DIY ball valve repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of ball water taps 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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

Faucet leaked unexpectedly? What to do in such a situation, we will tell our readers.

Ball valves are widely used in the installation of indoor or indoor water supply and heating.

No matter how reliable the ball valve is, situations arise in which you need to repair the product yourself.

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Structurally, the device is fundamentally different from conventional valves, but it is not difficult to carry out repairs on your own.

You just need to have a minimum stock of knowledge:

  • crane device (about the regulating checkpoint is written here);
  • design features;
  • principle of operation.

Most are accustomed to the idea that polymer gaskets are changed in taps.

After that, the device works again.

Ball valves contains sealing gaskets, but other malfunctions are also possible.

Stop valves of this type consist of several parts:

  • frame,
  • lever arm,
  • spherical locking mechanism.

The different positions of the ball inside the housing allow water to be shut off or passed through.

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The dimensions of the sanitary tiled invisible hatches are shown on this page.

The mixers provide the ability supply liquid from two inlets to one outlet.

In case of problems, the repair is entrusted to an experienced plumber (about the control valve for the heating radiator is written on this page), who will complete the task in a timely manner and will provide a guarantee against leaks.

Self repair will reduce financial costs.

If cracks appear on the body, the valve must be replaced. Damage to the case cannot be repaired.

A similar situation arises with cheap products made from low quality materials.

If you notice a weakening of the pressure tap water, do not rush to disassemble or change the device.

Perhaps the pressure in the water supply has decreased. This is verified by opening other locking devices.

In cases where utilities lower the pressure, it will be necessary to install a pump to increase the water pressure in the apartment.

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The second reason is the clogging of the aerator. (mesh) at the outlet of the tap.

In this case, the mesh is removed and cleaned of rust, scale or debris.

A liquid with mechanical impurities, rust (read about deferrization of water with your own hands here) is the cause of malfunctioning valves.

The ball device is experiencing the following problems:

  • the armature is leaking;
  • weak pressure from the tap;
  • improper mixing of water of different temperatures.

The appearance of leaks due to clogging of the space between the ball and the gaskets.

A small grain of sand or a piece of rust are capable of breaking the tightness of the device.

In the event of a malfunction, the ball valve-mixer is repaired and the seat of the shut-off element is cleaned.

Otherwise, solid debris can destroy the rubber gasket, necessitating replacement of the sealing insert.

The decrease in pressure is caused partial clogging of the shutter. The solution may be to install a strainer at the entrance to the house or apartment.

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Malfunctioning temperature regulation appear as a result of clogging of one of the holes with rust, scale, sand or other solid particles.

There may be cases when it is not possible to determine the cause of the malfunction, but the crane is faulty.

In such situations, the product is replaced.

Such devices can crumble under minor mechanical stress.

Therefore the right choice is of fundamental importance. High-quality ball valves will last longer without repair or replacement than several cheap models.

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When troubleshooting yourself, you must observe the following sequence of actions:
  • water supply is shut off per device;
  • the screw holding the rotary lever is unscrewed.
    The next step is to remove the lever;
  • then we open the threaded part, which we unscrew with a screwdriver clockwise;
  • with pliers, remove the dome and remove the polymer element;
  • the seal is inspected for wear or solid debris.
    The gum is cleaned carefully, being careful not to damage the gasket;
  • take out and inspect the ball element.
    If chips, cracks or other damage are found, we change the ball;
  • remove the seals fixing the rotary structure.
    For this we use a flat screwdriver.
    If we find defects in gaskets or springs, then we replace the elements with new ones.

The same scheme is used to repair taps in the bathroom (about the installation of the mixer, it is written here) or in the kitchen.

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The assembly is carried out in the reverse order..

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It is advisable to replace the gaskets, even if there is no visible damage.

Apply a layer of grease suitable for these fittings on the seals.

Read the composition before applying the lubricant.

Otherwise, the composition may damage the device.

IMPORTANT!
Self-repair of the ball valve must be carried out carefully - look through each element of the structure.

Close attention pay attention to the presence of debris in the rotary element and on the surface of the gaskets.

After completing the repair, it is necessary to check the fittings for leaks. The tap is connected to the water supply and a test run of water is carried out.

Watch a video filmed during the refurbishment of valves with your own hands.