For many decades, sinks and washbasins have traditionally been equipped with two-valve taps. However, recently in kitchens and bathrooms you can increasingly see a more modern plumbing accessory - a single-lever mixer, attractive for its practicality and ease of use.
You will learn everything about choosing a lever mixing device from our article. We will talk about its design features and operational advantages. Do-it-yourself DIYers will find a guide on how to disassemble and repair a kitchen faucet of this type.
Ball mixer: the main invention for plumbing
Despite the fact that the ball mixer has been in operation in our country for some two decades, this design was developed a very long time ago. It was created by engineer Alex Manukyan. In 1929, Manukyan created a small company that manufactured various parts for cars and Ford. In 1940, from a small company, this company turned into a large production with a turnover of millions of dollars.
In 1940, a certain inventor from California approached Manukyan and offered to purchase the right to produce a revolutionary crane. The innovation was that instead of the traditional two taps, one was used for hot and cold water. Using it, it was possible to simultaneously adjust both pressure and temperature. The innovation was poorly received and they even laughed at the inventor. But Manukyan looked at one small perspective that everyone else simply missed. The design of the ball mixer is such that it has only one moving element. There are no gaskets or parts subject to rapid wear.
After some time it became clear that, despite the lack of gaskets, the mixer was working fully. And now Alex Manukyan, together with experienced engineers, begins work on finalizing the design. In 1954, the work was completed and a new revolutionary product was released, which is now installed in most bathrooms. By the way, Manukyan made a huge fortune for himself from this.
Preparatory activities
Initially, it should be noted that structures of this type are not always spherical. The regulator can also be a ceramic cartridge, but this is a topic for a completely different article, and now we will dwell in detail on how to repair a ball mixer with your own hands.
How the system works
Any design of such a plan consists of several main components; they may differ slightly in shape and size, but in any case, the design of a ball mixer for a kitchen or bathroom remains unchanged.
Crane components.
- First of all, this is the adjustment lever. It can also be called a butterfly or a joystick.
- Next comes the rod, complete with a sealing washer and a locking nut, which actually regulate the tightness of the mechanism.
- Naturally, the entire structure is housed in a metal case. External shapes do not play a role here; the quality of the metal and the accuracy of the fit of the internal mechanism are much more important.
- And of course the most important detail is the hollow metal ball. It has 3 holes, two of which are intended for the flow of hot and cold water, and through the third, water mixed in a hollow ball goes to the consumer. Rubber saddles are used for fastening here.
Photos of details.
Obviously, the simpler the design, the easier it is to set up and maintain. In this sense, repairing a mixer ball valve is not difficult for a person with general knowledge of plumbing. But all the details here are quite “delicate” and you shouldn’t put in too much effort.
Most common faults
- In the fully closed position, the tap still continues to flow water. Here it doesn’t matter whether it drips or flows in a thin stream.
- While water flows throughout the apartment with good pressure, the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen produces a thin stream.
- The regulation of water pressure and temperature is disrupted. In other words, the crane began to work according to its own incomprehensible laws and, in its usual position, gives out something completely different from what they wanted from it.
Bathroom faucet.
Advice: if the pressure in the tap has dropped, then before disassembling the mixer, check the condition of the aerator; this is a mesh that is screwed into the spout. Often this is the reason; all you have to do is clean it or replace it and the problem will be solved.
Causes of malfunctions
- The most common cause is debris getting into the space between the ball itself and the rubber seats. If such a blockage is not removed in time, the rubber seat may become deformed and fail.
- Sometimes the valve can become clogged, usually due to hard water. In this case, serious repairs to the ball faucet for the bathroom or kitchen may not be necessary. Although you still have to disassemble and clean it.
- It happens that the cap on the lever becomes loose over time, the rod does not reach the stop and a leak occurs. In this case, repairing a ball mixer in the kitchen with your own hands will end with tightening the hex screw at the bottom of the cap.
Cartridge for ball mixer.
- If water begins to leak from under the faucet body, then most likely the rings responsible for the seal have worn out. Since they cannot be repaired, the rings need to be replaced.
- If disassembling the ball mixer reveals a crack in the ball itself, then there are 2 options. First, change the ball and second, change the entire mixer.
- If a crack is found on the body, there is nothing left to repair; the faucet must be completely replaced. As a temporary measure, you can cover the crack with sealants, but this won’t last long.
Scheme of the mechanism.
Advice: if you have hard water or an old, rusty pipeline in your house, then the question of how to fix the faucet will come up regularly. A good solution would be to install filters on the input, and they do not necessarily have to be complex and expensive. It is enough to install a coarse filter, the price of which is quite affordable, and clean or change it every six months.
Advantages of ball mixers
Ten years ago, there were no alternatives to valve devices in the plumbing market. And when the ball mixer appeared, many were faced with a choice - what to install in the bathroom? Sales show that the ball valve design is in great demand. This can be easily explained by the advantages and high performance characteristics of the device. Also, experts in plumbing equipment say that now you can’t find anything on sale that would be more reliable.
Ball bath faucets turned out to be very convenient to use. You no longer need to twist anything to set the optimal water temperature and pressure. To do this, simply set the lever to the desired position. Over time, this becomes almost automatic.
Those who have been using such devices for a long time already know where the handle should be for the appropriate temperature and pressure. And for those who are just planning to install such a device, it is useful to know that the pressure can be adjusted by moving the control handle up or down. The temperature is adjusted by turning to the right or left.
General information. Pros of single-lever devices
Attention! The kitchen faucet, which regulates the water supply using a single lever, has a simple design, a high degree of functionality, durability, and the tap is easy to operate.
Mixers of this type are quickly gaining popularity because they have many positive qualities. These include simplicity and the ability to repair. The device is easy to use; to open or close the tap, you just need to raise or lower the lever. To regulate the temperature of the liquid, the joystick must be turned to the sides; the pressure is adjusted by moving the lever up and down. The mixer consists of a small number of elements, so it breaks less often. When a cleaning filter is installed on the mixer, the device can operate for over ten years. Mixers made from high-quality material have this property.
Attention! Faucets made of fragile silumin are inexpensive, but these devices will not last long.
A single lever faucet is easy to repair for anyone new to plumbing. As a rule, repairs consist of replacing the cartridge or ball. This depends on the type of device.
Design of mechanisms with a ball valve
Modern plumbing fixtures, namely ball mixers, like their valve relatives, despite their advanced technology, sometimes fail. There is nothing unusual about this. They are made from the same materials. It's the same metal, the same rubber and plastic. Parts are subject to wear during use. Repairing a ball mixer is not difficult. But in order for everything to work out, you need to understand the device and be able to remove it, if necessary.
So, the device consists of several elements. This is a rotary handle, or rather a lever. There is also a rod, and its seal is adjusted using the included washer and nut. There is a valve body and a nut. The body contains a ball cartridge along with a rod.
This cartridge is a solid, non-separable element. It has three holes. They are designed for cold, hot water, as well as mixed water of the required temperature and pressure.
What it looks like in reality
Now let’s really disassemble the cartridge and take a closer look at how everything works there. Here is a section with a handle to better understand the details:
They entered, they mixed, they left
Here is the bottom of a FLUHS cartridge.
Apparently, cold and hot water enters through 2 oval holes with blue gaskets, and comes out through a round hole with a red gasket.
Remove the bottom
Yes, this cartridge has gaskets that are different from those we looked at on the 3D model; here there are three of them, and they are “through” ones. For example, here is a photo of a “complex-shaped” gasket:
Removing the body...
This is what a “naked” cartridge looks like, without a body or bottom.
Ceramic couple (top view)
The white plate has 2 holes for inlet and 1 for outlet, and the black plate has a chamber for mixing water.
Working in pairs
If you turn the plates over, you can see how the mixing unit works.
By the way
Why doesn't water pass between the two plates, because there are no gaskets there?
Correct, because the ceramics are polished and impregnated with high-temperature lubricant, which allows the plates not to wear out for a long time and “stick” to each other very tightly, ensuring tightness and ease of movement (the most high-tech samples have a deeply porous structure).
How is it attached?
The sleeve connects to the driver, and the driver connects to the plate.
Not a filter!
What do we have here?
Metal mesh in a movable ceramic plate. It is often mistaken for a filter, but it is not. The mesh is located along the water flow, it does not filter anything and cannot become clogged so that the water does not flow or the pressure noticeably decreases.
This is a noise suppressor. Instead of a mesh, it may also contain plastic pins, plates, etc. Due to the fact that there is a lot of air in the water, bubbles form on the sharp edges of the ceramic plates, the so-called. cavitation. It causes noise and premature failure of locking elements.
(See also the article “Why is the mixer noisy”
.)
All the way
So that the mixer handle does not rotate around itself 360°, but has a limited rotation angle, stops are made in the body, and on the sleeve there is a protrusion that rests against them.
Typical faults
With careful use, without applying any special effort to the device, the product can serve without breakdowns for a long time. However, more often these cranes are operated differently and fail.
Typical malfunctions include a leak when the lever is in a locked position, or low pressure when the pressure in the water supply is normal. Regulations are also often violated. It is impossible to adjust the water to the desired temperature, since mixing is carried out chaotically. Before repairing ball bathroom faucets, you need to determine the cause of the problem.
Operating principle of a ceramic crane axle:
When the handle is turned, the rod rotates the upper ceramic plate through the turn signal. Moreover, if the holes in the upper and lower plates coincide, then the water, passing through these holes, rises higher and exits through the holes in housing 1(2) into the mixing chamber, and from there into the mixer spout. When the holes of the lower plate are blocked by the body of the upper plate, there is nowhere for water to flow - the valve is closed.
If the ceramic faucet axlebox begins to leak and it is not possible to fix the problem using the methods described in the section: “Crane axlebox design”, then it is easier and faster to buy a new faucet axlebox and replace it than to look for a repair kit for a ceramic faucet axlebox.
Types of breakdowns
The ball cartridge is fixed in the housing using rubber seats. There is free space between these elements. If it becomes clogged, it will cause a malfunction. Even a small speck is enough to break the seal. As a result, the rubber seat becomes deformed. The ball mount fails.
Also, one of the most common troubles is a blockage in the shutter. In this case, you can even do without repairs, and the problem can be solved with simple cleaning. But to do this you will have to disassemble the tap. But after assembly, everything will fall into place again and the device will work like new.
Often, all breakdowns occur due to water flowing in the pipes. She's very tough. It does not depend at all on what type of mixer is installed. In order not to change plumbing fixtures frequently, experts recommend installing filter elements. Another nuisance is water that flows from under the rotary handle. Here it is enough to tighten the connection.
Price for kitchen faucets
Installing it yourself allows you to save a lot, since a reliable, high-quality device is quite expensive. The cost is directly affected by the following indicators:
- the material from which it is made
- quality of components
- company manufacturer
- design characteristics
- design decoration
- mechanism of action
If water is leaking from underneath the faucet base
This malfunction can be eliminated by replacing the seals. Before you start repairing ball mixers with your own hands, you first need to turn off the water. Then the mixer is dismantled and disconnected. Also unscrew the fixing nut.
A worn gasket must be replaced with the same one, only a new one. If it is selected correctly, then you will need to apply a little force to install it.
Repair features
So, let's look at what needs to be done if repairs are unavoidable. Repairing the device is quite simple - any home craftsman can handle it. For work you will need a standard set of tools:
- Adjustable wrench.
- Hexagons.
- Screwdriver or thin knitting needle.
- Flashlight.
First of all, turn off the water. Next, dismantling is carried out. There is a plug on the device body. She is also being removed. Under this plug there is a hole through which you can access the screw that holds the lever in place. This screw should be unscrewed. Now you can remove the lever. If the device has been standing for a long time and the ball mixer has not been disassembled, some effort may be required.
Now there is access to the dome part of the product and plastic eccentrics. These parts are also removed. The cartridge will be installed under them. All dirt must be carefully removed. Next, the mixer switch is removed from the housing. It should be carefully examined from all sides. If there is damage, the cartridge must be replaced.
Next, check the rubber sealing elements. If their elasticity is reduced or lost, then the parts are replaced with new ones. The seals on which the switch is installed are also replaced (for prevention).
Next, it remains to install all the parts in place and assemble the structure in the reverse order. After this, the product should work normally again. But there can also be a leak under the tap. In this case, it is removed and the seals under the drain are replaced.
How to choose a kitchen faucet
It is difficult to imagine that the faucet should be installed separately from the sink, so when choosing a faucet you simply need to take into account its different parameters:
- bowl dimensions
- distance from wall to mounting hole
- specific features of the drain and its location
A long faucet is more practical; the center of the faucet spout should coincide with the center of the sink. The optimal spout length is determined as follows: the width of the bowl must be divided in half. This will be the right point.
A mixer that is too high will cause a lot of splashing.
The angle of rotation of the crane is also important. If the sink is located near a wall, an angle of 90 degrees is sufficient. If the sink consists of two bowls, it is better to choose a product with a large angle - from 180 to 360 degrees.
Shower switch repair
This malfunction occurs quite often. When you try to turn on the water from the spout into the shower hose, the lever switches independently. Liquid flows from the spout and cannot be supplied to the shower. To find the reasons, unscrew the union nut and dismantle the hose. Then remove the top gasket. You may need to pry it up with a thin knitting needle. The gasket is replaced with a new one. The mixer is assembled and checked.
If the device still does not work, then turn off the water again and remove the shower hose. Then remove the adapter, spout and lever. Now remove the eccentric and spool. Next, access to the lower gasket ring opens. It should be replaced. Next, the device is assembled and tested. Before you go to the store for supplies, you should see if you have these gaskets at home. Often several seals are included with the device. If you still don’t have the materials, you can make them yourself. Hard rubber 3-4 millimeters thick is suitable.
The design of a bathtub mixer with a shower: main problems and their elimination
Installation of a bathtub faucet with a shower
The bathroom has a lot of plumbing fixtures of various types, these include faucets. The number of taps may vary depending on the filling of the room with different appliances. It is necessary to know the structure of the faucet in a bathroom with a shower so that, if necessary, it can be easily repaired. You can fix problems yourself.
A faucet is a device for regulating the strength of the water supply and the temperature in the bathroom or kitchen.
Faucets are installed on any plumbing: in the sink, in the shower, and in the bathroom. Faucets can break, sometimes they can be repaired, and sometimes the entire assembly needs to be replaced.
