The need to disassemble the mixer arises for its maintenance and repair. No matter how perfect the design of this device, it must be serviced in a timely manner. If this is not done, it is possible that it will have to be repaired at the most inopportune moment - when it stops working as it should, or even repaired in emergency mode if its parts and components break down.
What can be disassembled in a bathroom faucet
There are usually two faucets in the bathroom - one with a switch for the shower mode, the second for the washbasin. Less common is a mixer in a bidet - its maintenance requires a separate discussion. These two faucets can have a swivel spout, "gander" - in contrast to models in which this part cannot be rotated. The swivel gander mount is an object of maintenance and disassembly. In a bathtub faucet, the shower hose may also need to be replaced. It requires disassembly of the node of its attachment.
In a crane of any type, everything that is necessary to maintain this important mechanism can be dismantled. As the designs of shut-off and control equipment are improved, the principle of simple replacement of components is more and more clearly realized in their maintenance instead of the difficult repair that was carried out back in the pre-war years and earlier.
Preparation for faucet repair should include the purchase of replacement parts - gaskets, cartridges. Those who do not have confidence in the content of future repairs need to prepare theoretically and purchase spare parts with a margin - the extra ones will not be lost.
How to disassemble mixers
Disassembly of the mixer is carried out by unscrewing the threaded connections, for which it is necessary to have a flat and Phillips screwdriver of medium and large size. You also need an adjustable wrench, called "Swedish" in everyday life, it should not have serrated jaws. Sometimes you may need another one of the same key. Wrenches with serrated jaws and the ability to compress the nut are best not to use - they will certainly ruin the coating.
It is necessary to have a small piece of fabric or leather to protect the high-quality coating of the union nuts of other elements. The skin is laid under the lips of the Swedish key. You may need pliers and tweezers.
Repair and replacement of the faucet spout
In the faucet spout, the fixing or sealing ring may fail - they provide a seal and the ability to rotate. Wear and damage to these rings leads to leakage at the outlet of the spout from the mixer body.
The dismantling of the spout fastening unit is carried out by unscrewing the union nut. After completely removing this nut, by carefully turning the spout, you can remove it and replace the rubber sealing ring and the plastic retainer. The combination of rings can be different, it is important that they are replaced with exactly the same ones.
Repair of the shower hose connection and mode switch
The attachment point of the shower hose is designed as a union nut that presses the flange of this hose through a rubber gasket to the seat. This assembly does not usually break or leak, but it is necessary to disassemble it when replacing the shower hose.
If the tap is not new, it is better to remove the old rubber gasket and replace it with a new one that has good elasticity - the old gasket loses its elasticity over time.
Similarly, a simple mechanism for switching the shower mode is disassembled. By unscrewing the union nut, it is possible to gain access to this mechanism. In modern designs, the switching mechanism is removed directly, by simply unscrewing the thread - there is no union nut in such designs. After removing it, you can determine what needs to be replaced - a rubber gasket or an entire simple device.
Maintenance of an old-style mixer tap
Mixers of the old sample - two-tap devices. They may wear out the rubber or ceramic gasket, its seat, as well as the thread of the rod that presses the gasket to the seat.
Before dismantling the faucet in the bathroom, you need to shut off the hot and cold water with the inlet valve, even if only one tap needs to be repaired. After that, a decorative cover is removed in the center of the crane flywheel with a screwdriver or thread. Hidden under this cover is a screw that secures the flywheel in place. By unscrewing it, you can remove the flywheel and remove the decorative casing of the crane - this will open full access to the crane box, the main assembly of the locking mechanism.
The crane box must be unscrewed with a Swedish key and the rubber gasket replaced on it - then the water can be easily closed. If the mixer rod cannot be turned to the end when closing the water, it jumps off the thread and comes back, then the axle box must be replaced completely.
It is possible that solids in the water have caused the gasket seat to wear out. This can be detected by external inspection and by excessive efforts when closing the water. The saddle can be sanded with a few turns of a special sander, which can be purchased at a plumbing store. This is a rather rare event in the operation of the mixer.
It happens to leak from under the stem of the open mixer valve, from above. This is a sign of a worn seal. In mixers of very old designs, it is possible to restore the gland packing by unscrewing the top nut of the gland assembly. In new models, it is better to completely replace the axle box.
The mixer is assembled in the reverse order. It is necessary not to forget to put polyethylene sealing gaskets in place - if any, and most importantly - to correctly determine the tightening force of the mixer elements along the thread, this is the skill of a plumber, achieved only by experience.
The basis for disassembling a single-lever mixer, as well as a two-tap mixer, is the difficulty with completely shutting off the water flow.
Access to the mechanism of a single-lever mixer is provided as follows:
- In an inconspicuous place of the lever, you need to find the screw securing it and unscrew it.
- After removing the lever from the control lever, access to the cartridge will open - the main structural element of this type of crane. The cartridge is not repaired, but completely replaced.
- Assembly is in the logical reverse order.
The design of modern single-lever faucets requires special care in handling these devices in order to avoid scratches and damage to the coating.
Faucet without repair
A few simple activities and household habits can significantly increase the service life of any faucet. There are examples of uninterrupted operation of such equipment for almost ten years:
- it is good to install a water filter at the entrance to the house - solid particles spoil the mixer mechanism;
- water shut-off equipment must be handled with care;
For a two-faucet mixer, it is vital not to tighten the flywheels “to death” - you only need to close the water until the flow stops, nothing more. It must be understood that when the valve is closed, some water may flow out of the “gander” or shower hose, even with a perfectly working locking mechanism. This is not a signal to increase the tightening of the flywheel! When closing the valve, you just need to take your time and carefully monitor the results of this simple process.
Any mixer will always thank for careful handling with long, good work. However, a prudent master will always keep a minimum of spare parts at home, not forgetting about the loss of rubber properties over time - some spare parts need to be updated periodically.