Do-it-yourself shower faucet repair: typical faults and their elimination

What most often breaks down in faucets used with shower stalls? Our article is devoted to typical malfunctions of these plumbing fixtures and their elimination. It does not pretend to be complete: our task is to acquaint the reader only with the most characteristic problems of common designs.

Integrated shower mixer.

Shower cabin mixer device

A faucet is a plumbing mechanism that helps regulate the speed of water flow and its temperature.

Depending on the method of fastening, products intended for use in shower cabins are divided into 2 groups:

1. Wall-mounted. Installed in the same way as bath or sink faucets. Externally, they look approximately the same, only the appliances for the booths do not have a spout. Installing a wall-mounted faucet is not difficult, but it takes up some of the free space inside the stall.
2. Built-in. They are installed in a wall niche, which is covered with a decorative panel; only elements for controlling the device remain outside. Installation of such products is a little more complicated, but there is more free space in the cabin.

The mixer consists of the following parts:

1. Galvanized brass body. Most shower cabins have faucets and water distributors connected by a special pipe.
2. A cartridge responsible for changing the temperature of the liquid.
3. A cartridge holder that also serves as a holder. The internal thread is used to screw the element onto the body (thanks to the internal partition it is attached to the surface), the external thread helps to fix the tap on the booth console.
4. A distributor, or divertor, which is held in the distributor socket by a nut.
5. Flywheels made of metal alloys, responsible for distributing and mixing water.

The main problem when trying to troubleshoot a faucet is the inability to replace parts that are combined into a cartridge. It cannot be disassembled to replace spare parts. But there are also advantages: repairs will not be difficult. If any element fails, you will need to remove the old cartridge and install a new one.

The cartridge is the main element of the lever faucet

The main element of the mixer is the cartridge. It regulates the intensity and temperature of the water flow. Its operating principle is the same regardless of the type and model of the mixer.

The cartridge is used in both single-lever and double-lever taps. The most convenient of them is the single-lever one - it provides greater efficiency when using water. Regulating its pressure and temperature is much easier than in the case of a device equipped with two regulators: just set the position of the lever.

The cartridge is designed as follows: there are two disks inside, one of them is movable, the other is not. The body is equipped with several holes through which hot and cold water flows into the lever faucet. By changing the position of the disks, the holes are aligned, which ensures that the temperature and pressure of the liquid are adjusted.

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Why faucets fail: main reasons

The most common causes of device failure:

1. The appliance has been used incorrectly or installed without following the instructions.
2. Poor quality water contributes to the deposition of salts in the cartridge, which leads to its failure.
3. Errors were made when assembling the mixer in production.
4. Wear of moving parts of the structure.
5. Rust forms in the movement channels and on the moving parts of the mixer.

To more accurately determine the cause, you need to remove the mixer.

Possible defects

Common defects include the following:

1. As the water flows, a knocking sound is heard in the pipes, which can be heard even in neighboring apartments.
2. Liquid does not flow from the shower screen or its pressure is weak.
3. No water flows into the mixer, but all components of the device are intact.
4. The channels carrying hot and cold liquid to the cartridge are damaged.
5. The sealing pads are damaged.
6. Water flows from the tap constantly, even when it is closed.
7. It cannot be changed from hot to cold, and vice versa.
8. The distributor housing is broken.
9. There is rust in the water supply channel and/or in the components of the device.

Upper distributor defects

The most common problems in the operation of the upper distributor and their causes:

1. Water is leaking in the switch area. This is possible due to cracks in the cartridge body. In this case, it will not be possible to repair it - it will need to be replaced.
2. Loose housing nut. Can be corrected with a lift.
3. Wear of rubber elements on cartridge rollers. They need to be changed.
4. It is not possible to switch shower modes; when you try to do this, you hear a crunching sound inside the mechanism. The most common cause is damaged plastic cartridge. The element needs to be replaced.

Lower distributor

The fact that the lower cartridge is faulty can be judged by the following signs:

1. It is not possible to turn off the water completely.
2. Valve movement is difficult.
3. It is not possible to adjust the water flow and temperature.

All of the above faults are grounds for replacing or repairing the mixer.

Partitions

The weakest components of the mixer design are the partitions. Their damage is caused by the failure of threaded connections. For owners of a shower stall, this is a big nuisance - the structure may need to be disassembled. To cope with the problem, you will need to change the worn-out mechanism.

How to understand that it is the cartridge that has failed

Any problems with water supply may indicate that the cartridge is damaged.

Signs of failure can be listed as follows:

1. The water cannot be completely turned off even when the lever is pressed hard.
2. To try to move it, you have to apply force.
3. The mixer is leaking.
4. The device does not respond correctly when the lever is switched, releasing hot water instead of cold water, and vice versa.

If, when you open the tap, the water does not flow or its pressure is weak, the reason may also be a malfunction of the main element. To finally verify this, you need to inspect the places where the components of the mechanism are attached to each other. If water leaks from these joints, the problem is in the cartridge. The main reason for its breakdown is the presence of solid particles in the water. Therefore, faucet manufacturers recommend installing household filters in front of these devices.

Select a cassette and mount it yourself

Professionals advise to always use those models of cartridges that were originally installed in the faucet for the booth. But if you can’t find such a device, don’t panic. You can mount a cassette from another manufacturer. The main thing is that the distance between its rods completely coincides with the dimensions of the faucet in the shower stall. You will not have any problems choosing a cartridge. The above distance is characterized by standard values ​​- 150, 125, 100 or 145 mm. You just need to measure the distance between the mixer fitting and the lever with which you select the operating mode of the device. And then purchase a cassette with the appropriate dimensions.

Shower faucet

In most cases, mixers with two taps are equipped with ceramic and brass cartridges with rubber or paronite seals. And on single-lever designs, ball cassettes are most often installed. After you buy a new cartridge and stock up on simple tools - an allen key, pliers, a set of screwdrivers, you can proceed directly to replacing the failed product. First you need to turn off the valves on the pipes through which water is supplied to the shower stall.

Then the crane must be disassembled. There is no need to be afraid of this process. How to disassemble a shower faucet yourself? Elementary! The algorithm for performing the work is as follows:

1. Remove the plug from the front part of the lever device. Underneath there is a screw that needs to be unscrewed.
2. Remove the lever. In some cases, this procedure is associated with certain difficulties due to the presence of hard scale on the structure. The problem can be solved simply - you need to pour hot water on the tap (you can also use boiling water). This will cause the handle to expand, after which the lever can be removed without effort.
3. Unscrew the nut (clamping) - it secures the cassette, dismantle the cartridge.
4. Clean the inside of the mixer and check the condition of the sealing rings. If the latter have any flaws, it is advisable to replace them immediately so that after a while you do not have to disassemble the faucet again.
5. Install a new part.
6. Secure the new cassette with a nut, mount the faucet face back, and tighten the screw.

All work on installing the new cassette has been completed. Check the mixer for functionality (test its operation in different modes) and visually for leaks. And then feel free to use your shower stall. If replacing the cassette does not solve the problem and the faucet does not work as expected, you will have to completely change the mixer. In this case, you will need to unscrew it (the device mount is located on the back wall of the shower stall) and install a new product. It is clear that such an operation will require more serious financial costs. The mixer is more expensive than the cassette.

Note! If you cannot reach the rear wall of the cabin (to the place where the crane is attached), you will need to completely disassemble the hydraulic box. It is better to entrust this operation to specialists. The knowledge and skills of an ordinary home craftsman may not be enough to disassemble and reassemble a shower stall.

Replacing a faucet in a shower stall is a simple procedure that is not difficult. We will tell you how to change the faucet in a shower stall. Replacing a faucet in a shower stall is impossible without understanding the internal structure of the mechanism.

Replacing the shower mixer cartridge

Mixers can differ in the diameter of the holes, the design, and the size of the clamps in the lower segment. If the repair is done with your own hands and the person is not a professional plumber, when purchasing a replacement cartridge, it is recommended to take the broken element with you so that a consultant in the store can help you choose a replacement.

The instructions for replacing the cartridge are as follows:

1. Turn off the water supply in the apartment by turning the valve on the riser.
2. Remove the plug that covers the bolt holding the cartridge handle. Using a hex key, unscrew the fastener. Then unscrew the screw located in the hole and remove the handle.
3. To open access to the cassette, remove the decorative nut. To do this, you need to twist the protective cover and remove the cartridge.
4. Remove the nut holding the decorative trim, then unscrew the clamp.
5. Carefully inspect the inside of the mechanism.
6. After unscrewing the nut located on the rear panel of the cabin, the mixer can be removed along with the rubber sealing element.
7. Clean the vacated space, dry thoroughly and treat with silicone-based sealant.
8. Insert the cartridge into the slots provided for this purpose and attach it to the cabin wall with special elements.
9. Turn the tap on and off and check for correct installation.

If the mixer works properly after repair, there are no leaks, the cartridge must be closed with a decorative nut and the handle put back in place. After reading the detailed troubleshooting instructions, even an inexperienced technician can repair the mixer.

What tools will you need?

Surprisingly, repairing a shower faucet with your own hands does not require the use of special plumbing tools. You can tidy up the shower faucet with a minimum set of devices available in any household:

• hex wrench;
• pliers;
• a set of screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes.

If you assembled the shower cabin yourself, then you are guaranteed to have everything you need. And if not, then you need to remember to buy the missing tools when going for the cassette.