The cartridge is an important part of any mixer, which is responsible for the supply of water and its regulation. But over time, the cartridge fails, so you will have to repair the cartridge in the kitchen, in the bath or shower yourself. Replacing a faucet is not a difficult task, but quite a responsible one, therefore, first of all, calculate your strength and think about whether you can fix the faucet and fix the breakdown of this device.
Content:
How to change the cartridge in the faucet? Simple enough. The main thing is to correctly determine the causes of the breakdown, and then you can replace the cartridge with your own hands and completely repair and change the crane device.
Causes of failure
There are many reasons for the failure of the mixer design in our time. First of all, the rapid breakdown of the cartridge in the faucet and its subsequent replacement can be attributed to the ingress of solid and small particles, such as grains of sand, into it. Because of them, a violation of the internal elements occurs in the mixer, that is, the erasure of the metal parts of the tap and head. As a result of this interaction, chips, scratches and other damage appear on them, which are the main cause of the faucet leaking.
When these signs appear, it is better to repair and replace the cartridge without delay, as well as change the rest of the design details of the mixer.
When is it time to change the faucet?
Along with the question - when to change the cartridge in the faucet, you can also ask - when is it better to change the faucet and how to properly install it? Expert opinion says: faucets in the kitchen, in the shower and bath can last a long time. The main thing is to replace or repair the cartridge in a timely manner, as well as change gaskets. But at some point, the device must fail? Of course, yes.
Experts say: it is necessary to replace the faucet both in the kitchen and in the shower and bath at the moment when the faucet design is completely emaciated and repair will not help it. Most often, such "breakdowns" happen with the head, cartridge and other components of any faucet. Over time, every detail of the mixer deteriorates, but it makes no sense to constantly replace it, since the faucet simply simply “worked out”.
Therefore, after the failure of the cartridge and other design of the tap, it must be replaced so as not to waste money on repairs. To find out when it is better to replace the faucet and install a new cartridge in the kitchen, in the bath or shower, we recommend watching a thematic video or photo.
Do-it-yourself cartridge replacement in a mixer: video
How to replace the cartridge in the faucet yourself? Actually, it's easy. The main thing is to know the components of the faucet design and then you will be able to quickly repair the mixer by replacing the cartridge in it.
Before starting to replace the cartridge in the mixer, it is better to familiarize yourself with the photos and videos in order to have an idea about the upcoming repair.
In order to replace the cartridge in a ball mixer and completely eliminate the breakdown of the structure, a number of actions must be performed.
- Shut off the water in the faucet.
- Remove the plug (plastic).
- Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screw, and then gently pull out the handle.
- Then unscrew the decorative cover located under the tap lever.
- Under it you will see a fixing washer, which also needs to be removed from the crane structure using an adjustable wrench.
- Then we take out the cartridge. If the adjacent gaskets have settled, it will be quite difficult to pull out the cartridge (see photo).
- We wipe the vacated space under the cartridge from sand, plaque and other debris.
- Now we are replacing the cartridge: carefully insert a new cartridge into the device and fix it with a washer, and then with a decorative cover (if you need to change the gaskets, you need to do it right now).
- Then we put the handle in place and fix it with a screw.
Now we insert the plug and check the operation of the mixer and cartridge. You did everything right if the faucet does not flow and the handle turns smoothly. This completes the repair of the crane design device and the replacement of the cartridge.
It is worth noting that the installation of a similar faucet can be carried out both in the kitchen and in the bath and shower, so in this case the repair and replacement of the cartridge will be identical (especially since changing it in any “part of the house” is equally easy).
To visually see the work ahead, view the best photos of replacing the cartridge in the faucet, as well as familiarize yourself with its installation process and understand its device as best as possible.
Replacement in the shower faucet
The cartridge in the faucet can break not only in the kitchen, but also in the bath. It is not difficult to independently repair and replace the faucet in the shower. Most often, single-lever mixers are installed in the bath, which differ slightly in design, design and replacement of parts from ball ones. But, nevertheless, it is quite easy to replace the cartridge in such a mixer, especially if you turn to the best photos and videos for help, which can briefly describe the process and show the replacement of the upcoming faucet repair.
- Turn off the water in the mixer.
- Just in case, we check the health of the cartridge.
- Remove the plastic part and unscrew the screw (see photo).
- We take out the handle and unscrew the rest of the parts that prevent the cartridge from being pulled out.
- After that, we clean the faucet device from scale and sand (how to do this, see the photo). It is important to do this as you install the cartridge so that the device does not clog.
- Then we check the seal rings on the cartridge, because if they are installed incorrectly, the mixer will leak after repair.
- We put a new cartridge in the mixer and check if it fits in size. When installing, it is important to check the holes in the cartridge, the device of which must match the mixer (see the photo for how its device looks).
- After that, we return the crane to its original state and check the quality of your repair.
As you can see, it is not difficult to change the part - see the photo for the replacement process.
Such a cartridge replacement in the mixer is not much different from the previous repair. And if you also get acquainted with thematic videos and photo tutorials, you can quickly replace the cartridge and check the mixer device for damage.
The design of a single-lever faucet is much more understandable than a ball faucet, so you can easily replace the faucet in the shower without the help of specialists, especially since it is much easier to do in the bath than in the kitchen.
How to make a replacement in a kitchen faucet
You can replace the cartridge in the kitchen faucet or repair it with the help of a few tools and certain knowledge. The technology of this work is not very different from the previous methods of replacing the mixer.
The main difference between such a repair is a ball mixer, which in its design is significantly different from other taps. In addition, installing a cartridge in a ball mixer located in the kitchen is a little more complicated, so it's best to familiarize yourself with the upcoming repair technology first.
To properly understand the technology of work, you can familiarize yourself with thematic videos and photo tutorials, which clearly show the picture of replacing the mixer, as well as the device of the tap located in the kitchen.
- Turn off the water in the mixer.
- We remove the plastic structure.
- Then, using a screwdriver, remove the bolt (see photo).
- We take out the handle and begin to unscrew the remaining parts of the device that prevent getting to the cartridge.
- After that, we take out the cartridge and evaluate its damage. If the faucet began to leak or hard to open the water, then the failure is most likely in the cartridge.
- We carry out the installation of a new cartridge in the mixer and assemble the tap back.
- If the device contains a lot of scale inside, it can be removed with any cleaning agent. It is important to do this before installing the cartridge so as not to damage the gaskets and its other components (see the photo for how to do this).
As you can see, replacing a cartridge in a kitchen faucet is not difficult. True, it is better to do this after familiarizing yourself with the thematic photo, since in this case it will be much easier to change this part.
Differences between cartridges from different manufacturers
The difference between this replacement part in a mixer from different companies is usually insignificant. However, some try to understand the main differences as much as possible in order to buy a quality and reliable cartridge to replace it in the faucet.
- Grohe produces cartridges with carbon crystal coating located on the plates, which makes the cartridge more durable and reliable, and installation is easy.
- The oras cartridge is standard, so if a cartridge breaks, you can find it quickly and easily.
- The manufacturer Vidima offers customers cheap designs of faucet cartridges, but, unlike the previous ones, they quickly break down, and it is impossible to repair them.
- A brand called Boltic sells the best cartridges that, with a special mounting method, will last you for many years.
When choosing a cartridge for a faucet located in the kitchen, in a bath or shower, it is worth considering not only the price, but also the quality of the product, which determines the duration of the faucet, installation and reliability of the design.
Price
To change the cartridge in the mixer, you need to buy it. But how to choose the right cartridge, if nowadays there are quite a lot of their models? First you need to decide what is more important to you - the best price or quality. After all, changing the cartridge in the kitchen, in the bath or shower is not difficult, the main thing is to buy the proper cartridge.
Today, the price category for faucet cartridges is quite diverse (see photo). If the breakdown of your faucet comes from its device, check out the table to get an idea of the cost of this part for the faucet.
To change the cartridge on the faucet, you will need not only a new cartridge, but also gaskets, which play an important role in the operation of the faucet.
Following the advice of an experienced expert, you can quickly and easily change the cartridge on the mixer without resorting to the services of a professional.
- To change the cartridge yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with the video of such an installation, which will help you properly recognize its device.
- Replacing the design of the cartridge when it breaks down in the kitchen, in the bath or shower is a similar process that requires certain knowledge and the same tool.
- The best faucet cartridges are worth buying in specialized stores.
- The design of this device is quite simple, so anyone can repair the cartridge, as well as change it in the mixer.
- To assess the degree of breakdown of the mixer, for starters it is better to understand its device. To do this, you can familiarize yourself with photos and videos that will explain in detail what the design of the mixer is.
- all of them, however, have their own deadline for operation, after which some of their elements fail and require urgent replacement. It should be noted that at present, mixing devices of various types are used to control water flows in water mains. In recent years, so-called single-lever mixers have been increasingly used for these purposes, in which the switching and adjustment of the water flow is carried out using one control knob.
It is also known that the most vulnerable point of such devices is the cartridges included in their control unit, which are subjected to intense wear during operation.
Types of faults
Repair of a single-lever type mixer seems to be the simplest operation that does not require the average user to have any special skills. To implement it, you will need to purchase a new cartridge, freely sold in the plumbing department of any hardware store.
Below you can find a list of typical malfunctions that indicate the need to replace a failed cartridge:
- violation of the normal control of water flows (regardless of the position of the control lever, only hot or only cold water flows through the tap);
- the impossibility of completely blocking the flow of water (both hot and cold);
- inconstancy of the temperature of the incoming liquid at the same position of the mixer lever;
- inability to obtain the required water pressure;
- difficult movement of the lever.
Necessary tools and materials
To carry out cartridge replacement operations, you will need the following tool:
- ordinary flat screwdriver;
- hex key (used for certain types of mixers);
- open-end or adjustable wrench;
- pliers or pliers;
- calipers.
In addition, you will need to prepare a piece of clean flannel cloth and a special WD-40 cleaning fluid, after which you can begin to disassemble the faulty faucet (having previously blocked the water supply channels to the apartment main).
Removing the cartridge from the faucet
- To replace a worn-out element of a single-lever mixer, first of all, you should find a hole with a decorative plug on its body, on which there is an indicator of the direction of water supply. Then, using a thin screwdriver, you need to carefully pick up the plug recessed into the body and completely remove it from the tap. A well-sharpened kitchen knife can also be used to perform this operation.
- After you remove the plug, an oval cavity will open in front of you with a lever fastening screw located in it. By unscrewing this screw, you can remove the lever from the cartridge, for which you need to slightly pull it away from you and up. Depending on the specific type of the dismantled mixer, to unscrew the screw, you will need a standard screwdriver with a sting about 3-4 mm wide or a hex key.
- After a few turns counterclockwise with the prepared tool, you will be able to remove the lever from the cartridge pin without much effort.
Note! It is not uncommon for a stuck screw to be unscrewed by any of the known methods. In this case, it is necessary to treat it with a special WD-40 brand tool used to loosen stuck contacts. After a short exposure (about 3 minutes), you can make another attempt and try to unscrew the mount again.
In this case, you should not apply too much effort, since you can simply break the disassembled mixer. In the event that this technique did not help, you will have to resort to the force method of influence, when using which the removable lever simply breaks off along with a part of the cartridge that has become unusable.
After the fastening nut is removed (or the lever is broken off and removed) - you can very easily remove the cartridge from the faucet body. Before replacing the cartridge in the mixer, you should use a caliper to measure the place of its landing in the body. Such measurements are necessary so that when buying in a store you can accurately select a part that fits the fit size (sometimes it is enough to take a removed cartridge with you as a control sample).
Video
The process of replacing the cartridge is presented in more detail in the following video instruction:
The cartridge is the main functional mechanism of a single-lever faucet, since it is he who is responsible for the process of water supply, regulates its intensity, and also mixes hot and cold streams that come from the water supply. In the event of a breakdown of the device, it is necessary to replace it as soon as possible in order to exclude the possibility of moisture leakage at the bottom of the mixer.
You can carry out this procedure yourself without the help of specialists, while it is necessary to follow the sequence of the technological process.
Types of cartridges
The ratio of cold and hot water flows in the mixer depends on the position of the control device - a tap or a lever. Modern lever mixers are currently equipped with different types of devices.
Let's consider them in more detail.
- Ball cartridge, its design is presented in the form of a steel ball, three holes in which communicate with each other. Using a lever, the product is connected to the transmission mechanism. As a result of turning the valve, the processes of opening and closing the passage channels, as well as the regulation of the intensity and temperature of the total flow, take place.
The principle of operation of the lever is to shift the upper ceramic plate with holes, relative to the rest, located in the same plane.
- A cartridge, presented in the form of a plastic cylinder, at the top of which is a control lever. The principle of operation and functions of this device are similar to the previous type of construction.
It is almost impossible to replace or repair a ball cartridge, since the manufacturer adjusts the parts of this design with great accuracy, and any intervention can disrupt the correct functioning of the device and disable the tap.
In the case of replacing the cartridge, there are much fewer difficulties; to perform this manipulation, it is enough to know the sequence of work and take into account the specifics of the product of a particular brand.
Signs and causes of cartridge failure
During the operation of the mixer, unforeseen problems and structural failures often occur, and this is not surprising, since a person uses this device more than a dozen times during the day.
The main signs of a failed cartridge condition.
- Leakage of the structure from the side of the lever. The problem occurs when the device is turned on and is accompanied by the appearance of water droplets on its surface.
If timely measures are not taken to eliminate the cause of the accident, during the subsequent opening of the tap, the leakage rate will increase.
- Violation of operating modes. For example, instead of supplying hot water, cold water flows, or as a result of mixing two streams of water, its temperature does not correspond to the position of the lever.
- The impossibility of opening or closing the mixer, regardless of the position of the control valve.
The above signs indicate a probable failure of the cartridge. However, it is not enough to replace or repair the installation; it is imperative to find out the cause of the structural failure in order to exclude the possibility of a quick failure of the new product.
Consider the reasons for the rapid wear of the cartridge.
- Poor quality of the purchased product. The most vulnerable point in the design is the lever head, which is subject to constant mechanical stress. If, in the process of its manufacture, an unscrupulous manufacturer initially used poor-quality material, unfortunately, rapid wear and damage to the cartridge cannot be avoided.
- Poor quality of running water. As a result of the ingress of solid particles into the installation, mechanical damage to the structure occurs. This problem renders unusable only those mixers in which there is no tap water filter.
In order to minimize the repair work of the installation, it is necessary to install a filter that will regularly purify the water from impurities of dirt, salts, large particles that can cause irreparable harm to the product.
- Excessively applied force, which can also render the mixer unusable.
When using the design, it is necessary to perform the processes of opening, closing the tap, as well as adjusting the flow of water with smooth movements that do not require significant effort.
Thus, the above measures will help increase the life of the device, but if a breakdown has already occurred, do not rush to call a specialist, since you can replace the cartridge yourself.
cartridge replacement technology
Replacing the cartridge in the mixer does not require special knowledge and special efforts; even a schoolboy can carry out this procedure. However, you must first familiarize yourself with the rules and recommendations of the process.
Consider the sequence of work to replace the cartridge.
- First of all, you should shut off the water supply from the riser. After that, it is necessary to raise the lever of the structure up, in its lower part, find the cap, which is unscrewed with a screwdriver. The screw located under it needs to be loosened a little to remove the mixer lever. Next, unscrew the chrome-plated decorative cap, which is located under the removed lever.
- After removing the cap, you need to remove the nut that holds the broken cartridge.
Before installing a new product, a small cleaning should be done. It consists in the following: clean the cartridge seat from dirt accumulated during operation and solid ceramic particles that result from the destruction of the mixer discs.
- The new cartridge is placed in the mixer so that the protrusions on it coincide with the holes that are located on the seat of the structure.
- Next, screw the nut back, install a decorative cap, a joystick, and a plug on the screw.
- Open the tap and check the mixer for operability, make sure there are no leaks.
Remember, even in case of problems, do not despair, it is enough to turn off the water and proceed to eliminate the mistakes made.
As you can see, replacing the cartridge is easy, this process will take no more than an hour. At the same time, a properly installed product will please with a long service life.
Watch also the video about replacing the cartridge in a single-lever faucet
Owners of single-lever faucets from time to time encounter a problem in its operation, which requires replacing the cartridge in the mixer.
These types of faucets are designed for both showers and sinks, including in the kitchen.
It should be noted that the procedure for replacing the cartridge is the same for both the faucet from the shower cabin and the faucet in the kitchen.
In most cases, such single-lever faucets have a standard cartridge made of ceramic material, which can be easily purchased at absolutely any specialized store.
The process of replacing the cartridge in the faucet (including for the shower cabin) is so simple that every economic man can easily master it with his own hands.
Despite the relative simplicity of the process of replacing this faucet element, it should be approached responsibly, remembering that it is the cartridge that is the heart of the mixer, and its subsequent trouble-free operation will largely depend on the quality of work.
More details about the cartridge device and the process of replacing it can be seen in the video below.
The principle of operation and the main malfunctions of the cartridge
For a single-lever faucet, which is very popular in our time, it is the cartridge that is the main functional element.
It allows literally one movement to control the flow of water (including for the shower).
By adjusting one single knob located on the mixer, you can absolutely easily supply both hot and cold water not only in the tap in the kitchen, but also in the shower.
In addition, due to the ability to fix the position of the handle, there is no need to constantly adjust the ratio of hot and cold water coming from the mixer.
This function of a single-lever mixer is very convenient for a shower cabin. The cartridge itself consists of two separate plates that fit as tightly as possible to each other.
By changing their position relative to each other, the necessary adjustment of the water flow is made.
Like any other device, the mixer cartridge may fail over time, which means that it will need to be replaced.
The fact that it is urgent to change the cartridge in the mixer may be indicated by a problem with adjusting the water flow.
For example, regardless of the position of the faucet handle, only cold or hot water flows from the tap.
In addition, the regulation may be violated when it is not possible to turn on only hot or only cold water.
Also, quite often, when a cartridge fails, the water at the same position of the handle with each new opening has a completely different temperature.
In addition, the handle itself can go quite tight, and when it is brought to the position of blocking the flow of water, the liquid continues to flow from the tap.
Any of these malfunctions indicates that the mixer cartridge has worked out, which means that it is urgent to replace it.
Anyone who has at least a minimal understanding of plumbing and will watch the video below will be able to cope with this task with their own hands.
Operating procedure
Replacing a cartridge in a faucet, regardless of where it is installed, on the kitchen sink or on the shower panel, begins with the preparation of the appropriate tool.
To work, you will need, first of all, a screwdriver and a hex wrench, as well as an adjustable wrench, pliers and a special WD-40 composition, which will help unwind oxidized and rusted connections.
Before starting work, it is imperative to shut off the supply of both hot and cold water at the riser of an apartment or house.
After that, you need to carefully look at the crane lever and find a decorative plug on it, which must be removed in order to gain access to the mounting connection.
The screw under this plug should be unscrewed, after which the lever itself, which regulates the water supply, is removed.
This stage of work is not particularly difficult and is completely simple to do with your own hands.
In some cases, it is quite difficult to remove the water supply adjustment lever. If the cause lies in a rusted fixing screw, then WD-40 should be used.
It is injected into the connection itself and after a couple of minutes the screw should unscrew. In the event that this did not help, then you will have to use physical force to remove the lever.
To do this, pull it up as strongly as possible, but gently several times with jerks, and it should move away along with the upper part of the old cartridge.
After the lever is dismantled from the mixer, proceed to unscrew the decorative cover located under it in a counterclockwise direction.
As a rule, it is removed by hand, but if there are difficulties, then you can resort to the help of pliers. This operation is done carefully so as not to deform the edges of the decorative cover.
After dismantling the decorative cover on the mixer, access to a large nut opens, which must also be carefully removed.
It is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench, while you should not make sharp jerks and apply excessive force.
If the nut does not lend itself, it is better to use WD-40, which will quickly soften plaque and rust.
After the nut is completely unscrewed, you can remove the old faulty cartridge.
Before installing a new cartridge into the mixer with your own hands, you must carefully clean the interior of the tap.
This can be done with a dense cloth, which is convenient to remove all plaque and salt deposits.
At the final stage, the water supply is restored and the operation of the mixer itself is checked. You can cope with this work with your own hands without outside help.
This is primarily due to the fact that mixers have different models, respectively, and devices that regulate the flow of water can have different dimensions.
As practice shows, the faucets installed on the panels of the shower cabin are slightly different from the faucets installed on the sink, and therefore cannot replace each other.
It is best to remove the cartridge to be replaced and go to the store with it for a new one.
There are two protrusions on any cartridge, which, when replaced, must completely coincide with the holes on the faucet body. Only then can we say with certainty that the cartridge has fit and will not leak.
When replacing an old cartridge with a new one, you should especially carefully remove the decorative ring, since if it is severely damaged or deformed, it will be very difficult to find a similar one.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the process of replacing an old cartridge in a mixer with a new one, all work should be done carefully.
Do not use excessive force when unscrewing any fasteners, as you can not only break the thread, but also damage the mixer itself.
With the right approach to business and the availability of all the necessary tools, the work of replacing the mixer is carried out without outside help with your own hands in the shortest possible time.
When a mixer malfunctions, many people think that it needs to be changed. Do not get upset ahead of time, because most often the cause of the problem is the cartridge - this is a part of the mixer, which is inexpensive and easy to change even by a non-professional.
Peculiarities
At the moment, two types of mixers are used: two-valve and single-lever. The first option is more outdated, it is a classic faucet with two valves responsible for supplying hot and cold water. A single-lever mixer, respectively, has one lever, and the water temperature in it is regulated by turning it left and right. The pressure is regulated by the height of the lever. This type of faucet is considered more convenient, as it allows you to quickly achieve the required water temperature thanks to the design of the lever itself, because it does not have rubber gaskets that have low wear resistance. It allows you to keep the desired position in the closed state, so there is no need to adjust it every time. And the obvious advantage is that one lever is still easier to adjust than two valves.
The cartridge is the main functional part of the mixer, responsible for mixing hot and cold water coming from different pipes. They are also of two types. Two-valve mixers imply the use of exclusively disk cartridges, while in single-lever mixers there are both ball and disk cartridges. In fact, there is no fundamental difference in these types of cartridges.
The ball cartridge works according to the following principle: cold and hot water is supplied to the ball and mixed inside it, then it comes out, already having the required temperature. For the production of a ball cartridge, you must have a special permit, so more often the manufacturer chooses a disk cartridge.
This type of cartridge is distinguished by its more complex device: most often it consists of two ceramic-metal plates, completely impervious to water, enclosed in a plastic case. The plates are tightly pressed against each other. The lower plate always remains stationary, and the displacement of the upper one leads to changes in the water supply. It is connected to the mixer lever using a special rod, and as a result of the vertical displacement of this lever, the water pressure changes, and turning it to the side affects its temperature. In the event of a breakdown, many people think that it is worth replacing only the faulty part of the cartridge, however, this is irrational. Since there is no guarantee that it is possible to determine exactly what the problem is, and also no one manufactures individual parts, since it is believed that it is easier to replace the entire part at once, accordingly, the cartridge is a non-separable part.
Disc cartridges come in diameters from 35mm to 47mm, but the most common is either 35mm or 40mm. There is no fundamental difference in them, but when replacing, it is worth considering the diameter in order to buy a cartridge that is suitable for a particular mixer. The manufacturer of the cartridge claims that its service life is about 10 years, although in practice it turns out that this period is greatly overestimated. Problems often arise as early as 4-6 years after the purchase. So that the breakdown does not take you by surprise, it is worth buying a spare cartridge for it when buying a mixer. Then, in the event of a malfunction in its operation, there will be no need to spend time looking for a suitable part in the store. Moreover, this part is inexpensive - an average of 150 to 300 rubles.
When is a replacement needed?
The cartridge is a part located in the inside of the faucet.
You can’t see its work directly, but there are the following signs that allow you to identify problems:
- mixer lever turns hard, sticks;
- it is impossible to completely turn off the tap or water leaks, even in its closed position;
- the maximum water pressure does not turn on;
- the water temperature changes even in a stationary position of the adjustment lever;
- the position occupied by the lever does not correspond to the water temperature;
- water accumulates around the mixer, which indicates its flow.
Causes of failure
Malfunctions usually occur due to the following factors:
- improper operation of the mixer, exposure to mechanical stress;
- poor quality water - the presence of metal impurities, salt deposits in it;
- the quality of the materials from which the cartridge or the mixer itself is made does not meet the requirements;
Some of the problems will help prevent the installation of additional filters on the water supply. In this case, damage to the internal parts of the device caused by poor-quality water can be avoided.
Required Tools
There is nothing complicated in the process of replacing the cartridge.
First of all, you need to prepare all the required tools, such as:
- hexagon or flat screwdriver;
- key for removal (adjustable or gas);
- a rag for cleaning the inside of the mixer;
- liquid WD-40;
- new cartridge to replace.
How to change with your own hands?
The most common type of cartridge mixers is single-lever, therefore, the algorithm for replacing a cartridge with a diameter of 35 or 40 mm in a mixer of this type is described below.
It is suitable for both a shower cabin and a regular sink, since there is usually no difference in their device.
- To repair the water faucet in the bathroom on your own, you first need to shut off the water racks in the house and drain the water that remains in it from it.
- Then the crane is disassembled. It is necessary to remove the decorative cap on the faucet in order to gain access to the locking screw. It is not fixed by anything additionally, so you should not be afraid that it can be damaged. This can be done with either a knife or a flathead screwdriver.
- The screw must be loosened with a flat screwdriver or a hexagon. It depends on the type of screw used in the faucet.
- After that, the handle must be removed from the mixer. It happens that it is not removed due to the fact that it has become attached to the mixer body. In such cases, you can sprinkle it with WD-40 liquid or simply pour hot water over it.
- Under the lever there is a decorative spherical nut, which can be easily removed by hand.
- Under it is another nut designed to press the cartridge to the faucet body. It already needs to be unscrewed with an adjustable wrench or wrench.
- Then you need to pull out the old ceramic cartridge and clean the inside of the faucet, where the new one will be installed. To do this, dirt, rust, sand and lime deposits are removed with a rag.
- The next step is to install a new cartridge. At the same time, it is important that the protrusions on the cartridge clearly fit into the recesses on the mixer body. To simplify this task, there are special marks on the replacement part. It is necessary to make sure that the replacement part is installed tightly in order to prevent future leaks.
- To assemble the faucet, you must repeat all of the above steps in reverse order: first tighten the fixing nut, then the decorative nut, install the handle on the mixer, screw in the screw and install a decorative plug on it.
- At the end of the work, water is released. The faucet is checked for leaks.
The main steps for replacing a ball cartridge are basically the same as those described above. However, there is still a difference: after the valve is disassembled, you need to get the ball valve. It is taken out by the stem with the help of pliers. The cartridge rubber seat is then inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Then the ball itself is checked. If it has defects, it is also replaced. Next, you need to clean the cavity in the ball from debris and install it in place. Rubber gaskets are also replaced, the whole structure is assembled in reverse order.
To disassemble a two-valve shower or bath faucet, you will need to unscrew the screw hidden under the decorative cap on the valve. Next, the crane box is turned out with a key. This is required to determine the condition of the gasket. Perhaps it will be enough just to tighten the mount, and the problem will be solved. Otherwise, the gaskets and cartridge must be replaced. After that, the axle box is screwed into place.
Subtleties of repair
It should be borne in mind that some mixers have an additional temperature controller, a mechanical water filter or, for example, a motion sensor. In this case, it is better to contact a plumbing specialist, because such devices will be much more difficult to disassemble and assemble without damaging or confusing anything. Regardless of the type of device, when repairing it, it is necessary to act very carefully and carefully, because all its parts are very easy to damage. They do not accept rough mechanical influences.
Cartridges from different manufacturers can differ only in diameter, stem length and some details of appearance. There is no fundamental difference in them, therefore, the algorithm for replacing them will be the same in all cases. The main thing when buying a new cartridge is to have the old one on hand to make sure that it is suitable for a particular faucet.
There is another option: knowing your mixer model, you can find information on the Internet about which cartridge is suitable for it, or a consultant in the store will help you decide on this. But it should be remembered that this will only work in the situation when it comes to a mixer of a popular and modern model.