They say that in ancient times there was such a torture: a person was tied under dripping water, allowing the drops to fall evenly and monotonously on the parietal region of the unfortunate person. After some time, the water, drop by drop, drove the poor man into a frenzy, and at that moment he was ready to do anything to stop this sophisticated torture.
Perhaps many of those who had to listen for a long time to the monotonous and inexorable drops falling from a faucet in the kitchen or bathroom are partly familiar with the feelings of those unfortunate people who were subjected to water torture. What if the apartment has a meter? In this case, not only water drips, but also money! Your finances are irrevocably flowing down the drain, not to mention that this is not entirely friendly to the environment around us. So let’s try together to figure out the following question: “Why does water flow from the tap, because it’s closed?”
Why the faucet is leaking: we understand the reasons
In fact, this is a very common occurrence. By and large, there are not many reasons for this problem, here are the four most common:
- Poor quality mixer. Very often, when choosing something for the home, for reasons of economy, we buy something cheaper and are glad that we managed to save money for something else. However, such tactics in the event of a purchase may be erroneous, and the joy from the savings may be short-lived. Your savings may cause a leak in the clan or, worse, an accident. It would be good if at that moment there was someone at home who could quickly neutralize the consequences of such an accident. If not, then you may have to admit that the proverb about the stingy man who pays twice is just about you. Therefore, you should not save on buying a faucet - make sure that you buy a product from a reputable manufacturer. Pay attention to the price too! A price that is too low for a brand may be a sign that they may be trying to sell you a counterfeit.
- Incorrect or poor-quality installation. This can also include possible defects that occurred during the assembly process. Therefore, if you bought a high-quality and expensive mixer, then be especially careful when installing it. Defects made during the installation process can negate almost all the advantages of an expensive and high-quality faucet. If you entrust the installation to a specialist, make sure that his professional qualities are not in doubt.
- Mishandling. It is important to remember that, like any thing, the faucet has its own performance characteristics. This means the conditions under which the manufacturer guarantees the normal functioning of the equipment it produces. If you made excessive efforts during installation or use, or put pressure on the faucet when turning, and even at the wrong angle, twisted the valve, or subjected the spout to excessive pressure, then you should not expect that all these manipulations will go completely unnoticed. Damage due to improper use is one of the main causes.
- Natural wear and tear. The fact is that as a result of repeated cycles of turning the water on and off, the moving elements of the mixer, especially the rubber gaskets, begin to wear out. This could have been avoided by carrying out preventive maintenance and replacing gaskets. However, rarely does anyone remember that a faucet can break until the moment it actually starts leaking. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, the problem is inevitable. She will reveal herself sooner or later, it's only a matter of time. However, it is within your power to eliminate it. We will talk about how this can be done below.
How to repair it yourself
We have already said above what needs to be done to avoid the problem. To summarize, we can highlight 4 main points:
- a reasonable approach to choosing a mixer and its elements;
- high-quality installation, preferably by a specialist;
- correct operation;
- preventive repair work;
All this should guarantee long-term operation of the crane.
Well, before starting repairs, you need to determine the actual source, and there may be several of them:
- water drips or leaks from under the hot water supply and hot water supply valve;
- water drips or flows in a thin stream from the tap even when the valve is closed;
- water flows at the junction of the attachment to the mixer;
- water flows at the place where the water pipes are attached to the mixer;
- water leaks where the faucet is attached to the sink;
- the faucet has obvious damage to the body through which water is leaking;
Once the source of the leak has been determined, the first thing that needs to be done is to turn off the water supply, both cold and hot. Of course, the most reliable option is to replace the old mixer with a new one. However, this is a total measure, which in some cases can be avoided.
So, in each of the above cases, the following actions should be taken:
- The most likely reason for water dripping or leaking from under the water on and off valve is a loose fit of the faucet axle to the mixer or wear of the rubber gaskets. To fix this problem, you need to make sure that the axle box fits tightly to the mixer, and also replace the rubber gaskets. If you have a ceramic valve box installed, then you need to seal the silicone oil seal.
- If water drips or flows in a thin stream, then, most likely, the edges of the faucet axlebox have worn off, which does not allow completely shutting off the water supply. This breakdown occurs only in inexpensive, low-quality faucets. It can be solved by replacing the valve axle box with a new one and/or replacing the valve. As a last resort, if the first two measures do not help, you will need to replace the mixer. Please note that unevenness in the inner surface of a low-quality mixer can also contribute to rapid wear of the gaskets and faucet axle when the valve is tightened tightly.
- Water seepage at the point where the faucet is attached to the mixer can be the result of either wear of the gaskets or the spout becoming loose as a result of damage or prolonged use. The recommended measure is to replace the gaskets and tighten the spout tightly to the mixer.
- If water leaks at the place where the water pipes are attached to the mixer, then most likely a long-standing installation defect has made itself known. This defect was the result of excessive force when tightening the nuts, which over time led to damage to the gaskets. Another possible reason is poor quality hoses used when installing the faucet. The solution to the problem may be replacing the gaskets with new ones, or replacing the hoses. When replacing gaskets, you should avoid over-tightening the nuts, which will extend the life of the gaskets.
- The cause of a leak at the point of attachment to the sink may be that the faucet was not screwed tightly or that it became loose during use. It also happens that the gasket used between the faucet and the sink has become unusable. This issue can be resolved by screwing the faucet to the sink and replacing the gaskets. You can also place the mixer on silicone. This should stop the leak.
- If the mixer has obvious damage to the body, then it is almost impossible to repair it. In this case, there are no alternative recipes for completely replacing the faucet.
Required tools and materials
When making repairs, you may need the following tools and materials.
- Spare crane axle boxes;
- Adjustable wrench and set of keys;
- Glue;
- Screwdriver Set;
- Gaskets of various sizes;
- Plumbing fum tape and/or rags;
- Electric drill and grinding attachment for it;
- Silicone seals.
Most of the tools and materials listed can be found in any home. As a last resort, they can be purchased at any hardware store.
Doesn't work forever. If water starts dripping into the sink, you should think about repairs. When a faucet is leaking, there are two options: call a plumber or fix it yourself. Read about how to fix this plumbing element with your own hands.
Typical reasons
The causes of malfunctions in the kitchen are different. They depend on the operating conditions and the design of the device. Most often, a dripping faucet is a consequence of wear of the seat, oil seal ring or gasket, the appearance of a layer of rust or salt deposits.
Before starting repairs, it is necessary to identify the cause of the leak.
All this can be completely eliminated on your own, but in order not to be distracted by shopping trips during the repair process, you should prepare for it in advance. Everything is easier if you don't throw away the packaging. It usually contains a repair kit and instructions with a diagram and description of the technology for repairing the product. If nothing has been preserved, then you can familiarize yourself with the process by watching videos and reading the relevant literature, and then purchase everything you need for this.
First of all, you have to turn off the cold and hot water supply valve, prepare a container to drain the remaining water, and dry rags. Next, each type of mixer has its own repair algorithm.
Repair of a two-valve mixer with a worm mechanism
The supply of hot and cold water in faucets of this type is controlled by two different valves. The weak link here is the rubber gasket. The problem is solved simply: instead of the worn-out locking element, another one is installed. This process consists of several steps:
- tighten the body;
- fix the valve.
Advice: if the repair kit has not been preserved, then the gasket can be cut from dense rubber, or best of all from a tire, because the cord threads contained in it slow down wear.
If, despite replacing the gasket, the faucet continues to drip, you should pay attention to the seat. Perhaps cracks, roughness, or nicks have formed on it. To extend the service life of this element, we clean it with a roller cutter, placing it in the place where the worm mechanism was located and turning it using a drill. After leveling the plane of the seat, we install the gasket and assemble the valve, followed by checking for leaks.
How to repair a two-valve mixer with an axle-box tap
When the faucet leaks when closed or if you hear a cracking sound when rotating the valves, this indicates that the rubber seal has worn out. A leak from under the spout can be eliminated very simply: after removing the valve, remove the valve axle box and change the gasket. Then we seal the threads with fum tape and install the tap in place.
Removing the decorative cap
If the faucet does not fit tightly to the mixer, this can also cause a leak. To eliminate the malfunction, seal the threads and tighten the nut.
Replacing a ceramic axle box in a two-valve mixer
When the faucet drips, we first try to tighten the lock nut more tightly; if this does not help, then we will have to change the axle box. When this matter is completely new to you, it is better to find a video on this topic and watch how professional plumbers perform the work. Usually the axle box is changed entirely, doing the job as follows:
Tip: when choosing a crane axle box, pay attention to the thread. It should exactly match the previous one in size.
How to fix a single lever faucet in the bathroom or kitchen
Single-lever mixers are easier to operate because... The temperature is adjusted by turning the knob in one direction or another. To adjust the pressure, the lever is raised or lowered. In faucets of this type, the main element is the cartridge - ball or disk. They are not interchangeable, so if there is a need for replacement, you need to know exactly which one is inside the faucet. This is impossible to determine visually. Let's consider the procedure in case of replacing a ball valve:
Repairing a leaking faucet yourself requires some effort, but this way of solving the problem will allow you not to waste time waiting for a specialist to arrive and money to pay for his work.
Repairing a leaking faucet: video
Faucet repair: photo
But not everyone can cope with this problem on their own, and calling a specialist to your home can take too much time. If you look into it, the problem when the faucet in the bathroom is leaking is not so serious and can be easily repaired. To do this, it is necessary to consider what reasons precede a leaking faucet, and what can be done to solve this problem.
Photo 1. The problem of faucet leakage should not be ignored.
Water flows from the faucet when the tap is closed: causes of leaks
The cause of a leaking faucet can be various problems, which differ in the structural features of a two-valve faucet and a lever faucet. The reasons lie in the structure of the device itself; the two types of taps have different operating mechanisms, and the causes of leaks are correspondingly different. When it comes to troubleshooting problems and water leaks, you should remember that the very first and most important thing to do is turn off the water. The corresponding valves must be located in the toilet and often, due to infrequent use, can be difficult to tighten. In this case, you need to carefully develop the valve using oil so as not to rip off the valve.
Photo 2. To solve the problem of faucet leaks of any kind, it is necessary to disassemble the structure.
Why does the faucet leak in the mixer: two-valve design
The two-valve faucet is easy to use and economical to repair. If a faucet starts to leak, you don’t need to invest a lot of money and effort into repairing it. In addition, two-valve systems are more affordable, so replacing the faucet, in a pinch, will not break the budget.
Based on the design of a two-valve faucet, we can identify some common causes of leaks: wear of the gasket, sealing insert of the stuffing box or ring gasket of the shower hose, if available.
Photo 3. Repair of a two-valve tap.
Gasket wear. Signs of this problem are manifested in the constant flow of water from the tap, with the valves tightly screwed on. The repair principle in this case is simple:
1. Unscrew the valve body;
2. We take out the gasket, in the likeness of which you need to cut a new one, from thick leather or rubber;
3. Place a new gasket instead of the old one;
4. We wind the seal onto the thrust edge;
5. Place the valve body in its original place and tighten it tightly.
A new gasket is sold in relevant stores for a small price, so if you don’t want to waste time cutting or searching for suitable material, you can safely purchase the part in the store.
Photo 4. When repairing a faucet from leaks, it is very important not to strip the threads.
Wear of the sealing insert of the oil seal. Signs of such a problem are leaks when the tap is open. In this case, when the tap is open, water enters between the gland nut and the valve stem. To solve this problem, you need to unscrew the oil seal nut, remove the old liner and wrap a new one made of polyethylene sealing tape around the valve stem, and then screw the nut into place. If all operations were carried out correctly, then the leakage problem should be solved.
Worn ring gasket of shower hose. A sign of this problem is a leak at the junction of the faucet and the shower hose. To solve this problem, you need to unscrew the hose, remove the damaged seal and replace it with a new O-ring, preferably made of silicone, after which you need to mount the hose in place. It is important to be careful when unscrewing the hose, as its threads are easily damaged.
If the problem is water leaking from the tap while using the shower hose, then you need to replace the locking elements (faucets) in the faucet handles.
Leaking from the faucet of a lever type faucet?
The lever type of crane has a more complex structure, and the problems that arise accordingly have their own characteristics. A common cause of leakage is defective or contamination inside the device itself. It is necessary to disassemble the system, clean it, check for integrity and put it back together. To do this, unscrew the screw securing the lever, remove the lever, unscrew the threaded screw and remove the dome and plastic seal.
Photo 5. Repair of a lever-type faucet from leaks.
It is necessary to clean and check the integrity of the seal gasket, the cartridge and the seals securing it. If any parts show signs of wear or damage, they must be replaced with new ones, then lubricated with a special compound offered by the manufacturer, and the entire structure must be reassembled in the reverse order.
The main part of the entire design is the cartridge, which differs in ball and disk. The principle of eliminating leaks is fundamentally no different; you just need to clean the system and replace damaged parts if necessary. However, a disk cartridge cannot be installed in a system with a ball cartridge, and vice versa, since the elements have different operating principles.
The disassembly, cleaning, replacement and assembly procedures should be carried out with extreme caution, as there is a risk of damaging parts. But if the entire procedure went without errors, then the problem with leaks and difficult temperature adjustment will be eliminated.
If a new faucet leaks, it is better to get the device replaced in a store, because the most likely cause is likely to be a manufacturing defect.
Video: Faucet leaking
Who among us has not encountered leaking faucets in the apartment or other taps? It’s good if you have the skill to fix plumbing, but what if you don’t? In this case, the question “the faucet is leaking - what to do” may be quite relevant. Let's understand this simple science.
The cartridge is very easy to use. An increasing percentage of all faucets produced have this design.
They are simple and reliable, and break down much less frequently than their predecessors. One minus is that the cartridge has leaked and you will have to replace it entirely.
Let's take a closer look at the repair process if the faucet in the bathroom is leaking.
- Unscrew the plastic plug on the faucet handle. It will open a hole through which you will find the fixing screw.
- Unscrew it and remove the faucet handle.
- Next, remove the decorative parts of the mixer; the nut pressing the cartridge will open. Unscrew it.
- Pull out the cartridge and check the condition of the sealing gaskets at the end. If you can replace them, do so. The faucet will most likely stop dripping. Or replace the cartridge completely.
- Reassemble the mixer in reverse order.
There is another type of locking mechanism - a faucet with ceramic plates. In this case, it is quite easy to answer the question “how to make a faucet with your own hands”, because This design is easy to maintain. 
A mixer that has such an axle box in its design is no different in appearance from a mixer with a faucet axle box on rubber gaskets.
The ceramic design is reliable and rarely fails, but the disadvantage is, again, the need to replace the entire axlebox in case of failure.
If you have a leaking faucet with this design, try replacing it with a rubber seal at the end before changing the entire axlebox. It serves to press the ceramic rings against each other, and when it wears out, the rings begin to leak water.
Advice: install coarse filters on the water supply pipes at the entrance to the apartment. This will extend the service life of the ceramic faucet and cartridge, because they often fail when a large solid particle in the water gets between the plates.
The main thing is, when the faucet is leaking, determine what type of water shut-off mechanism your faucet has. After which repairs will become a matter of technology.
Many of us associate the situation of calling a plumber with the film “Afonya”. Therefore, in the depths of my soul, a desire awakens to fix the faucet in the bathroom on my own. It is necessary to understand some of the intricacies of performing repair work: where to start, how to find out the location of the breakdown and why water is dripping from the tap. Having found the answers to the first questions, it will be clear whether it is possible to do the work yourself, and how to fix a dripping faucet in the bathroom.
It is very important to notice a breakdown in the bathroom in time. The consequences vary. The main thing is to decide how to fix a leak in the faucet quickly and whether you can fix the leak yourself, or you need to contact the experts, what are the causes of the leak.
Experienced plumbers name the reasons why the faucet runs:
- The first reason is a defective plumbing product. If a breakdown occurs with a new product (water drips from the tap), this is a clear sign of a manufacturing defect. Not much time has passed since the purchase. Worry and exchange the defective product for another one under the terms of the warranty.
- The second reason is loss of tightness due to abrasion of the gaskets. This occurs due to the long service life when the rubber bands wear out due to frequent friction or exposure to grains of water. Rubber gaskets lose strength, cease to perform functions and the faucet leaks.
- The third reason is that saving money when buying a mixer leads to the installation of a low-quality plumbing unit. Over time, the faucet bursts and leaks from the crack.
- The fourth reason is that the water is too hard, with impurities, which damages the ball mixer mechanism or the ceramic cartridge. These parts may simply become clogged with debris. Their breakdown can also be the reason why the faucet is leaking.
If the faucet is still not dripping heavily, then try to repair it yourself. In case of a strong stream, it is better to turn off the water and call a plumber to fix the faucet in the bathroom.
The result of a crane breakdown
Do not delay repairs. There are times when residents ignore a leaking faucet and choose not to pay attention. The situation can get worse, and if the faucet in the bathroom drips, then the breakdown slowly turns into a big problem with consequences:
- Excess constant moisture in the room deteriorates furniture and finishing materials. A leaking faucet adds moisture to the air.
- The sound of constantly dripping water has an irritating effect on the psycho-emotional state of residents. The sounds will be strong if the faucet in the bathroom is leaking onto metal plumbing products.
- A non-stop stream of water from the tap increases water consumption and increases financial waste, increasing the amount of water bills.
- A small leak that is not eliminated in time can develop into a major accident if the faucet in the bathroom drips. Not only can your living space be flooded, but your neighbors on the floor below will also suffer.
Repair work on faucets in the bathroom has its own characteristics and nuances, which differ from the process of restoring the operation of a faucet in the kitchen. This can be explained by the simplicity of the product in the kitchen from the bath model.
The bathroom faucet has water supply switches for the shower hose and the shower head. The answer to the question why the faucet is leaking in the kitchen and in the bathroom may be different.
Preparatory activities
As soon as a breakdown is discovered (a faucet in the bathroom is leaking), you need to immediately find out its cause and location.
Algorithm of action if the faucet in the bathroom is dripping:
From the first minutes it is necessary to shut off the flow of water. The valve levers, which are usually located in the toilet, are turned 90 degrees so that the faucet does not leak anymore. The lever must be turned with extreme care so as not to strip the thread. If difficulties arise, you need to drop some oil. It will help develop the valve. You need to apply effort to the lever gradually. Only when the water has completely stopped will it be possible to begin troubleshooting and repair the faucet in the bathroom.
Before you fix a leaking faucet, you need to prepare a set of the most necessary tools:
- adjustable barb and nut;
- screwdriver flat and cross.
Additionally you may need:
- rubber or leather pieces for gaskets;
- fluoroplastic tape seal;
- soft cloth, dish soap, to wash places where dirt accumulates inside the faucet, if it is all dirty;
- a piece of foam rubber or a large piece of soft material will come in handy when the question arises of how to protect plumbing fixtures from impact if a heavy tool accidentally falls.
Causes of failure of a two-valve tap
The reasons for the leakage of a two-valve faucet and a single-lever faucet can be completely different. Each model has “standard” breakdowns. So for a two-valve model, the most common failure is wear of the gasket. Replacing them will be the answer to what to do if the faucet in the bathroom is dripping and the result of repair work.
Gasket wear
If, when tightened tightly, the faucet in the bathroom still flows, then the reason is precisely the old gaskets. Replacing and repairing a bathroom faucet is not very difficult.
- If you twist the valve body against the clock hand, you will be able to dismantle it.
- An old worn out gasket is taken out.
- Using the old gasket as a template, a new gasket is cut from a piece of rubber. A bicycle tire can be used as rubber.
- The new rubber gasket takes its place.
- The seal is wound around the edge of the stop.
- In order to install the valve body in place, it must now be rotated according to the movement of the clock hand.
- For strength, the valve is tightened with a wrench.
You can also buy ready-made gaskets for sale, but those made independently from rubber or leather are also quite suitable. Especially if the replacement was carried out urgently in a short period of time (the faucet was dripping more) and it was not possible to go to a hardware store.
The reason is the sealing insert of the oil seal
A deteriorated oil seal insert acting as a seal can cause the faucet to leak. The faucet leaks when open. A stream of water flows between the valve stem and the stuffing box nut.
- The oil seal nut is unscrewed using a screwdriver.
- Using second-layer plastic sealing tape, a sealing liner is made.
- The old liner is removed.
- The valve rod is tightly wrapped with a new liner.
- Screw the nut back to its original position.
The result of quality work and the answer to how to repair a bathroom faucet will be a smoothly turning valve and elimination of water leakage.
Leaking shower hose
It is necessary to replace the O-ring if water flows at the junction of the faucet and the shower hose. This indicates wear of this part. Algorithm for fixing a dripping faucet in the bathroom:
- Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the shower hose. Movements must be smooth so as not to strip the hose threads.
- The old seal is removed.
- A silicone O-ring is installed. The wear resistance of such a ring is higher than that of a rubber ring. You can also use a rubber ring, but it is changed much more often.
- Using a wrench, the hose is installed in its original position.
Replacing the crane box
The faucet in the bathroom was leaking even when the water supply was switched to the shower hose - the reason was the breakdown of the shut-off elements. They are located in the mixer handles. Plumbers call them faucets.
In order to eliminate the cause of the breakdown, you need to buy new faucets from the plumbing department. They must be identical to the old broken ones. Before going to the store, you need to get them. But before that, check why the faucet in the bathroom is leaking; perhaps it will be enough to tighten the nut tighter and the leak will go away.
Breakage of the locking elements can occur due to forceful hand pressure on the adjustment lever.
Single lever mixer repair
Modern faucets with one handle and a ball mechanism break due to small particles of dust and dirt getting inside the body. This makes the mixer difficult to operate. The principle of repair is to disassemble the product, clean it, and reassemble it in the reverse order.
Single lever faucet in the bathroom, how to fix it:
- Use a screwdriver to remove the decorative point.
- Using a screwdriver, the screw is unscrewed and the fixation of the lever is loosened.
- Using careful movements, the lever is removed from the mixer.
- The threaded screw is unscrewed.
- The faucet dome and plastic seal are removed.
- The seal is carefully examined and cleaned of contaminants.
- A very outdated, worn seal must be replaced with a new one. It is purchased in the store.
- The next detail that needs to be carefully studied is the ball mechanism. The damaged ball is replaced with a newly acquired one.
- Seals for the ball are being studied. They are pryed off with a screwdriver. Worn parts are replaced and lubricated with a special compound, which is specified in the instructions for the mixer.
- The repair work is completed by assembling the mixer in the reverse order.
Movements during work should be smooth and effortless. Faucet parts are easy to damage.
Replacing the cartridge
What to do if water leaks when adjusting the temperature of the water supply in the tap and the cause may be a broken faucet cartridge. Replacing the cartridge will be the solution to the problem and the answer to how to fix the faucet in the bathroom.
The part cannot be repaired. It is bought in specialized stores. Moreover, only an individual cartridge model is suitable for each mixer model. Therefore, to replace the cartridge, it is recommended to first remove the old model and go with it to buy a new one. The cartridges must be identical.
The replacement procedure itself is not very difficult.
- The decorative plug on the lever is removed.
- The screw on the lever, which is hidden under the plug, is unscrewed.
- Carefully remove the lever.
- Use a screwdriver to unscrew the nut that holds the cartridge. Movements must be smooth and careful so as not to break the thread. The nut may become stuck over time.
- Access to the cartridge is free, the old one is removed. A new one is installed in place of the old one.
- Assembly is carried out in reverse order.
Glass cartridges require even greater care due to their extreme fragility.
Crack on the body
If a crack is noticed on the body, the faucet is dripping and there is no way to replace the defective faucet with a new one, then the question arises of what to do. Use a special sealant or glue. You need to immediately understand that such repair work solves the problem for a while.
Of course, the ideal option would be to install a new faucet. A crack in the body is repaired by “cold welding”. A faucet that has undergone surface treatment with a special sealant takes on a less than attractive appearance.