In the kitchen, the faucet is used much more actively than in the bathroom, so it fails much more often. In rare cases, the only solution to a problem is to buy a new appliance and invite a plumber, in the rest you can handle it yourself. Having decided to repair the faucet in the kitchen with your own hands, you will save on the services of a specialist and gain important experience. You just need to arm yourself with theory and tools.
REPAIR OF THE MIXER IN THE KITCHEN - WHEN AND WHY IT IS NECESSARY
Your kitchen faucet needs repair if you experience the following "symptoms":
- Leakage from under the nut at the point where the water is poured out, from under the handle (lever) or mixer taps in working condition.
- The correct movement of the lever or valves is disturbed (they stick, scroll, do not lock in the desired position, etc.).
- With normal water pressure in the system, the jet is not powerful enough.
- Water drips from a closed faucet.
Please note: the detected problem must be solved as quickly as possible! This will extend the life of the mixer and protect yourself and your neighbors from flooding, saving money, time and nerves.
The most common problem is a leaky faucet. And here you need to know the "enemy" not only in person, but also from the inside. It's about mixers.
FEATURES OF THE DEVICE OF THE MAIN TYPES OF KITCHEN MIXERS
Cool things like thermostatic and touchless faucets are good for bathrooms. In the kitchen, more practical models are fighting for a place in the sun - traditional two-valve and single-lever. Common elements for them are: body, spout (spout), aerator, sealing gaskets. Otherwise, they differ significantly.
DEVICE OF TWO-VALVE CRANES
Familiar to the eye taps with two valves are arranged quite simply. Under the flywheel, which you turn during the operation of the structure, there is a crane box - its locking element. Below is a device of such a kitchen faucet in pictures.
Boxes in a two-valve mixer (in section)
In products where several turns 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 more 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-driven faucet for mixer
In models where only half a turn is enough to supply water, axle boxes with ceramic plates are installed. When the faucet is opened, the holes in them coincide, and water flows into the spout.
Crane boxes with ceramic plates
The cost of faucets is low, they are always available in plumbing stores, and their replacement is extremely simple.
DEVICE AND TYPES OF SINGLE-LEVER MIXERS
More modern and practical are faucet models with one handle (lever) that regulates pressure and temperature. Mixing of 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 holes, two of which are inlet - designed to enter this miniature container of hot and cold water, and one outlet - to supply water of a given temperature to the sink.
Ball mixer device
The ball itself is located on two "saddles" of rubber. Its displacement relative to them, carried out when the lever moves, and allows you to adjust the pressure, the temperature of the poured water. From above, the ball is fixed with a sealing cuff and a lock nut.
Schematic arrangement of a spherical model of a kitchen faucet
The principle of operation of a mixer with a cartridge that replaces the ball is similar. At the same time, their internal structure is fundamentally different. All the same three functional holes are available, but inside the cartridge there is not a cavity, but special discs made of cermet. Due to their displacement relative to each other and the degree of overlap of the supply holes, when the lever is turned, the water supply is adjusted.
Replaceable ceramic cartridges
A FAUCET IS FLOWING IN THE KITCHEN - HOW TO REPAIR YOURSELF
To repair a kitchen faucet you will need:
- knife with a sharp end;
- hex and adjustable wrench;
- a new cartridge, a crane box, a rubber gasket, etc. - depends on which part you will be changing;
- WD40 is a technical aerosol that will come in handy if the parts are “sticky” 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 damage to the mixer.
Regardless of which faucet you have installed, before starting repairs, you must turn off the water supply in the system and drain its remnants into a sink or a separate container. To do this, just open the tap. Then you can begin to repair it, taking into account the design features.
To repair a single-lever faucet, you will need a hex wrench
REPAIR OF A SINGLE-LEVER KITCHEN MIXER
The main principles of repair are the sequence of actions and accuracy.
- Using a thin screwdriver or a knife, pry and remove the decorative cap on the faucet body.
- In the resulting hole, you will see a screw connecting the lever and the adjusting rod. Unscrew it with a hex wrench.
- Remove the lever from the body and unscrew the decorative cover. This can be done even by hand, if the parts are not stuck to each other.
Removing the decorative cover
- A locking (clamping) nut will be located under it. Carefully unscrew it with an adjustable wrench or by tapping a screwdriver with a hammer.
- If you disassemble the ball mixer, you will see a sealing cuff under the nut. Inspect it for dirt, deformations and breaks. Pull out the ball. Inspect its surface - it should be smooth and clean. It is necessary to remove the seals and supporting springs - their poor condition can cause the tap to leak.
- If you are disassembling a faucet with a cartridge, then remove it and subject it to a thorough inspection.
- Replace the failed part.
- Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.
It is important! Do not tighten the nuts too tight, as this can lead to deformation of the sealing rubber and disruption of the normal operation of the mixer.
Installing a new cartridge
To extend the life of the product and ensure smooth running of its rubbing parts, you can use a special silicone lubricant.
Removing the mixer flywheel
REPAIR OF A TWO-VALVE MIXER
What to do if you have a two-valve faucet dripping in your kitchen? Almost everything is the same.
- On the valve flywheel, pry off and remove the decorative cap.
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screw that secures the flywheel.
- Take off the flywheel. In front of you will be a crane box.
- Unscrew it counterclockwise and inspect it.
Removing the crane box
- If this is a worm-type axle box and the gasket is damaged, replace it separately - buy it in a store (it costs a penny) or cut it out of rubber of suitable thickness yourself. The axle box with ceramic discs is changed entirely.
- Assemble the faucet in reverse order.
The general scheme of work on the repair of the mixer
Everything is as simple as possible and slightly resembles a designer. But a faucet leak is not the only problem you may encounter while using it in the kitchen.
OTHER FAILURE DAMAGES AND PREVENTION OF MALFUNCTIONS
The quality of water in many cities leaves much to be desired, so over time, the aerator in the tap can become dirty. From the inside, solid 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 a stuck part, you will need WD40 or tapping with a hammer.
It is important! Perform all work carefully, otherwise the mixer will have to be changed 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 become an assistant.
You can extend the life of the mixer if you install a water filter and use the device carefully, without twisting the valves too much and without moving the lever sharply and all the way.
VIDEO: REPAIR OF A SINGLE-LEVER MIXER WITH CERAMIC CARTRIDGE
Now you know what to do if the faucet drips in the kitchen. In most cases, the considered repair schemes are also suitable for eliminating breakdowns of faucets in bathrooms. This is a good savings for the family budget. But if you are not confident in your abilities or you simply do not have time, a competent plumber will do all the work in a matter of minutes.
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