If a faucet is leaking, you don’t have to call a plumber and pay for his work. In our article we will figure out how to disassemble a single-lever mixer and carry out repairs yourself. To carry out the work, you need to familiarize yourself with the structure of this sanitary fixture and prepare the necessary tools.
If it leaks from under the lever
Experts attribute the appearance of water from under the faucet lever to a broken cartridge. In this regard, we will need to disassemble the device and replace the cartridge.
At the initial stage of work, you need to remove the small rounded decorative cover. Usually on this plate there are two different colored dots (red and blue) indicating how to turn the faucet lever to add hot or cold water. If the direction of liquid supply does not match, the lid is turned over to the opposite side.
When the decorative cover is removed, a screw will be exposed inside the hole that holds the lever in position. This lock can be unscrewed using a regular or Phillips screwdriver. There are times when you will need a hex wrench to remove the faucet.
Note! If you cannot unscrew the screw with a screwdriver (the fastener is rusty or the thread is broken), then in this case you need to pull the lever forcefully. In this case, the base of the screw should come off the plastic attachment.
After removing the lever in one way or another, remove the decorative cover. It happens that this part also cannot be removed in the usual way. The insert can be loosened by hand; to improve the effect, place a soft, dry cloth at the place where the force is applied. If you cannot remove the cap by hand, you can use the following to pull it out:
- Pipe wrench;
- Pliers.
To protect the surface, the working part of the tool must be in contact with the part through the fabric. After several rotations in different directions, you can quickly remove the decorative cup.
Tightening or replacing the cartridge
After removing the protective cover, we see the cartridge in front of us. Now you need to unscrew the ring nut and you can remove the mechanism for supplying and mixing water. After pulling out this part, you can see the landing grooves on the bottom, which are used to install the device in its working position.
Grooves for cartridge installation If, after removing the cartridge, wear and tear from metal corrosion is noticed, the mixer can be replaced with a new one. In some cases, water leakage from under the lever can be eliminated by tightening the nut.
Note! To resuscitate the mixer, you can cover the shells in the metal with silicone and wait for this substance to dry, after which the cartridge itself is installed according to the marks.
Reassembly
Assembling the mixer begins with installing a new cartridge. After this, tighten the circular nut and install the decorative cup. Next, install the lever or flag and secure its position with a screw. If the fastener was rusty or had damaged threads, then the lever must be pressed tightly onto the cartridge holder.
Important! Before purchasing a new cartridge, you should understand the design of the old model. The diameter of this part can be 35 or 40 millimeters, but there are devices with an additional sealing ring. That is, if replacement is necessary, you need to take into account the design features of the old cartridge model.
If it leaks after replacing the cartridge
The main reason for this fairly common phenomenon is considered to be corrosion of the metal in the seat. We have already said that you can try to cover such areas with silicone, but if this does not help, then you will need to change the entire mixer.
If the lever goes down on its own
The spontaneous lowering of the mixer lever usually tells us that it is broken. When you press the flag, water may flow in a thin stream or not at all. Many people believe that the main reason for this lever behavior is a cartridge failure, but this is not always the case.
All residents of a city apartment or country house use plumbing differently. Some open the taps carefully, others, for example, children, jerk the flag sharply. In the latter case, damage to the inner part of the lever, which fits onto the head of the cartridge, may occur. If damaged, the walls of the square insert diverge to the sides, which leads to a certain amount of free movement of the part; when lifted up, the crane begins to fall.
Note! To determine the breakdown, you need to remove the round decorative insert, unscrew the screw and remove the lever. After this, they look at the inside of the flag: if it is damaged, then install a similar part from the old mixer. If you have high-quality plumbing, the lowering of the lever may be caused by wear of the cartridge, which will need to be replaced.
If it's leaking from under your shirt
In some cases, water may leak from under the faucet jacket. The main reason for this phenomenon is considered to be damage to the sealing gaskets, and liquid can leak both in the upper and lower parts in the area where the circular nut is located.
In this regard, when installing a single-lever mixer, you need to firmly tighten the circular nut. This part often gets unscrewed or loosened while the product is being transported, resulting in a small gap. Such a gap is quite enough for water leakage.
If the nut is tightened well, then the cause of the leak will be a faulty gasket. . To eliminate the problem, unscrew the nut and remove the nylon washer (serves to create a working gap between adjacent rotating parts of the housing). Next, remove the faucet spout along with the jacket and carefully check the installation locations of the gaskets.
There should be no traces of corrosion, sinks, etc. The only solution to the problem in this case is to replace the gander from the old faucet; in the worst case, you will have to replace the mixer completely.
The second reason for water leakage from the jacket is considered to be wear of the sealing gaskets.. Such parts are made in the form of a horseshoe, with their working part facing the water chamber. It is quite difficult to buy a new gasket for a faucet, but it is possible to repair a faucet.
Disassembling the mixer to eliminate leakage from under the jacket To do this, several layers of fum tape are laid in the seats, which will increase the diameter of the seals and improve their tightness. Next, put on the gaskets, install nylon washers, and assemble the remaining parts of the mixer.
Before installing the tap in a permanent place, check its tightness. If the repair work is done correctly, the water does not flow, then the mixer can be fixed to the sink.
Single-lever faucets are a new trend in the design of a modern bathroom or kitchen. The standard herringbone faucet and wall-mounted faucets are losing their popularity against the backdrop of such a functional and stylish analogue. A single-lever (or joystick) faucet is a body with a plate in which cold and hot water are mixed. The plate acts as a lever. This design can be made of ceramic, metal or plastic.
If the joystick mixer fails, it must be disassembled and any problems resolved. To eliminate them, you need to know the types of “one-armed” mixers, as well as the principles of working with them.
Types and features of single-lever mixers
Exist 2 types o bottom lever taps:
Advantages and disadvantages of joystick mixers
Single lever faucets have become popular due to convenience and ease of use. With the help of such mixers, water is quickly regulated to the desired temperature by moving the lever to the right or left. To increase or decrease the water pressure, the joystick is adjusted from top to bottom. In addition, single lever taps demonstrate long service life. This is due to the fact that in the design of such faucets there are no rubbing elements made of metal, as well as rubber gaskets between the moving parts of the faucet.
The disadvantages of a ball valve are: rapid wear of rubber seals. Therefore, to avoid breakdowns and clogging of the mixer, it is recommended to replace these parts every 2 years. Failure of a single-lever faucet can occur if abrasive elements (for example, sand) enter it along with water. This is why it is so important to install special filters to prevent clogging.
Some cheap models of cartridge faucets are difficult to set a comfortable temperature within 35 - 41 degrees. This is due to the fact that inexpensive analogues of such mixers have a small angle for adjusting the water temperature. This design does not allow for precise adjustment, which is not inferior in accuracy to faucets with a ceramic faucet. But disk models from well-known brand manufacturers have wide angle settings up to 15 degrees, which allows you to quickly and easily obtain the required water temperature. This functionality is achieved due to the special design and high-quality material of the parts.
How to properly disassemble a disk mixer
If the plates in the faucet sleeve break, it is necessary to disassemble the mixer. To do this you will need the following tools: screwdriver and hex wrench.
Instructions:
Tip: before buying a new cartridge for the mixer, you need to take with you the old disk that has already failed. The thing is that cartridges can have different hole diameters (3 or 4 cm) and latches on the bottom plate of the cartridge. Therefore, there is a risk of purchasing a larger or smaller disk. Also, when choosing a new cartridge, you need to pay attention to the disk with a silicone gasket, since it is less susceptible to water.
How to properly disassemble a ball mixer
This type of single lever faucet is as easy to disassemble as a cartridge faucet. It should be borne in mind that if a serious breakdown occurs, you will have to replace the entire mixer. If the malfunctions in the operation of the faucet are insignificant (for example, when the faucet is turned on at full power, the flow of water is weak), you need to disassemble the faucet and repair it yourself. The cause of such a breakdown may be a clogged faucet. abrasive substances.
Instructions:
- Remove the nut from the faucet spout.
- Pull out the mesh, rinsing it with water.
- Place the nut and screen back into the mixer.
If the tap is leaking, it is necessary replace rubber seals for new ones. To do this you will need: a screwdriver and a hex key.
Instructions for replacing the rubber seal:
- The screw is unscrewed and the lever is removed.
- The connection is removed from the thread, then the screw is unscrewed with a screwdriver. Usually plaque collects on it, which needs to be removed with a cloth.
- The rubber seals are removed and replaced with new ones. The ball is also removed.
- After replacing the gaskets, the ball is installed in its place. The seals are secured with a plastic nut.
- The lever is installed and the screw is fixed. Finally, you need to check the operation of the mixer system by opening the tap. There should be no water leaks.
Prevention of breakdowns of a single-lever mixer
In order for joystick taps to serve for a long time, it is necessary:
Knowing the diagram and operating principle of single-lever mixers, you can independently repair a failed joystick tap.
How to repair a faucet (video)
A single-lever, or as it is also called a joystick, mixer confidently takes the place of obsolete valve devices. It is simple, easy to use and quite reliable. You can repair it yourself, without turning to a plumber for help.
After reading the article we presented, you will be able to repair a single-lever mixer with your own hands. We have listed all types of breakdowns typical for this type of plumbing fixtures. We describe in detail how to fix breakdowns. Taking into account our recommendations, you can easily repair a device with one lever.
Like any mechanism, the mixer sometimes breaks down. The failure of a plumbing fixture in the bathroom or kitchen is the most common breakdown, which is impossible not to notice - puddles on the floor and the irritating sounds of falling drops that do not stop day or night will not leave anyone indifferent.
The above troubles can be eliminated quite simply and quickly on your own. Of course, for this you need to at least theoretically become familiar with the internal structure of the mixer, know the reason for its failure and how to eliminate it.
A single-lever mixer is a plumbing fixture that is distinguished by its simplicity of design, excellent functionality, durability and, most importantly, ease of operation.
All these issues will be discussed in detail below.
However, first let’s look at the advantages of this plumbing fixture, to which it owes its popularity:
- Simplicity and maintainability. This has already been mentioned above - due to its simplicity, a single-lever mixer lasts a long time, and this period can be extended by timely repairing the product.
- Ease of use. There is no need to turn the valves; just lift the mixer joystick up in one motion to let the water flow. To adjust the temperature, the lever is turned left and right, and the pressure is adjusted by vertical movement of the lever.
- Durability. The simpler the design, the less often it breaks - a single-lever mixer consists of a small number of parts, and if you treat it with care and install a filter on the water, the product is guaranteed to last more than 10 years. Of course, this only applies to high-quality faucets.
On sale you can often find products made from fragile, short-lived, but very cheap silumin. In the best case, such a mixer will work for two years.
It is worth mentioning simple repairs. Simply put, any smart housewife can do a simple repair of a single-lever mixer with her own hands. Basically, it all comes down to a banal replacement of the disk cartridge or ball, depending on the design of the device. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and consider the internal structure of the mixer.
Image gallery
The sound of dripping water is not only annoying, but also increases your utility bills. The cause of this sound is a faulty faucet. To repair a kitchen faucet, you don’t always need to invite plumbers to do it. Some breakdowns can be easily fixed with your own hands, saving money and gaining good experience.
Diagram of a kitchen faucet.
Kitchen faucet repair: when is it necessary?
Any faucets can break. This is especially true for kitchen faucets, since they are used more often than bathroom faucets.
Repairing a kitchen faucet is not very difficult; you just need to identify the cause of the breakdown.
Kitchen faucet repair is necessary if:
- leaks from under the flywheel;
- flows through the spout nut;
- flows between the valve head and the male thread.
Mixer assembly diagram.
Most often, kitchen faucets have a high spout. It’s not for nothing that housewives consider this type of kitchen faucet the most convenient of all: it allows you to fill even deep containers with water. Such a mixer can be a single-lever ball or two-valve type. The convenience of a ball kitchen faucet is that you can turn the water on and off with one hand. These faucets have fewer parts, so doing their own repairs is much easier. Most often, the need to repair a kitchen ball mixer arises due to the fragility of the shut-off valve.
Repairing a kitchen faucet requires the availability of appropriate tools and materials, the list of which may vary depending on the nature of the malfunction. A complete set that will allow you to quickly and efficiently repair the faucet in your kitchen with your own hands includes the following tools:
- Hexagons.
- Gas keys.
- Screwdriver Set.
- Large pliers.
- An ordinary wrench.
- FUM tape for sealing threaded connections.
- Vinyl tape (it will need to be wrapped around the jaws of the keys in 2-3 layers to prevent scratches on the surface of the faucet).
The procedure for repairing a ball mixer for the kitchen with your own hands
Installation of a kitchen faucet (useful tips).
You can prevent the annoying sound of dripping water from appearing even during the installation of the faucet in the kitchen, or rather, even before it is installed. The likelihood of a quick failure of the ball mixer will be significantly reduced if you install filters for cleaning on the cold and hot water pipes. After all, during repair work, as a rule, it is necessary to change the entire ball module, and this work is more expensive and time-consuming than installing filters. A ball faucet can leak for a variety of reasons. The most common of them are wear of the internal gasket and mechanical damage to the mixer body, which leads to the appearance of a chip or crack.
As already mentioned, you can repair the faucet in the kitchen yourself. Before starting work, you must turn off the water supply and prepare a shallow container to drain the water remaining in the kitchen tap. If the product was purchased in a good store, you should have the manufacturer’s instructions describing the technical characteristics of this model; perhaps this information will be useful to you.
A small chip or crack can be sealed with sealant. If the crack is large enough, it is better to replace the valve completely. If no visible damage is found, but the faucet still leaks, then the reason is most likely a worn gasket. To replace it, you must first remove the faucet.
Disassembling the mixer
DIY faucet repair.
You need to carefully unscrew the nuts on the main body of the product. In many models, the nuts are hidden under an additional housing for a more beautiful appearance. The housing can be moved with little effort, gaining access to the fasteners. It is precisely because of the additional housing that the ball mixer at first glance looks inseparable. However, its handle has a hole for a hex key. This is where dismantling the crane begins. If you don't have a special wrench, gently tap with a hammer through a screwdriver. The top ball seal is located directly under the nut. Inspect the gasket and ball. Particular attention should be paid to its upper part, because... This is where the valve holes are located. The surface of the ball should be shiny and one color.
The ball body has 3 holes with rubber seals. These holes are supported by springs that need to be removed using a screwdriver. Failure of these springs can also cause leakage. In this case, the springs need to be replaced.
Replacing the ball mixer gasket
If you disassemble the product in order to replace the gasket, be sure to first buy a new one. Gaskets are sold in all hardware stores. The faucet gasket is a rubber ring whose main function is to seal the connection. The diameter of the ring should be slightly larger than the diameter of the socket in which you discovered a leak.
After replacing the gasket, you need to tighten the nuts very carefully, because the reasons for gasket wear include not only long-term use, but also excessive tightening of the connection. For rubbing parts you need to use a small amount of silicone non-toxic lubricant. With it, the mixer will last 1.5-2 times longer than without it.
For models built into the sink, the cause of the leak may be wear and tear on the ceramic cartridge built into the faucet. The procedure for replacing it is no more complicated than replacing the gasket. You just need to remove the cartridge from the case and install a new one in its place.
Do-it-yourself repair of a two-valve mixer
No less common are two-valve mixers. The weak point of such products is the rubber gasket. This is especially true for hot water taps: due to constant heating, the gasket is destroyed much faster.
Buy a new gasket. Turn off the water supply, then unscrew the handwheel of the valve to be repaired and leave it in the open position to protect the valve parts from excess pressure. Remove the decorative caps (red and blue) from the valves and remove the screw holding the flywheel using a screwdriver. After this, use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the fastening nut. Once the head is removed, you will be able to see the problem - a deformed head on the valve. Remove the contents and install a new gasket. There are models of taps in which the gaskets are secured with special nuts. If there is one on your faucet, then it needs to be removed and after installing a new gasket, returned to its place.
Oil seal leakage is a common problem.
Another fairly common malfunction of valve kitchen mixers is oil seal leakage, which occurs due to wear of the oil seal packing. To understand what repair work needs to be done, you need to disassemble the mixer in the manner described above. Sometimes it is enough to simply seal the stuffing box, and in some cases it has to be completely changed.
After disassembling the product, try to tighten the stuffing box more firmly. If the leak stops after this, you can reassemble the faucet. If the leak continues, you will have to replace the packing. Ordinary twine soaked in machine oil, a piece of rubber tube, or a thread of burlap are suitable as padding. However, this is only if your kitchen has an old Soviet-made mixer installed. If the faucet is new, then simply buy suitable spare parts at a plumbing store.
The packing should be laid clockwise. Compact each subsequent layer with a screwdriver. Here it is necessary to find a middle ground, avoiding gaps and over-compaction. The bushing should be tightened by 2-3 threads. After completing the DIY kitchen faucet repair, check its functionality. Before turning on the main water supply valve, both taps must be returned to the closed position.
To equip bathrooms and supply cold and hot water, today there is a large selection of different mixers and taps on the market. Manufacturers offer these products in different versions, which allows you to choose a device for any room interior, taking into account individual preferences and their cost. However, in light of its aesthetic and functional features, the single-lever bathroom faucet is more popular.
Device Features
The demand for installation of single-lever faucets in apartments and houses is due to the simplicity and ease of use of such a faucet, as well as its laconic appearance. Controlling the temperature and water pressure, turning it on and off - all these actions with the mixer can be easily performed with one hand by turning the handle to a certain position.
Due to the specific nature of their design, such products are distinguished by their reliability, which allows the faucets to be used productively in bathrooms or kitchens for quite a long time.
Conventional water taps and wall-mounted mixers are gradually fading into the background, giving way to single-lever products. A joystick mixer includes a housing with a plate, inside which the supplied cold and hot water are mixed. The operating principle of the plate is similar to the functions of a lever, which indicates the simplicity of the design of such devices for supplying water. Most often, metal, ceramics or plastic are used to make faucets.
The design of single-lever faucets is a fairly new invention, but its positive features have already been appreciated by consumers, due to which it can be argued that such a product is better than a standard two-valve faucet with an axle box, especially in the bathroom. The product is quite often called a single-grip crane.
To have a clear idea of the specific configuration of such a mixer, it is worth noting the main components of the product:
- lever;
- spout;
- housing and retainer;
- cartridge or ball mechanism;
- gaskets, fastening nut and hoses.
The main feature of a single-handle faucet with a cartridge is the absence of metal parts inside the device. It consists of ceramic elements that are resistant to corrosion processes and tolerate direct contact with water.
However, premature damage to such spare parts can be caused by unsatisfactory quality of tap water, which negatively affects the condition of the parts. To reduce the likelihood of breakdowns associated with low-quality liquid, manufacturers of plumbing fixtures install filters inside the mixer, but they do not always cope with the task, since in some regions of Russia the condition of the water is quite deplorable.
Knowing this feature of the product, you can prepare in advance for such situations by installing additional water purification systems, which will allow you to avoid situations related to the need for premature repair of a single-lever mixer.
Advantages and disadvantages
The products described have a number of positive qualities:
- Single lever faucets used for bathtubs, washbasins or sinks are very convenient to use. To supply water at the required temperature, there is no need to unscrew several valves, which means it is easy to use. By moving the lever, you can control not only the temperature due to the fact that cold and hot water is mixed directly inside the tap, but also the pressure.
- Due to the fact that the type of sanitary tap in question is designed quite simply, the product has a long service life. This advantage is due to the absence of parts in the design that rub against each other during operation, which leads to their wear.
- Simple and quick installation of the mixer has a positive effect on consumer demand, since purchased products can be easily installed with your own hands without the involvement of specialists.
- In addition to functionality, single-lever universal faucets stand out from double-valve faucets with a more attractive and laconic appearance. On sale you can find products for hidden installation in a “retro” style.
- Expensive models are distinguished by a wide angle of water temperature adjustment. Products acquire this property through the use of high-quality raw materials, as well as due to the specific design.
- Due to simple adjustments, such taps make it possible to save the overall level of water consumption, which reduces utility costs.
Like any other product, the plumbing fixtures in question have some disadvantages:
- As for this type of single-lever mixer, such as a ball valve, these products have a weak side - the rubber gaskets wear out quite quickly. Therefore, to avoid more serious damage, it is worth replacing the seals every 24 months.
- Such faucets are very sensitive to various foreign inclusions, which are often contained in tap water. This applies to sand and other abrasive substances.
To reduce the risk of breakdown, you should take care of installing purification filters for the water entering your home, which may involve additional costs.
- Cheap cartridge mixer products are difficult to regulate the temperature, this is due to the fact that the taps are provided with a minimum angle of control of the temperature of the supplied liquid.
- Single-lever mixers have little repairability, which makes it impossible to repair them yourself, as a result of which all repair work will be reduced to replacing some structural element. Most often these are gaskets or a cartridge. Timely preventive maintenance measures will help extend the service life of the device.
Kinds
The classification of single-lever mixers is based on the internal structure of the device. On this basis, two main types of valves can be distinguished - ball and cartridge:
- Ball the mixer has a special element located inside the device. It is a metal ball with three holes. Each hole in it is responsible for supplying a certain water; in the last hole, this part mixes them, leading them to the tap itself. Typically, the container inside the ball is called a mixing ball chamber. This part is adjustable using a rod and has rubber seals. The water supply level is adjusted as the ball moves. This type of mixer has a long service life due to the features of its design.
- Cartridge The single-lever faucet contains a disk instead of a ball; two ceramic plates act as its base. The lower part of the cartridge has three holes for water supply. At the top, liquids are mixed. The principle of operation of such a device is to adjust the positions of the plates with holes for cold and hot water so that the holes are in contact with the mixing chamber located at the top of the disk. Silicone processing compound is used to ensure smooth joystick movement.
It is these faucets that are prone to frequent breakdowns due to impurities contained in the water.
How to troubleshoot?
Not every malfunction in a single-lever water supply device can be repaired. As for replacing the cartridge, it is necessary in the following situations:
- if it leaks;
- when the tap is opened to maximum, the water pressure remains very weak;
- when the operating device supplies water to both the shower and spout.
To perform repairs, you must have the following set of tools:
- screwdriver and wrench;
- pliers and knife.
The main thing is that before disassembling the device, you need to turn off the water supply to it.
Scheme of repair work:
- First of all, you need to remove the plugs on the lever. To remove the lever, the screw is unscrewed.
- Then the nuts are removed from the body using a wrench, after which you can remove the cartridge.
If the problem is a leak, the cartridge must be replaced with a new part. When purchasing spare parts, it is worth considering that replacement elements may have different hole diameters and clamps located in the bottom plate. It is best to take the part that has become unusable with you when going to the store. This will help you make the right choice. After purchasing a new cartridge, assembling the mixer is carried out according to a similar scheme, but in reverse order.
If the device is faulty due to wear of the oil seal, it must be replaced. The work procedure in this case includes the following steps:
- Having fixed the lever in the closed position, you need to remove the shower hose;
- Using pliers for work, the switch button is removed from the housing;
- then the adapter is removed from the spout and the oil seal is replaced.
As for ball mixers, it will not be possible to repair them; device malfunctions associated with the sealing material can be considered an exception to the rule. Weak water pressure will indicate the presence of debris in the aerator. Most often, the faucet makes noise and creaks during operation. To resolve the problem, you must perform the following steps:
- remove the aerator and rinse it under running water;
- then install the part back, securing it with a clamping nut.
Work on replacing old rubber bands is carried out as follows:
- First of all, you need to remove the lever;
- a two-component element is removed from the body, where the black part is a seal that needs to be put in order or replaced;
- if the above steps did not help solve the leak issue, you need to replace the lower rubber band;
- after this, the ball is inserted back and secured with a nut;
- The last step will be to install the mixer handle.
To ensure more productive operation of the single-lever mixer after replacing the rubber bands, it is worth additionally using silicone lubricant.
A single-lever bathroom faucet has a switch that controls the flow of water either through the faucet or through the shower head. This device may experience various malfunctions over time. The most common problems:
- There are often cases when water enters the bath from two sources at once. This is a sign of problems with the valve seals.
- Over time, the water supply switch button works hard, as a result of which it does not return to its normal position. The cause of this malfunction is a broken rod spring.
As for spool valve gaskets, the main catch will be that they are not sold separately. These components are usually included in the mixer kit. If one is not available, then the way out of the situation would be to make an elastic band yourself. A homemade product will help eliminate faucet malfunction for a while.
The switch itself has two seals, which are located in the upper and lower parts of the spool. If the upper rubber band has become unusable, the switch cannot be disassembled, since to replace the part it will be enough to remove the cap and install a new element. The lower rubber installation option requires disassembling the switch.
The principle of replacing products is as follows:
- place the lever in the closed position and disconnect the shower hose;
- remove the cover and unscrew the screw;
- after which you can remove the button and spool and replace the seals;
- The assembly of the device is carried out according to the same scheme, starting from the end.
