WHY IS YOUR TAP LEAKING?
In everyday life, leaking taps can be a severe problem. Not only do they make a bothersome noise, but they can also waste up to 3 gallons of water every day if they leak. One day, you’ll notice that your water bills are increasing and that the services you’re paying for are simply draining away. Repairs may be costly upfront, but they will save you money in the long run. You can fix the dripping tap yourself if you have any handyman skills. This article is for those of you who want to take care of this maintenance problem on your own.
REASON WHY THAT CAUSED YOUR TAP LEAKING
To figure out the reason why the tap is leaking, you need to know the characteristics of the valve in question. The first has two handles, one for hot and one for cold water. The latter has only one handle that you spin to the right or left to change the temperature of the water.
1. Parts that have been damaged. Faucets are made up of several pieces that can corrode when they come into contact with water or just wear out over time. It could be an issue with the adjustment ring or the packing nut if your faucet is dripping at the base.
2. Worn seals The mixer taps use a cartridge to combine hot and cold water. The area between the cartridge and the other sections of the mixer is sealed with an O-ring (rubber). The faucet may leak from its base if this seal becomes damaged. The valve must then be disassembled and the seal
replaced. It’s also possible that the issue is with the faucet spigot, which has a seal. Its deterioration may prevent it from entirely retaining water in the closed phase, resulting in a leak.
3. Aging of the handle mechanism A washer is forced against the base of a faucet handle when it is turned. When done on a regular basis, this motion wears down the mechanism, resulting in a leak at the tap’s spout. The most common cause of the well-known dripping tap is this wear.
SOLUTION TO LEAKING TAP IS REPAIRING
The most common plumbing problem in the home is dripping taps and faucets. Ignoring them will result in future difficulties and a significant loss of water. Fortunately, if you have the correct tools, the repair is simple. Before starting the repair… To avoid hurting the counter or the sink with your equipment, place a rag on it. To prevent a screw or nut from dropping into the drain pipe, close the plug. Check the size, thickness, and type (solid or drilled) of the worn flapper seal after it has been disassembled to confirm you are ordering a similar model. The water supply should be turned off. Cut off the water flow from the mainline to avoid any future messes. Remove the knobs from the cabinet. Remove the decorative components from the
knobs with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the stem from the plant. Unscrew and remove the faucet handle from the stem using some lubrication. Remove the stem by loosening the packing nut with the wrench. Some stems pop out, while others must be twisted away from the valve, depending on the type of faucet. Examine the area for any damage. Replace the part if it is damaged. Inspect the O-ring and washer if there isn’t one. Leakage can also be caused by loose or damaged washers and O-rings, so replace them with new ones. Make certain they are a perfect fit. Reassemble and test all of the components. Check to see if the tap is working properly once everything is in place.
1. Disassemble the faucet handle. To access and replace damaged seals, first remove the faucet handles, often known as “crosses.” Using slip-joint pliers, unscrew the handle cover. A red or blue colored dot appears on the cover of some models (indicating whether it is hot or cold water). Then, within the handle, unscrew the fixing screw. Pull the handle along its tilt axis to remove it.
2. Remove the faucet head. Unscrew the nut from the faucet head with the wrench. If you can’t get the nut to open, treat it with penetrating oil and wait a few minutes for it to work. Finish unscrewing the faucet head by hand; a trickle of water should come out of the faucet after the head is removed.
3. Check the condition of the valve seal seat and lap it if necessary. The seat is the surface on which the flapper seal rests to prevent the flow of water. This part of the faucet may be damaged, worn, or scaled. In such a case, replacing the valve seal is not enough; it is necessary to rectify the seat, that is to say, to lap it. A lap has a handle, a threaded sleeve with one or more threads, and a set of cutters of different sizes. Use it as follows:
- Check the condition of the seat, first by examining it and then by touching it with a finger.
- Place a cutter of the same diameter as the valve seal on the lap.
- Select the thread pitch corresponding to the size of the head, then screw the lap into the location of the handle. Do not force.
- Push, then turn the honing wheel for two or three turns. Then recheck the condition of the seat.
- Remove debris, if any.
4. Remove the worn seal. Pry up the clapper seal with a screwdriver or blunt knife and pull. Unscrew the screw that holds the gasket in place if it has been punctured.o Check the condition of the valve head’s O-ring as well. Take advantage of the opportunity to replace it if it is also damaged.
5. Replace the damaged seal. Using a soft brush or a cloth, clean the head of the faucet where the valve seal was. To avoid harming the replacement valve, insert it with your fingers.
6. Screw the faucet head back on. Apply silicone oil or Teflon tape to the threads if necessary to make reassembly of the faucet head easier. Ensure that the faucet head is turned to the open position. Hand-screw the faucet head back on. Hold the faucet body and use a wrench to loosen the nut (moderately).
7. Raise the faucet handle. Replace the handle in its housing and retighten the nut to secure it. Replace the handle cover or the colored dot, depending on the faucet model.
8. Check the tightness of the installation, Open the water supply. Run the water to see if the installation is well sealed. If there is a leak, remove the handles again and tighten the faucet head. If the leak persists, disassemble the valve head and reassemble it after adding silicone grease to the valve seal and threads.
YOU’LL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT.
- A cross-headed screwdriver,
- An adjustable spanner,
- A replacement cartridge,
- And lubricant