Flowing faucet in the kitchen - how to fix it?

As a rule, minor household troubles arise unexpectedly, so much so that there is no time left to call a specialist at all. For example, a leaking or dripping tap in the kitchen. It would seem that the trouble is small, but there is no guarantee that a thin stream of water will not turn into an uncontrollable stream and will not harm you, and the neighbors below. So, the faucet is flowing in the kitchen - how to fix it? What knowledge is necessary to repair it yourself?

to contents ↑

The problem has already arisen - which one?

If you are reading this article, then one of the following problems has occurred:

• A tap leaks, water leaks out from under the handle.
• Even with shut-off valves, water drips from the tap.
• The appearance of a buzzing sound when opening the mixer.
• Water jet too thin.
• The mixer operates with jerks.
• Water flows out from under the union nut.
• It is not possible to lock the crane lever in position.
• Leak in flywheel area.

to contents ↑

What is needed for repairs?

To fix problems with the faucet in the kitchen, you will need the following tools:

• Hammer.
• Screwdriver.
• Knife.
• Wrenches: for regulation and for hexagons.

In addition, you will need supplies such as grease and dry rags.

Important! If the tap leaks, you will have to buy the following parts:

• For a two-valve design: crane box, o-ring.
• For single lever mixer: replacement cartridge or its accessories.

to contents ↑

How to fix a faucet in the kitchen if a single lever mixer?

Reasons for repair may include the following:

• Chips, cracks that are caused by mechanical damage to the body.
• Cartridge blockages between ball and saddles.
• Worn gasket.
• Wear (corrosion) or clogging of the aerator.

A tap is flowing - how to fix in various manifestations of a malfunction:

• If the case is damaged, then the so-called cold welding can be used for repairs. But this is only a temporary measure, sooner or later it will be necessary to buy a new mixer.
• If the water pressure is weak, the aerator is most likely clogged. To fix this problem is simple: remove the aerator, clean (using an old toothbrush) and reinstall.

Now consider the more serious malfunctions. There is no visible damage to the tap, but does the water still leak? Most likely, the cause is a cartridge malfunction or gasket wear. In this case, the design will have to be disassembled.

We repair the lever crane: step-by-step instruction

Cranes of lever type, first of all, are good for ease of operation. By turning the lever, you adjust the supply force and the pressure of the water. The most common failure in such cranes is cartridge failure. There are two types of cartridges: disk and ball.

Disc cartridges

The working element of the disk cartridge are ceramic plates, which, when the lever is rotated, are displaced relative to each other.

Ball cartridge

The main structural element is a ball with three holes. When the lever is turned, the ball rotates and regulates the water supply.

The main reasons for replacing a cartridge may be as follows.

• Water is dripping from the spout.
• Tight cartridge operation.
• Hot and cold water is bad (or not at all).
• Water leaks from under the handle.

How to repair the faucet in the kitchen? First you need to shut off the water and let the remainder out of the tap. The further procedure is as follows:

1. Loosen the screw on the main body, having previously disconnected the decorative plug with a screwdriver.
2. Remove the lever and cap, remove the cartridge.
3. Inspect all seals; replace if necessary.
4. Reassemble the tap in reverse order.

Important! Make sure the tabs on the cartridge align with the slots in the mixer. If you neglect this, the crane will leak.

to contents ↑

How to repair a two-valve mixer?

The most common failure of such structures is the failure of the gasket on the crane box. As in the case of a lever crane, it is necessary, first of all, to shut off the water in the apartment.

Next, the mixer is dismantled to replace the gasket. The procedure is as follows:

1. Loosen the screw with a screwdriver.
2. Remove the handle and the decorative cap.
3. Unscrew the axle box with an adjustable wrench.
4. Cut a new rubber gasket using the old one as a template.
5. Install a new gasket.
6. Assemble the tap in reverse order by tightening the axle box.

If the tap is not on the gasket, but with ceramic plates, then there can be several reasons for breakdowns:

• Wear of sealing gum between ceramic plates.
• Small trash falling between the plates. In this case, if the plates themselves are not damaged, it will be enough to remove the pieces of scale. If this measure is ineffective, then replacement will help.

Important! Be prepared that you will have to go to the household goods store with the box pulled out. Special repair kits are available for the elimination of such damage. The kit includes 2 ceramic plates with sealing rubber.

A faucet is flowing in the kitchen: how to fix it if water is dripping from under the taps?

In this case, you can use the fluoroplastic winding:

1. Unscrew the axle box from the mixer, wipe.
2. Remove all debris, rubber ring residues and spools from the thread.
3. Wind the fluoroplastic winding onto the thread:
   • If you have a thick tape, then 3-4 turns will be enough.
   • If the tape is thin, then about 10 turns are required.

Important! It is not necessary to wind too much, as there may be difficulties with twisting the thread.

4. Now it remains only to tighten the thread and tighten it with an adjustable wrench.

Water leaks out from under the gander nut on the mixer

This problem can be solved by replacing the rubber rings on the gander:

• If the gaskets are installed in special grooves, then the repair does not cause special difficulties. It is quite enough to correct the rings, and then grease them with solid oil.

Important! If the gaskets are worn out, you must purchase new ones and replace them.

• If the rings are installed on a special sleeve twisted in a gander, then the repair will be somewhat more difficult. First of all, using the hexagon 8 or 10, you will need to unscrew the sleeve, and then replace the rings. When assembling in the reverse order, tighten the sleeve well with a hexagon, otherwise the water will begin to leak again.

to contents ↑

Risks when buying and operating a mixer

How to repair the faucet in the kitchen - figured out. In addition, you need to know what risks there are when buying and using a mixer that increase the risk of breakage:

1. Choosing a mixer, do not be tempted by cheap models. It is highly likely that such a product will not be made of steel, but of some dubious alloy. Such a crane will break down quickly, it cannot be repaired, you can only purchase a new one. So the savings are quite dubious.
2. Buy mixers from manufacturers that have proven themselves. You can use the advice of other people or get advice from the seller. As a rule, such products belong to the high and medium price categories. Buy a prohibitively expensive crane - but does it make sense? Unless you want to buy a product of unusual design.
3. Install filters for rough water treatment.If there is no sand and other solid impurities in the water, the crane will last you longer.
4. A special device that protects against hardness salts does not hurt. The sink in the kitchen will look cleaner, and the faucet will last you much longer.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

Knowing how to fix a faucet in the kitchen with your own hands, you can eliminate this problem completely by yourself and keep the faucet in good condition.