Kitchen faucet ball repair. The kitchen faucet is leaking: how to fix it

Since kitchen taps are used much more often than bathroom faucets, there are more problems with them - failures, leaks and other breakdowns. In some cases, it is necessary to completely change the device. If the faucet in the kitchen sink is leaking, repairs can be carried out with the help of a mechanic or independently. Do-it-yourself repairs will require a little experience, tools and knowledge of the design.

Signs for repairs

Kitchen faucet repair is required under the following circumstances:

there is a leak from under the nut at the spout, as well as from under the handle, valve, when turned on;

malfunctions in the movements of the lever, for example, the inability to fix it or there is scrolling;
weak stream with high pressure in the water supply;
water dripping with the tap closed.

If any of the described symptoms appear, repairs must be carried out immediately in order to increase the service life of the device and prevent flooding.

Features of different types of mixers

In kitchens, it is more common and more practical to use traditional taps, with one or two levers. Common parts include the body, spout, aerator and sealing gaskets. The remaining parts are significantly different.

Double valves

This technique is classic and made very simply. Under the flywheel, which rotates when the water is turned on, there is a valve axle that performs a shut-off function. In devices where flywheels must be turned to stop and supply water, worm-type axle boxes are installed. They are based on rotating movements; the more you unscrew the valve, the more water will come out through the spout.

There are axle boxes with ceramic panels, with which you only need to make half a turn in the tap to supply water. When opened, the holes align and water flows through the spout. The cost of the axle box is low, you can always find it in a plumbing store and make a replacement.

Single lever types

A single-lever kitchen faucet is considered more fashionable and modern. With its help, pressure and temperature are regulated with only one lever. Water is mixed using a hollow ball or cartridge.

When using ball cutters, please note that they will have 3 holes. 2 inputs, where hot and cold water flows, 1 output - needed for draining into the sink. The mechanism itself rests on 2 rubber “saddles”, and by moving the lever you can set the desired water pressure and temperature. Fixation is carried out with a sealing collar and a nut for the stopper.

The main problem with seal failures is small specks and debris that are in the water pipes. To fix the problem, you need to disassemble the faucet and remove dirt.

Cartridge devices work in a similar way, but there is no ball mechanism inside. The internal design is significantly different. There are 3 holes, as in the first case, but inside the cartridge there are small ceramic discs, with the help of which the water supply is adjusted. If such a device leaks, then the repair is almost no different from the ball type.

Causes of faucet leaks

Kitchen faucet leaks can have different types and causes. Among the main types are the following:

the appearance of water from under the gander. A common problem if there is a two-valve faucet. The reason is the wear of the gaskets, which fail when the water is turned on frequently. To replace it, just unscrew the nut, remove the gooseneck and install a new gasket or cut it out of rubber. When reassembling, do not tighten the nut tightly so as not to damage the base, especially if it is made of silumin;

valve leaking or inability to completely turn off the water. To solve the problem, the axle box assembly is changed;

leak under the sink. Often the problem is hidden in the hoses that supply water to the tap or wear of the gasket at the connection points. Repair consists of the usual replacement of a hose or seal;
poor quality faucet. The problem appears very often, especially if a Chinese faucet is purchased. The service life is only a couple of years, after which it begins to leak;
incorrect installation or poor quality of work performed. The leakage problem is caused by improper selection of gaskets or poor connection of parts;
incorrect use of the mixer. Problems begin when turning the handles at a different angle or increasing the force on the levers.

If the mixer does not work well after a certain period of operation, and there are no obvious reasons, then the problem is hidden in limescale deposits on the parts. To solve the problem, you need to disassemble the device and completely clean it of salts using household chemicals.

The problem of leakage often appears when installing a new faucet, although this should not happen. In this case, there is room for defects and the product must be replaced under warranty. It is strictly forbidden to repair the device, as this will not allow for a replacement.

Do-it-yourself faucet repair

Before removing the faucet and repairing it, you need to prepare the tool. To do this you will need:

adjustable wrench or set of wrenches;
screwdriver;
parts for replacement, depending on the type of failure;
lubricant in the form of WD-40 to make it easier to unscrew parts;
pliers.

Regardless of the type of mixer, before starting work, you must turn off the water supply and drain the remaining residue from the system. After this, repairs can be carried out based on the design features of the mixer.

Single lever taps

The main principle of work is step-by-step execution of actions and accuracy. The execution steps are as follows:

Using a small screwdriver or a knife, remove the plug on the mixer body.
A screw will be visible in the hole that connects the lever and the adjustment rod. It is unscrewed using a hexagon.
The lever is removed from the body, the protective casing is unscrewed, under which there is a clamping nut. It must be carefully removed with an adjustable wrench.
For a ball device, there will be a sealing collar under the nut at the bottom; the ball is pulled out and inspected for cleanliness and deformations.
The cartridge is removed from the cartridge tap and inspected for damage.
The parts are replaced and everything is assembled in the reverse order.

There is no need to tighten the nuts very tightly so as not to cause deformation of the rubber bands for sealing and malfunction of the tap. For smooth running and longer service life, you can use silicone lubricant. For clarity of repairs, it is recommended to watch the video:

Double valves

The procedure for repairing faucets with 2 valves is almost the same, and how to disassemble it correctly is presented in the step-by-step guide:

Pry off the plugs on the valve flywheel and remove them.
Using a screwdriver, unscrew the fixing screw.
Remove the flywheel to get to the axle box, unscrew the part counterclockwise and conduct a detailed inspection.
The gasket of the worm gear is often damaged, so it must be replaced separately. The axle box with ceramics is replaced as an assembly.
After completing the work, you need to reassemble the mixer in the reverse order.

In addition to a leaking faucet, there are other possible problems. For example, the degree of contamination of parts, namely the aerator, depends on the quality of tap water. Solid debris accumulates inside it, and when there is a lot of it, the pressure weakens significantly. To do this, you need to replace the part or simply remove it for cleaning.

If there is a crack in the product, then the mixer must be replaced completely. To temporarily solve the problem, you can seal the hole with sealant.

Complete faucet replacement

If it is impossible to repair the faucet and eliminate the leak, then you need to buy a new plumbing fixture and replace it. For this you need screwdrivers, keys and a container for water. Regardless of the faucet model, the replacement procedure is no different and looks like this:

The first step is to remove the old faucet. To begin with, the water supply from the central system is closed, the valves on the tap are opened to completely relieve pressure and remove residues in the system.
Open the flexible hoses from the supply pipes and drain the water in them into a bucket or basin.
Disconnect the siphon from the sewer and, if desired, remove the sink; this will greatly simplify further work.
Unscrew the faucet fasteners from the bottom of the sink, remove the product with hoses through the hole in the sink.
To install new equipment, you should buy hoses and screw them to the mixer. It is important to ensure the presence of gaskets and their correct location.
A sealing ring is placed in the faucet body to prevent water from getting under the cabinet.
The hoses are inserted into the hole in the sink, and the mixer is fixed using a special plate. It is clamped with one bolt.
If the sink has been removed, you need to fix it back and seal the joints with sealant.
Connect the hoses to the pipeline, install a siphon and turn on the water supply valve.

After the work is completed, check the functionality and presence of leaks at all connections. More often it appears at the junction of the hose with the mixer or pipeline.

Prevention

Repairing a mixer may not always give good results; in some cases, a complete replacement of the device is required. Experts advise adhering to a few simple rules, with which the equipment will serve for a long time:

If possible, install filters for rough water purification to prevent the entry of debris and other dirt from the water supply;
if you install a filter to remove salts, the parts will be protected from lime, so you can forget about leaks and repairs for a long time;
The highest quality and most durable faucets are considered to be brass, while low-quality faucets are made of silumin. Often, cheap faucets are produced by Chinese and Turkish manufacturers;

single-lever designs are more modern and convenient, they are easier to repair.
To clean the body and other parts, it is better to use cream-like substances or gels that are suitable for the metal of the mixer. Do not use brushes or alkaline cleaning products;
to preserve chromium, all traces of detergents must be removed immediately with plain water;
Gaskets and other parts need to be changed once every 2-3 years, possibly more often. This preventive measure is much cheaper than replacing the entire faucet;
The valves must be opened and closed completely, but without effort.

Knowing what to do when a kitchen faucet leaks, you can replace parts or the entire faucet yourself. Often the described schemes are suitable for all appliances, including those in the bathroom. Before carrying out work, it is important to determine the cause of the leak, and when choosing new faucets, you should buy only high-quality products and not give preference to cheap products.

Most often, a ball valve is installed in the kitchen. It is convenient and simple, works flawlessly. Turning one knob is much more pleasant than turning two valves. In addition, the design of the ball valve also determines its reliability - it is simple and devoid of unnecessary parts that can fail at the wrong time.

The ball type mixer is very simple and easy to use.

Before repairing the faucet with your own hands, it is important to know its structure

Disassemble the faucet with extreme care to avoid damaging anything.

However, the ball valve breaks sooner or later and begins to leak. And here you have to deal with an unpleasant thing - a design feature of the ball valve that determines its reliability at the same time and makes it difficult to repair it yourself. The fact is that the mixer mechanism is non-separable and the most important mechanisms are included in a cartridge that cannot be disassembled. If one part fails, the entire cartridge will have to be replaced.

Let us now take a closer look at other ball valve failures:

Hull cracks;
Failure of gaskets;
Cartridge clogged.

Case cracks can be repaired with your own hands only if the crack is small. In this case, you can use a sealant. This will stop the leak for a while.

If the gaskets are worn out, they must be replaced:

Shut off the water supply;
Remove the mixer by unscrewing the inlets and the nut securing it;
Replace the gasket;
Reassemble the mixer.

If the cartridge is clogged, there is nothing you can do about it yourself - you will have to replace the entire cartridge. To do this, after shutting off the water and draining the water, remove the mixer. Next, the decorative plug is removed, the lever is removed and the cartridge is removed. The old cartridge is thrown away and a new one is installed in its place. Next, the crane is put back together.

If the faucet body bursts, its replacement is inevitable.

Sometimes the cause of malfunction and difficult water supply is a clogged aerator. Repairing such a fault with your own hands is not at all difficult. You need to unscrew the aerator and open the tap - if the water starts flowing with the same force, then the problem is definitely in the aerator. In this case, the aerator is washed, freed from debris and put back on. Sometimes the aerator is already completely destroyed. Then it is replaced with a new one.

If water stops flowing from the shower, but flows fine from the tap, then the spool gaskets are most likely worn out. If the top gasket fails, you don’t even need to remove the mixer. Simply remove the shower hose and change the gasket. If the problem persists, then the problem is in the bottom gasket and you will have to remove the mixer yourself.

Before removing any tap, the water supply must be interrupted.

Repairing faucets in the kitchen and bathroom yourself is not difficult. And it doesn’t even require experience in plumbing work or special knowledge of mechanisms. All work can be done quickly using the most accessible tool available in any home - a knife and a screwdriver.

What a mixer is in general, no one needs to be told; everyone knows for sure that this is a device with which cold water is mixed with hot water and supplied for various needs in the kitchen or bathroom. Over its history, humanity has experienced many types and types, as well as models of faucets. Today, the most popular and in demand are faucets with a single control lever, which can be used to set the desired pressure and required water temperature.

When asking for similar devices in a store, or planning to repair a single-lever kitchen faucet with your own hands, you may find that they also have other names. Such plumbing equipment can also be called mono-command, and in everyday life many people generally call it a joystick. Such joysticks owe their popularity to their reliability and long service life, since their internal parts practically do not rub against each other, they are made of metal and ceramics, and the rubber gaskets that are there are easily replaceable.

A single-lever device consists of several parts fastened together. In order to figure out how to repair a mixer tap with one handle, you will have to become a little more familiar with its design.

Regulator (knob, lever) for water pressure and temperature.
Nut or washer for fixing the main rod.
A cartridge or a special ball-shaped valve with holes and grooves that provides mixing of water flows.
Rubber gaskets (seats) to prevent leaks.
The tap tube is threaded on one side and with a screwed-on aerator filter (mesh) on the other.
Various cuffs and washers for screwing to the sink or sink and an adjustment ring to hold the structure together.

The principle of operation of such mixers is quite simple and understandable, if you look at it. There is already an article on our website about how it works, as well as exactly how to disassemble a single-lever mixer. In a nutshell, water enters the cartridge through two holes, after which it pours out, already mixed together. By moving the internal element (ball or cartridge) using the lever, you can select different positions of the holes and grooves that are responsible for supplying colder or hotter water.

It happens that faucets fail, then there is no way to do without repairs. The easiest way is to turn to a real professional plumber, who, just by looking at the problem, most often can make a “diagnosis”, name the cause of the breakdown and methods for resolving it. But such services are not available to everyone and not always.

The cartridge system is considered more reliable because this element is made of ceramics or a special polymer, which very rarely fails, and even then due to manufacturing defects. However, it is more expensive and tends to become clogged with solid particles, for example, sand, clay or rust from the water supply.
The ball mechanism will be cheaper, but is made of metal, so it is susceptible to some corrosive phenomena, oxidizes, and due to its shape, it can accumulate limescale on the surface, which will have to be cleaned regularly.
Ball or cartridge seats, which are rubber gaskets, can also fail due to solid impurities in the water or substances dissolved in it. Then the gaskets can become deformed and even harden, which will certainly lead to failure of the entire mixer.
Overtightened nuts and washers can also lead to damage, and the mixer can jam or even jam. But loose twists also do not bring anything good, since they also have a detrimental effect on the performance and durability of the system.
Cracks, chips or manufacturing defects on the mixer body usually lead to leaks; this is a fairly common breakdown that should never be forgotten about, otherwise it’s no wonder you’ll flood your neighbors.

But the most important, main cause of breakdowns of all types of faucets, both single-lever and other, is hard water, which is present in our water supply. Over time, various substances settle on gaskets and internal surfaces, “sticking” to nuts, screws and washers, preventing them from functioning properly.

We have already figured out the basic structure, as well as the cause of possible breakdowns of the faucet; all that remains is to find out exactly what “symptoms” of breakdowns can cause a quick response, after which it is already possible and necessary to repair a single-lever kitchen faucet. There may be many signs that it’s time to pick up a screwdriver and wrench, but it doesn’t hurt to study the main ones and keep them in mind.

When the faucet leaks or drips or flows from under the lever.
If the lever is in the closed position and water is still dripping or flowing from the spout.
When the stream of water is excessively thin, but there are no visible reasons for this, and the pressure in the water supply system remains good.
If the control lever does not move smoothly, jerks, sticks, or does not reach its extreme points, then you should think about repairs as soon as possible.
If when you open the tap you hear a strange, somewhat whistling hum, then it definitely smells like kerosene and you need to think about prevention and repair.

Before you start repairing a single-lever kitchen faucet, you need to take care to completely cut off the possibility of leakage and flooding of neighbors. To do this, you need to turn off the common taps in the apartment or house, if any. If there are none, then you will have to connect the housing office, asking to turn off the entire riser, otherwise trouble cannot be avoided.

In order to repair a single-lever faucet, you will most likely have to purchase the necessary spare parts. Ball systems most often require replacement of gaskets and seats (rubber or silicone), on which the ball mechanism sits. In cartridge designs, gaskets, couplings and cuffs can also fail, but more often the entire internal ceramic element needs to be replaced, or at least washed and cleaned. But in addition to storerooms and consumables, you will also need tools, otherwise you won’t be able to do anything.

Wrenches, adjustable wrenches, sockets and hexagons.
The screwdriver is shaped and flat, powerful, with a fairly long handle.
Pliers or pliers.
An ordinary knife with a sharp edge.
Hammer.

Remove the mixer handle. It's not much different from a cartridge faucet.
After removing it, we take out the cam with the washer. You can immediately clean it of all rubbish. It won't be redundant.
Next we take out the ball itself and inspect it carefully. First, let's look at the top washer; you just need to clean it. If the ball itself looks worn out, then only replacement will help. If the springs do not press the seats against the valves well, then it is worth replacing both. It's not very difficult. You hook them with a screwdriver and take them out.
Well, that's basically it. The problem may also be due to limescale deposits or wear of mechanical components.
Weak pressure? The gaskets on the supply lines may be pinched, or there may be poor passage of pipes or hoses. It’s also worth mentioning the aerator, this is a mesh at the end of the tap. If something is not very good with the flow of water, then you should remove this mesh and clean it, this is done very simply, you can use a needle, or you can use strong pressure of water. If anything, then it can be changed, their price is low, so you can afford to replace them sometimes. However, if a similar situation occurs often, then this makes you think that it makes sense to install at least mechanical filters. This will greatly extend the operation of the device and the life of the sink.

How to understand that a faucet needs repair

As a rule, each of us opens and closes the water in the kitchen several dozen times during the day, but almost no one counts these times. Such movements place a very heavy load on the mixer, which on average is designed for a million such movements, but with frequent opening and closing it is also prone to breakage.

The kitchen tap provides us with water dozens of times a day. It is not surprising that it fails more often than in the bathroom. Before calling a plumber or buying a new faucet, you should try to repair it yourself.

If you are reading this article, then one of these breakdowns has occurred with your faucet:

The faucet is leaking, water is dripping from under the handle;
Water drips from the spout even when the valves are closed;
When opening the mixer, a humming sound appears in the pipes;
The water jet is too thin;
The single-lever mixer operates in jerks;
Water flows out from under the union nut on the spout;
The tap lever does not lock in the desired position;
Leak in the flywheel area (valve structures).

What is needed for repair

Before you start repairing a kitchen faucet with your own hands, you need to prepare all the tools and necessary faucet components.

You will need:

Hex wrench;
Adjustment key;
Cutter knife;
Screwdriver and hammer.

Repairs also require additional materials - dry rags, lubricant. And if the faucet leaks, you will have to buy additional spare parts: a new cartridge or its parts (for a single-lever mixer), sealing rings, a faucet axle (for a two-valve design).

Repairing a single-lever ball-type mixer

There are four reasons why a faucet needs to be repaired:

Cracks, chips caused by mechanical damage to the body;
Blockage in the cartridge between the seats and the ball;
Gasket wear;
The aerator is clogged or rusty.

What to do if a defect appears on the case? You can try to repair it by cold welding - sealant (putty). But this is still a temporary measure, and soon you will still have to change the mixer.

If the problem is low water pressure, then most likely the cause is a clogged aerator. Then you need to take it out, clean the mesh, for example, with a toothbrush, and then install it back.

Let's look at the problems more seriously.

When the faucet leaks without visible damage, the problem is most likely a violation of the integrity of the gasket or a broken cartridge. In this case, complete disassembly of the kitchen single-lever mixer is required.

How to disassemble the tap? First, turn off the water and let the remaining water flow out of the tap. Then study the structure of the single-lever kitchen faucet in the photo.

Now let's start the repair step by step:

The screw on the main body is unscrewed. It is usually hidden behind a decorative plug that needs to be removed with a screwdriver, as shown in the photo.

Advice! You can disassemble and repair the device even if you don’t have a hex wrench at hand. To do this, carefully tap the fastening nut with a hammer on a screwdriver.

The lever and cap are removed, and now we need to remove the cartridge and inspect the entire device for defects. To do this, unscrew the cam washer using an adjustable wrench.

The disassembled faucet is inspected for defects: the gasket, the surface of the ball and the springs supporting the rubber seals in the holes are inspected. Loose springs and worn taps are replaced if necessary. At this stage, you need to clean all parts from accumulated water deposits.
Most often, a leak from a faucet occurs due to a blockage formed between the ball and the valve seats in the cartridge. In this case, you just need to change it. The whole difficulty of this task lies in the correct choice of cartridge, and repairing the faucet with your own hands is not at all difficult.

Advice! When going to a plumbing store to buy a new cartridge, take the old one with you so as not to make a mistake with the size, because the cartridges are not standardized - they are produced in a variety of diameters and materials.

We install the new cartridge so that its holes align with the holes inside the mixer body. Then screw the washer back on (first with your hands, then tightly, but not too tightly, with a wrench).

We check the quality of our work by running water. If it does not leak, then we proceed to install the cap, and then the lever - we tighten the screw in it and fasten the plug.

How to change the gasket in the mixer? This is also quite easy. You need to remove the old O-rings and replace them with new ones, to which we first apply a little plumbing grease.

Advice! For all rubbing parts of the product, non-toxic silicone-based lubricant should be used. This will double the service life of structural elements.

How to fix this type of faucet? It is necessary to disassemble and replace worn elements - the valve axle and/or gasket.

The sequence of work in this case will be as follows:

The water is completely shut off, after which the valve flywheel is moved to the operating position so that excess pressure does not act on the parts.
Next, you need to disassemble the structure - to do this, remove the decorative caps and remove the screw that secures the flywheel. To do this you will need a screwdriver. Next, the old crane axle box is replaced with a new one of a suitable size, and the structure is put back together.

If the gasket is worn out, it is simply removed and a new one, lubricated with plumbing grease, is installed in its place.

Often valve mixers need to be repaired because the seal has leaked. Then it needs to be disassembled using the same algorithm and the worn packing replaced.

And sometimes, in order to adjust the valve tap, it is enough to just tighten the stuffing box, as shown in the video:

Advice! Replacement of the packing is only necessary when the bushing is tightly tightened and there is still a leak. The following are used as packing (for old faucets):

Rubber tube of appropriate dimensions;
Burlap threads;
Twine impregnated with drying oil.

If you see that the threads on the parts have worn out, then this indicates that it is time to update the plumbing.

Being able to repair your kitchen faucet yourself is a great way to save money. However, repairs cannot always completely restore the efficiency of the faucet, and it is often easier to simply replace the faucet in the kitchen.

Keep in mind that:

The most durable structures are considered to be those made of heavy metals (brass);
The lowest quality are Chinese or Turkish silumin products;
The convenience of the single-lever device is obvious - it can be opened with one free hand. It is also easier to repair, since the design contains fewer spare parts.
Faucet repairs can be prevented. Most often, the main cause of malfunctions is contaminants coming from the water main. Therefore, installing special coarse water filters will help you keep your faucet intact longer.

In the kitchen, the faucet is used much more actively than in the bathroom, so it breaks down much more often. In rare cases, the only solution to the problem that has arisen is to buy a new device and invite a plumber; in other cases, you can handle it yourself. By deciding to repair a kitchen faucet yourself, you will save on the services of a specialist and gain important experience. You just need to arm yourself with theory and tools.

Kitchen faucet repair - when and why it is necessary

Your kitchen faucet needs repair if you experience the following “symptoms”:

Leakage from under the nut at the water outlet, from under the handle (lever) or mixer valves in working condition.
The correct movement of the lever or valves is disrupted (they stick, turn, do not lock in the desired position, etc.).
At normal water pressure in the system, the jet is not powerful enough.
Water drips from a closed tap.

Please note: the detected problem must be resolved as quickly as possible! This will extend the service life of the mixer and protect yourself and your neighbors from flooding, saving money, time and nerves.

The problem that raises the most questions is a leaking faucet. And here you need to know the “enemy” not only by sight, but also from the inside. We are talking about the design of mixers.

Design features of the main types of kitchen faucets

Such delights as thermostatic and touchless faucets are good for bathrooms. In the kitchen, more practical models - traditional two-valve and single-lever - are fighting for a place in the sun. The common elements for them are: body, spout (spout), aerator, sealing gaskets. Otherwise they differ significantly.

Installation of two-valve taps

Faucets with two valves that are familiar to the eye are designed quite simply. Under the flywheel, which you turn when operating the structure, there is a crane-axlebox - its locking element. Below is the design of such a kitchen faucet in pictures.

Axleboxes in a two-valve mixer (sectional view)

In products where several revolutions of the flywheel are required to supply or shut off water, worm axle boxes are installed. Their work is based on rotational-translational movements. The more you unscrew the valve, the further the axle box gasket will move away from the so-called “saddle”. The consequence of this is the flow of water into the internal cavity of the mixer, and then into its spout (spout).

Worm worm valve axle box for mixer

In models where it is enough to make only half a revolution to supply water, axle boxes with ceramic plates are installed. When you open the tap, the holes in them coincide and water flows into the spout.

Crane axle boxes with ceramic plates

The cost of faucet axle boxes is low, they are always available in plumbing stores, and their replacement is extremely simple.

Design and types of single-lever mixers

More modern and practical are models of faucets with one handle (lever) that regulates pressure and temperature. Mixing water in them is carried out in a hollow ball with three holes or in a special cartridge.

The mixing element in ball models has three openings, two of which are inlets - designed to supply hot and cold water to this miniature container, and one outlet - for supplying water at a given temperature to the sink.

Ball mixer device

The ball itself is located on two rubber “saddles”. Its displacement relative to them, carried out when the lever moves, allows you to regulate the pressure and temperature of the water being poured out. The ball is secured at the top with a sealing collar and a lock nut.

Schematic structure of a ball model of a kitchen faucet

The operating principle of a mixer with a cartridge that replaces a ball is similar. At the same time, their internal structure is fundamentally different. There are still the same three functional holes, but inside the cartridge there is not a cavity, but special metal-ceramic disks. Due to their displacement relative to each other and the degree of overlap of the supply holes, when turning the lever, the water supply is adjusted.

Replaceable ceramic cartridges

The kitchen faucet is leaking - 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.

Single lever kitchen faucet repair

The main principles of repair are sequence of actions and accuracy.

Using a thin screwdriver or knife, pry and remove the decorative plug on the faucet body.
In the resulting hole you will see a screw connecting the lever and the adjusting rod. Unscrew it using a hex wrench.
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

There will be a locking (clamping) nut underneath it. Carefully unscrew it with an adjustable wrench or by tapping it with a hammer on a screwdriver.
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.
If you are disassembling a faucet with a cartridge, remove it and thoroughly inspect it.
Replace the failed part.
Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.

It is important! Do not tighten the nuts too tightly, as this may lead to deformation of the rubber seals and disruption of the normal operation of the mixer.

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 a 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.

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.

Other faucet breakdowns and fault prevention

The quality of water in many cities leaves much to be desired, so over time the aerator in the tap can become dirty. On the inside, hard deposits “grow” on it. When there are too many of them, the pressure and quality of the water deteriorate significantly. The solution to the problem is to replace the aerator. Ideally, it can be easily unscrewed with an adjustable wrench, but for stuck parts you will need WD40 or tapping with a hammer.

It is important! Carry out all work carefully, otherwise the mixer will have to be replaced completely.

The faucet is leaking, and during the inspection you found a crack in it? Then it's time to go for a new product. For a short time, silicone sealant can be an assistant.

You can extend the life of the faucet if you install a water filter and use the device carefully, without tightening the valves too tightly or moving the lever suddenly and all the way.

Now you know what to do if your kitchen faucet is dripping. In most cases, the repair schemes discussed are also suitable for eliminating breakdowns of faucets in bathrooms. This is a good saving for the family budget. But if you are not confident in your abilities or you simply don’t have time, a competent plumber will complete all the work in a matter of minutes.

Any faucet installed in the kitchen has certain requirements - soft water pressure, simple temperature control and, most importantly,...

How to change a kitchen faucet + some tips for faucet repair

The sound of dripping water in the kitchen is undoubtedly annoying. In some cases, it can even cause insomnia. This sound is caused by a faulty mixer. .

How to repair a kitchen faucet yourself

Obtaining high-quality drinking water in a private house or apartment has ceased to be a problem with the advent of various filters and even entire systems.

Kitchen faucet for water filter: operating principle and do-it-yourself installation features

please help me, my situation is much more complicated than the one you described. The faucet in the kitchen (two taps, and a third pipe coming out from below to the shower, ending with a brush for washing vegetables and going out into a separate hole in the sink, sold together with a kitchen set, produced in Voronezh approximately 1979-82 ) in operation for only 5 years before that it was just lying there, it was a pity to throw it away. It’s a very convenient thing, it has a single-circuit water heater. The essence of the problem: when you open the tap, the water flows with good pressure for 1-2 seconds and then disappears altogether; if you open the tap slowly, the pressure remains. If you cross a certain limit on the pressure, it turns off spontaneously, taking into account the presence of the column during this day, it was scalded several times, or when you open the tap, the water does not come out at all. (Yesterday after dinner I couldn’t wash the dishes) there was no water coming out at all. If you open the faucet in the bathroom, the water in the kitchen faucet will not disappear, but the pressure will be correspondingly small (if you have a cold water meter, this is not a good idea). It’s useless to call a Zhekovsky plumber (this summer the cartridge in my bathroom on the joystick faucet broke, so he couldn’t remove it for me, he said buy an old-style faucet with a coiled faucet. I’ll supply it for you). My husband went and bought new cranes and moved the bays, but the problem did not go away. If you can give me some constructive idea, please tell me. Thanks in advance, Elochka.

A faucet with a high twist in the kitchen is leaking at the turning point. How to remove the spout and change the rings. if there is no union nut. The spout is simply inserted into the faucet body. I couldn't find the answer anywhere.

Do-it-yourself kitchen faucet repair: step-by-step instructions and detailed video

When the crane needs repairs. Design of various types of mixers. The faucet is leaking in the kitchen - how to fix it, taking into account its design. Other problems with the mixer

DIY kitchen faucet repair

If you are reading this article, then one of these breakdowns has occurred with your faucet:

The faucet is leaking, water is dripping from under the handle;
Water drips from the spout even when the valves are closed;
When opening the mixer, a humming sound appears in the pipes;
The water jet is too thin;
The single-lever mixer operates in jerks;
Water flows out from under the union nut on the spout;
The tap lever does not lock in the desired position;
Leak in the flywheel area (valve structures).

What is needed for repair

Before you start repairing a kitchen faucet with your own hands, you need to prepare all the tools and necessary faucet components.

Hex wrench;
Adjustment key;
Cutter knife;
Screwdriver and hammer.

Repairing a single-lever ball-type mixer

There are four reasons why a faucet needs to be repaired:

Cracks, chips caused by mechanical damage to the body;
Blockage in the cartridge between the seats and the ball;
Gasket wear;
The aerator is clogged or rusty.

What to do if a defect appears on the case? You can try to repair it by cold welding - sealant (putty). But this is still a temporary measure, and soon you will still have to change the mixer.

If the problem is low water pressure, then most likely the cause is a clogged aerator. Then you need to take it out, clean the mesh, for example, with a toothbrush, and then install it back.

Let's look at the problems more seriously.

How to disassemble the tap? First, turn off the water and let the remaining water flow out of the tap. Then study the structure of the single-lever kitchen faucet in the photo.

Now let's start the repair step by step:

The screw on the main body is unscrewed. It is usually hidden behind a decorative plug that needs to be removed with a screwdriver, as shown in the photo.

Advice! You can disassemble and repair the device even if you don’t have a hex wrench at hand. To do this, carefully tap the fastening nut with a hammer on a screwdriver.

The lever and cap are removed, and now we need to remove the cartridge and inspect the entire device for defects. To do this, unscrew the cam washer using an adjustable wrench.

The disassembled faucet is inspected for defects: the gasket, the surface of the ball and the springs supporting the rubber seals in the holes are inspected. Loose springs and worn taps are replaced if necessary. At this stage, you need to clean all parts from accumulated water deposits.
Most often, a leak from a faucet occurs due to a blockage formed between the ball and the valve seats in the cartridge. In this case, you just need to change it. The whole difficulty of this task lies in the correct choice of cartridge, and repairing the faucet with your own hands is not at all difficult.

We install the new cartridge so that its holes align with the holes inside the mixer body. Then screw the washer back on (first with your hands, then tightly, but not too tightly, with a wrench).

We check the quality of our work by running water. If it does not leak, then we proceed to install the cap, and then the lever - we tighten the screw in it and fasten the plug.

How to change the gasket in the mixer? This is also quite easy. You need to remove the old O-rings and replace them with new ones, to which we first apply a little plumbing grease.

Advice! For all rubbing parts of the product, non-toxic silicone-based lubricant should be used. This will double the service life of structural elements.

How to fix this type of faucet? It is necessary to disassemble and replace worn elements - the valve axle and/or gasket.

The sequence of work in this case will be as follows:

The water is completely shut off, after which the valve flywheel is moved to the operating position so that excess pressure does not act on the parts.
Next, you need to disassemble the structure - to do this, remove the decorative caps and remove the screw that secures the flywheel. To do this you will need a screwdriver. Next, the old crane axle box is replaced with a new one of a suitable size, and the structure is put back together.

If the gasket is worn out, it is simply removed and a new one, lubricated with plumbing grease, is installed in its place.

Often valve mixers need to be repaired because the seal has leaked. Then it needs to be disassembled using the same algorithm and the worn packing replaced.

Advice! Replacement of the packing is only necessary when the bushing is tightly tightened and there is still a leak. The following are used as packing (for old faucets):

Rubber tube of appropriate dimensions;
Burlap threads;
Twine impregnated with drying oil.

If you see that the threads on the parts have worn out, then this indicates that it is time to update the plumbing.

Keep in mind that:

The most durable structures are considered to be those made of heavy metals (brass);
The lowest quality are Chinese or Turkish silumin products;
The convenience of the single-lever device is obvious - it can be opened with one free hand. It is also easier to repair, since the design contains fewer spare parts.
Faucet repairs can be prevented. Most often, the main cause of malfunctions is contaminants coming from the water main. Therefore, installing special coarse water filters will help you keep your faucet intact longer.

Repairing a kitchen faucet correctly - step-by-step instructions (photos, videos)

Simple and clear information about repairing faucets in the kitchen: what to do if the faucet is leaking, the pressure has become weak or the thread has worn out? How to properly disassemble and reassemble the mixer?

We repair a single-lever mixer ourselves

Single-lever faucets attract with their laconic design and ease of control of water flow. Turning on the water, changing its temperature and pressure - all this with one turn of the handle. These devices are reliable and have a long service life—some branded ones come with a 5-year warranty. However, repair of a single-lever faucet is periodically necessary.

Types of single-lever mixers and their design

Despite the external similarity, there are two types of rotary or single-lever faucets - with a cartridge (cartridge) and ball - with a ball inside. You can repair any of them, but to do this you must first disassemble them. And so that you can not only disassemble, but also assemble, it is advisable to become familiar with the internal structure of each.

The design may be different, the structure remains the same

Cartridge mixer: structure

Cartridge mixers are so named because their shut-off and control mechanism is hidden in a special cartridge flask. In more expensive faucet models, the cartridge body is made of ceramic, in cheaper ones - from plastic. The good thing about these models is that they are easy to repair, but it is not always easy to achieve the required pressure with them - you need tighter control of the handle. But changing the water temperature is very easy - with a slight movement of the hand.

The structure of a single-lever faucet with a cartridge is simple. If you go from top to bottom:

Switch with fixing screw.
Locking (clamping) nut.
Cartridge. The water flows are mixed in it, and the same device shuts off the water.
The mixer body, which has a “seat” for the cartridge.
Fasteners, studs and gaskets to ensure tightness.
Spout (gander). It can be a separate part - in rotary models for the kitchen or part of the body - for sinks in the bathroom.
If the spout is separate, gaskets are also installed below and there is also part of the body.

What does a single lever mixer with cartridge consist of?

The cartridge itself contains several (usually 4) ceramic or metal disks of a special shape. A rod is welded to the upper disk. By changing the position of the rod, we change the position of the plates relative to each other, changing the amount of water passing through the holes in the plates.

In order for the faucet/mixer to work normally, the plates are ground very tightly. For this reason, cartridge single-lever faucets are very demanding on water quality. Foreign fragments getting between the plates causes the faucet to leak or stop working altogether. To avoid this, some manufacturers install filters on the incoming pipes. But, it is better to install filters on the water supply and get clean water that can be safely supplied to household appliances.

Single lever ball mixer

It got its name from the element in which the water is mixed - a ball with cavities. The ball is usually metal, hollow inside. Its outer part is polished to a shine. The ball has three holes - two for the entry of cold and hot water, one for the exit of already mixed water. A rod is attached to the ball, which fits into a cavity in the handle. This rod with a rigidly attached ball changes the temperature of the water and its pressure.

The structure of a single-lever mixer with a ball water mixing mechanism

It is easier to adjust the parameters with such a device - the parts are well lapped, the handle moves easily. Mixers with a ball mechanism are less critical to the presence of mechanical impurities, but do not respond very well to the presence of hardness salts and excess iron. So for normal operation, pre-filtration is required here too.

How to disassemble and repair a faucet with a cartridge

Repairing a single-lever cartridge faucet often involves reassembling and cleaning the O-rings. Salts are deposited on them, debris and dirt accumulate, which is why the faucet begins to leak. To eliminate this nuisance, the mixer is disassembled, all parts are wiped of dirt (with soapy warm water), rinsed, dried, and put back in place.

Sequence of installation of parts in a cartridge single-lever mixer

Let's figure out how to disassemble a faucet with a cartridge. First, turn off the water, and then the procedure is as follows:

Remove the decorative plug located on the handle. Just pry it out with a screwdriver.
The mounting screw is hidden behind it. We unscrew it with a hex key and take it out.

First, unscrew the fixing screw

That's all. The single lever mixer with cartridge was disassembled. As you can see, there are not many details. The main working part is the cartridge. It is in it, inside, that mixing occurs.

Replacing the cartridge

The cartridge itself has a sealing gasket - a rubber seat at the bottom, which ensures a tight fit to the body. Over time, the rubber loses its elasticity and water begins to leak out. If this is the problem, you can first try to clean this ring from the salts and deposits that have formed on it. Place the cleaned part in place and check the work. If the leak does not stop, you will have to replace the cartridge.

Cartridges for “one-arm” faucets

Cartridges for mixers have different diameters, and the inlets and outlets in the lower part are located differently. Therefore, if you need to replace it, first you disassemble the mixer, get the treasured part and go to the store or market with it. You must choose exactly the same model without any deviations. At home, install the cartridge into the housing, turn it slightly until you feel that it “sits” in place. Next is assembly, it goes in reverse order.

First install the clamp nut. Actually, at this stage you can check how the new cartridge works. Turn on the water, adjust the temperature and pressure with the stem. To make it more convenient, you can put a handle on the rod. If everything is fine, continue assembly.

We disassemble and repair a single-lever ball mixer

The single-lever ball mixer was invented a little over 40 years ago. Its design is simple and reliable - there is nothing to break. If problems arise, it is only due to poor quality water - dirt particles settle on the rubber seats on which the ball rests. The contact deteriorates, water leaks out and the faucet begins to leak.

How to disassemble a single lever ball mixer

Some ball valves are also available with a cartridge. Only inside the cartridge there are not plates, but a ball. Disassembly of this type is no different from that described above. All the difference is hidden inside the flask. There are also other types of taps. In them, the locking ball is installed directly into the rubber seat. There are some minor differences here.

The faucet lever is removed in the same way - first remove the plug, then unscrew the screw with a hexagon. Pull the lever up and remove it. Afterwards the steps are very simple and

Repair of single lever mixer for bathroom, kitchen

Self-repair of a single-lever faucet in a bathroom or kitchen is possible. You just need to know how to take them apart. Description with photos and videos in the article.

Do-it-yourself single-lever kitchen faucet repair

Single-lever faucets have literally flooded the household plumbing market in recent years. And this is not strange, since these devices, despite their simple internal structure, have a high level of reliability, and their repair costs a penny. Why are lever mixers so common and how can you repair such a device yourself?

The best option for the kitchen and bathroom is an articulated faucet

There are quite a lot of different faucets on the modern plumbing market, which differ in both external and internal components. Some of them have built-in temperature sensors and electrical circuits, thanks to which you can set the water temperature as accurately as possible, others are extremely simple. The latter can easily include articulated cranes, which are extremely easy to install and maintain.

GROHE professional kitchen faucet

The main advantage of single-lever faucets is the absence of any metal elements inside the main device (cartridge). Instead, spare parts made of ceramics are installed. They do not corrode and are not afraid of direct exposure to water. The only thing that can lead to their premature destruction is low-quality and unfiltered water. Despite the fact that primitive filters are already installed in the cartridges located inside the mixer, in some regions of our country they are simply useless. Therefore, it is advisable to take care in advance of installing at least a local system of additional water filtration.

Another advantage of single lever faucets is their modern and minimalist design. Only the basic elements fall into a person’s field of vision, and the water supply and the main mechanisms are carefully hidden from outside views.

People choose these mixers not only because of their simplicity of design or external characteristics, but also because of their simple operation and cost-effectiveness. There is no need to adjust the optimal temperature every time; just move the lever to the desired position once.

Kitchen faucets BLANCO STEELART

Before moving on to the main causes of failure, you need to consider what a standard representative of single-lever mixers consists of:

a lever designed to regulate and supply water;
an adjusting rod on which the lever is attached directly;
a housing, inside of which there is either a hinged valve or a plastic cartridge with ceramic filling;
adjustment ring, steam and adjusting cuffs.

Main causes of failure

Since there are currently several types of single-lever mixers on the plumbing fixtures market, we will look at the most common types of breakdowns, as well as the reasons for their occurrence.

Main causes of failure:

The main water distributor in articulated mixers is a steel ball. Unfortunately, it can corrode over time. Various gaskets and seals also wear out, allowing water to pass through. To return the faucet to normal operating condition, it is necessary to replace worn parts.
If a ceramic cartridge is installed inside the faucet, the cause of the breakdown may be some small debris that got either through the plumbing system or during installation of the product. Despite this, products with a ceramic cartridge inside are considered the most reliable and, if installed correctly, can last a very long time.

Mixer repair: operating procedure

Before you begin repairing the faucet, you must turn off the water supply. After the water is turned off, open the tap and wait for the remainder to drain. Since all work will be carried out in close proximity to the surface of the sink, it is advisable to cover it with a cloth. It is enough to put an unnecessary rag in the place where the mixer is located.

The following procedure may vary slightly depending on the model and type of faucet used, but the general repair picture looks something like this:

First, we need to get rid of the special decorative plug that is located on the front of the mixer. It is an indicator of cold and hot water. Under the plug there is a fixing screw that needs to be unscrewed.
Removes the lever itself. There is no need to put in unnecessary effort, since faucets are most often made of cheap metal alloys and the structure can be easily damaged. If the lever does not budge, then you can pour hot water on it for a few minutes.
Under the lever there is a decorative dome, which also needs to be carefully removed.
Next, we must remove the clamping nut, which is responsible for ensuring that the structure is in place.
Depending on the type of mixer, there may be either a distribution ball and other elements of a hinged mixer inside, or a plastic cartridge with ceramic discs inside. In the first case, you need to make sure that the ball itself is intact, check the condition of the gaskets, seals and the spring that holds the valve in place. If necessary, we replace elements. If you have a cartridge installed, then carefully remove it and head to the nearest store, where we look for a replacement.
Leaks can also occur directly under the spout. In this case, it is necessary to replace the old seals.
Under the cartridge, as a rule, there are rubber seats, which become unusable over time. We wash away any remaining dirt and other debris that has entered during use.
If you replace a cartridge, before installing a new one, you must thoroughly clean the seat itself from corrosion and rust. During installation, make sure that the clamps fit exactly into the grooves, otherwise the mixer will not work properly.

If the repairs made did not bring a visible effect or only partially corrected the problem, then you need to find other possible causes of the problem. Let's look at other possible problems:

A clogged aerator causes the water pressure to be very different from that in the bathroom. To fix the problem, you need to remove this element and clean it thoroughly. If the cause of its malfunction is rust, then this element will have to be completely replaced.
A loud noise from the faucet when water is supplied may indicate that the gaskets are not the right size. This is especially true in cases where you cut them out yourself. In this case, we disassemble the mixer and cut off the gaskets.
The water pressure in the tap can also be significantly reduced due to blockages in the connecting flexible hoses or water pipes. After cleaning the mixer, replace the hoses with new ones, as deposits may form on the old ones, which will lead to repeated failure of the cartridge or hinge.
If the mixer is located in the bathroom and during the bathing process the water direction switch lever lowers on its own, then it is necessary to replace the gasket, which is hidden under the spool. There is no need to dismantle the mixer for this, just unscrew the nut and remove the hose itself, after which we change the gasket and return everything to its place.
It is much more difficult to replace the bottom gasket, since you not only need to disconnect the hose, but also remove the adapter along with the spout. Next, we completely remove the switch, eccentric and spool, after which we change the gasket and reassemble everything in the reverse order.

Repairing a single-lever faucet at home is inherently quite simple and does not require any special plumbing skills. The only thing you need to constantly remember is that such devices do not like abuse.

If you think about the ease of repair, then you need to think in advance what type of mixer you will install. This can be a product either on a hinged base or on cartridges. The former are less picky about water quality, while the latter can be repaired in a matter of minutes, since most faults directly affect the cartridge itself. The average cost of such a cartridge is 100–150 rubles, which is good news, although to choose the right model, you will have to take an old spare part with you. This is due to the fact that each manufacturer is trying in every possible way to improve their products and at the moment you can find dozens, or even hundreds of different models. Products from the Chinese manufacturer are especially distinguished by this craving for something new.

Do-it-yourself repair of a single-lever kitchen faucet

The main types and causes of breakdowns of single-lever mixers. Step-by-step text and video repair instructions

Monotonously and inevitably, with the precision of a metronome, the slapping sounds are repeated, carrying brains and money straight down the drain. The reason is simple and banal - the faucet is dripping in the kitchen or bathroom.

The situation is simple and familiar to everyone; such breakdowns are far from uncommon and this situation is fraught with many troubles. Starting from the risk of flooding your neighbors from below to rising water bills.

Such phenomena can be avoided by constant monitoring of the operation and condition of plumbing equipment, as well as careful adherence to operating rules.

A kitchen faucet is not a very complex technical product, but it still functions under pressure. Despite the apparent simplicity of this mechanism, it needs increased attention.

Let's look at the reasons why it may drip from a kitchen faucet.

There can be several reasons for the formation of leaks:

Incorrect use. Any equipment has certain operational characteristics. When providing a guarantee for their products, each manufacturer stipulates a number of restrictions, the violation of which leads to accelerated wear and tear. And often it is almost impossible to carry them out or control these parameters.
Poor workmanship or poor quality materials. Often, when making a certain purchase, a person tries to choose an inexpensive product, trying to use financial resources economically. But often this turns into not just inconvenience, but a direct loss of money when forced to replace a defective product. Particularly unpleasant are cases when a breakdown occurs in the absence of people. When purchasing a faucet for your apartment, it is better to pay for the brand, because this concept also includes such an indicator as product quality. However, the low cost of a popular brand should alert you - most likely, this is a low-quality fake.
Natural wear and tear associated with long-term use. The taps open and close many times during the day; its locking parts (gaskets, axle boxes, cartridges) work intensively and wear out quickly. Therefore, the best way to avoid leaks is timely forced replacement of quickly wearing components.
One of the reasons for the breakdown may be poor build quality. The most common errors are misalignment of parts, destruction of seals due to too much tightening. Factory defects cannot be ruled out, so a thorough inspection upon purchase is required.

What to do when the kitchen faucet is dripping?

First of all, you need to establish the reason why the faucet in the kitchen is dripping and decide on the possibility of eliminating it yourself. If the breakdown can be repaired yourself, then in this case you need to go to a plumbing store to purchase the necessary parts and start fixing the defect yourself.

Watch the video - the faucet is dripping in the kitchen, how to fix it yourself

Knowing how to repair a dripping faucet in the kitchen will allow you to have everything you need in stock and not have to race for little things.

How to fix a single lever kitchen faucet

Mechanisms of this type are most popular among consumers because they are quite reliable and simple in design. The regulating element is a non-separable cartridge.

The need for repairs occurs after the pressure of water flowing from the spout has decreased or a leak is observed when it is turned off. Why does the faucet drip when the water is turned off? This clearly indicates that the locking elements are worn out.

The diagram presented here can only be considered as a typical one; units of different brands may have quite significant differences. But what is common to all is the cartridge fixing nut, which is held in place by a functional lever.

The fastening is hidden by a decorative overlay on the body. You need to pry it off with a screwdriver and remove it, after which you can remove the cartridge and replace it with a new one.

If there is a leak between the faucet body and the sink, this indicates a defect in the sealing ring between them. Unscrew the housing, remove the ring and replace it with a new one.

Basically, that's all you need to know about how to fix a dripping single-lever faucet. But, given the differences in the designs of the models, you must first study the instructions attached to the specific product.

How to fix a ball mixer

Ball valve locking devices are the second most common after single-lever locking devices.

Considering the high wear resistance of ceramics, this design solution turned out to be very successful and is being successfully used. Well, if a ceramic faucet drips, then to repair it you need to change the inserts and shock absorber.

Watch the video - faucet repair or why it drips (flows) in the kitchen

Before you repair a two-valve dripping faucet, you need to turn off the water on the riser or on the corresponding branches of the cold and hot water collector. Further:

It is necessary to remove the decorative trim on the handwheel by carefully prying it off with a narrow screwdriver.
Unscrew the screw and remove the handwheel.
Carefully loosen and remove the oil seal nut.
Unscrew the rod with the rubber gasket.
Clean the valve seat from dirt.
Change the rubber gasket.
Reassemble in reverse order, after which you can open the water.

Elimination of leaks that arose for other reasons

The main thing to do if your kitchen faucet is dripping is to correctly determine the cause of the leak. Knowing where the leak is coming from will greatly facilitate the repair work and, most likely, reduce the cost of it, since unreasonable disassembly of a plumbing fixture most often leads to damage to the seals.

Watch the video - how to fix a dripping faucet in the kitchen

Most often, the reason why the faucet tap drips is the following circumstances:

leakage at the drainage point;
unsatisfactory condition of the sealing gasket between the spout and the tap;
violation of the tightness between the sink and the mixer;
drips directly from the tap itself.

Water leaking from the valve usually indicates increased wear of the gaskets, which need to be replaced.

A leak can form at the point where the faucet fitting contour comes into contact with the plane of the sink. This can happen due to a careless sharp blow to the mixer body, which results in a crack in the gasket, especially if it is old.

If it drips at the spout, you need to pay attention to the condition of the taps and replace all seals. As a result of wear and aging of materials, sealing occurs.

Watch the video - how to fix the axle box on a mixer yourself

When a faucet leaks in the kitchen or bathroom, before fixing. Exceeding the pressure value above 4.5 atmospheres often causes leaks in taps.

Any repair must begin by turning off the water supply at the riser.

Selection and operation of a kitchen faucet

Breakdowns in the plumbing system occur with enviable regularity, and the reason for this may be the lack of proper regular maintenance. And above all, monitoring the operation of the water supply system is important.

The system operates stably only at stable pressure; sudden changes destroy it, and the sealing gaskets and threaded connections of locking devices are the first to suffer.

Watch the video - which faucet to choose for the kitchen

The initial quality of the tap is of great importance. First of all - the material of manufacture. A good faucet or mixer is made of heavy alloys - brass or bronze, they are easy and simple to fix. Materials such as silumin are absolutely unsuitable for plumbing, although they are often used by unscrupulous manufacturers.

Single-lever devices are convenient to use and can be operated with one hand. You should avoid purchasing products from manufacturers in China and Turkey - they traditionally do not differ in quality and durability and begin to leak immediately after installation.

The water supply system in an apartment or private house is a source of increased danger. Therefore, when operating it, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules to avoid problems. Let's list them:

Have the ability to quickly turn off water from the riser.
A set of tools for performing repair work should always be at hand.
It is necessary to keep in the house a set of replaceable components for faucets and mixers that are in use.
Be prepared to urgently call emergency water services in the event of a serious accident.
And, of course, you need to know the rules and procedures for independently eliminating an emergency situation.