In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a ball mixer in the kitchen from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.
Single-lever mixers attract with their laconic design and easy control of the water flow. Turning on the water, changing its temperature and pressure - all this with one turn of the knob. These devices are reliable, have a solid service life - some branded ones give a 5-year warranty. Nevertheless, repairs to the single-lever mixer are periodically necessary.
Despite the external similarity, there are two types of rotary or single-lever mixers - with a cartridge (cartridge) and ball - with a ball inside. You can repair any of them, but for this you need to disassemble them first. And so that you can not only disassemble, but also assemble, it is advisable to get acquainted with the internal structure of each.
The design can be different, the structure remains the same
Cartridge mixers are named so because their locking and regulating mechanism is hidden in a special cartridge flask. In the more expensive models of faucets, the cartridge body is made of ceramic, in the cheaper ones it is made of plastic. What are good about these models is the ease of repair, but with them it is not always easy to achieve the required pressure - you need a tighter control of the handle. But it is very easy to change the temperature of the water - with a slight movement of the hand.
The structure of a single-lever valve with a cartridge is simple. If you go from top to bottom:
Switch with fixing screw.
Locking (compression) nut.
Cartridge. It mixes the streams of water, the same device shuts off the water.
The body of the mixer, which has a seat for the cartridge.
Fasteners, studs and gaskets to ensure tightness.
Spout (gander). It can be a separate part - in swivel models for the kitchen or part of the body - for sinks in the bathroom.
If the spout is separate, gaskets are still installed from below and there is still a part of the body.
Video (click to play).
What a single-lever mixer cartridge consists of
The cartridge itself contains several (usually 4) specially shaped ceramic or metal discs. A stem is welded to the upper disc. By changing the position of the rod, we change the position of the plates relative to each other, changing the amount of water passing through the holes in the plates.
For the faucet / mixer to work properly, the plates are ground very tightly. For this reason, single-lever cartridge mixers are very demanding on water quality. If foreign fragments enter between the plates, the valve leaks or stops working altogether. To avoid this, some manufacturers install filters on the inlet pipes. But, it is better to put filters on the water supply and get clean water, which can be safely supplied to household appliances.
It got its name from the element in which water is mixed - a ball with cavities. The ball is usually metal, hollow inside. The outer part is polished to a high shine. There are three holes in the ball - two for the inlet of cold and hot water, one for the outlet of the already mixed one. A rod is attached to the ball, which goes into the cavity on the handle. This rod with a rigidly attached ball also changes the temperature of the water, its pressure.
The structure of a single-lever mixer with a ball-type water mixing mechanism
It is easier to adjust the parameters with such a device - the parts are well ground in, the handle moves easily. Ball mixers are less critical to the presence of mechanical impurities, but do not respond very well to the presence of hardness salts and excess iron.So for normal operation, pre-filtering is also required here.
Repairs to single lever cartridge faucets often involve overhauling and cleaning the o-rings. Salts are deposited on them, debris and dirt accumulate, which causes the tap to leak. To eliminate this nuisance, the mixer is disassembled, all parts are wiped from contamination (with warm soapy water), rinsed, dried, and put in place.
The sequence of installation of parts in a cartridge single-lever mixer
Let's figure out how to disassemble a faucet with a cartridge. First, turn off the water, and then the procedure is as follows:
Remove the decorative cover on the handle. Just pick it up with a screwdriver.
A fastening screw is hidden behind it. We unscrew it with a hex wrench and take it out.
First, unscrew the fixing screw
That's all. The single lever mixer with cartridge was disassembled. As you can see, there are not very many details. The main working part is a cartridge. It is in him, inside, that mixing takes place.
The cartridge itself has a sealing gasket - a rubber seat at the bottom, which provides a snug fit to the body. Over time, rubber loses its elasticity, water begins to ooze. If this is the problem, you can first try to clean this ring of salts and deposits that have formed on it. Put the cleaned part in place, check the work. If the leak does not stop, the cartridge will have to be replaced.
One-hand mixer cartridges
Mixer cartridges have different diameters, inlets and outlets in the lower part are located in different ways. Therefore, if you need to replace it, first you disassemble the mixer, get the cherished part and go with it to the store or to the market. You need to choose exactly the same model without any deviations. At home, you install the cartridge into the case, turn it slightly until you feel that it has "sat down" in place. Next - the assembly, it goes in the reverse order.
Install the compression nut first. Actually, at this stage you can check how the new cartridge works. Turn on the water, adjust the temperature and pressure with the rod. To make it more convenient, you can put a handle on the stem. If everything is ok, continue with the build.
The single-lever ball mixer was invented a little over 40 years ago. Its design is simple and reliable - there is actually nothing to break. If problems arise, it is only because of poor-quality water - dirt particles settle on the rubber seats on which the ball rests. Contact deteriorates, water seeps out and the faucet starts to leak.
How to disassemble a single lever ball mixer
Some ball valves are also available with a cartridge. Only the inside of the cartridge is not a plate, but a ball. Disassembly of this type is no different from that described above. The whole difference is hidden inside the flask. There are also other types of taps. In them, the shut-off ball is installed directly in the rubber seat. There are some minor differences here.
The tap lever is removed in the same way - first remove the plug, then unscrew the screw with a hexagon. Pull the lever up, remove it. After the actions are very simple and similar to those described above:
We unscrew the cap, preferably with our hands, since it is usually made of thin metal, it is easy to bend it.
We unscrew the clamping nut, there is a washer under it, we also remove it.
Access to the ball is now open. We pull the stem, take out the ball.
There are two saddles under the ball, with springs so that the rubber bands are pressed more tightly against the ball.
All dismantled. Next is the repair of a single-lever mixer. In theory, the problem is that deposits have accumulated at the point of contact between the ball and the seat. They must be removed - gently clean, wipe. There may be problems with the springs. They also sometimes accumulate dirt, but more often they simply lose their elasticity.
The third source of problems is the ball itself.Actually, it should be made of stainless steel, therefore, it only needs to be cleaned of deposits. In reality, this is not always the case - cheap taps have appeared, even with plastic balls or made of cheap metal. In this case, peeling of the surface or other similar troubles may occur. Such a locking element will no longer work normally. It needs to be replaced. With a ball, you also go to the store, pick up a replacement of a suitable size. Assembling the mixer in the reverse order: the springs from the saddle, the saddle is out of place, there is a ball on them, etc. Collecting the entire structure, carefully center everything - a skew will lead to rapid wear and the valve will flow again.
Faucets with a swivel spout are placed on sinks in the kitchen or on the bathroom. Periodically begins to flow from under it. The locking mechanism in this case is not to blame, it is just that the gaskets have lost their elasticity or the lubricant has dried out.
Repair of a single-lever mixer with a movable spout
In this case, disassemble the mixer as described above, then remove by pulling up the spout. Remove all old gaskets. If they are stuck, you can use a flat screwdriver or even a knife blade. You need to remove them, but they still need to be replaced. Select new ones from the removed gaskets. It is desirable that they be made of silicone, not rubber. Silicone is more elastic, retains its properties longer, and better tolerates contact with water.
Lubricate new gaskets with plumbing silicone grease, install in place. Replace the spout. It must be pressed down well so that it rests against the union nut on the mixer body. Next - the assembly of the rest of the mechanism.
In the kitchen, the mixer is used much more actively than in the bathroom, therefore it breaks down much more often. In rare cases, the only solution to the problem that has arisen is to buy a new device and invite a plumber, in the rest you can handle it yourself. Having decided to repair the mixer in the kitchen with your own hands, you will save on the services of a specialist and gain important experience. You just need to arm yourself with theory and tools.
The kitchen faucet needs repair if you observe the following "symptoms":
Leakage from under the nut at the water outlet, from under the handle (lever) or faucet valves in working order.
The correct movement of the lever or valves is violated (seize, scroll, do not fix in the desired position, etc.).
At normal water pressure in the system, the jet is not powerful enough.
Water drips from a closed tap.
Please note: the detected problem must be resolved as quickly as possible! This will extend the life of the mixer and protect yourself and your neighbors from flooding, saving money, time and nerves.
Most of the questions are caused by the problem of the leakage of the faucet. And here you need to know the "enemy" not only by sight, but also from within. We are talking about the device of mixers.
Delicacies such as thermostatic and touchless faucets are great for bathrooms. In the kitchen, more practical models are fighting for a place in the sun - traditional two-valve and single-lever. Common elements for them are: body, spout (spout), aerator, gaskets. Otherwise, they differ significantly.
The two-valve taps familiar to the eye are quite simple. Under the flywheel, which you turn during the operation of the structure, there is a crane-axle box - its locking element. Below is the device of such a kitchen faucet in pictures.
Axleboxes in a two-valve mixer (cutaway)
In products where several turns of the flywheel are required to supply or shut off water, worm axle boxes are installed. Their work is based on rotational-translational movements. The more you unscrew the valve, the more the axle box gasket will move away from the so-called “saddle”.The consequence of this is the flow of water into the inner cavity of the mixer, and then into its spout (spout).
Worm gear valve for mixer
In models where it is enough to make only half a turn to supply water, axle boxes with ceramic plates are installed. When you open the tap, the holes in them coincide, and water enters the spout.
Crane axles with ceramic plates
The cost of crane boxes is low, they are always available in plumbing stores, and their replacement is extremely simple.
More modern and practical are the models of valves with one regulating pressure and temperature handle (lever). Mixing of water in them is carried out in a hollow ball with three holes or in a special cartridge.
The mixing element in ball models has three openings, two of which are inlet - designed to supply hot and cold water to this miniature container, and one outlet - to supply water of a given temperature to the sink.
Ball mixer device
The ball itself is located on two "saddles" made of rubber. Its displacement relative to them, carried out by the movement of the lever, and allows you to adjust the pressure, the temperature of the poured water. At the top, the ball is fixed with a sealing collar and a lock nut.
Schematic device of a spherical model of a kitchen faucet
The principle of operation of a mixer with a cartridge that replaces the ball is similar. Moreover, their internal structure is fundamentally different. There are all the same three functional holes, but inside the cartridge there is not a cavity, but special discs made of cermet. Due to their displacement relative to each other and the degree of overlap of the supply holes when the lever is turned, the water supply is adjusted.
Replaceable ceramic cartridges
To repair a kitchen faucet you will need:
knife with a sharp end;
hex and adjustable wrench;
screwdrivers;
a new cartridge, valve box, rubber gasket, etc. - depends on which part you will be changing;
WD40 is a technical aerosol that will come in handy if the parts are "stuck" to each other. However, you can get by with the traditional tapping of a hammer on a screwdriver, but there is a great risk of damage to the mixer.
Regardless of which faucet you have installed, before starting the repair, you must shut off the water supply in the system and drain the remaining water into a sink or a separate container. To do this, just open the tap. Then you can start repairing it, taking into account the design features.
To repair a single lever mixer, you need a hex wrench
The main principles of repair are sequence of actions and accuracy.
Using a thin screwdriver or knife, pry and remove the decorative cover on the valve body.
In the resulting hole, you will see a screw that connects the lever and adjusting rod. Unscrew it with a hex wrench.
Remove the lever from the body and unscrew the decorative cover. This can be done even with your hands, if the parts are not stuck to each other.
Removing the decorative cover
A locking (clamping) nut will be located under it. Unscrew it carefully with an adjustable wrench or by tapping a screwdriver with a hammer.
If you are disassembling a ball mixer, you will see a sealing collar under the nut. Examine it for dirt, deformation, and tears. Take out the ball. Examine its surface - it should be flat and clean. It is necessary to remove the seals and supporting springs - their poor condition can leak the valve.
If you disassemble the faucet with a cartridge, then remove it and subject it to a thorough inspection.
Replace the defective part.
Reassemble the tap in reverse order.
It is important! Do not tighten the nuts too tight, as this can deform the rubber bands and interfere with the normal operation of the mixer.
To extend the life of the product and ensure the smooth running of its rubbing parts, you can use a special silicone grease.
Removing the mixer flywheel
What to do if a two-valve faucet is dripping in your kitchen? Almost everything is the same.
Hook and remove the decorative plug on the valve flywheel.
Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screw securing the flywheel.
Take off the flywheel. There will be a crane box in front of you.
Unscrew it counterclockwise and examine it.
If this is a worm-type axle box and its gasket is damaged, replace it separately - buy it in a store (it costs a penny) or cut it out of rubber of a suitable thickness yourself. The axlebox with ceramic discs is completely changed.
Assemble the crane in reverse order.
General scheme of work on repair of the mixer
Everything is as simple as possible and slightly resembles a constructor. But faucet leaks are not the only problem that you may encounter while using it in the kitchen.
The water quality in many cities is poor, so over time, the aerator in the tap can become dirty. On the inside, hard deposits "build up" on it. When there are too many of them, the pressure and quality of the water deteriorate significantly. The solution to the problem is to replace the aerator. Ideally, it can be easily unscrewed with an adjustable wrench, but for a stuck part, you will need WD40 or tapping with a hammer.
It is important! Perform all work carefully, otherwise the mixer will have to be changed completely.
The tap is leaking, and during the inspection did you find a crack in it? Then it's time to go for a new product. For a short time, a silicone sealant can become an assistant.
You can extend the life of the mixer if you install a water filter and use the device carefully, without turning the valves too tight or moving the lever suddenly and all the way.
