How to fix a dripping bathroom faucet: features of various designs

Over time, even the highest quality cranes fail. The most common device malfunction is water leakage. In this case, you can contact a plumber. However, in some cases, you can cope with a breakdown on your own, it is only important to familiarize yourself with the information on the device's design and repair. How to fix a dripping faucet in the bathroom, as well as the features of various designs and recommendations for repair work will be discussed in more detail in this article.

In the event of a faucet leak in the bathroom, not everyone is in a hurry to quickly fix it. However, a minor problem like this can lead to a number of more significant problems. The plumbing fixture may fail completely after a while. There is also a possibility that a large flow of water will break through and the tap will break off under such a pressure. If the tap is dripping, the problem must be corrected in a timely manner.

The reasons for the leakage of the tap can be very different. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the operating conditions of the plumbing and the design features of the equipment.

The most common causes of device leakage are several.

• The valve seat is damaged or covered with limescale. In case of substantial wear of the element, it will have to be replaced with a new one. For minor defects, you can simply clean the saddle thoroughly.
• The gasket of the device has deteriorated. This problem occurs especially often, since the rubber gasket does not have a long service life. If necessary, you can make such an element yourself by cutting it out of a bicycle tire.

• Damage to the oil seal. Determining the malfunction of this element will not be difficult. If the mixer does not leak in the closed position, and when it is turned on, water flows out from under both flywheels at the same time, the sealing element has become unusable.
• The crane box is worn out.
• Rust formation.

If the crane is used incorrectly, you can ruin the structure with your own hands. Turning the valve or pushing the adjustment lever with great force can damage the locking mechanism, resulting in water leakage.

Before starting repair work, the first step is to correctly identify the reason why the tap is leaking. Sometimes, to eliminate the leak, it will be enough to tighten the nut that fixes the crane-axle box. However, there may be more serious reasons for the leak, which will require a thorough repair of the device.

Speaking of plumbing equipment for water supply, first of all, you need to consider the difference between a tap and a mixer. The device of the tap implies the possibility of supplying water from a hot and cold pipe. The mixer, in fact, performs similar functions and is a type of crane with some design features. The difference is that the mixer can supply water from two pipes at once, mixing it and adjusting the temperature.

All cranes, depending on the control method, are divided into the following types:

• single-lever devices;
• two-valve models.

Single-lever mixers, in turn, are divided into ball and cartridge mixers. The main element of the ball structure is a small metal ball. The ball is located in the mixer body. This element has multiple openings for cold, hot and mixed water flow. The design of this type of device is very reliable, and therefore rarely breaks. In cartridge valves, the main element is two ceramic plates, which represent the cartridge. There are three water flow holes on the bottom plate. The upper part of the cartridge has a mixing function.

Single-lever devices are very convenient to operate, therefore they are becoming more and more popular. Using the control lever, you can easily adjust the power of the water supply and its temperature.

Two-valve designs differ from single-lever devices in the way of supplying and adjusting the water pressure. Two-valve models have two handles, one of which is responsible for supplying hot water, and the other for supplying cold water. Such devices are subdivided into several subspecies.

Devices are classified depending on the type of locking mechanism in the handles. The first type includes devices, the basis of the locking mechanism of which is made up of elastic rubber seals. The second type of two-valve models has a locking structure in the form of ceramic plates.

Single-lever mixers are of ball and cartridge types. With ball models, the most common problem is the wear of rubber seals. To avoid valve breakage, it is recommended to replace the seals every two years.

Tap water can contain various elements (such as sand) that could clog the device. If the metal ball is less sensitive to sand and other small particles, then the ceramic plates can quickly fail and then a complete replacement of the cartridge will be required. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase special filters for single-lever mixers.

The ball mixer can be periodically cleaned to remove accumulations of abrasive substances. To do this, remove the nut at the junction of the gander and the mixer body, remove the mesh from the tube and clean it well. After such simple manipulations, the structure can be assembled back.

To fix a dripping single-lever mixer yourself, you need to understand its device. It is also important to be able to properly disassemble the device for further repair or replacement of any parts.

The cartridge-type device is disassembled in a certain way.

• Using a flat-blade screwdriver, carefully pry off and remove the plugs, which are colored blue and red.
• An imbus wrench unscrews the screw that connects the lever and the adjusting rod.
• The handle is removed from the mixer, allowing access to the upper ceramic plate. There are two nuts on the plate that must be removed.
• The disc cartridge can now be removed from the mixer. It is only necessary to replace the element in the event of a breakdown.

A single-lever ball-type device is disassembled in the same way, the process consists of the following steps:

• Use a screwdriver or knife to pry on the multi-colored plug and pull it out.
• In place of the plug, there is a fixing screw, which must also be removed.

• Then the lever for adjusting the water supply is removed.
• Using an adjustable wrench, it is necessary to remove the part that visually resembles a dome and is located under the crane handle. Remove the plastic ring from the dome and inspect it for defects or contamination.
• Next, you need to get a metal ball. The structure is inspected for damage. Repair or replacement of certain parts is carried out if necessary. Then the mixer can be assembled back.

If the faucet starts to leak in the sink, it is most likely that a crack has formed in the body of the device. The body can simply wear out from prolonged use and constant exposure to water.

It is more expedient to immediately replace the cracked mixer. In the event that this is not possible, a special sealant or glue can be a temporary solution. Damaged areas must be repaired with a suitable mixture (eg "cold welding"). It should be borne in mind that a tap treated with a sealant will not look very aesthetically pleasing, and the sealing layer will deteriorate over time and will require replacement.

When water oozes from underneath the mixer, the cause is not always related to cracks in the housing. Sometimes the problem lies in the seal between the tap and the flexible water line. Replacing the gasket is not particularly difficult. First of all, you need to turn off the water. However, some water will remain in the device and must be drained. To do this, raise the lever and wait for the water to drain.

Then you need to unscrew the flexible hoses through which water flows to the plumbing fixture. You should put a bucket under the eyeliner or put a dry rag on the floor, as water can also remain in the hoses. The next step is to remove the nut, which is located under the sink and secures the mixer. There will be a rubber seal under the retaining element.

The gasket must be carefully inspected for defects. If the element is damaged or worn out, it must be replaced. Before replacing, it is recommended to clean the installation site of the new gasket from dirt. After successful installation of the new element, the entire structure is assembled back.

If water is constantly dripping from the shower head, the problem is most likely due to the wear on the top gasket of the plumbing fixture. It is quite easy to fix the defect. Unscrew the fixing nut and remove the shower hose. The old rubber seal is removed, the place is cleaned of dirt and a new gasket is installed.

However, there are also more complex cases. For example, when it is required to replace not the upper, but the lower gasket of the device. A malfunction of the shower switch may indicate the need to replace this element. The lever cannot be switched and fixed in the desired position, which prevents the flow of water from the shower head.

To replace the bottom gasket of the mixer, first shut off the water. Then the nut and shower head are removed, the adapter and gander of the device are removed. It is necessary to remove all components from the mixer to open access to the gasket. After that, the rubber element is replaced and the mixer is assembled.

If water is continuously dripping from the gander when the mixer is turned off, it is most likely that the inner lining of the spout has become unusable.

To replace the rubber gasket, you must perform the following steps:

• to remove the gander, it is necessary to carefully unscrew the nut that fixes the part on the mixer using an adjustable wrench;
• a worn rubber ring is removed from the gander, and a new gasket of the same size is installed in its place;
• the spout is screwed onto the mixer.

The most common problem with two-valve designs is wear on the rubber gasket. It is not difficult to eliminate this cause of the leak, it is enough just to replace the damaged element with a new one. First you need to turn off the water in the bathroom, after which you can start repair work.

The gasket replacement process is as follows:

• It is necessary to remove decorative plugs from the screws, under which are the bolts fixing the mixer flywheels.
• The fastening bolts are unscrewed. Using an adjustable wrench, the valve body is removed.
• The old gasket is removed, and a new one is installed in its place.
• After replacing the seal, the structure is assembled back.

In some cases, a badly fixed axle box may be the cause of a valve leak. To eliminate the malfunction, it will be enough just to tighten the lock nut on the part. If the cause of the dripping tap is a broken axle box, this element must be completely replaced.

This process includes the following steps:

• Decorative plugs are removed from the mixer handles. Thus, access to the fixing elements is opened.
• The fastening screws are unscrewed and the valves are removed.

• Using an adjustable wrench, the axle box is unscrewed. In order not to spoil the mixer, the movements should be slow and accurate. Removing the crane box from the old mixer can be quite problematic, since the part is covered with scale. In this case, you can pour vinegar on the axle box, which will slightly dissolve the formed plaque and make it easier to remove the part.
• In place of the old axle box, a new one is installed. It should be exactly the same as the previous part. Otherwise, the valve will not work.
• After replacing the part, the mixer is reassembled.

Bathroom taps have a separate bath-shower switch. If the breakdown of this element is not promptly eliminated, the entire mixer may fail.

By design features, the following types of switches are distinguished:

• Spool type. These switches are supplied complete with valve cocks.
• Cartridge. This type of switch usually comes with Russian-made mixers.
• Cork type. This design is almost never produced by modern manufacturers of plumbing equipment.
• A push-button switch allows you to mix water from a hot and cold pipe.

The most common cause of pushbutton switch leaks is damage to the gasket. In this case, you can remove and clean the old rubber ring well, but it will be most effective to replace it with a new one.

The repair is carried out as follows:

• First of all, you need to remove the button. To do this, you need an adjustable wrench. All manipulations must be done with great care so as not to damage other parts.
• Use a wrench to unscrew the entire switch.
• The extendable switch stem should have rubber gaskets. Worn rings must be replaced with new ones.

• The final step will be the assembly of the switch.

If for some reason it is not possible to replace the gasket with new material, the old ring can be softened. First, the rubber must be thoroughly washed with soapy water, then held for several minutes in gasoline or solvent. However, it is worth remembering that such a manipulation will only achieve a temporary effect.After a while, the switch will start to drip again, and even then replacement of the gasket will be inevitable.

The procedure will take place as follows:

• first you need to remove the plug;
• using a screwdriver, you need to unscrew the screw that secures the lever;
• then it is necessary to remove the lever itself;
• then the nut is unscrewed and removed, with which the cartridge is attached;
• the old cartridge must be removed, and a new one must be installed in its place;
• repair work is completed at this point, the last stage will be the assembly of the device.

The spring, like the switch cartridge, cannot be repaired. Therefore, in the event of a breakdown of this element, it must be replaced with a new one.

The replacement is as follows:

• at the first stage, the gander of the mixer and the shower hose is removed; this will require an adjustable wrench;
• then you need to remove the adapter;
• the next step is to unscrew the fastening screw and plug;
• then remove the stem, where the spring is located;
• the damaged spring is removed, and a new one is installed in its place;
• after you have replaced a broken part, the device must be reassembled.

One of the most common spool switch failures is a leak at the water switch handle.

The reasons for such a problem may be as follows:

• the rubber seal, which is located at the pivot rod of the crank, has deteriorated;
• the seal on the crane-axle box is worn out;
• the screw that secures the crank or the crane box is poorly screwed.

To begin repairing the switch, you need to identify the source of the problem. To do this, unscrew and remove the handle of the switch and start up the water. Thus, it will be possible to discern the exact place from where the water is oozing.

In case of leaks in the area of ​​the axle-box, pivot rod or fixing screw, the rubber O-ring must be replaced. In case of weak fixation of the crank, it is necessary to screw in the screw harder.

Many mixer problems can be avoided with proper care of the equipment. The quality of the device is also of great importance. When buying, you do not need to save money and make a choice in favor of the cheapest option. Poor quality cranes often break down and fail quickly.

For information on how to fix a dripping faucet in the bathroom, see the next video.