What to do if the faucet flows: troubleshoot

Plumbing leaks are common, and every normal man should be able to fix them by hand. Wizard services are not always available, since not everyone can pay for them, and there is often no waiting time either. We want to look at the root causes of faults and tell us what to do if a ball valve flows.

Fault Diagnosis

Two-valve option

First we will talk about the most common type of devices in our country - two-valve cranes. By the way, they are much more likely to occur due to the less progressive design and age, since most of the new models are equipped with a ball (hinge, single lever) locking mechanism.

So, there are several types of faults:

1. Water leaks when the valve is closed until it stops. The most common problem is caused by a worn gasket on the head of the lock axle box;
2. Water leaks from under the gland or spindle of the valve itself. The reason is a worn sealing ring or gasket;
3. Water flows from under the gander;
4. Water flows at the point of attachment of the appliance to the sink. The reason is that the seal between the mixer and the sink has deteriorated.

In the first case, the repair is quite simple. It is necessary to unscrew the bush and replace the gasket with a new one.

To do this, you have to follow the points that our instruction contains:

• Remove the cap on the lamb and unscrew the fixing screw with a screwdriver;

• Remove the lamb and decorative trim (if any);

• Take an adjustable or open-ended wrench and unscrew the crane-axle box;

• Remove the gasket and cut / buy the same;

• We put the gasket in place and collect the structure.

  Note! If water flows from under the lamb itself, the procedure remains the same, except for replacing the gasket, it is necessary to replace the sealing rings.

If the gander flows, then it is still easier. Turn off the cover, which closes the place of attachment of the gander to the body, take out the gander and change the sealing rings. You can wrap it with PTFE tape, if you replace the ring with nothing.

In case of leakage from under the body of the appliance in the place of its contact with the sink, the repair will be a bit more difficult. We'll have to go down under the sink and unscrew the flexible hoses. Then you need to unscrew the nut, which fixes the product - it is screwed onto the pin and presses the bracket (pins and nuts can be two or three).

After that, we remove the entire mixer and change the rubber gasket, it is better to just two - one seals from the top side, the second - from the bottom side of the sink.

Note! If a ceramic crane is installed in the valve, then it is better to replace it completely, since the price of the new part is low, but the repair is rather complicated.

Single lever version

In the case of a single lever tap it is still easier. Here all the elements are assembled in one device - a ceramic cartridge, which is located under the mixer handle. Accordingly, the repair will consist in cleaning it or replacing it.

Replacing the cartridge is as follows:

1. There is a cap on the pen, usually there are red and blue markers on it. We hook it with a screwdriver and take out;
2. In the hole under the plug is a screw. Unscrew it (you can not completely);
3. Remove the lever and decorative trim;
4. Under the lever is a nut that presses the cartridge. Turn off its wrench;
5. We take out the cartridge, go with him to the store and buy exactly the same.
6. Put the cartridge in place and collect the mixer.

If you do not know what to do if the water from the tap is bad, try cleaning or changing the fishnet at the end of the gander. To do this, unscrew the nozzle and remove the strainer.

To troubleshoot problems with mixers and taps, you need to stock up on a tool in advance. You will need a plumber wrench (preferably a large one), a flat and Phillips screwdriver, pliers, a set of cap and socket wrenches (depends on the situation).

Note! Before starting work, do not forget to block cold and hot water!

Sometimes ball valves for locking the water supply from time to time is very difficult to turn. You should not try to do it by force, you need to develop them gradually, applying effort gently and metered, adding engine oil under the spindle. Otherwise, you will break the tap and your problems will only get worse.

Conclusion

Repairing cranes in the house is a procedure that everyone may encounter (see also the article Installing a Crane: Installation Rules and Step-by-Step Guide).

Therefore, any owner should be ready to solve such a problem, and our guide and video in this article will help him in this.