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Is your kitchen faucet dripping or is there constant water on the floor? If so, there is a high possibility that your faucet is leaking.
Do you know how irritating a leaky faucet can be? This is a guide to show you how to fix a leaking faucet yourself. If you read this guide, you will know how to spot a leak, distinguish faucets, and fix a leak.
According to sinkengineering.com, there are three main possible areas in your faucet that could cause leaks? If you didn’t know then they consist of the following:
grommet
Did you hear a dripping spout? It’s no fun. The good thing, however, is that you can easily spot it, and it does so gradually over time. How do you know your faucet is faulty? When you find that you need to tighten more than usual to prevent water from dripping. You will know that the leakage is worse if it is completely leakproof but the water is still dripping.
base
Is your faucet base always wet? If so, it is likely that there is a leak at the base. Can you try drying the area around the base and then covering it with tissue paper? If you find that the fabric is soaked, it is obvious that your faucet is leaking. Did you know that a Kitchen faucet leaking from the base is the hardest to spot? It is save.
Under the sink
Have you found moisture on the floor under the tap? If so, water may be leaking from the faucet, utility tap, or sink drain. If you want to identify the source of the leak, follow these steps. Put a dry towel underneath. If the tap is leaking, the moisture in the towel will come directly from the tap.
Have you noticed that faucets vary in their external brand? Well there are four different types. Not only does their external design vary, but also their internal brand. So if you want to fix a faucet, knowing its design is important.
Compression cock
You’ve probably seen a faucet with double handles. This is a compression tap. Read the procedure below and you will how to fix a leaky faucet with two handles.
Cartridge cock
This type of faucet has a cartridge under the handle when you remove the stem.
Ceramic disc valve
When you disconnect the stem in this faucet you will see a cartridge as well as a ceramic disc.
Ball valve
When you separate the shaft, you’ll notice a ball joint. This ball joint is used to control the water flow.
You may be wondering what is causing a leak in your faucet. You will see below that various things are causing the faucets to leak. These things are:
- If the ring is loose or worn, your faucet will leak on the handle.
- If your spout is leaking, it means the valve is corroding.
- If the washers have friction they tend to wear out.
- If you install your faucet incorrectly, it will leak.
You need the following:
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Pliers
- key
- Pliers
- Faucet repair kit
- O-rings seals.
Compression cock
- First remove the decorative cap
You will use a knife to pry off the decorative cover. Once you do this you will see screws securing the handle. You will easily notice these covers; They are shown as hot and cold.
Now loosen these screws with a screwdriver and remove the handles.
- Loosen the nuts
Then use a wrench to loosen the packing nut and separate the stem from the housing.
- Separate the stem
Once you’ve removed the main shaft you’ll see the rubber washer, screws, and old o-ring. Now check these areas for leaks.
- Replace the leaking part
You can now grease your new set and then replace it. They replace the washers, the screws, the O-ring and the valve seat.
- assembly
Finally, reassemble the entire faucet, being careful not to overtighten the connections.
Cartridge cock
- Remove the decorative cap
You first pry off the decorative cap with a knife. You will expose the crews securing the handle.
- Remove the handle
You loosen the screws that hold the handle in place with a screwdriver. Now tilt it back and remove it.
- Remove the retaining nut and retaining clip.
Then use a wrench to loosen and remove the retaining nut. Then remove the retaining clip, which is a U-shaped clip that holds the cartridge in place. Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to remove.
- Remove and replace the cartridge
You can then pull the cartridge out with a pair of pliers. It can be tricky so rotate it to make it easier to get out of. Now take your new cartridge and place it where you removed the old one.
- Reassemble the faucet
When you’re done replacing, reassemble the faucet.
Ceramic disc valve
- Remove the protective cap
You need to locate the cap and then let it pop out.
- Remove the handle
Then use a screwdriver to loosen the nuts that hold the handle in place. You should be able to lift the handle off once it is loose.
- Remove the shield
Once you lift the handle, you will see a decorative sign. You can unscrew it or lift it by hand.
- Loosen the retaining nuts
Then loosen the retaining nuts with a wrench.
- Clean and replace cylinder openings.
Check the damage. When the cylinder is worn out, replace it with a new one.
- Reassemble the entire faucet.
You are finally done.
Ball valve
- Remove the decorative cap
You need to pry off the protective cover first, which you should easily notice with a flathead screwdriver.
- Remove the handle
Then use a wrench to loosen the retaining nut holding the handle. After unscrewing, remove the handle.
- Take off the collar and cap
You then loosen the collar and cap with a wrench, which you should easily notice when the handle is out.
- Remove the cam
Now remove the cam. One cam is disc-shaped and has a D in the center. You can easily remove it as it is made of plastic.
- Lift out the ball assembly
Once you’ve removed the cam, you can easily remove the entire ball assembly.
- Remove the seals and springs
You’ll need to use needle-nose pliers to extract the two.
- Replace the seals and springs
Take your new seals and springs and replace the old ones.
- Replace the ball assembly and cam
Replace the old materials with the new ones.
- Reassemble the faucet
Make sure you put everything back in order.
If you do the above, replace a Kitchen faucet from one spout without a problem. You can also replace a faucet that is leaking at the base or even the handle.
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