Bathroom faucet repair: shower switch breakage

Sooner or later, every person can be overtaken by such a misfortune as a breakdown of the faucet in the bathroom, in particular the water switch on the shower. Modern faucets are designed quite simply, so almost everyone who has minimal skills in this area can repair minor technical damage. To fix a breakdown, you need to have a standard set of tools.

There are three main types of switch.

This is a type of switch from a gander to a shower, which has a special mechanism - a spool. In this mechanism, when a special rod rotates, the water supply and pressure are regulated. Nowadays, this type is used less and less, as it is inconvenient and impractical.

The switch resembles a spool analog, but has a useful feature that makes it more widely used. Its feature is the spring that holds the stem. When the switch is lifted, it stretches and grips the stem, thanks to which the water pressure begins to flow. When the valve is turned, the shower water flows back to the main mixer.

This is a modern shower switch. The locking mechanism (cartridge) adjusts the pressure supply by changing its position. This type is divided into two subspecies: ceramic and ball.

Push-button is the most modern look. It works by pressing a special button, which is automatic in some of the most modern mixers. It automatically switches the water flow when it is turned off.

If the switch is broken, you need to find the place of the breakdown. There are many reasons why the switch does not work or works poorly. Of all, the main ones can be distinguished.

The well-established stereotype that all the best was produced in the USSR does not always work. In many cases, the benefits of using newer materials are much greater. For example, using silicone gaskets provides more practical benefits than using the same rubber gaskets. To less often observe breakdowns and leaks of the crane, it is better to use more modern materials.

Nowadays on the market of goods there is a huge selection of mixers with various switches. However, most of these products are of poor quality, which brings a lot of problems. It is worth purchasing goods of well-known brands that are tested and meet all quality standards.

In many cases, breakdowns occur precisely because of water. Most of the pipes that supply water are used for a long time. Because of this, dirt accumulates in them, which gradually reaches the apartments. Ingress of dirt into the mixer threatens its complete or partial breakdown. To avoid this, you can install special filters on the water that will stop the dirt itself.

The water may not be dirty, but hard. Stiffness also affects the general condition of all plumbing (the occurrence of deposits and deterioration of the quality of the gaskets).

Each type of water switch can have breakdown causes that are specific to it.

• Zolotnikovy - poor fixation of the rotary rod, wear of the elements of the mechanism, wear or poor fastening of the base.
• Suberic - poor fit of the plug to the switch, mechanical damage to the button.
• Cartridge (ceramic and ball) - damage to the mechanism, worn out joints (ceramic plates or ball and plate), breakage of the clips.
• Exhaust - a push-button switch may have a breakage or strong tension of the spring, wear of the seals, incorrect position of the button.

Repair of faucets and switches can be done by hand. Depending on the type of switch and the type of breakdown, different types of work have to be carried out.

If there are special O-rings in the switch, many are faced with the problem of their wear. This occurs most often in pushbutton switches.

To replace such a ring, you need to perform several manipulations.

• Carefully remove the button with an adjustable wrench. This should be done effortlessly in order to avoid complete breakdown of the mechanism.

• Next, you need to completely disassemble the switch into components and remove the stem.
• Then remove the old sealing elements and replace with new ones.
• At the end, it is necessary to assemble the mixer in the reverse order, observing accuracy and care.

If a cartridge breaks down, you will have to carefully replace it with a new one in the correct sequence.

• First, you need to remove the top plug.
• Then you should unscrew the retaining screw that holds the entire base.

• Next, you need to remove the lever.
• Then you need to remove the retaining nut.
• After that, you must carefully remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one.
• Finally, reassemble the mixer in the correct sequence.

Spring breakage is another problem.

Its replacement is somewhat more difficult:

• You need to remove the shower and shower hose with an adjustable wrench, then you need to remove the adapter.
• It is necessary to remove the cover and the fixing screw.
• Next, you need to pull out the broken spring from the stem and replace it with a new one.
• Then you need to collect everything in reverse order. It is important to do everything carefully and prudently so as not to damage the rest of the mechanism.

If water flows at the place where the screw is attached to the body, an additional seal must be installed (see instructions above).

If water leaks from under the fixing nut, you need to disassemble the mixer and understand the reason:

• First you need to remove the mixer.
• After that, unscrew the fastening nut and shower.
• If the thread of the nut is clogged with something, it must be completely cleaned and reinstalled.

• If the thread is worn out, you will have to change the nut to a new one and clean up the new thread.
• For fidelity, the details of the mechanism can be greased with grease.
• The final step is to carefully reassemble the mixer.

To carry out repair work on any of the types of switches, you need to be able to properly disassemble each of them. Before starting work with any of the mixers, it is imperative to shut off the water in the entire apartment.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to disassemble the switch. Today, the spool type is not very popular. Therefore, finding parts for its repair is now quite difficult. It is easier to buy a more modern mixer and install it.

If you decide to keep your old switch after repairing it, you need to do it according to the following scheme:

• Using an adjustable wrench, you need to separate the lower part of the case from the other part.
• It is necessary to remove the retaining nut by separating the hose and the switch.
• Then you need to separately remove the switch itself.

Here the scheme of actions for parsing a cork analog consists of several points:

• First you need to remove the external decorative part of the mixer.
• Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the fixing nuts.
• Then you need to carefully pull out the switch itself.
• The next step is to dismantle the plastic washer that holds the spring, then remove the spring itself.
• After the completion of the work, the assembly takes place in the reverse order.

The sequence of actions for parsing a ball analog consists of several steps:

• First you need to remove the retaining nut with a flat screwdriver.
• Then you need to remove the special plate.
• After that, it is necessary to remove the handles, and then remove the clips from under them.
• After these steps, you can easily remove the stem and repair it.

In order to avoid such problems in the future, it is necessary to constantly carry out preventive maintenance of the switch and the mixer as a whole. It is necessary to constantly monitor the quality of the water supplied to the house, if necessary, install special filters. You need to use only high-quality materials from trusted manufacturers. Quality faucets will last longer. They will not cause permanent problems.

You need to take good care of each of the types and firms. The more carefully the plumbing is handled, the longer it will last. When repairing switches and disassembling the mixer, each element must be handled with care. It is advisable to do everything by hand so that the tools do not spoil either the external or the internal appearance.

If the quality or pressure of water deteriorates, the aerator should be checked. This is the filter on the edge of the gander. It has the ability to be clogged with various dirt particles. When buying new parts, it is better to take the old one with you to the store, so that it would be easier for the seller to find the right product and not be mistaken. To find out the cause of the leak, the place where the water is leaking, as well as the type of breakdown, you can unscrew the switch knob and turn on the water. The location of the leak will be visible immediately.

When self-repairing the water switch to the shower, you should always have:

• gasket seal;
• new cartridge;
• suitable stock;
• spring;

• pliers;
• adjustable wrench;
• rags;
• FUM tape;
• a universal screwdriver with various attachments;
• Lantern.

If the water switch on the shower hose leaks or does not work properly, everyone with little experience in this kind of work can fix the problem, fix and bring the plumbing equipment back to normal. Do not forget about safety precautions, because when working with plumbing, it is especially important.

For information on how to repair a bathroom faucet, see the next video.