DIY ceramic box repair

The mixer tap in the kitchen is one of the most used appliances in the whole house. Therefore, if even the most insignificant breakdown happens, it is connected with considerable difficulties. Therefore, we’ll talk about how you can quickly and cost-effectively repair a ceramic crane box with your own hands.

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What it is?

The crane box is an integral part of the mixer. With the help of a crane axle box, water is supplied and shut off: cold or heated. The part consists of a metal rod and sealed gaskets. The latter are made of rubber or ceramic movable plates.

Important! The axle box equipped with ceramic plates is considered more reliable and durable. It allows you to open the water with only ½ turn of the crane flywheel.

The design is based on a frame with 2 ceramic plates fixed on it, in which holes are made. The displacement of the plates relative to each other (divergence or alignment) helps to overlap, or vice versa - the release of water out.

The design, equipped with rubber inserts, is not so strong. In addition, to release water, you need to turn the valve several times. The component is a worm rod, which is attached to the flywheel on one side. Rubber gasket limits the other side. The principle of operation is quite simple.

Important! The rubber gasket serves to shut off the water supply and coordinate flow forces.

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How to fix the faucet in the mixer?

Let's consider how to bring to operation a ceramic box crane. It is quite maintainable if you purchase spare parts. If it cannot be repaired, then the design can be completely replaced.

There are such causes of breakdowns:

• Wear of ceramic plates. They fail infrequently, and changing plates is quite difficult. To purchase and deliver a new part is much more expedient.
• Foreign objects getting between the plates. To prevent this, it is advisable to mount an inexpensive filter for rough cleaning of water from impurities.
• Wear of the thread between the body of the component and its stem. You can solve the problem by completely replacing the entire part.

Important! Sometimes a cause of malfunction of the mixer can be the accumulation of lime deposits. To deal with this problem, find outhow to clean the tap of limescale. 

Before you start repairing the crane axle box or proceed with its replacement, it is necessary to shut off the water supply to the apartment or house. In addition, such tools will be required:

• 2 screwdrivers with a Phillips and flat blade.
• Keys - cap and gas.
• Pliers.

Preparatory work:

• To prepare for repair, remove a flywheel. In order to access the flywheel, remove the decorative cap. Now, slightly pulling the flywheel up, remove it. A bolt is located under the flywheel. Unscrew it, and you can remove the valve. Sometimes a force is required. Water, in contact with the parts of the mixer, fastens them together to envy any glue.
• After the valve has been removed, clean the flywheel and threads.
• Unscrew the faucet decorative insert using a combination wrench with a head size of 17.

Important! A spanner is the most desirable option, but if it is not, you can use the gas one.To prevent the gas wrench from scratching the faucet, use a thick textile gasket between the faucet and the wrench to loosen.

• At the end of this stage, access to the axle box is obtained. Unscrew it using the adjustable wrench counterclockwise. Clean the threads of the mixer using a cord brush.
• Replace the worn crane axle box with a working one strictly in the reverse order and with the greatest care. Tighten the screws with maximum delicacy so as not to damage the ceramic plates. If you cleaned the thread, as they say, in good conscience, putting a new part to you is not difficult.

Important! Experts recommend treating the thread of the axle box with special grease. Next time it can be dismantled without hindrance.

Consider various options for repairing a crane box.

Gasket wear

Wear on the silicone gasket causes most of the problems associated with leaks. If the gasket “sank” in any of the places, it must be changed. Sometimes they even manage to repair it. The principle is that, having unscrewed the part, build up a layer of silicone in height. It is enough to put a layer of silicone on top, and then put the crane in place.

Foreign objects getting between the plates

In this case, the tightness of the device is violated and leakage occurs. The procedure in this situation is as follows:

1. Unscrew and disassemble the part.
2. Clean ceramic plates, treat them with waterproof grease.
3. Screw the crane box back into place.

Important! During repair, the plates cannot be turned over. During the period of operation, the plates managed to get used to each other.

Violation of the integrity of the plates

The best option is a complete replacement of ceramic plates. Banal build-up here is unlikely to help. If the damage is minor, then grinding with the help of a graphite rod of a soft pencil helps. After that, you need to grind the plates as best as possible.

Worn plastic washer

This malfunction leads to the fact that the pressure force on the plates from the side of the silicone gasket is reduced, and the ceramic plates are pressed against each other loosely. You can fix the problem by replacing the washer with a new one or place an additional layer of seal under the gasket. Such a sealant can serve, for example, electrical tape.

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Features of repair crane boxes with rubber inserts

In the vast majority of cases, repair comes down to replacing the rubber gasket. Naturally, when repairing, it is necessary to clean the threads and other parts of the structure.

It also happens that the axle box cannot be repaired, and you need to buy a new one.

Important! Do not forget to bring the used part to the store with you. It is not superfluous to use the advice of a sales consultant, since without proper experience it is quite easy to make a mistake with the diameter of the gasket.

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Stock footage

If a tap has flowed in the apartment, do not rush to panic and call the master. You can repair the axle box yourself. In what cases it is advisable to do this yourself - you now know.