Even very reliable plumbing equipment may fail sooner or later. The simplest solution to a problem with a broken tap is to go to the store and purchase a new faucet. However, the purchase requires investment. To do without cash expenses, you need to be able to repair plumbing equipment. Let's see how to disassemble the mixer and repair it yourself.
Why faucets fail
The main reason is that manufacturers in the manufacturing process of goods can allow marriage. Poor quality products are often found on the market. In addition, even excellent equipment has a certain life. The durability of the plumbing is very much affected by how carefully it is operated.
Poor-quality consumables, which are used by manufacturers to assemble mixers, can also very often provoke equipment failure. Among the frequently occurring signs of damage, one can distinguish:
- A characteristic rumble from the tap after the water is closed.
- Drips from tap connections, dripping water after the device is completely closed.
- Weak head.
Existing faucets on the market can be divided into the following types:
Each of them has its own characteristics. Next, we will understand the nuances of each.
The device of the main types
Before acquaintance, how to disassemble the mixer, it is necessary to study the device of this device.
Valve mixers are very popular. They are most often used in bathrooms. Arranged such equipment is very simple. It consists of a body, a swivel spout, valves, which allow you to manually adjust the temperature and pressure of the water, as well as fasteners and seals. In addition, the device also has the so-called crane boxes. They allow you to adjust the water supply level. In older models, manufacturers install gaskets. In the new, instead of these rather unreliable rubber parts there are ceramic plates.
Lever or ball mixers are gradually becoming more popular among consumers. The reason for this is ease of use and aesthetic appearance. A typical model consists of two main elements.
It is housing and spout. A ceramic or ball cartridge is installed in the housing. It is the process of mixing water. Ceramic cartridges are non-separable and are replaced with new ones when they fail. The device also has a control knob. It allows you to conveniently adjust the pressure and temperature at the same time. It is mounted on a special cartridge lever. In the mixer housing, the cartridge is held by a nut. The element is covered by a decorative cover. It serves to protect the cartridge and to give the device a more aesthetic appearance.
How to disassemble a two-valve mixer
This equipment is considered obsolete, but is still common in apartments.
The mixer is a classic mechanism, equipped with two heads - crane boxes. They allow you to adjust the water pressure and temperature. These elements are located in a housing made by casting. On the reverse side of such a tap there is a threaded pipe. Using this branch pipe, the mixer is connected to the water supply system.
As a gasket, as already noted, either a ceramic disc or a gasket made of ordinary rubber is used. It, as well as crane boxes, can be easily changed. In addition, in these mixers, some elements are interchangeable with each other. So, in one case, any crane can be installed.
Varieties of two-valve mixers
One of the types of such equipment is the so-called “Christmas tree”, or a mixer with a tee. Two channels are drilled in its body, which are connected to the water supply system through a tee. In the upper part of the mixer, these channels are connected.
A simpler version is a device with nozzles. Two flexible or rigid nozzles may be used. They allow you to connect to the plumbing system.
Dismantling and repair
Let's see how to disassemble a two-valve mixer. To do this, you need only a minimal set of tools - a suitable screwdriver and adjustable wrench. At the bottom of the bathtub under the mixer, a piece of fabric is spread out or foam rubber is laid (if any part of the tap falls, it will not damage the floor covering).
First of all, remove the decorative plug on the valve. Then, using a screwdriver, they turn out the screw hiding under the plug. Next, a crane-axle is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench. If there are problems with the second crane, then it is disassembled in a similar way.
Why two-valve mixers break
Most often, this equipment fails due to wear on the gaskets. It is because of this that leaks from under the valve are observed. To correct the situation, it is enough to replace the gasket on the stem of the crane axle box. This will solve the leak problem. But also the crane axle itself often fails. This is a consumable item. It is easy to replace, knowing how to disassemble the mixer.
Dismantling single lever mixers
To replace the already pretty outdated two-valve plumbing devices came new and more stylish single-lever counterparts. They are more convenient in operation, they are durable.
However, these stylish modern devices also fail. A little later we will see how to disassemble a single lever mixer. First, let’s see what features he has.
Ceramic cartridge mixer
There are many varieties of this equipment. With minor differences that depend on the manufacturer and model, the principle of operation and device are the same. When the owner turns the handle, a pair of ground ceramic plates are shifted to each other. These plates have openings through which water can enter and mix. Then such a liquid is fed into the spout.
To increase safety, some manufacturers equip devices with restrictive elements that control the supply of hot water. In these designs, even open to all hot water will be supplied with a small admixture of cold. Plastic or silicone gaskets cover all openings in these devices. To protect the device from water hammer and prevent water noise, the upper washer is covered with scars or stripes.
We will learn how to disassemble a kitchen faucet of such a plan. This knowledge will help to save if such equipment fails.
Ball cartridge
In the case of these models, an empty ball with holes is installed inside. By means of a small pin, the ball is connected to the handle. Hot as well as cold water enters the mixer through openings inside the ball. Then it is mixed and sent to the spout. Pressure and temperature are controlled by turning the ball. The level of alignment of the holes through which water enters the device changes. To make the mixer as tight as possible, it is equipped with Teflon seals.
Dismantling and repair
Consider how to disassemble a single lever mixer. The first step is to dismantle the plug. It is located on the cylindrical element on the lever. There are symbol icons on this stub for cold and hot water. It is very easy to remove the part with an ordinary knife or a screwdriver.
There is a screw under the plug. It should be unscrewed. Using this screw, a lever is attached to the cartridge rod. The screw is removed from the housing. Next, remove the old cartridge, and instead install a new one. Then the mixer is collected in the reverse order.
Specialists in case of breakdowns of such equipment do not recommend purchasing a new cartridge until the old one is dismantled - it is easy to make a mistake when choosing and not to buy it. It’s best to take your used cartridge cartridge to the store with you. Knowing how to disassemble a single lever mixer for the kitchen, it will be easy.
It is also necessary to know that, unlike ball, ceramic cartridges cannot be maintained or repaired in any way. Ball corrected only if the stream is weakened. In any other case, you only need to replace the cartridge with a new one.
Mixer breakdowns
We looked at how to disassemble the faucet in the bathroom. Now you can learn how to fix the main breakdowns of these devices. Among typical malfunctions, the appearance of a leak can be distinguished:
- From under the gander.
- From under the control lever of the mixer.
- From under the shower faucet switch.
Gander
This is the main problem with the mixer, among all others. The gander during operation is constantly rotated in one direction, then in the other. This sooner or later leads to wear of the rubber gasket. It is installed in a special groove. The gander should be removed to replace it.
This work does not cause problems, because we already know how to disassemble the mixer in the bathroom. The first thing to do is unscrew the nut holding the gander. Then the element itself is recovered. After that, all that remains of the old gasket is removed from the groove. In place of these residues install a new gasket. The thread on which the fixing nut is to be screwed is wrapped with a sealant. Then set the gander and tighten the nut.
Leakage from mixer lever
This problem is typical for single lever devices. The reason is that the cartridge has worn out and failed. You need to disassemble the item. How to disassemble the mixer in the kitchen, we described above.
A broken cartridge has other signs of damage. It is changed if:
- Managing leverage has become noticeably more difficult.
- Water changes temperature spontaneously.
- There is no supply of cold or hot water.
- The crane cannot be closed completely or fully opened.
Flowing shower faucet switch
Between the body of the mixer and the tap, which switches the water from the tap to the shower, there is another rubber gasket. It may also fail during operation. This can only be repaired by replacing it. To do this, disassemble the switch. You can check the components and the entire crane. Therefore, our recommendations on how to disassemble the bath faucet will be relevant in eliminating many problems with plumbing.
In the case of a malfunction described above, the button must be removed. To do this, the stem is held with pliers (it must be stationary). The valve and stem are then removed. Instead of the first, a new oil seal is installed. Then the whole structure is assembled back.
If the switch does not work, and water flows simultaneously from the faucet and from the shower, then the cause is a cracked gland. It is on the stock of this switch. Repair is carried out as follows:
- Remove the switch.
- Remove the stock.
- Replace oil seal.
- Assemble the switch back.
Weak water pressure from the mixer
If water flows through a mixer with a noticeably weakened pressure, but the pressure has not changed in the neighbors, the filter aerator is most likely clogged.
He is at the end of the gander. The filter is unscrewed by hand or with pliers and the pressure is checked. If water flows better without it, then the cause was pollution. The filter is washed and the problem is solved.
Conclusion
So, we found out how to disassemble the mixer tap and repair it with our own hands. As you can see, this does not cause any particular difficulties. You can disassemble the mechanism in minutes. This knowledge will help to solve many problems with the supply of water in the kitchen and in the bathroom.