water spontaneously becomes either hot or cold, without using a lever;
• the tap does not close completely or does not function normally;
• when switching the lever, you need to make quite a significant effort;
• presence of leakage from under the lever.

Device Features

The design of shut-off valves is quite simple, which allows you to understand the principle of their operation yourself.

They usually consist of the following main parts:

• one-piece cast (one-piece) body with a set of inlet pipes,
• a locking device with a rod located inside,
• water supply control valves.

Each tap includes an elastic gasket, through which the water supply is shut off. The built-in stem has a screw thread at the top that engages the mating thread. Thanks to the threaded joint, when the rod rotates, the rise and fall of the shut-off valve is controlled.

Valve taps used in standard mixers are distinguished by a more complex design, into which a switching mechanism is additionally introduced. Shower appliances have a special extension hose and watering can.

Repair of single-lever mixers ↑

Instead of double-valve faucets, single-lever faucets are increasingly being used in kitchens and bathrooms. In them, both water pressure and temperature are regulated using one lever: temperature right - left, pressure up - down.

Cartridges used in faucets are more durable than gaskets

Such faucets use disk 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 “balls” and “discs” is different, so it will not be possible to replace one cartridge with another. When purchasing, you need to know exactly which cartridge you need. At first, it is better to entrust the replacement to a specialist, watch the technician at work, 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 propose a certain sequence that should be followed when eliminating a leaking faucet:

• 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 faucet dome is removed and the plastic part underneath is removed;
• if plaque is found on the gasket, carefully remove it, and if the seal itself wears out, gently replace it;
• carefully inspect the ball, removing it from its mounting location; if there are obvious defects, then replacement will also be required;
• the seals that secure the ball are also dismantled and inspected; if necessary, replace with new ones;
• After all the “therapeutic” procedures, the tap is assembled and checked for leaks.

After the screw is unscrewed, the lever part, slightly loosening, is lifted up and removed

Preventive actions

Experienced plumbers recommend getting rid of problems with taps even at the stage of their use, for this you need to:

• Install filters. Modern water in urban systems “kills” any tap within six months.
• Do not unscrew the mixer unless necessary. Any intervention shortens 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 problems are much easier to fix in the early stages.

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

Be careful when working and listen to our advice on prevention

Crack on the body

If a crack is noticed on the body, the faucet is dripping and there is no way to replace the defective faucet with a new one, then the question arises of what to do. Use a special sealant or glue. You need to immediately understand that such repair work solves the problem for a while.

Of course, the ideal option would be to install a new faucet. A crack in the body is repaired by “cold welding”. A faucet that has undergone surface treatment with a special sealant takes on a less than attractive appearance.

In addition, the applied layer will not last long and you will soon notice that the faucet is leaking in the bathroom.

Shower switch repair

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

Spool

The leak in such switches comes from under the handle that opens and closes the water supply.

Causes of malfunction:

• Are the rubber rings on the rotary rod working or not,
• the gasket on the axle box is worn out,
• The axle box is twisted.

After correcting or replacing parts, the switch must be assembled and tested. Don't forget about 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.

Reasons for failure:

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

If the spring has sagged, you should replace it with a new one or make it yourself. To do this, it is stretched and heated red-hot, after which it is dipped in cold water. After cooling, you need to heat it again for uniform hardening. You can also make a wire spring using the same method.

If the valve rings become brittle, they should be replaced. After replacement, the entire mechanism must be lubricated with Vaseline or another lubricant.

Suberic

The main problem is that the plug does not fit well to the body and leaks. It could also be:

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

In order to fix such a switch, you need to unscrew the screw, remove the handle, unscrew the nut and remove the locking ring. After a thorough inspection, the parts should be lubricated with Vaseline and assembled into place.

Causes of faucet breakdowns

To begin repairing a faucet, you need to know the common problems and malfunctions of faucets that may arise during operation.

The second reason may be that old materials are used in 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 collapse due to drying out.

The most common reason in our time is hard and dirty water that flows through pipes. This water forms deposits in faucets and contributes to the destruction of seals and other parts of the device. This reason also contributes to the corrosion of metals.

These were the reasons for faucet breakdowns, and now we need to look at specific faults that may occur.

Two-valve

The breakdowns of two-valve mixers are usually the same as those of single-lever devices. Usually, troubleshooting 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 problems:

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

Diagram of a two-valve mixer

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

• first you need to seal the oil seal, 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 oil seal bushing;
• then the old oil seal is removed;
• it is necessary to perform a high-quality seal; for this, the valve stem is wound;
• the oil seal is installed;
• After this, you need to put the bushing in place and tighten the union nut.

How to replace the old rubber gasket:

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

Disassembling a two-valve mixer
A leak from under the valve can occur due to a pin flying out of the rod. This problem can occur because the pin was not installed tightly to begin with, or because the sealing tape wrapped around it has become worn and worn out. In this case, the water is shut off, the flywheel is removed from the valve head and the fallen rod is removed. Next, the sealing tape is wound and the pin is installed in place.

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

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

Mixer leakage and its diagnosis

First, you should find out the exact place that needs to be “treated.” It is also advisable to take into account the properties of the structure. As a rule, there are quite a few reasons why a bathroom faucet leaks, and the most common of them is wear of the gasket, the task of which is to prevent water from flowing out of unnecessary holes.

In rare cases, the cause of a leak is corrosion of the parts of the mixer itself, due to old age or poor operating conditions (damp, unventilated room).

Mixers are:

• 1) Two-valve;
• 2) Lever;
• 3) Sensory;
• 4) Cascade;
• 5) With thermostats.

Since options 3 to 6 are complex electromechanical mixers (their repair seems almost impossible for the average person without special education and tools), and the first two are the most common, we will talk about them further. If your bathroom faucet is leaking, there is no point in special repair skills or complicated tools. The cost of its repair is no more than 100 rubles. You will need a medium-sized Phillips screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, small or regular pliers and half an hour to an hour of time.

Lever cranes: repair

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

• remove the decorative plug, thanks to which the water is supplied;
• unscrew the screw, and with it remove the handle that is attached with it;
• remove the lower nut located under the handle and replace the cartridge with a new one.

The crane is assembled in the reverse order. You can learn how to fix a video when water is dripping from a tap by watching a thematic video.

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

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

These are the recommendations on how to fix it if the faucet is running in the kitchen. In addition, problems often arise not with the faucet itself, but with the push-button switch that transfers water to the shower. If it does not work, the spring is broken, then it can be easily replaced. If there is a leak, it is necessary to replace the old gaskets 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 gasket is most often to blame. To do this, unscrew the valve, turning it counterclockwise, and remove the part that has become unusable. The gasket, which should replace the predecessor, can be made from rubber yourself. An alternative to making it at home is to purchase a new part.

Is your kitchen faucet leaking? Perhaps the reason lies in the wear of the oil seal. In this case, water comes through when the tap is in the open position. The algorithm for how to fix a leaking faucet in the kitchen is simple in this case: unscrew the seal nut, remove the defective liner and replace it with a new one. The latter can be made from sealing tape. If the work is done correctly, the question of how to fix a dripping faucet in the kitchen will cease to be relevant.

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

An alternative to the capricious “worm” can be a mixer with ceramic discs. What to do when a ceramic faucet leaks? Its owners usually do not have such questions for several years during operation. If problems do appear, they can be easily eliminated 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 tap.

Sometimes it is necessary to change the O-ring. It is its wear and tear that causes the faucet in the kitchen to leak in the area where the faucet and shower hose are attached. The replacement is carried out as follows: unscrew the shower hose using a wrench (this must be done as carefully as possible) and remove the old seal.

You can learn more about how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet in the video.

Possible breakdowns and their elimination

There are several reasons why a two-valve faucet may leak. One of the most common causes of leaks is wear of the rubber gasket.

Replacing the gasket

If the faucet is dripping, it may be due to the wear of the rubber gasket. The main sign that the faucet requires replacing the rubber gasket will be the appearance of a leak from the mixer jib.

The rubber gasket should be replaced as soon as possible, otherwise leaking water will gradually destroy the inner surface of the housing. If you do not disassemble the mixer in time and do not replace the old part, then holes will appear on important components. In these cases, only a complete replacement of the mixer will be required.

Gasket replacement features:

• The first step is to remove the flywheel from the spindle. Next, the core is unscrewed with an open-end wrench;
• The old spacer is usually located at the back end of the core and is attached there in the area of ​​​​the special protrusion. The old gasket element is removed;
• a new sealing element must be cut out of a piece of dense rubber base, while it is necessary to be guided by the shapes of the old worn-out gasket element;
• the cut out part must be installed in the original place of the old sealing element;
• the whole assembly comes together.

If the problem with a leaking single-lever faucet is a worn gasket, then you can repair your faucet in a few minutes. But it is important not to tighten it, otherwise it may lead to complete wear of the entire faucet.

Mixer design diagram

Unscrew the faucet head using an adjustable wrench

Unscrew the metal gasket on the tap

The gasket is removed and replaced

Replacing the oil seal

If the faucet in the bathroom is leaking, then it may all be due to the wear of the seal. Typically, a leak occurs when the tap is opened. In these cases, water will leak in the area between the gland clamp nut and the valve stem.

If the faucet drips due to wear of the seal, then how to fix the leaking faucet yourself? You can use the repair scheme:

• use a screwdriver to unscrew the oil seal nut;
• you can make the seal yourself from sealing tape;
• the old oil seal, which has become unusable, must be removed;
• you need to wrap a sealing tape around the valve, which will subsequently replace the old seal and prevent leaks from the tap;
• you need to tighten the nut in place.

If everything is done correctly, then water leakage will not occur after turning on the tap again.

Stages of replacing the oil seal

Replacing the liner

The cause of failure of the mixer with axle box is wear of the rubber gasket. Usually in a mixer it is located at the junction between the faucet axle and the mixer. More often, the faucet leaks because the gasket wears out, loses its elasticity or completely collapses. You can fix a leaking faucet in the bathroom quite quickly; the main thing is that you must strictly follow the instructions.

How to disassemble the faucet in the bathroom and how to repair it:

• use a knife or screwdriver to remove the decorative plastic plug, which is used to indicate the cold or hot tap;
• you need to unscrew the screw located under the plug. The screw is unscrewed using a screwdriver. If the screw does not unscrew, then it needs to be warmed up by dousing it with hot water. After this, the screw can be easily unscrewed using pliers;
• after this you need to remove the flywheel;
• unscrew the nut that secures the axle box. Remove the nut from the housing;
• thoroughly clean the surface of the rod and sealing elements;
• It is imperative to inspect all the parts; there should be no hidden defects or damage;
• then the old liner is removed and a new one is installed in its place;
• the whole structure is assembled.

Crane axle parts

Stages of replacing a crane axle box

Gander repair

Sometimes failure of a single-lever faucet may be due to wear of the rubber gasket of the faucet jaw. Then it will be necessary to repair the gander. Over time, the rubber gasket that is installed on the gander wears out and you may see a lot of water dripping from the faucet, and then it may simply flow continuously.

Therefore, if your bathroom faucet is leaking, it may be due to a faulty gander gasket. In order to replace the rubber gasket on the gander, you need to unscrew the fixing element of the gander - the nut. To unscrew it, use an adjustable wrench. After this, the old gasket is removed and a new one is installed in its place.

Mixer jib device

Unscrewing the gander

The gasket is worn out

Replacing the gasket

Timely cleaning of the aerator is a guarantee of the longevity of the gander

Reinstalling the spout

Ball valve repair

If suddenly a ball valve is leaking in the bathroom, then you need to use the standard troubleshooting scheme. You can fix problems yourself.

Repair of a ball valve is carried out as follows:

• You need to use a hex screwdriver to slightly unscrew the screw that secures the faucet handle and remove it;
• after this we will see the rod that is attached to the ball. And also a threaded ring with four notches;
• Next, you need to carefully press on the recess and scroll it counterclockwise;
• then you need to remove the chrome dome using pliers, a ring should remain;
• It is necessary to carefully examine the plastic ring. If it has acquired a creamy color and unclear shapes, then perhaps the problem is this element and it needs to be replaced with a new one. If there are rust deposits on the plastic ring, they should be removed with a detergent;
• After this, you need to remove the ball from the socket. This element also needs to be carefully examined; if there are scratches or various defects on it, then it is better to replace it;
• You definitely need to inspect the inside of the faucet. Usually there are seals with springs in the recess; often these elements wear out and the faucet begins to drip. It is necessary to remove them and install new seals with springs;
• Next, we place the ball in place, with its hole located on the right;
• We collect all the other elements.

Ball valve device

Remove the handle

Replacing the ball mechanism

How to fix a leaking faucet

What to do if the tap leaks in the closed position? If a two-valve mixer is leaking. This type of faucet 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 the malfunctions are exactly the same. A 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 type of 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 purchased at any specialized store or market. Many men know how to fix a faucet. After all, not everyone wants to call a repairman for such a minor breakdown. Replacement sequence:

1. First you need to turn off the hot and cold water.
2. Unscrew the fixing wing and bolt.
3. The valve body must be turned counterclockwise using an adjustable wrench.
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 thrust flange onto the thread.
6. Then tighten the housing. The valve is fixed with a screw, i.e., assembly is performed in the reverse order.

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

In this case, the reason must be sought in the so-called valve seat. After prolonged use, it may crack, become jagged, and become worn away. Then you should go over the problem area with a cutter and level it. And the faucet will stop leaking.

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

If the leak cannot be eliminated, the valve axle box should be replaced.

How to fix a faucet with a cartridge

Inside the faucet with the cartridge there are plates with slots. The lower one is securely fixed, and the upper one remains movable and connects to the rod. Turning the lever causes the rod to move and the movable plate to move, allowing water to flow.

If problems arise in the functioning of a faucet with this design, a new cartridge must be installed. In most situations, water begins to leak from under the handle, and trying to repair the structure is impractical. When installing the component, first turn off the water and then remove the handle. To do this, remove the plug hiding the screw, lift the handle up and remove the pressure ring. After replacing the cartridge, the structure is assembled in the reverse order.

Repair of a watering can or shower hose

If the hose leaks, the problem should be looked for in damage to the rubber core. Over time, the tube becomes covered with limescale and becomes less elastic. You can replace the core by performing the following steps:

• removing the hose nuts;
• removing the bushing from one side;
• pulling the hose from the other end;
• removing the remaining bushing;
• installation of a new core, hose assembly.

The water pressure in the watering can decreases due to clogged nozzles. Cleaning them is easy. The watering can is removed and soaked in an acidic cleaning solution. This method is not suitable for cleaning chrome parts. In this case, the nozzles are cleaned with a needle.

Consequences of leaks

Often people simply turn a blind eye to the dripping faucet in the bathroom for years without taking any action. In fact, “chronic” leaks usually 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 plumbing leaks in the bathroom are:

• Increased 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 leaks, 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 people with such sounds, so it is not surprising that this situation irritates household members.
• Increased water consumption. Almost every apartment is now equipped with meters installed on water supply pipes, so when a faucet, faucet or shower in the bathroom leaks, water consumption, and therefore utility bills, increases significantly.
• Danger of flooding on lower floors. If you do not figure out in time why the faucet is leaking and do not eliminate the cause of the breakdown, the situation may worsen and result in a large leak that will ruin the renovation not only in your bathroom, but also in the apartment of your neighbors below.

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

If a faucet is leaking, the causes can be identified by looking at the location of the leak.

The main “culprits” of the leak:

• Damage to the rubber gasket.

  Repeatedly turning the water on and off leads to natural wear and tear on the moving parts of the faucet, including rubber seals - cracks appear, change sizes, flatten and curl. When a closed tap leaks, the reason is the gasket, which will have to be replaced.

• Seal wear. The sealing gland tends to wear out quickly. It is very easy to identify this reason - in the closed position no faults with the mixer are visible, but as soon as the tap opens, water begins to leak from under the valves.
• Poor quality installation.
  Errors made during assembly and installation of the mixer sooner or later lead to leakage. Thus, excessive force when tightening the nut damages the sealing gasket and accelerates its wear. A loose connection or defect in the flexible hoses leads to water simply flowing under the tap.
• The ball cartridge is dirty.
  The design of the ball mixer cannot be called successful - inside the body there are tightly fitting parts that react very “painfully” to mechanical impurities of tap water. To eliminate a leak in the ball valve, it must be completely disassembled and cleaned.
• Mixer wear
  . As a rule, all taps have their own service life, so over time the threads, jib filter or locking mechanism may wear out. In this case, neither replacing the sealing and rotating elements, nor tightening the nuts will help - the mixer will still have to be completely replaced.

Typical causes of malfunctions

Failures of plumbing fixtures are largely associated with low quality products. You should not save money when purchasing by purchasing cheap faucets from little-known manufacturers. As a rule, when assembling them, low-quality components and consumables are used, which quickly fail.

It may be advisable to abandon the usual sealing options in favor of new analogues: instead of rubber gaskets, it is better to use modern analogues made of paronite or silicone. Their service life is much longer, and they are less deformed over time.

Installing a filtration system on water pipes will not only allow you to use high-quality water, but can also increase the service life of plumbing products

A common cause of malfunctions of mixing devices is also water flowing in pipes. Foreign inclusions and a high content of mineral particles lead to the formation of deposits, clogged filters, and cracking of seals.

Repair of two-valve tap

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

Gasket problem

How to determine that it is the gasket that needs replacing? Try turning the faucet tightly. If even then it continues to leak, the problem is probably with the gasket. To replace it, follow these steps:

1. 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 back on and then tightened with a wrench.

Replacing the old gasket in the valve with a new one
. Important. No need to do the installation yourself

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

The problem is in the sealing insert of the oil seal

How can you determine that a leak is caused by a worn out sealing insert? In this case, the leak is observed near the valve stem. Water starts flowing when the tap is opened. To eliminate the problem, it is recommended to carry out the following work:

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

Replacing the sealing insert on the oil seal

Important. After finishing work, try turning the valve

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

Read how to change the faucet in a separate article.

Shower hose ring seal problem

If the O-ring is worn out, there is usually a leak in the area between the hose and the mixer. To fix the problem you will need to do the following:

Carefully, so as not to damage the thread, unscrew the hose. To do this you will need an adjustable wrench; The old seal is removed; The ring lining is installed; The hose is screwed in.

Hose and faucet connection

After the work is completed, you should turn on the water and check if the leak has been fixed. If a small leak remains, you should think about replacing the locking elements (faucets). You can purchase new locking elements at any plumbing store.

What will be needed for repairs

To solve the problem, we will use the tools presented in the list:

• wrenches or adjustable wrench;

  A set for all occasions

• gas or pipe wrench;

  A type of adjustable wrench used to rotate or secure pipes

• pliers;

  An indispensable multi-tool

• several ceramic or rubber gaskets.

  For each purpose, a gasket made of a certain material is used: rubber, silicone or paronite

Causes of leakage

Leaking is the most well-known problematic situation that occurs with plumbing.

And it doesn’t matter whether it is in the kitchen or bathroom. Faucet leaks can occur for many reasons.

Table No. 1. Causes of leaking faucets.

Cause Solution Poor quality faucet Often, wanting to save some money, people prefer lower-cost faucets. But you should understand that cheap taps can leak water. It is unlikely that you will be able to avoid this problem if you have already purchased such a faucet. Therefore, when purchasing, always choose only tools from trusted manufacturers whose products you are confident in the quality 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 an original, because a common model is unlikely to be sold for pennies. Incorrect installation of the faucet This is the second most common reason. Most often it occurs in people who, without experience, install the mixer themselves. Also included here are cases of incorrect assembly of the faucet. With such errors, often even the most expensive faucets lose all their advantages, begin to drip, rust, and creak. To solve the problem, you need to trust the installation of faucets to people who have extensive experience in this and cannot make mistakes, even holding holding a mixer with unfamiliar designs or fastening systems, etc.

If you leave this work in the hands of a master, be sure to check the qualifications, otherwise you risk wasting time and money. Incorrect use of the mixer Although the mixer provides the ability to twist and move in the other direction, or rotate the screws, you still need to work with it with extreme caution. Problems in this direction can arise if you apply a lot of force during installation of the mixer, or turn the tap itself in the wrong direction angle, lifted up or pressed down, screws were unscrewed further than required. All this spoils the product and in the future can lead not only to leakage of the faucet, but also to a final breakdown. In this case, there is only one solution - buy another faucet and handle it with care. Wear of parts Few people think that the crane is literally “outdating” its usefulness.

Constantly turning the lever on and off and moving parts wears out the materials over time. This happens especially often with rubber gaskets. It is not difficult to solve this when some materials have been damaged. Here it will be enough to replace them. This can be prevented by carrying out preventative maintenance on the cranes. Equipment expiration Although this happens less often, even this reason can lead to a water leak. As a result, you will also have to buy a new faucet, which can last for several years if used properly.

Plumber set

Types of bathroom faucets

As a rule, models of three categories are used in bathrooms:

• traditional two-valve taps;
• common single-lever devices;
• innovative sensor faucets.

For many decades, homes have been equipped with two-handle faucets . Such devices are equipped with two handwheel handles, one of which is intended for hot water, and the second for cold water.

As a locking mechanism, older models used a system of a seat and a valve on a stem equipped with a rubber gasket. When the valve was tightened, the valve closed off the seat, which provided a path for the water to flow.

The stem with the valve had to be screwed in, then unscrewed - this was time-consuming and inconvenient. Instead, they now use a metal valve axle box or a device made of a pair of ceramic disks.

Although two-valve models with a ceramic block are more expensive than devices with rubber gaskets, they have a number of important advantages. They are easier to operate, more durable and reliable

Single-lever options have now become very popular. Lever or joystick mixers have one shut-off and control mechanism that controls mixing, supply, and pressure of hot/cold water.

Based on the locking unit, the range of such mixers can be divided into two categories:

• with ball block;
• with disk cartridge.

The second option looks preferable due to its lower cost and maintainability. Its locking mechanism, similar to valve devices, includes two ceramic discs with holes for mixing and shutting off water flows. If it fails, replacing the cartridge is quite simple.

Single-lever ball faucets are more expensive, and they cannot be repaired due to the difficulty of finding the locking mechanism. Plumbing stores rarely offer it.

If the ball mixer fails, you will most likely have to throw it away and buy a new one instead. Our recommended article will introduce you to the selection criteria.

But ball valves, installed on hot water and cold water pipes in front of plumbing to shut off the flow in case of repairs, have almost completely replaced obsolete valves.

It is almost impossible to distinguish a ball mixer from a cartridge mixer by appearance. In order not to make a mistake when purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the internal structure of the model indicated in the technical data sheet, or ask the seller

The control element of a touch-sensitive faucet for a kitchen or bath with shower is a photocell, which turns on a stream of water when you bring your hands to the tap and turns it off when you remove them. Repairing such plumbing requires experience and knowledge not only in the field of plumbing.

An exception to the rule is a clogged aerator, which manifests itself in a weakening of water flow. This problem, which we will discuss in detail below, can be easily fixed by yourself.