How to disassemble a single lever mixer. A closed tap is leaking: how to fix the problem? The faucet in the kitchen is loose

Probably each of us should know how to fix a water tap. Moreover, in most cases, the malfunction can be eliminated quite quickly and without extra costs, but you need to wait for more than one hour to call a specialist, and he will charge a lot of money for the work.

In our article we will talk about the most common breakdowns of water taps, after which we will provide repair algorithms for most models.

Basic faults

Before repairing a water faucet, you should take the time to analyze the situation. This way we can understand exactly what actions should be taken, thereby saving a lot of time.

The list of breakdowns includes the following items:

Breaking Description
When the valve is closed, drops of water flow out of the tap The locking mechanism becomes unusable. To fix the problem, it is necessary to either replace the element responsible for blocking the pipe clearance, or install new sealing gaskets.
Water drips at the connection point of the spout, hose or valve The tightness of the connection is broken. It can be restored either by replacing the gasket or by installing a plumbing tap on the thread.
The flywheel turns The flywheel housing has come off the rod or the rod has failed. In the first case, it is enough to install the part in place, in the second, you will have to replace the locking element.
The faucet makes a humming sound when operating The gasket has worn out and its edges begin to vibrate under water pressure. Usually, to eliminate extraneous sounds, it is enough to replace the gasket.
Leak on body or spout The integrity of the product has been compromised. It can be temporarily sealed using “cold welding”, but it is worth replacing the faucet as soon as possible.
Splashes fly from the aerator, water flow is obstructed. The aerator grille is clogged and requires cleaning.

In principle, this table describes the main faults. Other situations that may arise during the operation of the crane are derivatives of those already analyzed, and therefore they need to be repaired using a similar algorithm.

Also, before starting work, you should carefully read design features the model you have installed. As a rule, the assembly drawing of the water tap comes complete with the product itself, so when installing a new mixer, this document should be kept.

Note!
If you can’t find a diagram, then you should enter the query “assembly drawing method for indicating a water tap” into a search engine and select your model.
Most manufacturers post technical documentation online, so the chance of finding what you need is very high.

Now we will try to figure out what to do in each specific case. And let's start with the most common situation, namely, eliminating the causes of leakage of the shut-off element.

Axlebox models

Replacing axlebox

Cranes that use an axle box as a shut-off valve are the easiest to repair.

The algorithm of actions here is as follows:

  • Before disassembling the water tap, be sure to turn off the water on the riser.
  • Remove the cover from the flywheel, under which the fixing screw is located.
  • using a screwdriver, then remove the flywheel from the guides.
  • Dismantling decorative cones, covering the place where the axle box is attached.
  • Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the worn-out axle box from the socket. We clean the cavity from sediment and blot it with a rag, removing any remaining water.

  • We install a new axle box in place, screwing it along the thread. In this case, there is no need to exert excessive force so as not to damage the structure.
  • Next we need to check the faucet for leaks.. We turn on the water on the riser and inspect the installation site of the axle box.
  • Grab the rod with pliers and turn it several times.. The water flow should turn on and off quickly and clearly.
  • Reassemble in reverse order, installing decorative cones and securing the handwheel to the tap.

Axlebox repair

In some cases, crane axle boxes can be repaired. It all depends on their design.

Products with a rubber gasket are more repairable:

  • Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screw that secures the gasket at the end.
  • We dismantle the sealing element and install a new one of the appropriate size in its place.
  • We secure the gasket with a screw, clamping it firmly enough, but without deformation.

With ceramic axle boxes it will be a little more complicated:

  • Remove the rubber sealing gasket from the end, and then remove the end plug.
  • We dismantle the ceramic plates, if necessary, unscrewing the element that fixes them.
  • We clean the internal cavity of the axlebox, removing contaminants that can lead to leaks.

  • We return the plates to their place, observing the correct position: when turning the rod, they should completely block the hole, interrupting the flow of water.
  • We complete the assembly by replacing the dismantled elements.

Note!
Often the cause of leakage is wear on the ceramic plates themselves, so you may need to complete replacement.
But finding these parts is quite difficult, and the price of the repair kit will not be much less than the cost of a new axlebox.

Ball and cartridge models

Dismantling the crane

The design of the water tap and mixer, which is controlled by one lever, differs from the axle-box design.

Accordingly, the dismantling of such a product for repair must be performed according to a different scheme:

  • First, lift up the red and blue trim on the front panel.
  • Under the cover there is usually a screw for a Phillips screwdriver or hexagon - unscrew it.
  • Next, remove the handle, carefully disconnecting it from the rod of the ball or cartridge locking mechanism.
  • The next stage is to provide access to the fittings themselves. To do this, you need to unscrew one or two nuts.

Note!
Very often, manufacturers make an internal locking nut with grooves for a special tool.
You can either purchase a similar wrench, or try to unscrew the part yourself, using improvised tools.

By removing the nut, we gain access to either the cartridge or the ball valve. They are dismantled quite simply, and replacement will not cause difficulties.

Replacing locking and sealing elements

To restore the functionality of a single-lever mixer, most often you need to completely change the functional element.

  • We remove the cartridge from the socket by pulling it vertically up along the guides. If a part is skewed, you can correct its position with a slight side impact.
  • We clean the cavity under the cartridge from rust and debris, which may cause seal failure.
  • We install a new cartridge, secure it with one nut and check how well it shuts off the water. If there are no leaks and the adjustment works properly, we assemble the mixer.

Ball valves have their own characteristics. Their main advantage is that the ball itself breaks extremely rarely, so repairs usually involve replacing the gaskets. We proceed like this:

  • Holding the rod, remove the ball from the socket.
  • Using tweezers or small pliers, remove the spring-loaded gaskets that press the ball to the body.

  • We replace the gaskets, and then install the ball in place.
  • Place a new sealing ring on top and clamp the valve.
  • As in previous cases, it is better to check the tightness of the structure before complete assembly.

Other renovations

Troubleshooting minor problems

In addition to actually repairing the locking mechanism, to restore the functionality of the faucet, it is sometimes necessary to carry out other measures.

For example, in case of problems with the aerator, we proceed as follows:

  • Using an adjustable wrench with plastic pads, carefully grab the aerator and unscrew it from the spout.
  • We take out the installed mesh and rinse it thoroughly, removing all dirt.
  • At the same time, use a flexible brush, trying to remove as much buildup as possible from the inner walls.
  • We screw the aerator onto the spout, making sure that the thread is not skewed.

If a leak occurs in the place where the swivel spout is fixed, proceed as follows:

  • Carefully tighten the union nut using an adjustable wrench. We remove the “gander”.
  • Remove the rubber gasket from the socket.
  • We install a new one in its place. The diameter and thickness of both elements must match.
  • We return the spout to its place, securing it with a union nut.

Coating restoration

Some problems do not affect the operation of the mixer, but significantly worsen its appearance. As a rule, these include scratches, chipped coating, abrasions, etc. And although complete restoration of chrome or nickel plating by galvanic means is quite expensive, it is not at all necessary to throw away the faucet and buy a new one.

You can restore the attractive appearance of the product by painting:

Note!
If the scratches are minor, then this polishing can be used without painting: it well restores the factory chrome/nickel plating.

  • After polishing is completed, we assemble the tap and install it in place.

Conclusion

Repair of a water tap and mixer can be carried out according to different schemes. It all depends on how well we analyze the breakdown and what decision we make at the planning stage. You can learn the troubleshooting steps themselves by watching the video in this article.

A plumbing element such as a faucet often fails because the load on it is quite high. Faucets are installed in the kitchen and bathroom.

In most cases, it is enough just to replace the gasket or seal. Anyone can do this kind of work, and there is no need to call a plumber.

Mixer device

What is a mixer? This device is designed to mix cold water and hot water. There are two main types of mixer:

  • mixer with valves;
  • mixer with cartridge.

In the first case, supply of cold and hot water regulated by two valves.

When with cartridge, there are no valves on the device. They are replaced by a pen connected to a device called a cartridge. Different positions of this knob control the water flow.

Another reason that water does not flow through the faucet jaw may be that the rubber gasket on the faucet axle has torn and blocked the water. To check, you need to unscrew both valve axle boxes and check them. And finally, some dirt may simply get into the mixer. The device is removed, disassembled and washed.

Different types of leaks

Leaking from the valve

The reason is the wear of the o-ring. You need to unscrew the valve axle box, replace the ring and screw it back in.

Leaking from under the gander

This also occurs due to wear on the O-ring. The gander is unscrewed, the ring is replaced, and the gander is screwed into place.

Leaking from the mixer body

Most likely there is a crack in the housing. This mixer needs to be completely replaced. If the device is dismountable, and it is possible to buy the mixer in parts, then only the damaged part is replaced.

There is a crack in the body of the structure - it’s time to replace it

In addition to all of the above, if the faucet is connected to the water supply with flexible hoses, water may leak at the junction of the hoses with the mixer or with the water supply pipes. In this case, it is usually enough to slightly tighten the nut.

Water flows when it is blocked

Here, the repair of a faucet with valves and a faucet with a cartridge differs. In the first case, you need to unscrew the valve axle boxes and replace the rubber gaskets on them. Gaskets can be purchased at any plumbing store. When purchasing a faucet, both gaskets and O-rings are often included. They need to be preserved.

Replacing the O-ring

If water flows through a closed cartridge, then . Please note that they come in different sizes, so in order to buy a new one, it is advisable to take the faucet with you to the store.

Check the integrity of all gaskets

Healthy. Read the review on our website: “” - different options for solving the problem.

Valve mixer repair

Shower repair

Shower switches can be of different types. - read in a separate review. Typically, the water is turned off either using a button or a lever switch. The spring in the button often breaks. You just need to install a new one. In both the button and the switch, rubber gaskets and O-rings, which are very easy to change, can also fail. The rubber tube in the shower hose, which is located under the metal braid, may break. In this case, either buy a new shower hose assembly or change the rubber tube.

That's all the main problems with this device. From the above review it is clear that there are no difficulties with repairs. To repair a faucet with your own hands, you will need the following tools:

  • adjustable wrench;
  • pliers;
  • screwdriver.

You may also need FUM tape, which needs to be wound around the thread to prevent water from flowing through the thread.

In order to remove the valve axle box, you must first remove the valve wing. To do this, remove the plastic cover that covers the fastening screw. The screw is unscrewed and the wing is removed. After this, the crane box is turned out using pliers or a key.

Unscrew the locking nut and remove the cartridge

In order to remove the cartridge, you must first remove the switch tap. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolt on the side of this tap. A thin screwdriver may be needed for this.

Even the best quality plumbing fixtures break down after a while. However, not everyone is able to solve the problem on their own and fix a leaking faucet. Don't put off repairs for too long. After all, a leak increases water consumption and spoils the appearance of plumbing fixtures with unsightly stains and traces of rust. You can fix the faucet yourself. What is required for this and how to carry out repairs?

Preparing plumbing

If the faucet is leaking, you can fix it yourself. First you need to prepare everything. If you still have the packaging from the mixer, it’s worth finding it. As a rule, it will contain detailed instructions, which describes the structure of the accessory and some recommendations for its repair. In addition, the package may contain the tools necessary to repair the faucet.

Before starting repairs, turn off the water. To do this, close the valve. In this case, you need to turn off the supply of not only cold, but also hot water. To collect the liquid you will need a deep container, such as a basin. During repairs, you should have dry cloths or sponges on hand to wipe away splashes.

What is needed for repairs

After the preparatory work, you can begin troubleshooting the mixer. If a closed faucet is leaking, you will need special tools to fix it. They need to be prepared in advance. To troubleshoot you will need:

  1. Flathead screwdriver.
  2. Crosshead screwdriver.
  3. Replacement part.
  4. or linen.
  5. Soft material.
  6. Dry cloths.
  7. Deep capacity.

This simple set of tools is usually enough to fix a leak. If you don’t have time to run out for new gaskets, they can be made from leather or rubber. Usually the faucet leaks due to wear of this part. Soft material is required to protect the sink from damage. After all, the tool can slip out of your hands. As a result, ceramic products may break, and the enamel of metal ones may crack.

Two-valve tap: replacing the gasket

Why is the faucet leaking? Most often, such accessories wear out the liner or gasket. To replace it you need:

  1. Unscrew the valve body. To do this, the part must be turned counterclockwise.
  2. Now you can remove the damaged gasket.
  3. A new part should be made from a piece of thick leather or rubber. It is worth taking a worn gasket as a sample.
  4. The new part must be carefully installed in place of the old one.
  5. It is worth wrapping a little sealing tape around the stop edge. You can use linen.
  6. Finally, it is worth installing the valve body in its original place. To do this, the part should be rotated clockwise.
  7. The installed valve must be tightened well. You can use a wrench for this.

If the faucet has been leaking for a long time and a quick replacement is required, then a new gasket can be purchased at a specialized store. This will save time. As for the homemade part, it is more suitable for short-term repair of a breakdown.

How to replace the oil seal bushing

A two-valve faucet leaks for several reasons: a gasket that has become unusable or wear on the sealing insert of the stuffing box. If necessary, both parts can be replaced independently. You can recognize the wear of the oil seal insert by the flow of water between the valve stem and the oil seal nut. To fix the problem you need to:

  1. Unscrew the nut of the oil seal itself. This can be done using a screwdriver with an appropriate tip.
  2. It is worth making a new liner from fluoroplastic sealing tape, similar to the old one.
  3. The worn part must be carefully removed.
  4. The new liner should be wound around the valve stem.
  5. Finally, tighten the nut.

If everything is done correctly, the leak will stop. In this case, the valve will turn more smoothly.

How to replace a shower hose gasket

Often a leak appears in the place where the shower hose and faucet connect. The main reason for such a breakdown is wear of the ring gasket. This part can be easily replaced. For this you should:

  1. Disconnect the shower hose from the mixer using an adjustable wrench. Everything must be done very carefully so as not to damage the thread. Otherwise, the hose itself will need to be replaced.
  2. Now you can remove the worn part.
  3. A new one should be installed in place of the old O-ring.
  4. Finally, all that remains is to screw the shower hose into place, acting carefully and without squeezing it.

To eliminate such a leak, experts recommend using a silicone ring gasket. Parts made of rubber are short-lived and wear out quickly.

If, when switching the water flow to the shower hose, the tap still flows smoothly, then the shut-off element needs to be replaced. This part is called a “crane axle box”. The locking element is located in the mixer handle. You can purchase a crane axle box in a specialized store.

The main causes of failure of a single lever ball valve

If a faucet is leaking, the problem must be fixed quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, the water can cause more damage and ultimately ruin your plumbing. Single-lever ball-type products may become unusable:

  1. Due to wear of the sealing gasket.
  2. Chips and cracks on the body that occurred as a result of mechanical damage.
  3. Rusted aerator.
  4. Large accumulations of dirt.
  5. Blockage between the ball and the seats.

The defect on the body can be repaired by applying cold welding or sealant. However, this is only a temporary measure. After some time, a complete replacement of the structure will be required.

If the reason lies in a rusty aerator, then it should be removed and then cleaned. This can be done using an old toothbrush. It is worth noting that after cleaning, the water pressure will become stronger.

If the ball valve is broken

A ball valve has a more complex structure and differs from a two-valve valve. Most often, such products break due to dirt accumulated inside the case. It is this that disrupts the operation of the mixer. If water flows from the tap, it must be disassembled, cleaned well and reassembled. This requires:

Problems with the new faucet

What to do if the faucet is leaking? How to fix new mixer? As a rule, such products cannot be repaired. The main reason for their occurrence is a manufacturing defect. To troubleshoot problems, you should dismantle the new faucet and take it back to the store. You must replace the damaged product. The main thing is not to throw away the receipt and documents before the first test of the mixer. Only a professional plumber can repair a faucet that has a manufacturing defect at home.

Is it possible to avoid damage?

If desired, you can repair the faucet in the bathtub or kitchen yourself. This will save you a decent amount. However, repairs do not always allow you to fully restore the functions of the crane. In most cases, a complete one is required. To avoid frequent breakdowns in the future, you should carefully consider the choice of accessory. Please note:


In conclusion

A running tap in the bathroom or kitchen is unpleasant. Constantly dripping water irritates and spoils the appearance of plumbing fixtures. You can fix the problem yourself. The main thing is to clearly imagine the structure of the structure and have it at hand necessary tools. Repair of a product also depends on its type. Most often, ball and two-valve mixers fail.

It just so happens that our men, and sometimes women, are used to handling minor home repairs on their own. We glue wallpaper, repair floors, install plumbing and even lay tiles ourselves. And such a trifle as repairing a mixer with your own hands is within the power of almost everyone. If even 10 years ago in all the houses and apartments of our vast country there were faucets of the same design, then today their diversity can confuse even an experienced home craftsman. Let's figure out which faucets are on the shelves of our stores today and what to do if it suddenly leaked where it shouldn't.

Ball valve - the most popular option

The most common mixer design today can be safely called a ball valve. It is a mechanism with one rotary handle. When moving the handle up and down, the pressure of water is regulated, to the right and left - its temperature. The popularity of such a device is explained not only by the simplicity and convenience of its operation, but also by increased reliability.

Single lever mixer device

In order to answer the question "how to repair a ball mixer", you need to understand how the system works. This is what a ball valve looks like in cross-section.

Cross-sectional diagram of a single-lever mixer, where: 1. Decorative plug with hot and cold water; 2.Screw; 3.Adjustment rod; 4.Hollow ball for mixing water; 5. Rubber saddle; 6.Adjustment ring; 7. Steam cuff; 8.Adjustment cuff; 9.Release of cold and hot water; 10.Mixed release; 11. Ball sleeve; 12.Aerator

The main difficulty in repairing such a mixer is that most of its parts are part of a non-separable cartridge. This means that replacing them individually will not work - you will have to change the cartridge completely.

In our next article, you will learn how to replace the cartridge in the faucet yourself:.

Causes of malfunctions and solutions

There may be several reasons for the trouble:

Crack on the body

Before you repair the mixer, you need to carefully examine the body of the product, if you find a crack or chip, you can try to eliminate it with a sealant. However, this measure is temporary and the cracked faucet will still have to be replaced.

Gasket wear

If the body is intact, you will have to remove the mixer. To do this, you need to take a number of preliminary steps:

  • We close the valves on the hot and cold water pipes;
  • Open the tap and drain the water;
  • We unscrew the supplies from the mixer and carefully drain the water into a previously prepared container;

Now you can start dismantling. Here it is enough just to unscrew the fixing nut. In most models of kitchen faucets, it is located under the sink. Inspect the gasket carefully. If it has lost its shape or cracked, it needs to be replaced. A new gasket costs mere pennies, and you can buy it at any hardware store.

Note! It is important to choose the correct gasket diameter. It should go into the groove with some effort.

Cartridge clogged

If the replacement of the gasket did not help, then the problem is in the cartridge. Quite often, a mixer of this design "leaks" due to the ingress of small debris into its mechanism. In this case, do-it-yourself repair of a single-lever faucet consists in a complete replacement of the cartridge.

This is done according to the following algorithm:

  • Shut off and drain the water;
  • We dismantle the mixer;
  • Use a knife or screwdriver to pry up the decorative plug and remove it;
  • Unscrew the screw;
  • Remove the lever;
  • We take out the cartridge and install a new one in its place;
  • We do the assembly.

That's all. Now your faucet will definitely work like new.

There is a blockage in the aerator

When the water in the bathroom flows in a thin stream, and in the kitchen it beats with a powerful stream, there is no need to talk about the fault of the water utility. So what if the water pressure drops? The most common and easily remedied cause of such a problem is a clogged aerator.

It's very easy to check if this is your case. Unscrew the aerator and open the tap. If the water pressure returns to normal, the culprit has been found. It is better to replace a very rusty aerator, but it is enough to rinse just a clogged one, directing a jet of water to its outer surface. Now we install the part in place and everything is ready.

Clogged water pipe or hose

If simple manipulations with the aerator have no effect, most likely the pipe or hose is clogged. Quite often in houses with old metal pipes, the rust that has fallen off their inner surface blocks the cross-section, which leads to a drop in pressure in the mixer. Cleaning the pipes will help solve the problem, but it is better to replace them with plastic ones. Inner surface modern pipes made of polymers, it is very smooth and not subject to corrosion, which means it does not “overgrow”.

If it is not yet possible to replace the pipeline, arm yourself with a thin “snake” cable, disconnect the pipe on both sides and start cleaning.

Problems with the shower-tub switch

Now let's move on to the answer to the question of how to repair a faucet in the bathroom if the water supply to the shower stops by itself. The switch lever lowers spontaneously, and water flows only through the tap.

The cause of such a malfunction may be wear of the spool gaskets. If only the top gasket is damaged, you will not have to remove the faucet. Since it is impossible to determine this “by eye”, first you should replace it, and only then draw conclusions:

  • Unscrew the union nut of the hose and remove it;
  • Use a thin hook or awl to pry up the gasket;
  • We wet the new gasket with water and install it in place;
  • Assembling the mixer.

If the damage cannot be eliminated in this way, you will have to change the bottom gasket:

    • Turn off the water;
    • Remove the flexible hose by unscrewing the union nut;
    • Remove the spout and adapter;
    • Remove the switch and remove the eccentric;
    • We take out the spool;

Using a thin screwdriver or hook, remove the bottom gasket (we have already replaced the top one);

If the upper spool gasket has already been replaced, there is no need to do it again.

  • We put on a new gasket, moisten it with water and install the spool back;
  • Assembling the mixer.

Note! Gaskets for the spool, as a rule, are not sold separately from the mixer. If the spare rings that came with the mixer are not preserved, you can make them yourself from hard rubber 3-4 mm thick.

Two-handle mixer option

Despite the emergence of many new technologies, traditional two-valve models have not completely given up their positions.

The design of a two-valve mixer is quite simple, anyone can understand it

If this equipment is installed in your home, it will not be superfluous to know how to repair a faucet of this design.

Modern two-valve mixers can differ fundamentally in design. As a rule, the cheapest models are equipped with a worm gear, while the more expensive ones are equipped with a crane axle box with ceramic discs. The latter are more reliable, which means we will pay more attention to the former in this article.

Worm gear crane repair

So, what to do if a faucet with a worm gear leaks? Most often, the cause of this problem is a failed gasket blocking the inlet hole. It needs to be replaced. You can buy a new rubber ring in a store or make it yourself from thick rubber. Now we disassemble the mixer and replace it.

You need to act according to the following algorithm:

    • Turning counterclockwise, unscrew the valve body;
    • Remove the gasket and install a new one;
    • We wind the fum under the persistent edge;

Assembling the mixer.

This is what ceramic (left) and rubber (right) gaskets look like

The mixer should now work normally. However, it happens that repairs kitchen faucet with your own hands, it only works for a few days. And then the leak appears again. The reason for such rapid wear may be the roughness of the seat - the place where the gasket stops. It needs to be polished. Sometimes this process is also called a “cutter”, after the name of a special cutter that needs to be inserted into the place of the worm gear and turned with a drill. When the surface of the “seat” becomes smooth, you can install a new gasket and no longer worry about its service life.

Eliminating leaks in the faucet box

The crane axle box can also be installed in a regular mixer in place of the worm gear; technologically there are no obstacles to this. For the first few years after installation, you don’t even have to look at the tap - it won’t leak.

The design of a ceramic faucet is as follows: two disks pressed against each other have through holes. When the tap is open, the holes match, when it is closed, they do not. Simple, like everything ingenious.

If after some time such a faucet still leaks, just tighten the lock nut on the body and the problem will be solved.

You will learn about other malfunctions of cranes and their elimination in our next article:.

Modern plumbing is constantly changing its appearance, using more advanced technologies and materials, so it is not just functional and convenient, but also durable. Thousands of companies around the world are developing durable products that are easy to use and maintain.

For example, double-valve faucets, in which it is difficult to set a comfortable temperature, have been replaced by single-lever models that can be easily opened even with one hand. In this article we will tell you what the device is, as well as how to repair a ball bathroom faucet with your own hands.

Design

A single-lever bath mixer is structurally different from a double-valve one. It has only one lever handle, with which you can regulate the temperature and water pressure in the tap. This type of faucet is also known as one-armed bandit, ball, joint, joystick. It performs three main functions: mixing water at the optimal temperature, forming a jet and changing its power. The mechanism of its action is quite simple:


Please note that a single-lever faucet consists of the following structural elements: a rotary handle, a faucet cover, a spout with a faucet body, an internal chamber or cartridge, as well as several gaskets and seals.

Kinds

Inside the mixer, as can be seen even from the name of this plumbing fixture, cold and hot water are mixed in order to obtain a stream of optimal temperature. This process is carried out using a ceramic cartridge or ball mechanism. Based on the design of the internal chamber of the mixer, there are 2 types of devices:


Important! Despite the differences in the internal structure, models with a ball mechanism and a ceramic cartridge look and function approximately the same. However, there are also differences: the cartridge is better protected from the accumulation of limescale, and the “ball” is resistant to impurities contained in tap water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many homeowners pay attention to the single-lever mixer, because its design, repair, and installation are simple, but at the same time very effective and functional. These more modern devices differ from two-valve ones not only in being more aesthetically pleasing appearance. They are also very convenient to use; they allow you to more accurately and quickly adjust the water temperature and reduce its consumption. But they also have disadvantages:


Remember! To increase the service life of a single-lever mixer, you can improve the quality of tap water by installing a special filter, as well as perform timely preventive maintenance of the device.

Problems during operation

Even high-quality plumbing fixtures fail over time. The service life of the faucet depends on the material from which it is made, the quality of the tap water and the intensity of use. The most common problems that arise when using single-lever models are:


Important! Whichever High Quality No matter the mixer, it needs preventative maintenance. Even if no problems arise during operation, you need to disassemble the device once every 2 years, clean it, and replace the gaskets. After all, even a small speck that gets under the seal can cause a leak.

Repair

Many home craftsmen are interested in how to repair a single-lever ball mixer if it begins to work poorly. Experienced plumbers say: if the device becomes unusable, you can only completely replace the cartridge or clean it, as well as replace the gaskets. To do this you need to proceed as follows:


Please note that each plumbing fixture has its own service life, which depends on its quality and intensity of use. However, this period can be extended if you improve the quality of tap water using a purifying filter, as well as regularly carry out preventive maintenance of the device. For a single-lever mixer, maintenance consists of periodic disassembly and cleaning, as well as timely replacement of rubber seals.

Video instruction