Ball valves are installed on heating or water supply pipes to supply/shut off water. Manual and motorized ball valves are widely used in various industrial installations, street water supply systems and irrigation systems. In everyday life, such structures regulate the water pressure in kitchen and bathroom faucets.
Based on their design features, there are two types of ball valves: all-welded and collapsible. The first, as you might guess, cannot be repaired and, in the event of a malfunction, are completely replaced. Problems with collapsible structures can be eliminated by knowing the structure of the case, the operating features of the mechanism and the sequence of its disassembly.
Let's consider the principle of operation, design and repair of a ball valve in more detail.
Tools and materials for replacement
- adjustable (gas, pipe) wrench;
- fluoroplastic sealant (FUM) in the form of a tape or in liquid form;
- flax - as an alternative to FUM;
- sealing paste – optional;
- hand die and die - for cutting threads (if needed).
The set of tools and materials is minimal, which indirectly confirms the ease of replacement. Although the relatively simple installation is still preceded by careful consideration of everyday nuances.
Replacing a ball valve begins with preparation
Since the installation point has already been determined (instead of the old model), clear yourself a place to work. During installation, access to the pipeline and fittings must be free. If the faucet handle is larger in size than the previous one, check how convenient it is to use and whether it will rest against the wall when turning.
The key stage of preparation is turning off the water supply. You can change the tap only when the riser is completely closed. Therefore, arrange a shutdown with the water company, and warn your neighbors in advance (if you live in an apartment building).
After shutting off the riser, drain the water from the piping system. Yes, some part of it will still remain. To prevent water drips from interfering with your work, prepare in advance a bucket (or some other container) for additional drainage and a rag for wiping.
Replacement of the ball valve is completed by installation
Correct installation is carried out in stages:
- Carry out a test screw - on the thread without a seal, up to 4-5 turns.
- If the tap is easy to install, remove it and tightly wind the selected FUM tape (optionally, flax) to seal the joint. If the reinforcement does not screw on, take a die and run it along the thread. After this, repeat the previous steps until you can complete the installation without difficulty.
- Screw the tap on again, but this time onto the thread with the seal - the same 4-5 turns.
- If during installation the new reinforcement dangles or moves too easily, remove it and add more flax (or FUM tape, depending on what you chose). It is important to achieve a tight installation.
- If the free end of the fitting has an open thread, wrap it with sealant and attach the flange of the water supply pipe to it. By analogy, the wrapping should also be tight.
As soon as you assemble the communication line with the new part, turn on the water, but first only for testing. Check for leaks. If moisture does not run or collect at the joints, you can completely restore the water supply.
Description of the problem
Ball-type valves are improved in design compared to the valve type, but they can also fail.
- The appearance of scale on the ball element, as a result of which the fluoroplastic seals wear out;
- Breakage of the rod that turns the mechanism;
- Damage to internal parts;
- Ball valve wear.
This may occur due to poor quality of metal and parts, as a result of the manufacturer’s savings on materials, unclean water in the system, etc.
Sometimes a plumbing product breaks down at an unpredictable moment, then you need to choose the right method for repairing pressure taps.
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Useful tips for replacing a faucet
- Connections with pipes with a diameter of less than 2 inches can be sealed using liquid FUM.
- Screw the tap in the same direction in which you wound the tape - this will promote tight installation.
- For better sealing of the joint, flax can be combined with a special sealing paste.
- Install a stuffed ball valve - it can be repaired if a leak occurs.
- Screw the fittings tightly, but not too tightly - if you overdo it, the threads will burst.
- Make sure that the arrows on the markings of the installed part are located in the direction of water movement, otherwise you will get confused when opening/closing it.
- After installation, look again at how freely the handle moves and whether there are any obstacles to its rotation. If there is interference, it is better to reinstall the fittings at another point in the pipeline.
Knowing how to change a ball valve, and taking into account all the tips given above, it is not a problem to ensure the most correct, and therefore reliable, installation.
Types of cartridges for faucets
Cartridges are classified according to their design and operating principle. There are the following types of devices:
- Ball. Equipped with a ball with one or two holes. During operation, this locking mechanism controls the water pressure and temperature. When the lever moves, the ball closes one or both holes from the cold and hot water pipes, due to which mixing occurs;
This is what ball cartridges look like - Disk. They operate similarly to ball ones, but here a special disk is installed instead of a ball. If ball mixers can be installed exclusively in single-lever mixers, then disk mixers are also suitable for two-valve options.
Operating principle of a disk cartridge
According to the material used they are:
- Metal;
- Ceramic.
Ceramic cartridge for GROHE faucet
According to the principle of operation, as stated above, cartridges are divided into two types:
- For single lever taps;
Typical cartridge of single lever faucets - For thermostats;
- Shower cabin (double lever).
Shower faucet cartridges
Each type has its own design features. For example, the number of holes for pipes and the shape of the linings for installation in the grooves.
Ceramic faucet cartridge
The design of a ceramic faucet cartridge is a simple design, where the main parts are two plates. They fit tightly to each other, due to which the pressure and temperature of the water are controlled.
Ceramic faucet cartridge
Some of the most famous models are Hansgrohe and Grohe. Can be used for kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks and showers. This locking device requires regular lubrication due to the constant friction of the ceramic plates. If there is a leak, it cannot be repaired; if it breaks, it will need to be replaced.
Cartridge for shower faucet
The cartridge for a shower faucet is also called a diverter. It is designed not only for 3 water mixing positions, like standard parts, but for 4 positions or more. The quantity depends on the connected devices (for example, if a hydrobox is used, the diverter operates in 5 positions).
Shower faucet cartridge
To switch positions, a brass rod with plates is used, which rotates 360 degrees around its axis. This angle allows you to combine several mixing modes - up to 6 lever positions.
Cartridge for single lever faucet
The cartridge for a single-lever mixer (GOST 25809-96) or a one-handed faucet is the most common locking device. Its operation is ensured by a lever that can rotate in different directions to change the position of the cartridge locking device. It comes in ball and disk types.
Single lever faucet cartridge
It used to be used exclusively in bathroom sinks, but is now also used for kitchen plumbing outlets and shower stalls.
Cartridge for ball mixer
The cartridge for a ball mixer is a fairly simple design, where at the bottom of the device there are several holes of different diameters. There can be 2 identical ones and 3, where one of them is larger.
The water is mixed here by changing the position of the stop ball. It can close all the holes at the same time or only half of them, changing the water pressure.
Thermostatic cartridge for faucet
The thermostatic cartridge is used for faucets equipped with a thermostat. On one side of such a faucet there is a special temperature scale where you can select the desired parameters. The thermostatic lock is constantly in a given position, maintaining temperature and pressure at a certain level.
Cartridge for thermostatic mixer
This device is often used in public places, such as washbasins or bidets.
