Replacing a cartridge in a faucet mixer: what is useful for the owner to know? Subtleties of replacing a cartridge in a faucet How to remove a cartridge from a faucet in a bathroom

October 25, 2016
Specialization: master of internal and exterior decoration(plaster, putty, tiles, drywall, lining, laminate and so on). In addition, plumbing, heating, electrical, conventional cladding and balcony extensions. That is, renovations in an apartment or house were done on a turnkey basis with all necessary types works

Single-lever mixers are now much more common than valve mixers - they are more compact and, in my opinion, more convenient. Although in terms of service life I don’t see much difference.

The main difference between such cranes is not only in appearance, but in shut-off valves. That is, if under each valve there is a valve axle box, then under the lever there is a cartridge that regulates the flow of hot and cold water.

Do you want to figure out how you can repair a single-lever mixer yourself by replacing the cartridge?

Cartridge faucet repair

Note. Single-lever mixers may differ slightly in design, but, nevertheless, they all disassemble and work on the same principle.

Principle of operation

Below I will describe how the design works:

• when you remove the cartridge, you see three holes there: two of them are on the same line, this is the inlet of hot and cold water, and the third, separate from them, is the outlet after mixing;
• if you remove the blue (white, yellow) cap from the cartridge, you will see something like the one in the top schematic image, where there are two adjustment plates on the holes;
• the plate that is located above the inputs (highlighted in brown in the diagram), that is, above the hot and cold water channels, has a slot that coincides with the channels. And if you turn the lever left and right, the slot also moves along the plane. It turns out that when shifted in any direction, one of the holes closes partially or completely, regulating the hot and cold flow;
• another plate above the outlet (blue-gray) moves when the lever is raised and lowered, adjusting the intensity of the flow at the outlet.

Replacing the cartridge

Note. I want to draw your attention to the fact that replacement is only needed in cases where you cannot completely turn off the water, and the spout is constantly dripping or even trickling. In cases where leakage is observed at the connections, it is necessary to change the gasket or tighten the assembly more tightly.

Under the lever there is a hole through which you can use a screwdriver to reach the screw that secures this very lever. To do this, remove the plug (it’s most convenient to do this with a knife with a thick blade or a negative screwdriver) and open access to the screw.

The head of the screw can be either with a minus or with a cross - at different models in different ways, so you can use a flashlight to select the screwdriver.

Unscrew the screw until you can remove the lever from the rod by pulling it up (it is not necessary to unscrew it completely). Now you need to remove the decorative body and some models also have a nut above it, but here we did without it.

The housing can be unscrewed by hand - it is usually not pressed tightly, but if the leakage continues for a long time, it may boil. In this case, use a gas wrench, but be sure to place some kind of rag under it so as not to scratch the surface.

These regulators come in different numbers that correspond to the diameter of the device, and they can be from 35 mm to 40 mm. But these numbers cannot always be distinguished, so it is best to take the old part with you to the store and show it to the seller - he will select the right diameter for you.

Pay attention to the top photos: on the left you see a seat on which there are two grooves, and on the right, on the cartridge, there are two protrusions that fit into these grooves during installation. Elements are indicated by green arrows.

Install the new cartridge into the seat: insert the tabs into the grooves so that it locks into place. To check, try turning it left and right - it should not move.

After this, you tighten the decorative housing, and if there is a nut, then this housing is simply put on and pressed with this nut. Place the lever in place and tighten it with a screw, then insert the decorative plug.

After repair, check the mixer - the power of the water jet should be no less than that of other taps. If so, then everything went well for you.

If you notice a leak after the work has been done, it means the cartridge was installed incorrectly. In this case, remove the lever and decorative body again and check whether the projections fit into the grooves clearly, and whether there is any debris that prevents a tight fit.

Among the manufacturers, I would highlight the following brands:

• Hansgrohe;
• Vidima;
• Oras;
• Grohe.

Their shortest service life is 5 years, which is quite impressive for a mixer. If we talk about cost, the cheapest of them is Vidima.

But they say about Hansgrohe that it saves water, but I would not recommend believing this. To save water, adapters are installed on the spout - they spray water and, when pressed, create the effect of a powerful jet, but the consumption is reduced.

Conclusion

When replacing a cartridge or other faucet repairs, first of all turn off the water! Moreover, this must be done not only at the general supply, but also at the outlet of the boiler, since there is also pressure there.

If you still have questions, feel free to ask them in the comments to the article or on the forum!

October 25, 2016

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Every supermarket has a plumbing department that sells faucets and related kitchen and bath fittings. Particular attention is drawn to lever mixers, diverse in shape and elegance of execution. Under the sparkling surfaces of the external parts of the mixer, there are internal ones that carry the main functional load.

A little history

The ancient Greek mathematician and mechanic Heron invented a mixer that looks completely different from modern taps, but differs little from them in terms of functionality. The ancient Roman story about mixer taps says that the taps of Roman inventors repeated the principles of Heron in action, but were more comfortable. In the Middle Ages, taps were out of the question, personal hygiene was low, which is why the spread of epidemics led to millions of victims in Europe. Then we had to remember about sanitation, water and, of course, taps.

Since taps for supplying water for personal needs were available only to wealthy people, the main attention in manufacturing was paid to their appearance. At the end of the 18th century, the Englishman Joseph Bram created a new mixer consisting of 3 taps: the first one supplied hot water, the second – cold, the third – mixed. Such taps survived until the beginning of the twentieth century, when William Thomson improved Brahm's ideas into a two-valve tap.

In the recent past, most mixers were controlled by axle-box cranes. Although they have not disappeared, and are often revived in a luxurious retro style, still in mass consumption Lever mixers have firmly taken their place, easy to operate and quickly change supply modes and water temperature. The main element that carries the main functional load is the cartridge that mixes and supplies water. It is controlled by light movements of the lever, which ensures the desired temperature and water supply.

Peculiarities

The features of the cartridges are related to their design, this is especially noticeable in the water mixing mechanism. In a ball cartridge, the movement of water is determined by a hollow metal ball with a regular rounded surface and several holes. The coincidence of the ball holes with the holes in the cartridge socket allows water to exit at different temperatures. The device is original, but a harmful coating quickly forms on the surface of the ball. This and other shortcomings have caused a reduction in their use and production.

In a single-lever mixer with a plate cartridge, the control element is a movable cermet plate with holes, which fits tightly onto another plate fixed to the bottom of the cartridge. When you turn the lever up or down, the water supply is adjusted using the plates; when you turn the lever left or right, the plates open access to hot or cold water. It is not recommended to disassemble cartridges, and if repairs are necessary, you just need to replace the faulty cartridge with a new one.

Kinds

Apart from the single-lever cartridge, no other types have yet been created for modern faucets. The cartridge system can be ball, plate, with ceramic or plastic elements. In a single-lever mixer, the elements may be similar, but differ in the size of the seats. Mixers may also differ depending on the place of use. If for a simple water mixer tap the length and shape of the lever do not matter, then when installing a lever shower mixer these data can affect the state of comfort. This is especially true for the size of a budget shower cabin.

How to replace it yourself?

Of course, the ceramic plates of the cartridge last much longer, but they can also be the reason bad work mixer, or even its complete failure. It is impossible to repair cartridges - you need to know how to change them.

There are several external manifestations of a cartridge malfunction:

• there is no mixing of hot and cold water: only one of them comes out;
• there is no water supply at all in any position of the tap lever;
• the outlet water temperature is not fixed and changes frequently;
• the tap does not provide a full supply of water;
• after opening the tap, the water from the mixer cannot be turned off;
• Water constantly leaks from under the lever;
• The lever can only be turned with considerable force.

The operation and condition of the mixer are largely affected by insoluble particles of rust, lime, sand and other impurities in the water. The use of various water purification filters extends the life of the reliable operation of the cartridge, and therefore the mixer as a whole.

The cartridge faucet not only wears out, but sometimes breaks due to a number of reasons:

• low-quality materials were used in production;
• frequent sharp or shock impacts on the mixer lever;
• water hammer in the system;
• poor water quality;
• bad filters or lack thereof.

It does not always happen that a cartridge will work flawlessly for the 10 years it is supposed to. Our plumbing systems are worn out, accidents are occurring more and more often, water quality is deteriorating - all this reduces the life of plumbing parts and components. Statistics show that cartridges do not perform their functions and must be replaced every 5-6 years.

As you can see, you can’t count on the eternal operation of water mixing and supply devices, especially cartridges, and the time will come when the old cartridge will have to be taken out and replaced with a new one. You can invite experienced plumbers for repairs, but if you have the necessary skills and desire, you can carry out this work yourself.

When replacing a cartridge, you will need the following set of tools:

• screwdrivers for different sizes;
• adjustable wrench;
• pipe wrench;
• pliers;

• hex wrench (small, for the locking screw);
• clean rags;
• WD-40 liquid.

The purchased new cartridge may not fit in the seats and sizes, so the best option It would be nice to bring the removed old unit to the store and use it to buy a new one. The condition for such an exchange should be the presence of other working sources of water that compensate for the absence of the cartridge to be replaced. Dismantling a faulty cartridge is done without much difficulty - you just need to take a few simple steps yourself.

There is no need for haste and no great physical effort: faucets are rather fragile products that can easily break.

You should begin work by removing the plastic decorative plug (blue/red) by simply prying it off with a flat-head screwdriver. In the depth of the opened hole there is a small locking screw. You need to make sure what kind of head it has and prepare the appropriate screwdriver or hex key. There is no need to turn the screw out completely - just loosen it a little. Then lift up and remove the mixer lever. If there is any difficulty, spray with WD-40 or hot water. The heat will cause the metal to expand and the lever will come off. Manually unscrew the spherical nut. There may also be jams here, so you can use liquid or hot water again. It is necessary to remove the part carefully, without using much physical effort: the nut is fragile and can break. Next, using an adjustable wrench or a suitable tool, unscrew the clamping nut and remove the cartridge from its socket.

We clean the place where the cartridge sits from deposits, dirt, rust, and sand. The cleaning operation must be approached seriously and carefully: if even small particles remain, the cartridge will not fit tightly into place even if the seat marks match. After this, we install the purchased new cartridge into a carefully prepared seat. Once again, check the alignment of the protrusions on the cartridge with the recesses in the mixer socket and, after seating, tighten the clamping nut quite tightly, but without much effort. Next, hand-screw the spherical nut, place the lever on the cartridge shank and loosely tighten the locking screw.

Turn on the water and check operation in all modes. If a leak occurs, we disassemble the unit in a known order and eliminate the malfunction. Now the locking screw can be screwed in more tightly and the technological hole can be closed with a decorative plastic plug (blue/red). Cartridges are replaced in a similar way at any location where mixers are installed: these units are almost identical in design and principles of installation and dismantling. The differences between mixers are mainly in their external design.

It’s another matter when the mixer is of a more complex design: with temperature controller, motion sensor or sensors. It is better to entrust the work of replacing parts in such devices to experienced specialists.

Manufacturers

The demand for good faucets is constantly high, so the number of their manufacturers is growing.

Competition has identified several brands that stand out for their quality, reliability, design, and longevity of trouble-free operation:

• Hansgrohe – traditionally high quality and subtle style from Germany;
• Jacob Delafon – represents renowned French sophistication and high quality standards;
• Ideal Standard is a well-known company with a wide selection of different mixers;

• Roca is a successful manufacturer of sanitary ware with a special style and reliability;
• Teka – modern mixers for different tastes;
• Vidima – attractive design and convenient price;

• Lemark is a popular brand from the Czech Republic with a long history;
• LKA – harmony of price and quality from Russia;
• Blanco Daras, Frap, Oras, Am-Pm.

When disassembling a faucet in a bathroom or kitchen, one of the parts is a cylinder with three holes and numerous plastic plates. This is a cartridge for the mixer, which is necessary to regulate the pressure and temperature of the water.

Changing the cartridge in a shower, bathtub or kitchen faucet yourself is not difficult. The whole process takes up to 30 minutes even for a beginner.

Let's look at how to replace a cartridge in a faucet with your own hands using the example of a Damixa single-lever shower faucet (this is almost a complete analogue of Grohe):

1. First, cold and hot water are shut off. This is necessary to prevent flooding;
2. Afterwards, the decorative plug is removed indicating the sides of the tap to turn to obtain water at a certain temperature. It is not attached to the mixer in any way, so to dismantle it you only need a screwdriver;
3. Underneath the plug is a screw that holds the ceramic faucet lever in place. You need to unscrew it and carefully remove the cover;

   This is what the hole under the decorative cap looks like

4. There is a decorative clamping nut under the handle. It is unscrewed by hand so as not to damage the threads and the outer surface. Under it there is a decorative ring and a standard nut (some models of Ukinox or Kaiser for the bathroom and Ledeme for the kitchen are not equipped with such a part).

   

5. The cartridge can now be removed and inspected. If cracks or other defects are found, it needs to be replaced.

The replacement cartridge must fully match the dimensions and materials of the part that is being changed. First of all, attention is paid to its shape and the location of the holes for the rod. For Blanco TALOS-S and Hansgrohe faucets, the shut-off devices may differ even depending on the faucet model.

Please note that some cartridge models are universal, but most can only be used in certain faucets. Therefore, if you need to change the cartridge, it is better to choose a model of exactly the same brand as it was (Aqualux, Vidima, Oras or Esko).

How to remove a cartridge

After the handle is unscrewed, you can remove the cartridge from the mixer with a slight movement of your hand upward and to the side. Another question is if the mixer lever cannot be removed for some reason.

To remove a stuck handle on a kitchen or bathroom faucet (using the Vidima model as an example), you need to:

The cartridge is installed in the reverse order of disassembly. Step-by-step instruction how to assemble the mixer:

Popular cartridge sizes

Naturally, the cartridge sizes are standardized for each mixer model. For washbasins, sinks and showers, the most common sizes are 28mm, 35mm and 32mm. At the same time, parts from 40 mm to 46 mm are most often used for the bathroom (in particular, in Grohe and Kaiser). But why is there such a difference in almost identical mixers?

It is believed that the larger the ceramic mixer for a single-lever faucet, the better it is. In fairness, it is worth noting that with Chinese taps (with the exception of FRAP), where the diameter of the spout is often larger than that of branded ones, this rule is actually followed. But for branded models (Fiore Rubinetterie, Iddis, Sedal and others), a large cartridge is not always synonymous with quality.

Technical characteristics (diameters) of different mixer cartridges

Let's consider specifications using the example of a cartridge with a Touch-Z brass rod:

• Diameter – 45 mm;
• Height with leg – from 60 mm to 65 mm;
• The height of the cartridge without the rod is 47 mm – 50 mm.

Similarly, based on the characteristics, you can choose a cartridge for a kitchen faucet. Let's take Potato as an example. The diameter of the swivel spout is important here - it is recommended to use sizes from 26 mm to 30 mm. To supply hoses, a hole from 38 mm to 40 is used, depending on the model.

The listed sizes are considered standard, but for many original faucets they will not fit because they are too large diameter. In such cases, non-standard components for 18 mm, 20 mm and 22 mm are used. Hose connections can also be made in holes from 25 mm to 26 mm or more.

Types of cartridges for faucets

Cartridges are classified according to their design and operating principle. There are the following types of devices:

According to the material used they are:

According to the principle of operation, as stated above, cartridges are divided into two types:

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.

The design of a ceramic faucet cartridge is 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– 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).

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.

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.

This device is often used in public places, such as wash basins or bidets.

Mixer cartridge repair

You can do cosmetic repairs to the faucet cartridge yourself. But, we immediately note that this only applies to breakdowns associated with clogging of the working surfaces or wear of the thrust rings. If the plates or balls are worn out, cracks appear, etc., then the device must be replaced. It will not be possible to repair it either professionally or independently.

What can you do when cosmetic repairs single lever mixer:

Video: disassembling the cartridge of a single-lever mixer

Basic faults

If the faucet leaks when it is turned off, this is a sure sign of a cartridge failure. The consequences of a malfunction can be anything, from flooding neighbors to astronomical utility bills.

If the faucet drips, it leaks from the spout in the closed position, or water leaks from the spout when switching to the “Rain” mode (in the shower), then you need to disassemble the faucet and replace the cartridge. The main reason for water leakage may be that locking mechanism the cartridge itself is worn out or cracked.

Dripping from the aerator due to a faulty mixer (photo is for illustrative purposes only)

Likewise, if a flag or two-valve faucet hums, creaks or turns hard. There could also be several reasons:

1. The cartridge is not the right size. The tap spout diameter is slightly smaller than the cartridge outlet or the stem is longer than required. As a result, the lever cannot rotate normally along its axis;
2. If the faucet makes a lot of noise, this is due to a sharp pressure drop in the system. Most often, to eliminate such a malfunction, it is enough to replace the sealing gasket in the crane axle box. It will be useful to check the condition of the seal every few months.

How to choose a faucet cartridge

To choose the right cartridge for a faucet, you need to pay attention to the main characteristics of the device. This:

Naturally, it is better to buy high-quality models from European manufacturers. Good feedback about Grohe, Kaiser and Blanco. But, if necessary, you can choose good Chinese options. These are Potato, Frap and others.

Behind last years modern construction markets and specialized stores are oversaturated various materials from abroad and products of a modern manufacturer. The same applies to plumbing fixtures. The prices and range of sanitary ware and faucets are varied. However, no matter what modern and durable plumbing fixture or faucet is, they require constant monitoring. Sooner or later, a moment will come when your faucet stops holding water and starts dripping, thereby causing you a lot of trouble. Don’t rush to immediately think about the question of how to disassemble a kitchen faucet. You may be able to easily replace it even without the help of a specialist.

In most cases, failure of ceramic cartridges is due to wear and tear on moving plastic parts. Because of this, the ceramic plates do not fit tightly to each other, as a result of which water begins to leak. In rare cases, the ceramic inserts themselves wear out.

More than one can be identified probable reasons breakdowns leading to replacement of the cartridge in the mixer:

• The water supply is interrupted (either cold or hot water comes in)
• One type of water does not turn on (when you turn on the tap, you cannot turn on certain water)
• The water temperature changes every time, despite the fact that the position of the lever remains unchanged.
• It is not possible to achieve complete shutoff of water or maximum pressure.
• Changing the position of the lever requires effort.

IN Lately Of all the faucets, consumers prefer single-lever faucets with a ceramic cartridge. The great demand for such mixers is due to the fact that they have a long service life and are easy to use, unlike traditional ones. This mixer has a long service life due to the fact that it contains metal parts, subject to constant friction, have been replaced with more durable ceramic ones. The convenience of a single-lever mixer is that there is no need to adjust the desired temperature, since the water is turned on and off using a lever.

The ceramic cartridge consists of two ground plates adjacent to each other. They are durable and do not corrode, but their surfaces can still be damaged by impurities contained in tap water. It is the quality of water that affects the durability of the mixer, since water is in constant movement, it destroys the surface water pipes and delivers rust and metal particles into the mixer system, which leads to breakdown. To purify water from impurities, it is recommended to install a filter in front of faucets of this kind.

If this is not done, the ceramic plates will fail much faster. Well, if you still start dripping water when the tap is closed, you will most likely have to replace the ceramic cartridge.

Video - repairing and replacing the cartridge in the mixer

Mixer disassembly process

When starting to repair the mixer cartridge, to prevent flooding, it is necessary to shut off the supply of cold and hot water. If you find that the valves in your apartment are not working properly, you will have to contact a plumber for help. If they work uninterruptedly, then repairs will not cause you any particular difficulties.

If you decide to repair the faucet cartridge yourself, then you need to do a series of simple sequential steps. The first thing to do is remove the plugs by prying them off with a screwdriver or knife. As a rule, the plug is red or blue, which indicates what kind of water supply is available at the tap. Under this plug there is a locking screw that secures the cartridge to the lever-handle. To unscrew this screw you will need a special screwdriver as this screw has a hex hole. It is possible that this screw will become slightly stuck or rusty and it will not be possible to unscrew it the first time. In this case, it is necessary to use WD-40 lubricant. You should apply it to this bolt, wait a while, after which it will unscrew without much effort. After unscrewing the screw, you need to remove the lever-handle from the mixer itself.

Next, you should find a ring that performs a protective function and can be easily removed by hand. Using a wrench, adjustable or gas, remove the clamping nut. All that will remain in front of you is the cartridge, which is no longer considered to be working properly and can be removed and simply thrown away. Next, your task is to clean the surfaces from salt and other contaminants. We install a new, pre-purchased cartridge in place of the faulty cartridge. Replacing the cartridge in the mixer is carried out in a special way: it is important that the holes on it and on the mixer seat match exactly. To make this task easier, special marks in the form of protrusions on the cartridge are designed. It also happens that you bought the wrong cartridge model or installed it incorrectly. In this case, water will flow into the cracks that appear and the mixer will leak.

After replacing the cartridge in the mixer, reassemble in the reverse order. After tightening the clamping nut, tighten the protective ring. Reinstall the faucet handle and tighten the screw using a wrench. And the final touch: put the plug in place. After you have repaired the cartridge in the faucet, you need to resume the water supply and make sure that you did everything correctly and your faucet is not leaking. We see that at first glance, replacing a cartridge in a mixer seems to be a rather complicated process. But in fact, even a novice master who previously had no idea how to do this can change it. Of course, in order for your plumbing fixture to look like new and work without problems, all repair operations must be carried out carefully, without damaging the decorative coating.

Most common cause Faucet malfunction in plumbing is a cartridge failure. You need to know how to change the cartridge in a bathroom faucet yourself and what types of this part exist. Of course, the easiest way is to call a specialist to do this work, but there are also cases when this is impossible or difficult.

The cartridge is the main part of the mixer, but at the same time it is its weakest point. The faucet stops working, begins to leak or makes noise - all these are signs that the main part needs to be replaced. In fact, replacing a cartridge in a faucet is not so difficult; you need to know its structure and have everything with you necessary tools

for work.

But first you need to figure out what type of cartridge you should buy, because even if you call a plumber to replace it, you often need to purchase the parts yourself. Therefore, you need to know the characteristics of the old cartridge, or even better, remove it and take it with you to the store as an example. This will definitely save you from possible mistakes and difficulties in choosing.

Types of cartridges

1. There are 2 main types of this part:
2. Disc with metal-ceramic elements.

Ball.

Both are used for the internal mechanism of a single lever faucet.

The ball cartridge also has a simple device. The main part in it is a ball with internal voids. It has 2 holes, which are located at the top and bottom. The water goes directly into the ball and mixes there. The ball itself is mounted on 2 rubber elements, the so-called “saddles”, each of them has its own holes for the passage of water.

The ball, under the influence of water pressure, fits tightly to the rubber elements, and water is supplied. The ball is activated by a lever; depending on the change in its positions, the cartridge begins to rotate and align with the holes in the “saddles”. In case of complete coincidence, the water flow goes strong, with a smaller combination, the water pressure is weak.

On faucets with 2 valves, as a rule, a disk-type cartridge made of ceramic is installed. It is believed that it is disk element is the most common, but this does not mean that the ball is less efficient in operation.

It’s just that most faucet mechanisms are made with a disk cartridge. It is worth saying that the service life and warranty periods for these parts are the same, but not all companies have a license to produce ball parts.

If we talk about the reasons for cartridge failure, the most important and common is the ingress of small debris, limescale and other elements from the water supply. That is why an integral part of the service life and quality of the cartridge is the installation of cleaning systems in the form of filters directly on the pipes.

Almost all modern taps are equipped with a basic filtration system, but, unfortunately, it does not always cope with hard water and other factors leading to clogging.

Replacing the cartridge

Before replacing the cartridge yourself, you need to make sure that the water supply, both hot and cold, is turned off. Any remaining water that may be in the pipes should also be drained.

To work you will need the following tools:

• screwdriver;
• hexagon;
• pliers;
• oil.

1. There is a special plug on the front of the faucet; it must be removed using a screwdriver, carefully prying it around the edges, trying not to damage its integrity.
2. Using a hexagon, unscrew the screw located at the base of the handle. Having removed it, you can begin to disassemble the mixer.
3. The cartridge itself is located directly under the lever, so the control mechanism must be removed from the mixer. Quite often, problems arise with removing the lever, as it can become stuck or tightly compressed. In order to remove it, you can use boiling water, pour it over the parts, and while the metal is in a state of heating, try to remove it.
4. The cartridge is held tightly in place by a special nut located on top of it. It is she who presses him tightly to the body and does not allow him to balance. You can remove it using pliers.
5. Next, you need to remove the old, faulty part and replace it with a new one. The main thing is that all the grooves match and the new cartridge fits correctly. It is necessary to carefully check whether all the parts of the mixer and the cartridge match, and only then proceed to attach it.
6. After seating the new part, attach it with a nut and tighten it tightly.
7. The faucet handle is installed in its original place, and the locking screw is carefully tightened. After this, the plug is put on.

In general, changing the cartridge is not so difficult, the main thing is to know how the faucet itself works and to have it on hand necessary details and tools.

It all depends on the mixer

There is a wide variety of different taps; each manufacturer has its own subtleties and nuances in creating plumbing fixtures. But it is the cartridges that differ little in their own way internal structure, their quality and service life are affected by the material from which they are made.

For the disc type, it is important that the strength of the discs is at a high level, which is why many famous brands They are trying to improve their quality through carbon-crystalline sputtering.

It allows you to improve the performance of the cartridge; its disks have higher strength and a specific, smooth surface. When choosing a mixer, you need to pay special attention to its design. Important role play methods of installation and fastening of the lever and handle. When purchasing a branded faucet, you should ask in advance where and how you can order replacement parts in case of need and whether parts from other companies can be suitable for repairing the faucet. Of course, it is better to purchase a faucet from a well-known brand or trademark

, since these manufacturers have proven themselves in the world market and have a high reputation.

Of course, the cost of such a product is quite high, but it is worth understanding that high-quality and durable plumbing fixtures can last for quite a long time without replacing parts or repairs, while economy-class faucets require, if not complete, then partial replacement almost every year or two. Often, plumbing manufacturers They produce different series of products, there are luxury goods, and there are also budget options. The main thing is that the manufacturer in both cases uses high-quality material and modern technology to produce your goods.

The most famous global brands in the plumbing market are rightfully considered to be German manufacturers, as well as Swiss, Bulgarian and Spanish.

1. Grohe.
2. Hansgrohe.
3. Axor.
4. Roca.
5. Iddis.
6. Gustavsberg.

Expensive products are usually equipped high level protective water filters and made of high quality material. So if you have to make repairs, it will be in the most extreme and rare cases.

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