They say that in ancient times there was such a torture: a person was tied under dripping water, allowing the drops to fall evenly and monotonously on the parietal region of the unfortunate person. After some time, the water, drop by drop, drove the poor man into a frenzy, and at that moment he was ready to do anything to stop this sophisticated torture.
Perhaps many of those who had to listen for a long time to the monotonous and inexorable drops falling from a faucet in the kitchen or bathroom are partly familiar with the feelings of those unfortunate people who were subjected to water torture. What if the apartment has a meter? In this case, not only water drips, but also money! Your finances are irrevocably flowing down the drain, not to mention that this is not entirely friendly to the environment around us. So let’s try together to figure out the following question: “Why does water flow from the tap, because it’s closed?”
Why the faucet is leaking: we understand the reasons
In fact, this is a very common occurrence. By and large, there are not many reasons for this problem, here are the four most common:
- Poor quality mixer. Very often, when choosing something for the home, for reasons of economy, we buy something cheaper and are glad that we managed to save money for something else. However, such tactics in the event of a purchase may be erroneous, and the joy from the savings may be short-lived. Your savings may cause a leak in the clan or, worse, an accident. It would be good if at that moment there was someone at home who could quickly neutralize the consequences of such an accident. If not, then you may have to admit that the proverb about the stingy man who pays twice is just about you. Therefore, you should not save on buying a faucet - make sure that you buy a product from a reputable manufacturer. Pay attention to the price too! A price that is too low for a brand may be a sign that they may be trying to sell you a counterfeit.
- Incorrect or poor-quality installation. This can also include possible defects that occurred during the assembly process. Therefore, if you bought a high-quality and expensive mixer, then be especially careful when installing it. Defects made during the installation process can negate almost all the advantages of an expensive and high-quality faucet. If you entrust the installation to a specialist, make sure that his professional qualities are not in doubt.
- Mishandling. It is important to remember that, like any thing, the faucet has its own performance characteristics. This means the conditions under which the manufacturer guarantees the normal functioning of the equipment it produces. If you made excessive efforts during installation or use, or put pressure on the faucet when turning, and even at the wrong angle, twisted the valve, or subjected the spout to excessive pressure, then you should not expect that all these manipulations will go completely unnoticed. Damage due to improper use is one of the main causes.
- Natural wear and tear. The fact is that as a result of repeated cycles of turning the water on and off, the moving elements of the mixer, especially the rubber gaskets, begin to wear out. This could have been avoided by carrying out preventive maintenance and replacing gaskets. However, rarely does anyone remember that a faucet can break until the moment it actually leaks. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, the problem is inevitable. She will reveal herself sooner or later, it's only a matter of time. However, it is within your power to eliminate it. We will talk about how this can be done below.
How to repair it yourself
We have already said above what needs to be done to avoid the problem. To summarize, we can highlight 4 main points:
- a reasonable approach to choosing a mixer and its elements;
- high-quality installation, preferably by a specialist;
- correct operation;
- preventive repair work;
All this should guarantee long-term operation of the crane.
Well, before starting repairs, you need to determine the actual source, and there may be several of them:
- water drips or leaks from under the hot water supply and hot water supply valve;
- water drips or flows in a thin stream from the tap even when the valve is closed;
- water flows at the junction of the attachment to the mixer;
- water flows at the place where the water pipes are attached to the mixer;
- water leaks where the faucet is attached to the sink;
- the faucet has obvious damage to the body through which water is leaking;
Once the source of the leak has been determined, the first thing that needs to be done is to turn off the water supply, both cold and hot. Of course, the most reliable option is to replace the old mixer with a new one. However, this is a total measure, which in some cases can be avoided.
So, in each of the above cases, the following actions should be taken:
- The most likely reason for water dripping or leaking from under the water on and off valve is a loose fit of the faucet axle to the mixer or wear of the rubber gaskets. To fix this problem, you need to make sure that the axle box fits tightly to the mixer, and also replace the rubber gaskets. If you have a ceramic valve box installed, then you need to seal the silicone oil seal.
- If water drips or flows in a thin stream, then, most likely, the edges of the faucet axlebox have worn off, which does not allow completely shutting off the water supply. This breakdown occurs only in inexpensive, low-quality faucets. It can be solved by replacing the valve axle box with a new one and/or replacing the valve. As a last resort, if the first two measures do not help, you will need to replace the mixer. Please note that unevenness in the inner surface of a low-quality mixer can also contribute to rapid wear of the gaskets and faucet axle when the valve is tightened tightly.
- Water seepage at the point where the faucet is attached to the mixer can be the result of either wear of the gaskets or the spout becoming loose as a result of damage or prolonged use. The recommended measure is to replace the gaskets and tighten the spout tightly to the mixer.
- If water leaks at the place where the water pipes are attached to the mixer, then most likely a long-standing installation defect has made itself known. This defect was the result of excessive force when tightening the nuts, which over time led to damage to the gaskets. Another possible reason is poor quality hoses used when installing the faucet. The solution to the problem may be replacing the gaskets with new ones, or replacing the hoses. When replacing gaskets, you should avoid over-tightening the nuts, which will extend the life of the gaskets.
- The cause of a leak at the point of attachment to the sink may be that the faucet was not screwed tightly or that it became loose during use. It also happens that the gasket used between the faucet and the sink has become unusable. This issue can be resolved by screwing the faucet to the sink and replacing the gaskets. You can also place the mixer on silicone. This should stop the leak.
- If the mixer has obvious damage to the body, then it is almost impossible to repair it. In this case, there are no alternative recipes for completely replacing the faucet.
Required tools and materials
When making repairs, you may need the following tools and materials.
- Spare crane axle boxes;
- Adjustable wrench and set of keys;
- Glue;
- Screwdriver Set;
- Gaskets of various sizes;
- Plumbing fum tape and/or rags;
- Electric drill and grinding attachment for it;
- Silicone seals.
Most of the tools and materials listed can be found in any home. As a last resort, they can be purchased at any hardware store.
As you know, water wears away stones, so any device that regularly interacts with it will eventually fail. It’s quite simple to understand what to do in the bathroom if you understand the principle of operation of the mixer.
The mixer can be:
- lever;
- valve;
- combined with shower.
The main action of shutting off, mixing and supplying water is carried out by the cartridge, which is located inside the mixer body. They are controlled by an external valve or lever.
Valve mixers
Such plumbing equipment is made with a ceramic or worm axle box with a rubber gasket. Rubber quickly loses its elastic properties under the influence of water, which, due to wear of the gasket, flows from a closed tap. Faucets, for example from Hansgrohe, with ceramic parts, are more durable, but are also subject to wear. This is the reason why the faucet drips when the water is turned off.
Lever operated faucets
The design of such a mixer allows you to control the water pressure and temperature with one movement of the lever. The lever mixer cartridge is available in two versions:
- on ceramic discs;
- with a metal or plastic ball.
The design with a cartridge manufactured by Hansa is more durable, has fewer rubber gaskets and will be easier for you to replace.
Cartridge on ceramic plates. The main elements of this design are two polished, tightly ground plates. One of which is stationary, and the movement of the second is controlled by a lever. When the slots of the plates are aligned, water flows from the tap and streams of different temperatures are mixed. Making the element in the form of a non-separable cartridge leads to replacing the unit with a new cartridge in case of internal problems of the mechanism.
The faucet axle box on ceramic discs, which can be easily disassembled, can be repaired or its plates can be cleaned of debris. If the discs are deformed, they need to be replaced along with the gaskets, this will restore the functionality of the locking element.
Ball cartridge. The hollow ball, which is placed inside the cartridge, may have 3 or 4 holes. The two lower ones supply water at different temperatures, the two upper ones supply mixed water to the mixer or shower.
The holes that supply water to the ball are equipped with rubber seats. The entire structure is tightly ground in and low-quality water can introduce metal or other debris into the product. This is the reason why the ball valve is leaking from under the valve.
If yours is a collapsible structure, you need to clean the connections and replace the gaskets, this will help restore its operation. The cartridge version must be replaced with a new product when it is worn out. Despite their delicate design, ball valves regulate temperature and water pressure very smoothly. This will allow you to reduce the cost of wasted water when washing dishes or taking a shower.
Why water drips from the faucet tap, how to fix it yourself
The main reasons for leaking water taps:
- wear of gaskets or seals;
- incorrect installation, distortions or strong tightening of the nuts;
- manufacturing defects;
- contamination of ceramic discs or ball device;
- wear of the metal parts of the mixer.
When the faucet in the bathroom is leaking, what should you do first - of course, turn off the water. This action precedes any work with water control mechanisms.
A set of tools and materials you need to fix problems:
- a knife with a thin and durable blade;
- screwdrivers with flat and Phillips blades;
- adjustable wrench;
- rubber and fluoroplastic gaskets;
- sealing tape;
- flushing fluid and lubricant.
Fixing a worn gasket problem
This is the most common cause of problems with worm-mounted crane axle boxes. In addition, there are rubber gaskets in ceramic axle boxes; they are used both as gander seals and in flexible hose washers. Contact of the gasket with metal parts in an aqueous environment, pressure on it from parts of the mechanism and possible drying out, in some cases, lead to deformation of the gasket. Due to the wear of the rubber, water leaks from the tap or it begins to hum.
When water drips from the faucet, what do you need to do to replace the gasket:
- cut off the flow of water into the apartment;
- using a screwdriver and a flat knife, disassemble the mixer and remove the damaged gasket;
- change the gasket to a new product, it is better to use factory versions, although you can make the gasket yourself from suitable rubber;
- assemble the mixer;
- check the operation of the crane.
Replacing the crane axle box or cartridge
Before purchasing a new product, you need to decide what type of cartridge or axle box you have. And, of course, find out whether the reason is precisely the problem of the mechanism of this part.
If water flows from the gander when the faucet is turned off or the lever turns with difficulty, the cause of the malfunction is clearly in the faucet axle or cartridge. First of all, you need to remove the part from the mixer body, to do this:
- remove the faucet handle by unscrewing the screw located under the decorative plug;
- if there is a “skirt” covering the top of the part, unscrew it by hand;
- Using an adjustable wrench, you need to loosen the connection of the axle box in the mixer body, then you can unscrew it by hand.
The cartridge is not much more complicated, you may additionally need a hex wrench, then:
- remove the mixer lever by unscrewing the retaining screw with a hex key;
- unscrew the locking ring by hand;
- remove the clamping nut using an adjustable wrench;
- remove the cartridge.
With the mechanical faucet assembly obtained, you need to contact a plumbing store. Having purchased an element that matches your mixer model, return it to its place. Check if the cause of the leak has been eliminated.
Any owner needs to know how to make a faucet so that water does not drip and money does not flow away.
A plumbing element such as a faucet often fails because the load on it is quite high. Faucets are installed in the kitchen and bathroom.
In most cases, it is enough just to replace the gasket or seal. Anyone can do this kind of work, and there is no need to call a plumber.
Mixer device
What is a mixer? This device is designed to mix cold water and hot water. There are two main types of mixer:
- mixer with valves;
- mixer with cartridge.
In the first case, supply of cold and hot water regulated by two valves.
When with cartridge, there are no valves on the device. They are replaced by a pen connected to a device called a cartridge. Different positions of this knob control the water flow.
Another reason that water does not flow through the faucet jaw may be that the rubber gasket on the faucet axle has torn and blocked the water. To check, you need to unscrew both valve axle boxes and check them. And finally, some dirt may simply get into the mixer. The device is removed, disassembled and washed.
Different types of leaks
Leaking from the valve
The reason is the wear of the o-ring. You need to unscrew the valve axle box, replace the ring and screw it back in.
Leaking from under the gander
This also occurs due to wear on the O-ring. The gander is unscrewed, the ring is replaced, and the gander is screwed into place.
Leaking from the mixer body
Most likely there is a crack in the housing. This mixer needs to be completely replaced. If the device is dismountable, and it is possible to buy the mixer in parts, then only the damaged part is replaced.
There is a crack in the body of the structure - it’s time to replace it
In addition to all of the above, if the faucet is connected to the water supply with flexible hoses, water may leak at the junction of the hoses with the mixer or with the water supply pipes. In this case, it is usually enough to slightly tighten the nut.
Water flows when it is blocked
Here, the repair of a faucet with valves and a faucet with a cartridge differs. In the first case, you need to unscrew the valve axle boxes and replace the rubber gaskets on them. Gaskets can be purchased at any plumbing store. When purchasing a faucet, both gaskets and O-rings are often included. They need to be preserved.
Replacing the O-ring
If water flows through a closed cartridge, then . Please note that they come in different sizes, so in order to buy a new one, it is advisable to take the faucet with you to the store.
Check the integrity of all gaskets
Healthy. Read the review on our website: “” - different options for solving the problem.
Valve mixer repair
Shower repair
Shower switches can be of different types. - read in a separate review. Typically, the water is turned off either using a button or a lever switch. The spring in the button often breaks. You just need to install a new one. In both the button and the switch, rubber gaskets and O-rings, which are very easy to change, can also fail. The rubber tube in the shower hose, which is located under the metal braid, may break. In this case, either buy a new shower hose assembly or change the rubber tube.
That's all the main problems with this device. From the above review it is clear that there are no difficulties with repairs. To repair a faucet with your own hands, you will need the following tools:
- adjustable wrench;
- pliers;
- screwdriver.
You may also need FUM tape, which needs to be wound around the thread to prevent water from flowing through the thread.
In order to remove the valve axle box, you must first remove the valve wing. To do this, remove the plastic cover that covers the fastening screw. The screw is unscrewed and the wing is removed. After this, the crane box is turned out using pliers or a key.
Unscrew the locking nut and remove the cartridge
In order to remove the cartridge, you must first remove the switch tap. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolt on the side of this tap. A thin screwdriver may be needed for this.
Sooner or later, the problem of leaking plumbing arises in every home: for some, the faucet is leaking in the kitchen, for others, the weak “link” is in the bathroom. And here it’s not just water dripping - it’s money senselessly flowing into the city sewer system.
A problem from a small stream can develop into big troubles - complete failure of the mixer and water breakthrough at the most inopportune moment, so you should not delay repairs. What to do if the faucet is leaking? Determine the cause of the leak, prepare the necessary tools, be patient and get to work.
Valve two-handle mixer
There are several types of plumbing taps:
- Valve (two-handle) models . The water pressure changes by rotating the handles located on the sides of the faucet. The locking elements in them are special valve axle boxes of the worm type or with rotating ceramic plates.
- Single lever models . The water flow and temperature are controlled using one lever handle, which can be rotated in two planes. The rotating mechanism here are ball or disk cartridges, the service life of which is twice as long as that of a crane axle box.
Example of a single lever mixer
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Its repair will also depend on the design of the crane.
Who is to blame, or why is the faucet leaking?
If a faucet is leaking, the causes can be identified by looking at the location of the leak.
The main “culprits” of the leak:
The faucet is leaking - how to fix it yourself?
The process of repairing a faucet can cause some difficulties, especially for beginners who are picking up an adjustable wrench for the first time. Preliminary preparation and a simple algorithm of actions will help eliminate emergency leaks and extend the life of the tap.
Preparation for repair
Before you fix a leaking faucet, you need to follow the main rule of any plumbing repair - turn off the water supply (cold and hot) at the riser, otherwise the problem of a leaking faucet will add to the flooding of your apartment and the neighbors below. Only after this can you begin repair work.
To work with the crane, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- Adjustable wrench.
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers.
- Pliers.
- Wrench.
- Set of gaskets.
- PTFE sealing tape.
- Silicone seals.
- Rags.
- Sponge and detergent to clean the faucet elements from debris.
- Low capacity for collecting water.
This simple kit is enough to fix a leak.
If the faucet was purchased recently and the box from it has been preserved, there will definitely be a repair kit and instructions with a detailed diagram of the faucet - this will significantly speed up the repair.
The procedure for replacing the valve locking mechanism gasket is as follows:
- Disassemble the valve – pull out the plug and carefully unscrew the screw under it, then use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the core (counterclockwise) and remove the valve axle.
- Replace gasket and fix it in the axle box.
- Install all items in reverse order.
Steps to replace the faucet gasket
If the shower faucet is leaking , you need to carefully unscrew the shower hose using an adjustable wrench, replace the used gasket and install the hose in place. The same sequence of actions is carried out when replacing the rubber seal under the gander nut.
Replacing the oil seal
If the oil seal wears out, there are two ways to proceed:
- Unscrew the packing nut with a screwdriver and replace the seal itself.
- Or make a “homemade” liner from fluoroplastic tape.
If the work is done correctly, the leak will stop and the valve will turn smoothly.
How to fix a leaking ball valve
Repair of a ball valve consists of disassembling and cleaning it, and, if necessary, completely replacing the locking mechanism.
The work is carried out in the following sequence:
- Unscrew the screw and remove the lever.
- Unscrew the threaded screw.
- Remove the faucet dome along with the plastic part.
- Remove the ball from its mounting location and inspect it. If there are defects or damage, it should be replaced.
- Dismantle the seals and check them for plaque and signs of wear.
- Remove plaque and other dirt from the sealing elements of the ball mechanism and apply a special lubricant to them.
- Reinstall all parts and check the tightness of the connection.
In a properly assembled faucet there are no leaks, and the temperature is regulated by a slight turn of the lever.
Cartridges are much more convenient to use than crane axle boxes, but if they fail, the entire mechanism must be replaced.
Quick replacement of faucet cartridge
The repair process will be carried out in the following sequence:
- Open the plug on the mixer lever and unscrew the fixing screw.
- Remove the decorative elements of the product and unscrew the nut that presses the cartridge.
- Remove the mechanism and check the condition of its gaskets at the end - you can try to replace them.
- If the seals cannot be replaced, a new disk element is installed in the mixer.
- Reassemble in reverse order.
Why is the new faucet leaking?
There are situations when a recently purchased and installed faucet begins to leak. The reason for this misunderstanding is a manufacturing defect, which is almost impossible to identify externally.
Cracks or chips inside the faucet cannot be repaired on your own; even professional plumbers cannot do this. Therefore, you will have to contact the store with a request to replace the defective product..
You can encounter a problem with a leaking faucet in the bathroom or kitchen at any time. There are two ways to solve this problem - call a specialist to your home or carry out the repairs yourself. When you know , how to fix a leak from a faucet yourself, repair difficulties no longer arise.
Important! Carrying out preventive work to replace gaskets and check the condition of locking mechanisms will help prevent the occurrence of unwanted leaks at the most inopportune moment and extend the life of the mixer.
Are you familiar with the situation when you wake up in the middle of the night from strange sounds? In complete silence, a rhythmic “drip...drip...drip...” can be heard from the kitchen or bathroom. This means it’s time to repair the mixer, which you can do yourself with certain knowledge and skills.
My mind becomes clear: “Oh, the faucet is leaking again.” What to do? Well, what can you do here other than call a specialist? Or can you fix the problem yourself?
If you prefer the latter option, let’s look at how you can eliminate this problem without the services of a specialist.
There are three types of faucets. Two of them differ in the design of the axle box crane, and the third has a joystick crane configuration.
First of all, you need to figure out where the water is coming from. If you see water oozing from under the gander, then the gasket is to blame. To fix the problem, you need to turn off the water. Both hot and cold. How and where the water is shut off, of course, you already know without our advice. This is necessary in order to avoid showering while working.
Crane repair - “joystick”
After making sure that the water is turned off, you need to remove the handle at the base of the joystick. Underneath there is a plug with two dots. Red and blue. She comes out. Underneath there is a screw that needs to be turned to the left three turns. Pull the handle up. She must come off. Sometimes, when there is oxide, or the tap has been leaking for a long time, the handle may be difficult to remove.
After removing the handle, you need to unscrew the decorative nut. Under it there is a nut that secures the mixer cartridge. Having unscrewed the latter, you can safely remove the cartridge and replace it with a new one, because it cannot be repaired. Install the new cartridge onto the mounting sockets, tighten it with a nut, but do not overdo it. Otherwise, it will work hard and quickly fail.
Repair of a crane with crane boxes
The same mixer can have different faucets. They can be either screw or semi-turn. They are interchangeable.
In order to remove the crankshaft, you need:
- A decorative plug (a circle with hot and cold water markings) is removed or unscrewed from the middle of the valve.
- The screw is unscrewed with a regular Phillips screwdriver.
- The valve is removed. In some faucets, you need to unscrew the decorative nut to get to the faucet, which is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench. If there is a black rubber gasket at the end of the latter, then only that can be replaced. If there is no black gasket at the end of the valve and white ceramic liners are visible, then it is better to change it completely.
- In some cases, it is advisable to use fum tape when tightening the crane box. But there is no special need for it, because... it contains rubber sealing rings - gaskets. Fum-tape may be necessary when the rubber sealing gasket is not new. After winding 6-8 turns of tape onto the thread of the faucet, you can screw it into place. Fum is not used on ceramic half-turn faucets.
- We assemble the crane. The valve must be tightened securely, but “without fanaticism.”
If it flows from under the gander, or rather, from under its fastening
If it flows from under the gander when the water is opened, but when the water is closed, then the water does not drip, you need to:
- Unscrew the decorative nut that secures the gander.
- Take out the gander.
- On the inside of the nut there is a sleeve with a hexagonal hole inside. It has two rubber gaskets (oil seals, rings). They need to be replaced. To do this, you can unscrew the bushing with a hexagon or try to replace them without disassembling this mechanism.
- If you manage to unscrew the bushing, you can wrap several turns of fum tape around the new seals to make them slide better in the mixer body. Here the Tangit thread is not used. It is used only on threaded connections.
- In order for the seals to last longer, you need to regularly check the filter (the mesh at the end of the gander). It is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench. There are two to three layers of mesh. They need to be cleaned of scale and other debris, if any. If the filter is clogged, the pressure in the gander increases, which is why the turning mechanism of the gander may leak, because. it is not designed for increased main water pressure.
- Clean the gander seat from solid deposits of water and oxide in the body so that the inner surface of the walls is smooth. This is necessary for better sliding of the oil seals when turning the gander.
- Install the gooseneck into the seat by tightening the nut.
Leak between valve and stem
The cause of the leak in this case may be a defect or wear of the rubber ring - oil seal or wear of the tow (packing). The seal needs to be replaced and the packing re-wound. This can be done without removing the valve housing, just by removing the “wing” and the decorative nut.
Leaking from the hose
You need to unscrew the nuts, check and, if necessary, replace the rubber gaskets, tighten them well. If the hose continues to leak, it must be replaced with a new one.
Leaking from under the faucet base
If water oozes from under the base of the faucet, you may be unlucky and the plumber did not install the faucet properly. To eliminate the leak, you need to unscrew the eccentrics using an adjustable wrench and, winding “fum” tape or “Tangit” thread around them, screw them back. A layer of silicone sealant will not be superfluous either.
Modern taps are connected to the water supply using a flexible hose. It wouldn't hurt to check it from time to time. It is advisable to change it every three years.
If any complications arise, contact a professional. They will always come to the rescue.
DIY kitchen faucet repair. Video