How to fix the mixer in the kitchen by yourself

If the mixer is leaking in the kitchen, then the problem is not difficult to fix by yourself. To do this, you must establish the cause of the fault and replace the broken part. In this article we will look at how to repair cranes of various types.

General information

As a rule, all the breakdowns of kitchen faucets are reduced to the fact that they let the water in a closed state. There are several reasons for the mixer in the kitchen. Moreover, they are different in different types of cranes.

Most often in the kitchen are used the following types of devices:

• Single lever;
• Two-valve.

I must say that in recent times complex devices have appeared that contain electronics and operate automatically. Repair of such mixers should not be done by hand, as this requires special knowledge and equipment. Therefore, below we take a look at the repair options for only two of the above types of kitchen faucets for the sink.

Repair single lever crane

Device

Before proceeding with the troubleshooting of the tap, we first consider how the single-lever kitchen faucet is designed.

So, this device consists of the following elements:

• Handles;
• Enclosures;
• Cartridge, which is located in the housing;
• Spout with aerator;
• Fixing bracket;
• Hot and cold water inlets (represent flexible hoses braided).

The cartridge is a locking element of this mechanism. Unfortunately, it is almost beyond repair, however, it is easy to replace.

Fault options

A single lever mixer can flow for only two reasons:

Both types of work can be performed independently with minimal time.

Mixer replacement

Instructions for replacing a single-lever mixer is as follows:

• Before you unscrew the faucet in the kitchen, you need to shut off the flow of hot and cold water with ball valves, which are usually located under the sink.
• Then you need to unscrew the cap nuts of the flexible hoses from the water pipes.

• Next you need to unscrew the locking bracket, which is held by the nut.
• After that, you just need to raise the mixer and pull out the flexible hoses.
• Before you put the faucet in the kitchen, you need to fasten to it new flexible hoses.
• Further it is necessary to fix the crane with a bracket and screw the captive nuts onto the pipes.

This completes the installation of the new mixer.

Cartridge replacement

If outwardly the faucet is still good, but it does not hold water, it does not make sense to completely change it, since the price of a new good faucet is quite high.

It is much more expedient to change the cartridge, which is done as follows:

• First of all, it is necessary to pick up a plastic cap, which, as a rule, means cold and hot water.
• Then it is necessary to twirl the screw - the fixing handle lever.
• After that, you need to dismantle all the decorative elements, resulting in access to the nut, which fixes the cartridge.
• Next you need to pull out the cartridge. If the cause of the device malfunction is the poor condition of the gaskets, you can try to replace them. Otherwise, you need to purchase a new cartridge.
• Further work also will not cause difficulties, since the kitchen faucet must be assembled in the reverse order:

• the cartridge nut is tightened;
• decorative elements are installed;
• the handle lever is fixed by the screw;
• set decorative cap.

To complete the work it will take not much more time than to replace the mixer.

Tip! To extend the life of the cartridge, it is necessary to install a coarse filter at the inlet of the pipeline, since the mechanism is susceptible to fine grains.

Repair of the two-valve crane

Device

The design of the two-valve type kitchen faucet contains two separate locking mechanisms. The principle of their operation is based on the fact that the rubber gasket located at the end of the stem fits tightly to the seat and thereby blocks the flow of water. When the valve handle is rotated, the worm mechanism raises the stem, as a result of which the water passage opens.

It should be noted that recently there were ceramic crane-axles, the principle of operation of which resembles a single-lever mixer cartridge. They are much less likely to break, so they are more preferable.

Possible faults

If the mixer drip in the two-valve type kitchen, then the cause of the malfunction is most likely due to the wear of the elastic gasket. This breakage is common, as the gasket is in contact not only with water, but also with a metal surface. Often, such a failure is accompanied by noise when the valve is opened.

In some cases, water begins to flow out from under the valve. In this case, it is necessary to replace the gland.

Gasket replacement

To replace the gasket, follow these steps:

• First, it is necessary to determine which valve passes the water. To do this, alternately close the hot and cold water ball valves. True, it is better to change the gaskets on two valves at once, in order not to return to the repair of the crane soon.
• Then you need to dismantle the plastic cap on the handle of the valve, which can be threaded or inserted as a cork. In the second case, you just need to pick it up with a screwdriver or a knife.
• After that there will be an access to the screw which should be unscrewed to dismantle the valve handle.
• Next, you need using a spanner key or other tool to unscrew the crane-axle box.

• Then you need to remove the old gasket. It can simply be put on the tip of the rod or fixed with a screw or nut. A similar gasket can be purchased at a specialty store or cut yourself from a suitable material.
• The finished gasket must be fixed on the rod.
• Before assembling, it is necessary to clean the thread of the crane box and the valve body, and also to wash the seat.
• After that, the details of the kitchen faucet are assembled in the reverse order.
• In the same way, the gasket is being replaced on another valve.

After assembling the mechanism, you need to open the water and make sure that the tap is working as expected.

Tip! To extend the life of the gasket, do not apply force when closing the valve.

Gland replacement

Replacing the valve gland takes even less time than replacing the gasket.

It is carried out in the following sequence:

• First of all, you need to dismantle the valve handle according to the above scheme.
• Then you need to unscrew the gland nut on the crane box.
• After this, the old gland should be removed with a screwdriver.
• Next in its place fit the new seal, and the device is assembled in the reverse order.

Here, in fact, all the main options for self-repair kitchen taps.

Conclusion

Having understood what the faucet for the kitchen consists of, it will not be difficult to repair it yourself. The main thing - to do the work carefully, so as not to break the mechanism, and adhere to the above sequence.

From the video in this article can be found with additional information on this topic.