Faucet repairs are relatively simple, but a few things should be considered before starting. First, make sure your faucet is a cartridge type. Then, get a kit that matches your faucet from a home center or hardware store. You can also find them at plumbing supply specialists.
Remove the decorative cap from each handle with a knife or a screwdriver. Unscrew the handle screw and set it aside. If you need some professional help, contact Plumber Ventura County now!
A metal, plastic, or ceramic cartridge is designed to replace traditional compression faucet valves. The cartridge sits on top of the faucet spout and faucet body and seals with a valve seat or rubber O-ring to control water flow through the spout. Over time, the seat can become damaged and no longer form a good seal. The O-ring can also crack. Replacing the cartridge can fix both problems.
When a cartridge faucet leaks, it is usually because it no longer has a good seal. The leaking is caused by the valve seat or O-rings, but it could also be from a worn-out or cracked cartridge itself. This type of repair is easy to do and only takes a few tools.
Start by loosening the handles, removing decorative covers or other parts, and turning off the water supply valves under the sink. Place a rag in the sink to catch any parts that may fall down the drain. If the nut holding the handle in place is tight, unscrew it with a screwdriver or Allen wrench.
Remove the retaining clip or nut at the base of the handle using adjustable pliers, water pump pliers, or a pipe wrench. Hold the square top of the cartridge with a pair of pliers and twist back and forth to disengage it. Pull straight up to remove the cartridge.
When buying a new cartridge, it’s a good idea to get a bundle that contains both the hot and cold cartridges at a discount. This will save you some money in the long run and make installation easier because you’ll have everything needed to do the job. Before reinstalling the cartridge, spread a thick layer of plumber’s grease on it to help it slide into place. Be sure to match the tabs on the cartridge to the corresponding retaining clip notches.
Ball
If you have a single-handle, ball-type faucet that leaks from the base around the bottom of the spout, replace the valve seats and springs. You can buy these parts individually or in a repair kit specific to your model at a hardware store. Be sure that the new parts are compatible with your existing faucet, or they won’t fit properly and could cause a different problem.
Ensure that the water is turned off before you begin working on your faucet (unless it’s an outdoor faucet). Working with hot or cold water spraying from the faucet at full force can cause floods, water damage, and even mold to form. To prevent these problems, turn off the water supply valves under your sink (or the main house shut-off valve if you have one).
To disassemble the faucet, use adjustable pliers to grip the cam cap and unscrew it from the faucet body. Then, remove the spout assembly and screw off the adjusting nut. You may need to use a wrench or basin wrench if the nut is very tight or stuck.
You can purchase a kit for this type of faucet at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. The kits include the valve seat, springs, and cam washer. The kit also contains a replacement stainless-steel ball with a keyway on top of it, so you can fit the new springs and seats over the new ball. Alternatively, you can use the kit’s hex tool to loosen the set screw in the faucet handle and remove the handle. To reassemble the faucet, screw the cam and cap back on to the faucet body and reinstall the handle, making sure that the new cam’s keyway lines up with the notch or arrow on the cam cap.
Ceramic-disk
The ceramic disk faucet is a fairly new type of faucet. It uses two ceramic discs to control water flow and temperature. These are much more durable than a ball or cartridge valve, and they require no re-adjustment. However, they can still get clogged by mineral deposits. This is why it is important to clean them regularly. Fortunately, this is a simple task and can be done by almost anyone.
If your ceramic-disk faucet has a leak, first shut off the water supply at your home’s main valve. This will prevent water from flowing through the faucet and causing damage to your house. Once the water is off, you can begin working on the leaky faucet.
You can remove the cartridge from a ceramic-disk faucet by unscrewing it from the faucet body. Then, you can examine it for signs of wear and tear. If you notice cracks or a large gap, it’s time to replace the cartridge. You can find replacements at any hardware store or plumbing supply center.
Before replacing the cartridge, make sure that all of the seals are intact and not cracked or worn out. Then, screw the new cartridge into place and install a washer to protect it from leaks. You can also use silicone plumber’s grease to coat the new O-ring.
If you have hard water, it’s a good idea to fit an in-line filter that can help keep the ceramic discs free from minerals and other foreign debris. This will prolong the life of your ceramic-disk faucet. Also, it will reduce the amount of water wasted. Once you’ve replaced the parts, turn the water back on and test for a leak.
Retainer
A leaky faucet is more than a nuisance; it can quickly lead to water damage in your home. A professional plumber can help you decide whether a repair or replacement is best for your situation. In many cases, however, it is possible to fix the problem yourself if you know what to look for. First, shut off the water supply valves under your sink (if you have them). This can be done by turning a knob or lever handle clockwise. It is also a good idea to place a bucket under the sink to catch the drips.
Next, you’ll need to remove the faucet handles (if you have them). To do this, pry off the decorative cap on top of each handle with a knife or the tip of a screwdriver. This will expose a screw that needs to be removed. Once the cap is off, the handle should come off easily. If not, try loosening it with an Allen wrench.
Cartridge-style faucets use disk cylinders that control the flow of water. Discs inside the cartridge can get cracked or worn, which causes them to leak. The best way to fix a cartridge-style faucet is to replace the cartridge. You can purchase one at a hardware store or plumbing supply shop. You will also need a new seat washer and O-rings. Once the new parts are in, you can reassemble the faucet.
Before installing the new cartridge, apply NSF-61-certified silicone grease to all surfaces of the seat, O-rings, and retainer. If you have a Moen cartridge-style faucet, it may also include a plastic spanner cap that can be used to twist the cartridge and make it easier to pull out of the holder.
Seat
The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout, and it can wear out and leak due to mineral buildup. You can repair this by polishing the brass with a tool called a faucet seat dresser, which is available at most home improvement stores for about six to ten bucks. Before you use this tool, however, you should close the water supply valves under the sink to prevent water splatter and to release any pressure that may be stored in the line.
Once the water is shut off, you can begin removing the handle to expose all of the parts underneath it. If you have a cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk faucet, the parts you will need to remove and inspect are slightly different.
On cartridge faucets, you will need to remove the retaining clip (a small circular threaded piece) and pull out the cartridge. Then you can replace the rubber or neoprene seals and O-rings. This should stop the leak.
With a ball or ceramic-disk faucet, you will need to unscrew the escutcheon cap (a rounded piece of metal that covers the disk cylinder) and remove the cylinder itself to get to the neoprene seals underneath. Once you have removed the caps, you can replace the O-rings and neoprene seals.
When it comes to replacing a valve seat, the process can be tricky, even for a handy homeowner. You will need a valve seat wrench and a faucet seat grinder or dresser to reshape the worn metal, and you must be careful not to overdo it, as a valve seat is made of soft brass that can easily get gouged. If you have trouble with this step, it is best to call a professional plumber.
