DIY do it yourself
Master classes, instructions, useful tips, recipes.
» »Water tap dripping: how to fix a water leak?
Leaking water from a faucet in the kitchen or in the bathroom is quite common. The leak itself does not pose a serious threat, but there are a number of reasons that determine the need to eliminate it. Firstly, this will avoid unnecessary expenses for utility bills. Secondly, over time, the leak will only increase and at one fine moment the mixer will completely fail. Thirdly, the leak is simply annoying, and a water stone and rusty stains form on the sink. Fourth, this is a serious savings on plumbing services.
The problem is solved simply by replacing the unit responsible for regulating and shutting off the water flow. This device in cranes of an old design is called a box, in modern - cartridges. They vary in size and for the acquisition of a new one it is desirable to dismantle the old one and use it as a model. You can buy the necessary parts in almost any hardware store.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

Necessary tools, materials and spare parts


To perform repair of the mixer by replacing the cartridge (axle boxes), we need:
  • pliers;
  • a piece of cloth (rags);
  • Phillips screwdriver with tip PH1 or PH2;
  • gas wrench (adjustable) or any other suitable in shape and size.

Of the spare parts, the actual cartridge (box) of the required size, which we purchase in the store, will be required. It is also recommended to buy a new screw for attaching the handwheel handle; the old one may not fit in diameter or length or it may be damaged during dismantling.

Replacing the cartridge (boxes) in the mixer


Before starting any work on the water supply system in an apartment or house, it is necessary to turn off the water supply. To do this, tighten the valves for cold and hot water in the input node, and regardless of what you do, both valves overlap. Replacing the axle box (cartridge) in the mixer is performed in the following order:
1. Unscrew the decorative plug by rotating it counterclockwise with your fingers. If their efforts are insufficient, pre-rotate the plug with pliers. On some models, the plug is mounted without thread and in order to remove it, you just need to pry it with a knife or a screwdriver.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

2. Unscrew the fixing screw and remove the handle-handwheel. To do this, use a Phillips screwdriver.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

3. Turn off the decorative element: in most cases this can be done by hand. If it doesn’t work, we use pliers. In order not to spoil the surface, a piece of cloth can be put under the sponges.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

4. Unscrew the axle box from the mixer. We use a special gas wrench (adjustable), in the absence of one, you can use a conventional open-end wrench or head.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

5. We clean the mixer channel, using a piece of cloth wrapped around the tip of a screwdriver. We remove solid particles from the case: grains of sand, rust, and they are actually the main reason for the failure of the shut-off and control unit.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

We use the defective cartridge as a sample when buying a new one in the store, in the absence of exactly the same, you can purchase an analogue. It is important that they match the landing size. The screw that fixes the handle-handwheel on the rod may not fit and it makes sense to attend to the acquisition of a new one.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

Now you can start assembling the mixer, which is performed in the reverse order.
6. Install a new cartridge in the channel and screw it clockwise. First, we do this with our hand to the stop, then we reach it with a wrench. You should not make much effort - this can lead to thread breakage and require a complete replacement of the mixer.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

7. Screw the decorative element with your fingers.
8. Fasten the handle-handwheel into place by tightening the screw with a Phillips screwdriver. If the screw you purchased turns out to be too long, you can put on a suitable nut with diameter along with the washer.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

9. Hand-tighten the decorative plug.
Dripping water tap how to eliminate water leak

10. Open the water supply and check the mixer cartridge for leaks. It comes to light by simple inspection, for fidelity I use a dry rag or napkin.
Open and close the water several times to make sure that the mixer works properly. When the feed control knob is turned, the force must be uniform and seizures are unacceptable or any other defects are unacceptable.

Conclusion


Together, we replaced the cartridge (box) and eliminated the problem of water leakage in the kitchen. An experienced master takes no more than five minutes to complete such work, more time is spent searching and purchasing spare parts.
When repairing plumbing fixtures, there is no particular danger unless fingers should be pushed into the channels for inspection or cleaning. You can injure your skin or get stuck in a narrow. When working, one should not apply excessive efforts, usually it ends with a thread breakdown or damage (“licking”) of the faces on the bolts and nuts.
Before tightening the fixing screw on the handwheel handle, it is recommended to apply a little grease, such as Litol, on its thread. This will eliminate the possibility of sticking it to the rod and make it easier to twist for the next repair.

Watch the video


come back
Comments (5)
  1. Anatoly
    #1 Anatoly Guests February 9, 2019 7:32 p.m.
    0
    From repairing yourself weak ???
    1. Sektor
      #2 Sektor Guests February 10, 2019 5:43 p.m.
      0
      And how to repair it? Tell me, I will listen with pleasure. And then at the father in a bathroom it is just such a mixer. He was without filters. In the kitchen, I bought him a mixer where there are filters and there are no problems for several years. And his granddaughter and her husband bought the bathroom. Saved on your purchase. As you know, the avaricious pays twice.
      1. ter
        #3 ter Guests February 16, 2019 14:19
        0
        I'll answer. You disassemble the axle box and insert the washer, others glue something, and still others use adhesive tape or electrical tape. The video is on YouTube. The child will cope.
  2. Sektor
    #4 Sektor Guests February 10, 2019 17:40
    0
    The cost of a cartridge is comparable to the cost of a mixer. It is better to buy a new mixer, but in order to ensure that there are filters in the form of grids with a very fine mesh at its entrance. Then there will be no leaks. Do not save on yourself, so as not to correct your stupidity and greed.
  3. bratan1504656
    #5 bratan1504656 Guests February 13, 2019 18:43
    0
    it’s not difficult to buy a new one ... but there’s a video .. the guy repairs it himself .. puts a metal washer at the end

Read also

Error codes for washing machines