Bathroom faucet repair - shower switch

Most of us are faced with an unpleasant phenomenon - a broken faucet in the bathroom. It is difficult to ignore such a problem, since water, without stopping, drips every minute. This is not only annoying, but also badly affects the wallet, because water consumption increases. Is it possible to repair the mixer in the bathroom? Shower switch can be repaired. How exactly - consider in our article.

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Switch types

Before proceeding with the repair, you need to determine the type of switch.

Zolotnikovye

Such switches were often used in Soviet times, but even now thin-walled valve-type mixers are produced with them. A characteristic feature is the presence of a plastic or metal handle located between the valves.

Cork

Such options are quite outdated, they are rarely used in production. In this case, the shift knob is placed in the middle, moreover, its length is longer than in the spool type.

The main detail of such a switch is a notch stopper. When it rotates, the cut-out and the water inlet and outlet openings are combined, so that the water enters the tap.

Important! In some modern faucets, the handle may look like in the case of a cork switch, but the core uses a slide valve.

Cartridge

Such switches are quite difficult to repair, since the search for new parts or a cartridge is almost impossible. If such a mixer breaks down - it is better to purchase a new one.

Exhaust / Push Button

Using these switches, hot and cold water is mixed. Usually they are located in a separate block. If you pull out the button, then water will pour out of the shower head, if you press, then water will pour out of the tap.

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We diagnose problems and repair the mixer

Before you fix the faucet in the bathroom (shower switch), you need to find out what exactly broke in it. First of all, there is a leakage of water, which can be several reasons, consisting in:

• Jamming buttons;
• Single lever mixer leaks;
• Poor water supply;
• Simultaneous supply of water to the shower head and faucet;
• Inner leak.

Important! Work during the repair of the mixer should be very accurate, the tool can only be used to tighten the nuts, the rest - only by hand.

O-rings

The greatest popularity is observed with push-button switches. But they differ in one drawback - rubber o-rings periodically become unusable.

You can clean and soften the old kit, or you can replace it with a new one:

1. The button is removed.
2. The whole device is untwisted, for which a wrench is used.
3. The stock is pulled out, old rings are removed, new ones are installed.
4. The mixer is assembled in the reverse order.

Important! With a little worn o-rings, they can be softened, for which you can use gasoline or a standard solvent. In this case, this will be the whole repair of the faucet in the bathroom and the shower switch. If the leak after such actions is eliminated - nothing more needs to be done.

Cartridge

Such a part is not repaired, but replaced with a new one. To buy it, the diameter and length of the stem must be measured. To replace the following actions are performed:

1. We remove a decorative cap.
2. Using a screwdriver or hexagon, unscrew the fixing screw.
3. Remove the lever.
4. We unscrew the nut with which the cartridge is fixed.
5. The old cartridge is replaced with a new one.
6. The mixer is going back.

Shower switch

Of course, you need to know how to disassemble the shower switch, since it often turns out to be a faulty spring.

Important! It cannot be repaired, only changed.

Work algorithm:

1. We carry out the dismantling of the spout and shower hose.
2. We take out the adapter.
3. We unscrew the plug, and then the fixing screw.
4. We get the stock and the old spring.
5. Install a new spring, assemble the mixer.

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Prevention

Despite the fact that repairing the faucet is not so difficult, it is better to make sure that the matter does not go to extremes.

Experts made a number of recommendations that should be heeded:

• The low quality of tap water has a bad effect on modern plumbing. It contains substances and mechanical impurities, due to which a premature end will occur even at the most expensive and high-quality mixer. Water quality must be taken care of by installing a filter suitable for you in terms of price and principle of operation.
• Do not allow solid particles from water to get on the plumbing elements. Classic rubber gaskets installed in conventional taps are better able to tolerate their effects than those installed on ceramic disks. They are immediately scratched. The solution to this problem is to install a mechanical cleaning filter.
• Too hard water also acts destructively. Carbonates in large quantities lead to spoilage of not only taps, but also coffee makers, electric kettles etc. To reduce the hardness of water, you should use a filter - softener.

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Stock footage

Thanks to all these tips, the mixer will last much longer. In order to do less repair of such plumbing, you should spend a little more money when buying and purchase a better model. Saving on plumbing should not be, because as a result, you can spend much more.