Repair of cranes in mixers - the main types of work
Plumbing equipment can not be imagined without mixers, with their help you can quickly and easily adjust the temperature of the water supply and its pressure. But over time, knots may cause malfunctions due to wear of parts. We will look at how to make routine repairs of cranes at home on our own, because public service workers do not always promptly repair breakdowns, and the cost of work is very high.
What is needed for the work
To repair the mixer with your own hands, you must first stock up on some consumables and a simple set of tools. The list may vary depending on the modification of the crane, but in general the same elements are used:
| Screwdrivers | Of course, it is best if you have a whole set of screwdrivers of different sizes with different types of slots. But, in extreme cases, you can do with one cross-shaped and one flat screwdriver of medium size (a rational solution is a model with a adjustable sting, so you will save money and get a screwdriver with two types of slots) |
| Plumbing key | With it, you can unscrew any nut, because the device is easily adjustable for a wide range of sizes. You can also use a set of rozhkov keys, as long as it contains elements of the desired size. |
| Rubber seals | Experts recommend changing the sealing rings with each disassembly, especially since the price of the repair kit is small. In the extreme case, you can cut the gasket from scrap materials - rubber or leather, but still it is better to use factory products, they are much more accurate fit and ensure reliable connections |
| Rags and cleaning compounds | To clean the internal channels and remove limescale and rust, you will need soft cloths and compounds that can destroy pollution. Cleaning is done carefully so as not to damage the threaded pipe connections and sealing elements, if any. |
Types of cranes and features of their repair
Repair instructions depend on what type of equipment is installed in your home. It is easy to determine it: if there are valves on both sides, it means that the system is valve, if it is operated with one lever, it means that the valve is ceramic. (See also the article How to choose a sink faucet: Essentials.)
Valve taps
Considering the issue of how to repair a valve of a valve type, it is better to break down the points, then it will be easier for you to understand the features of the works.
Let's start with the old-fashioned devices:
- The main element is the crankcase, at the end of which is a rubber sealing ring., it is his wear that most often causes leakage.
- Disassembly begins by removing the plug on the valve head and unscrewing the locking screw.. This should be done carefully, as the strength of the fasteners is low and you can rip the slots, then it will be very difficult to unscrew the screw.
- Next, the locking assembly itself is unscrewed; this is done counterclockwise using a plumbing key or a wrench. Again, it is important not to apply too much force in order not to break the thread - damage to the casing is extremely undesirable, since you will have to change the entire mixer.
- After that, the rubber ring is inspected, most often it is deformed and cracks from constant use, and replacing this element solves the problem.. Reassemble in the reverse order.
Tip! Sometimes the ring has no visible signs of wear, and the valve flows, in this case, the valve seat should be cleaned, a lime scale can form on it, which prevents the elements from tight fitting. The roller cutter will help to cope with the problem, but you should not be too zealous not to remove the excess.
It is possible to replace an old-style crane box with a new one with ceramic elements; they are much more durable and fit the design without any alterations. But if you are interested in how to repair a ceramic screw-type faucet, then it is worth noting that the only solution is to replace the entire unit.
Semi-reverse cranes
Repair of the half-turn crane differs from the above described variant, since the mechanism device of this type is completely different:
- The basis of the design is a cartridge ball or ceramic type. It is used to supply and adjust the temperature and pressure of water. It is a block with a ball inside or a design with two ceramic disks with holes, combining which the adjustment takes place.
- Repair of a ceramic crane, as well as a ball valve, consists in replacing the cartridge, since this design is not collapsible.. The first thing to do is to unscrew the locking screw located on the back side and remove the handle, gently rocking it to the right-to-left.
- If the crane is being repaired, it is located in the shower cabin, then the front panel is removed first of all, behind which all controls are hidden.
- Next comes the cartridge and is replaced by the same. At the same time, it is possible to replace a ball-type assembly with a ceramic one — it is more durable.
Tip! If you do not know the exact dimensions of the node, then it is better to go to the store with a sample of the product, in order to exclude the acquisition of the wrong option.
Conclusion
Repair work is quite capable of even those who have not had experience in carrying out such work, everything is quite simple and understandable. The video in this article will help to understand the question even better.