Each of us sooner or later has to deal with solving domestic problems.
One of the most common malfunctions in the house is the crane failure in the bathroom. This is largely due to its frequent use. Just imagine what volumes of water pass through it daily. But the reasons for the breakdown can be very different.
The main causes of failures of
Various malfunctions can occur during operation of the water tap:
- Loose closing of valves( dripping or flowing water);
- Weak water pressure even with fully open valves;
- A rumble from an open tap;
- Malfunction of the switch "faucet-shower"( water flows simultaneously from the tap and from the shower).
There are two main reasons for the occurrence of such malfunctions:
- Structural defects of the mixer( poor quality material or poor workmanship);
- Bad water in the system( water with rust, debris, solid particles, "hard" water).
In most cases, it is possible to repair the mixer by hand.
In this case, one should keep in mind the basic safety precautions:
- Before repairing, it is always necessary to block hot and cold water with valves at the inlet of pipes into the apartment.
- After closing the valves on the inlet, open the faucets of the mixer and check whether water is flowing - the input valves may also be faulty.
- Be careful when working with hot water - you can scald;
- Do not apply excessive force when twisting - the thread can be torn off.
Do not forget these precautionary measures, even if you need to tighten the loose nut on the tap - because of excessive effort it can be broken, and you will flood your apartment and neighbors from the bottom.
Repair of old
cranes In old-style mixers, cold and hot water are regulated by two separate cranes. Most often, leaks occur due to the wear of rubber seals, or because of a malfunction of semi-turn crane-boxes.
To replace worn parts in a faucet of an old sample, it is necessary:
- Close the cold hot water and water valves at the pipe inlet into the apartment, open the mixer and release the residual water, removing the residual pressure.
- Remove the decorative caps from the crane handles, unscrew the bolts holding the handles, and remove the handles.
- Using a wrench, unscrew the crane-axle by turning it counter-clockwise.
To repair a leaking faucet, the rubber seal of the axle box must be replaced. Most often, the seal is attached to the crane-screw with a screw, to replace it you need to unscrew it with a screwdriver.
If a rumble was heard from the open valve or the valve was opened with force, the crane-box is faulty and it must be replaced completely.
Collect the mixer in the reverse order.
Do not apply excessive force when twisting, so as not to break the thread.
Repair of cranes of a new sample
Today single-lever mixers are popular. They mix water in a special cartridge. Change in temperature and pressure of water occurs due to the displacement of ceramic discs with holes of a special shape inside the cartridge.
Most of the failures of single-lever mixers of a new type are associated with the wear of moving parts inside the cartridge. During repair, the cartridge is replaced entirely( even for detachable cartridges it is almost impossible to find individual components).
Sometimes a mixer leakage is caused by the ingress of fine grains of sand or rust particles between the discs of the cartridge. In this case, it is necessary to disassemble the cartridge, if it is provided for by its design, and rinse the parts with a jet of water.
To replace the cartridge in a new sample mixer it is necessary:
- Close the cold hot water and water valves at the pipe inlet into the apartment, open the mixer and release the residual water, removing the residual pressure.
- Place a screwdriver in the front of the mixer handle and remove the decorative plug.
- Unscrew the fixing screw under the removed plug, remove the handle of the mixer from the cartridge stem. If there is a protective cover - we remove it.
- The cartridge is pressed against the mixer body with a wide nut. It must be unscrewed with pliers.
- After unscrewing the clamping nut, gently pull the stem and remove the cartridge.
Assemble the mixer in the reverse order. When installing a new cartridge, you must correctly align the cartridge holes with the mixer guides.
The leakage of the "shower faucet" switch
The mixer uses two types of "shower-cock" switches: rod( push) and ball( rotary).
It is necessary to change the "shower-cock" switch if the water flows simultaneously from the tap and from the shower.
The replacement procedure for the switch is similar to the replacement of the crane-box:
- Close the cold hot water and water valves at the pipe inlet into the apartment, open the mixer and release the residual water, removing the residual pressure.
- Remove decorative trim, unscrew retaining bolt, remove switch handle.
- Unscrew the switch by turning it with the adjustable wrench by turning it counter-clockwise.
- Replace the switch or gasket on it and assemble the mixer in reverse order.
Prevention of leaks - installation of main filters
As we have already mentioned, one of the main reasons for the appearance of faults in mixers is poor quality tap water. Because of the deterioration of communications in the water particles of rust, grains of sand, there is turbidity. All this accelerates the wear of moving parts of the mixer, or even completely jam them.
For the additional cleaning of water, extension of the life of mixers and household appliances( washing machines and dishwashers), main water treatment filters are used.
Filters are installed immediately after the valves and counters at the inlet of the pipes and filter all incoming water into the apartment. In addition to cleaning from suspended particles, the main filter can soften water and remove excess iron from it.
For the hot and cold water filter designs are different. Pay attention to the marking when buying and installing them. Also, when choosing a filter, pay attention to whether you will install it on a horizontal or vertical pipe section - not all models can work in both positions.
Repair of other minor problems
In addition to water leaks, mixers are susceptible to other breakdowns. For example, may drop the water pressure from them .Most often, such a breakdown is associated with the contamination of the aerator.
To clean the aerator, it is necessary:
- Remove the aerator from the tap by turning it clockwise with your hand. If the hand slides, wrap the aerator with a cloth and try again. If using a tool - put rubber pads to prevent damage to the chrome surface.
- Remove the mesh of the aerator. To do this, gently press them from the outside.
- Flush the mesh of the aerator under running water. Large contaminant particles can be removed with a pin or a thin awl.
- Assemble the aerator and install it on the tap, without tightening it too much.
Another common problem is water leakage at the junction of a gander with a mixer body .To remove it, use a adjustable wrench to tighten the loosened nut of the gander attachment. If the leakage remains - you need to remove the gander and replace the rubber sealant at the junction. When twisting the nut of the gander attachment, it is necessary to use rubber pads under the adjustable wrench, so as not to scratch the surface of the nut.
When parsing the mixer, it can be found out that some parts are "attached" to each other and do not rotate. Try to lubricate them with a special liquid WD-40.It will dissolve the rust, displace the moisture, will make it possible to disassemble the mixer without damaging it.
If you have not found a solution to the problem with crane breakage in the bathroom, read our article about repairing the mixer.
