Subtleties of the mixer repair process

Currently, every apartment or house has a centralized water supply system. In order to use it in the kitchen and in the bathroom, faucets are installed. They make it possible to regulate the pressure and temperature of the water. Among all plumbing fixtures, they are the most commonly used.

It often happens that the mixer breaks down. This is usually accompanied by a number of problems. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to figure out why this happened.

Problems with the mixer are not always caused by its breakdown, so it is not necessary to immediately run to the store and buy a new one. It is better to understand the problem first. Most likely, it will be necessary to replace either the gasket or some other part of the device. A complete understanding of the problem can save a lot of money.

Most often, mixers break down due to the following reasons:

• Poor device quality. If the installed mixer started to leak or stopped switching water from the tap to the shower a short time after its purchase and installation, then this most often indicates that this device is of low quality and it is better to replace it with a better one.
• Substandard or outdated parts and materials. If the mixer has been installed for a long time, then most likely gaskets and seals of the old model, for example, made of rubber, are installed in it. They deteriorate more often than those made of silicone or paronite.
• Hard or dirty water. The quality of the water can also directly affect the life of the faucet and its accessories.
• Term of use. Like any other mechanical design, the mixer has a lifetime. Therefore, its parts wear out from time to time and need to be replaced.

The above reasons can lead to the following malfunctions:

• weakening the pressure of the water jet;
• breakdown of the tap and shower switch;
• tap leaks;
• breakage of the push-button mechanism;
• leaks at the base of the device.

If you study well the design of the mixer and its functionality, then it is quite possible to repair it yourself. To do this, you just need to purchase the necessary spare parts and have the necessary set of tools at hand.

Most often you will need:

1. adjustable wrench;
2. screwdriver (regular or Phillips);
3. pliers;
4. hexagon;
5. Lantern;
6. FUM tape;
7. Silicone Grease.

All this is most often available to any owner of a house or apartment.

To understand how the device will have to be repaired, you need to understand its design. Depending on it, mixers are divided into several types.

A touch mixer is very different from a mechanical one. It is a high-tech device designed to make it easier to use and improve people's living conditions. Water is supplied automatically as soon as the hands fall into the field of view of the photocell or IR sensor. Such mixers have a rather complex device and most likely it will not work to fix them yourself. In this case, it is better to resort to the help of professionals.

They are a classic version of the mixer, which has become firmly established in everyday use.Valve mixers are controlled by two handles - each for a different type of water.

They have the simplest design, including:

1. frame;
2. spout;
3. valves;
4. crane axle boxes that regulate the water pressure. They can be equipped with rubber pads or ceramic plates, which are often more durable and easier to use, since they only rotate 180 degrees.

Lever mixers. This type of faucet is gaining more and more popularity among buyers.

The device of a single-lever mixer is more complicated than that of a valve, and consists of:

• hulls;
• gander;
• cartridge, it can be of two options - ball or ceramic, which cannot be repaired;
• handles for pressure and water temperature control;
• nuts for fixing the cartridge;
• housing covers.

In order to quickly and efficiently repair the device yourself, it is necessary, firstly, to determine what this mixer is, and secondly, to understand where it is located and what is its breakdown.

There are many options for problems with a mixer, and they can be as follows:

• flow in a gander;
• leakage at the base of the lever or valves;
• leakage of the water switch into the shower;
• switch button malfunction;
• leakage at the base of the hose;
• shower head leak;
• weakening the pressure of the water jet.

Since the valve mixer has a simple design, it has much fewer breakdown options, and it is easy to deal with them.

If there is a leak, the gasket must be replaced. In the event of a breakdown of the switch from the tap to the shower, it is necessary to disassemble the mixer and replace the faulty element.

If there is a leak from the tap, the gaskets may have worn out or some other defect has formed. All that needs to be done in this case is to disassemble the mixer and replace the necessary elements.

Since mixers of this type are a more complex design, they may have more breakdowns. But if you follow all the tips and instructions, then it is possible to eliminate them without resorting to the help of professional plumbers.

Leakage of the device may occur due to the fact that a foreign body has entered the mechanism. In this case, you will need to replace the cartridge.

This requires:

1. remove the plug from the lever;
2. unscrew the screw under it;
3. remove the lever;
4. install a new cartridge;
5. reassemble all parts in reverse order.

If the water pressure has weakened, then most likely the aerator is clogged. It is located on the head of the gander.

Dealing with this problem is simple:

1. you need to unscrew the aerator;
2. wash the filter on it;
3. put everything in place.

If water began to flow into the tap and shower at the same time, then the gaskets in the switch have probably become unusable. In this case, it is necessary to remove it, replace all the necessary elements and put it back in place.

If the button for switching water from the tap to the shower breaks down, then most likely the spring in it is out of order. The button must be removed, replaced with a spring in it, putting a new one with a slightly smaller diameter, then put it back in place.

The leakage of the switch button is caused by a broken oil seal. You can buy it at any store.

Further it is necessary:

1. remove the switch;
2. remove the valve with the stem;
3. remove the broken oil seal;
4. install a new one;
5. assemble the switch.

If a leak occurs from under the mixer control lever, you need to change the cartridge in it.

It is necessary to repair in the following order:

1. remove the plug;
2. unscrew the screw with a Phillips screwdriver;
3. remove the lever, which may have begun to scroll;
4. unscrew the nut with an adjustable wrench;
5. remove the old cartridge;
6. install a new cartridge in the core of the case;
7. assemble the mixer.

When installing the cartridge, take into account that there are protrusions on it. They must be installed strictly in the grooves in the mixer body to avoid leakage.

If we are talking about a breakdown of the faucet in the kitchen, then it can also be repaired by yourself.

There are several signs of a kitchen faucet failure:

1. dampness under the sink;
2. the appearance of a leak from the spout;
3. accumulation of water at the base of the mixer;
4. the water pressure has become noticeably lower;
5. the appearance of a leak from the water hose located under the sink at the point of connection to the mixer.

Most of these problems can be solved by replacing some parts of the device.

If it is constantly damp under the sink, then first of all it is necessary to check how the water pipes are connected, whether the nuts are tightened well, whether there are cracks. If the water supply hose is out of order, it should not be repaired. It needs to be replaced with a new one. This will protect against repeated leaks.

If the problem lies in the mixer itself, then first of all it must be carefully inspected for cracks. If they are found, it is better to completely replace such a device. It is better to choose faucets for the kitchen from good materials and give preference to ceramics over plastic. Such a mixer will last much longer.

Typically, for kitchen faucets, the spout is movable for more convenient use. It is in this junction of the gander and the body that breakdowns most often occur. To eliminate them, you need to unscrew the nut with an adjustable wrench and remove the gander. On its basis, there are gaskets, and they, most likely, have become unusable and need to be replaced.

It will be more difficult to do this in a single-lever mixer, since it will have to be completely disassembled. Before reinstalling all parts of the mixer, it is best to clean them from dirt, wipe with a dry cloth and do not allow small particles to get inside the mixer.

Aerators are also often installed on kitchen faucets. They often perform an additional filter function. Therefore, if suddenly the water pressure in the tap becomes weak, then you can unscrew the cap, pull out the aerator, clean it and reinstall it. In most cases, this helps.

If it has become unusable, then it can be easily changed to a new one. In order not to make a mistake with the purchase, it is better to take it with you to the store and purchase an identical one.

Shower problems are also common in bathroom faucets. Most often, a leak occurs at the point of connection of the shower hose. Such a breakdown is often caused by a breakdown of the shower hose lining. To replace it, it is necessary to unscrew the nut, remove the old washer, change it to a new one (preferably from paronite, since this material is very durable), tighten the nut back, wrapping the thread with FUM tape.

If there is a leak from under the shower head, then it is necessary to change the gasket on the hose. This can be done even without tools.

It can also happen that the water flows poorly through the watering can. This problem usually occurs when the shower screen is clogged. Lime from hard water often accumulates there. In this case, you need to unscrew the mesh, clean it with a needle or an awl, you can also treat it with a special chlorine-based detergent or vinegar solution to completely get rid of limescale. Then screw the mesh back into place.

It so happens that the shower hose starts to flow in several places. Most often this happens due to wear and tear of its inner part. In this case, it is better to buy a new hose and replace it, since the old one can no longer be repaired.

In order to quickly and efficiently repair the mixer, you can use the following tips:

• All work on the repair and replacement of components must be performed according to a specific algorithm.
• Shut off the water supply before starting work. This can be done using special valves, which are usually located on water pipes.
• If we are talking about a single-lever mixer, then each of them has its own strictly defined cartridge. Therefore, it will not work to replace it with another cassette.
• The cartridges in the mixers can be ball or ceramic. You should know that the ball can be disassembled and repaired, if only it has not burst, but the ceramic one always only needs to be replaced.
• If water leaks at the base of the tap, the temperature changes spontaneously, you have to make an effort when switching, or the water begins to flow very weakly, then all this indicates that the cartridge has become unusable.

• In order to pick up an identical part when buying, it is better to take the failed one with you to the store. Only in this case, you can pick up exactly the same.
• Contactless (sensor) mixers are considered more reliable, they can last up to 5 years without any complaints. But in the event of breakdowns, it would be better to seek help from professionals or to a service center, since the device of such a mixer is technically complex.
• If during the use of the sensor mixer the water pressure has weakened, this may be a minor breakdown. In this case, you can try to clean the aerator yourself. There is nothing difficult in this, but the problem will be solved.
• In order to repair the mixer yourself, you need to understand the type of its design well. This will greatly facilitate the process of repairing the device.

Like any thing, faucets also require constant and high-quality care. This will extend their service life. Below are basic principles and tips on how best to care for any kind of faucet. It is recommended to take them into account in everyday life.

First of all, the quality of water affects their service life. If foreign bodies enter the mixer, numerous breakdowns occur. Therefore, it is recommended to install mechanical filters in your home. These filters are often equipped with a self-flushing system that sends all waste directly to the drain.

Also today it is possible to install special filters that reduce water hardness. Hard water has a particular negative effect on ceramic mixers and they quickly deteriorate.

As for the sensor faucets, it is best to install them only on the washbasin. They are equipped with a thermostat that can be adjusted to supply water at a comfortable temperature. If you install such a mixer, for example, in the kitchen, then it will be inconvenient to use it there, since you will have to change the water temperature very often. Consequently, the thermostat may be unsuitable for such a frequent change of position and will become unusable faster.

Thus, if problems arise with the mixer in the house, you can save money and make repairs yourself. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to study all the instructions for repairing mixers, strictly follow the algorithm of actions.

First you need to determine what type of device is installed in your home. It can be a valve mixer, lever or sensor. The latter option, most likely, will require professional repair, since it is a high-tech device, and independent intervention can only make it worse.

The situation is much simpler with conventional valve and single-lever mixers. If cracks do not appear on the body itself, from which there is a leak, then most likely it will only be necessary to replace any components, be it gaskets, valves, cartridges or valve boxes.

Before replacing them, it is necessary to shut off the water access, remove the broken part and go to the store with it.This will prevent the possibility of purchasing the wrong part.

To extend the lifespan, it is better to opt for more durable materials such as ceramics and silicone instead of short-lived plastic or rubber.

After purchasing the necessary materials, you can proceed with the installation. It is better to have all the tools that may come in handy at once. During installation, make sure that no dirt or dust gets inside the mixer. They can re-emerge unwanted problems.

During operation, it is important to properly care for the device, because this is the key to its long service life. To improve the quality of water, you can install special filters for mechanical cleaning, as well as filters that reduce its hardness. Using the mixer, you do not need to apply great effort when opening and closing the water. This can lead to mechanical damage.

It is also important to remember that it is necessary to select a mixer taking into account its location., as well as on which sink or bathtub it will be installed, whether it will fit their dimensions. It should be noted that when choosing a sensor mixer, it is best to install it on a washstand designed directly for washing hands. There, its service life will be the longest, and its use is truly convenient.

How to fix a mixer with your own hands, see the video below.