Shower switch: device and common problems

How does the shower switch for the mixer? What variants of performance can be found in modern and previously produced sanitary devices? What breaks in them and how to eliminate the corresponding malfunctions?

Let's try to answer these questions.

Classification

In the bathrooms you can find faucets with switches of four main types.

1. Suberic. Brass plug with slots rotates in the housing with a lever about 10 centimeters long. Tightness is ensured only by lapping the plug to the body.

Please note: the corresponding products were discontinued about 30 years ago, however, due to the exceptional resiliency of the structure, they continue to be used in many houses of the old building.

1. Push button. The button by means of a spring-loaded rod sets in motion a valve, which in the lower position closes the water on the gander (spout) and opens it to the shower. The return stroke is provided by a return spring.
2. With barrel and cam. Turning the lever rotates the rod with a protrusion offset from the center; that, in turn, shifts the padded barrel with the gasket inserted into the groove.

1. Bath shower switch - shower in fact, it is structurally closer not to the ball valve, but to the ceramic crane. The water is directed into the desired channel of the mixer by the mutual displacement of ground ceramic plates.

Useful: this type of switch is easy to distinguish from others. It allows the shift knob to make a full turn, while the device with a barrel and an eccentric is limited in movement by an arc of 45 - 60 degrees.

Advantages and disadvantages

For the convenience of readers, we bring them into a general table.

Problems and Solutions

Now let's take a more detailed look at the typical breakdowns of each mechanism and how they are fixed with their own hands in living conditions.

Suberic

There are two typical problems, as we remember:

1. High switching force. The cause is most often the tightened cap nut that holds the plug in the mixer housing. It is enough to slightly weaken it; In addition, a layer of silicone sanitary grease can be applied to the outer surface of the cork removed from the casing.

1. Stock flow. The reason we have already mentioned: it is uneven wear of the rubbing surfaces. Again, a layer of silicone grease will help to correct the situation: it will not only reduce the force required to turn the lever, but also fill all the microscopic grooves and scratches between the metal parts.

Push button

The pushbutton shower switch also has some typical problems.

1. Valve does not hold water. As a rule, the reason is in excessively hard water: lime deposits over time cause the valve rubber to lose elasticity and form uneven growths on it and the saddle. For a short time, diligent cleaning of the valve and seat with Belize, Domestos or any other lime-removing agent will help; if the rubber has become frankly tough, the valve with the stem changes completely.
2. Leaking on stock.

How to repair the shower button in the mixer in this case depends on the type of stem packing:

• The rubber ring will have to be replaced. A new seal is easy to find as part of a gasket kit at any plumbing store.

• Packing stuffing enough to fill again, pulling the gland with moderate effort.

Useful: it is better to use one or two threads of a loose graphite gland. The oil seal is quickly produced by contact with hot water.

1. Button spontaneously returns to its original position with a slight pressure of water. The problem is associated with an excessively tight return spring. It is enough to bite off one or two of its coils - and everything will return to normal.

1. The button does not return to its original position when the water is turned off. The reason is that the stem is too tight. Under the rubber ring enough to put a little silicone grease; in the gland packing design, loosen the gland nut.

With a keg

1. The mixer does not switch to the shower when you turn the lever.

The reason may be:

• An eccentric protrusion broken off by an excessively large force. Sign - free turn of the lever without any visible effect. It is treated only by replacing the eccentric.
• Lost elasticity or loose strip on the barrel. Symptom - a normal course of the lever with a moderate effort; water at the same time switches only partially. Replacing the gasket and, sometimes, fixing its screw will help.
• Worn barrel or rails in the body of the mixer: the barrel gets tangled and wedged in an intermediate position. Sign - a limited course of the lever. It is treated by replacing the barrel or, more often, by completely replacing the mixer with the worn guides of its body.

1. In the case of a leak on the rod, the instruction is the same as for the push-button switch: replace the rubber seal or refill the oil seal.

Sharovy

As mentioned above, a ceramic switch for a shower or bath practically never fails due to normal wear and tear. The cause of breakage can only be an attempt to turn the lever when the plates are stuck with scale or sand.

Note! The problem of suspensions is completely solved by coarse filters installed at the entrance to the apartment or house immediately after the valves.

If a breakdown does occur, the switch cartridge changes completely. The price of this product does not exceed 200 rubles; for replacement it is enough to remove the switch lever and unscrew the nut under it.

Watering can

Since we have already touched on the repair of the faucet in the bathroom, it will be logical to mention another problem - the failure of the shower head, in which water comes only from a part of the holes in it.

The reason - sand and lime deposits, clogged holes. It is enough to disassemble the watering can and shake out the sand or wash the holes with the same Belize or Silit (acid detergent).

The only problem with this simple repair is disassembly of the watering can in the case where the fastener is not observed within sight.

Two small tricks can help here:

1. Often the mounting screw can be found under a plastic cap in the middle of the grid.

1. Sometimes it is possible to disassemble the watering can by fixing the shower / shower switch on it with one hand and turning off the grid counterclockwise.

Conclusion

We hope that our simple tips will help the reader in solving typical household problems. More clearly with the repair process can be found by viewing the video in this article.

Successes!