Taps need to be replaced periodically, since in the kitchen they work in a fairly harsh mode, exposed to water and detergents. Installing a new faucet can easily be done without the help of plumbers, who charge a lot of money for their services.

Replacement components - choose the right ones

The kitchen faucet is one of the most heavily used plumbing fixtures. For this reason, it often fails. Under the influence of water, the body of the described plumbing fixture loses its former attractiveness, corrosion processes begin on its surface, and the threads in the places where the cartridge and valve are attached are “eaten away.” Often faucets start leaking. In such situations, the kitchen faucet is repaired or completely replaced.

Installation of new equipment is carried out according to a simple scheme. Its first stage is the acquisition of consumables. To install a new faucet in the kitchen you need to prepare:

• a set of flexible hoses;
• open-end wrench (11 or 10);
• fluoroplastic (FUM) sealing tape;
• installation kit;
• tubular wrench;
• two plumbing connections;
• screwdriver, pliers.

In most cases, faucets are sold with metal braided hoses. The latter have a standard length of 30 cm. This is often not enough. And the quality of complete hoses is usually very low. It is recommended to immediately put them aside and purchase more reliable products, for example, corrugated stainless steel ones. When choosing flexible hoses, pay attention to the type of threaded connection and its cross-section. It is advisable to buy products with different lengths of fittings. Such hoses are easy to assemble, since the hex keys do not interfere with each other.

Do not buy hoses that are too long, or those that will be tight after installation. When closing and opening the mixer, they will vibrate and twitch. This will cause early wear of the hoses and the appearance of leaks.

PTFE tape is needed to seal threaded connections. It is used when an adapter or coupling is mounted on a water pipe. Instead of FUM tape, it is allowed to use modern sealing pastes, sold in plumbing stores, and time-tested flax tow. The installation kit usually includes three half washers (one horseshoe and two regular), rubber O-rings, a nut, and two (sometimes one) studs. If you purchase an inexpensive Chinese-made faucet, it is better to immediately purchase higher quality, thicker and more reliable linings. Throw away the seals included in the kit without regret. They break down very quickly.

Dismantling an old crane - tricks of the operation

Any craftsman can replace the faucet in the kitchen without resorting to the help of specialists. Such an operation consists of the following steps:

1. 1. Dismantling the old device.
2. 2. Assembling the connections and mixer.
3. 3. Installation of a new tap.
4. 4. Connecting the equipment to the water supply network.
5. 5. Checking the functionality of the mixer.

Before removing the old tap, turn off the water supply (tighten the valves on the collector or at the entrance to the apartment). Then you need to normalize the pressure in the water supply system. Just open the kitchen tap. Place a basin or other container under the sink, lay a rag in an even layer in the sink so that when performing work, the faucet elements do not damage it if it falls and do not fall into the drain hole.

Now you can begin dismantling the old faucet in the kitchen. Use an open-end wrench to disconnect the old flexible hoses. During this operation, water may flow out (that’s why we need a basin, which we placed under the sink in advance). Take a tubular wrench, use it to unscrew the nuts on the studs (there can only be one stud), and remove the half washer. Pull out the old faucet along with the hoses from the sink hole.

Let us say right away that sometimes it is not at all easy to carry out all the described procedures with your own hands. Often the tap is located in an inconvenient place, which does not allow free use of the tool. And you have to work in a very uncomfortable position (usually lying on your back). The biggest challenge comes when the sink is integrated into the kitchen cabinet. And most importantly, during long-term use, the elements of the mixer stick to each other and to the pipes and rust. In some cases, it is almost impossible to disconnect them.

In such situations, the tap should be replaced after dismantling the entire sink. The operation is simple and short. You will only need to disconnect the sink from the sewer (remove the siphon by unscrewing the special locking ring, or remove the corrugated flexible hose from the pipe). By spending a couple of extra minutes, you can safely dismantle the old faucet and then replace it in place.

Assembling a new device - anyone can do it!

Before replacing the faucet, you need to assemble it. This applies in particular to the two-valve mixers that are common today. The process is simple - the spout of the device must be inserted into its body until it comes into contact with the stop ring, and then carefully connect these parts to each other. The procedure is carried out without the use of any tools - manually. There is no need to over-tighten the spout and body.

The next step is to connect the mixer to flexible hoses. In some cases, the tap is connected to rigid connections. But it is better to entrust such work to professionals. Not every home craftsman can cope with it on his own. After connecting the flexible hoses, be sure to wrap their ends with FUM tape (a couple of turns is enough). But the tip does not need to be sealed. The gasket on the hose eliminates the possibility of leakage.

Next, insert (one by one) the liners into the holes of the faucet. You twist them by hand. When both connections are installed, additionally tighten the connections with a wrench (open-end) to 11 or 10. Here you need to not overdo it. If you do not tighten the connections, the seal will leak water. If tightened too tightly, the pads may crack. Proceed with extreme caution! All that remains is to install the pins into the holes that are on the mixer and thread both connections into the sealing ring. They must be stretched to the faucet body (to its base), and then fixed in a stationary state.

Mixer installation - install, fasten and check

We continue our master class on how to change an old faucet in the kitchen. Installation of a new device on a sink is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. 1. Push the ends of flexible hoses into the hole in the sink.
2. 2. Install the faucet. At this stage, you should ask someone in the household to hold the mixer.
3. 3. Pull the rubber pressure pad onto the liners from below (under the sink). Then fasten the metal washer (it is made in the shape of a horseshoe) and put the nut on the stud.
4. 4. The resulting connection is fixed with an open-end or tubular wrench. Important nuance! The nut is tightened tightly enough, but without applying excessive physical effort.

Now connect the water outlet pipes (hot, cold) to the flexible hoses. Don't confuse them. The outlet for hot water is always located at the top or on the right, and for cold water at the bottom or on the left. Useful advice. Equip the pipes with bends and install them on the last valves. Then, if necessary, you can always turn off the water supply to the sink and make simple repairs to the faucet or replace the faucet in the kitchen.

After connecting the tap to the water supply, be sure to check the correctness of the work performed. Open hot water first, then cold. Carefully check all connections for leaks. If there are any, you will have to change the seal. Most likely, you overdid it by tightening the eyeliners.

The kitchen faucet is one of the most intensively used plumbing equipment. Any, even the highest quality, device of this kind requires some maintenance over time - replacing a leaking cartridge or loose valve axle boxes. However, it also happens that the body itself becomes unusable from the kneader - from constant exposure to water, irreversible processes of surface erosion begin, the threads in the sockets for valves or cartridges are “eaten”, and the chrome coating is erased. And if the product is made of low-quality silumin, then complete destruction of the body with the appearance of cracks and breaking off fragments is quite possible.

It may not be such a fatal situation - the owners simply decided to update the interior of the kitchen, and this issue cannot be solved without installing new modern plumbing fixtures. was described in a special article on our portal. Now we will talk about how to change the faucet in the kitchen yourself, without calling a specialist.

This process , Although and very responsible, but still quite accessible to the average apartment owner.

What you need for work

To carry out work on replacing the mixer, you must immediately prepare the necessary components, accessories, tools, and consumables.

• We assume that the mixer has already been purchased. However, you definitely need to check whether the flexible hoses included in the kit are long enough. As a rule, those that come in the kit have only 300 mm, which may clearly not be enough. In addition, if the faucet is not “branded”, then the quality of these metal braided hoses usually leaves much to be desired, and they should be replaced immediately.

When choosing and purchasing such hoses, be sure to pay attention to the fact that the length of their fitting (otherwise it is often called a needle) should be different - this will make assembly easier, since the hexagons will not interfere with each other.

In addition, you need to choose the right type of threaded connection to the water pipe. This applies to both the diameter and the type of threaded part (“male” or “female”). Most often, of course, “female” hoses with a ½-inch nut are used - for direct connection in the corresponding pipe. Nevertheless, options are possible, for example, if a manifold comb or a ball valve with a “female” outlet is installed.

The hoses should not be placed under tension or tightness, but they should not be purchased with a very large margin of length. When pressure changes (opening and closing the tap), they will twitch and vibrate, and this causes rapid wear of the rubber tube located under the steel braid. It begins to wear out and may leak in the near future.

Schematic diagram of a flexible braided hose

More durable and reliable in this regard are corrugated stainless hoses.

They are, of course, more expensive, and they are somewhat more difficult to install. But such hoses have excellent rigidity - they will retain the bend given to them during installation.

Some craftsmen prefer to make do with flexible hoses, making the water supply to the mixer from a metal-plastic pipe. To do this, you need to purchase a set of fittings with fittings for metal plastic.

Such a line, of course, is also more difficult to implement than with flexible hoses, but once you have installed such pipes, you won’t have to worry about this section in the future.

Video: how to choose really high-quality hoses

• Tools for work you will need:

— Wrenches. It is guaranteed that you will need a 10 and 22 × 24 wrench. Very often, fastening nuts on studs require an 11 wrench. If the mixer is attached to the sink with a large diameter nut, then it is better to prepare an adjustable wrench.

— Screwdrivers with straight and figured tips.

- Pliers.

— In some cases, you cannot do without a gas key.

— If installation will be carried out on a new sink, which does not yet have a hole, or on a countertop, you will need an electric drill with appropriate bits (usually with a diameter of 35 mm).

— To work in low-light conditions, under the sink, you will most likely need a backlight - a flashlight.

• Materials you may need:

— Seals for threaded connections. They will be needed when there is a need to install a coupling, adapter on a water pipe, pack a fitting under metal plastic, etc. You should not trust fum tape - it is better to use ordinary flax tow and sealing paste (such as Unipak) - such a connection will be guaranteed against leakage.

— If the installation of the mixer will be carried out with temporary dismantling of the sink, then it is necessary to prepare silicone sealant and, of course, a syringe for ease of application.

— situations are possible when old “stuck” threaded connections cannot be disassembled. Can help in this case atomizing cylinder of universal lubricant “WD-40”.

Once everything is prepared, you can proceed to further actions.

Prices for popular faucet models

Faucets

Dismantling the old mixer and preparatory work

• Before starting work directly under the kitchen sink, it is necessary to: first of all, turn off the supply of both cold and hot water. To do this, the valves at the entrance to the apartment are closed, or, if this is provided for by the internal wiring system, the water supply from the collector to the kitchen is shut off. Sometimes taps are installed directly under the sink. Of course, theoretically it is possible to block only them. However, practice shows that when working in tight spaces, the possibility of accidentally opening a ball valve with an awkward movement of the hand or elbow cannot be ruled out. To prevent such a misunderstanding, it is better to completely shut off the water supply to the kitchen.
• After the valves are closed, you should open the tap on the mixer - this normalizes the pressure in the pipe. It is necessary to place a basin or other container of suitable dimensions under the area where the old hoses are connected. The hoses are twisted, allowing the remaining water in the pipes to escape.
• Now you need to remove the old one. This matter is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

— Firstly, working in an awkward position, in a very cramped space, lying on your back is very difficult, especially if the sink is embedded in a kitchen cabinet.

— Secondly, the “classic” location of the mixer is between the wall and the sink bowl. In such a narrow niche it is very difficult to use a wrench - there is simply no room for it to be placed and turned.

- Thirdly, almost certainly all the connections have rusted due to time and dampness, become “stuck” and will not easily give in.

In numerous Internet articles on replacing the faucet, this stage is sometimes described in passing, like “unscrew the pin with a screwdriver and pull out the faucet.” Experienced craftsmen know the value of such statements - with a very high degree of probability, these same studs will not yield to a screwdriver; rather, the rusted slot will be cut off. This means you will need a key, and the “convenience” of working with it in these conditions has already been discussed.

What's the solution? If it is possible to remove the sink (and this is possible in the vast majority of cases), then there is no need to hesitate - both the dismantling and subsequent installation of the mixer will be completed faster and with much better quality. It is better to spend a very small amount on purchasing sealant and carry out fairly simple steps to remove the sink and then install it in place - in the end you will still win.

• To dismantle the sink, of course, you will need to disconnect it from the sewer. You can remove the flexible corrugated hose from the sewer pipe, or, which is probably more convenient for further work, simply unscrew the retaining ring on the siphon and remove this “glass” from the drain pipe of the sink.
• Now, having sat comfortably, it will not be difficult to remove the used yours mixer. Depending on its design, either a large lock nut or studs are unscrewed. You may need to spray these assemblies with WD-40 to get them to yield. There are situations when this does not help - then you will have to take radical measures - cut them off with a hacksaw or a grinder. The main thing is not to damage the sink.

Sometimes you have to resort to cutting with a grinder when replacing an old type mixer installed on a rigid liner made of steel pipes.

It is extremely difficult to disassemble rusted or covered with several layers of paint. Therefore, it may be more profitable to simply cut off the higher threaded part. Next - by circumstances. If you manage to free a high-quality threaded pipe for further connection of a flexible hose, then the issue becomes simpler. If not, then, apparently, you will also have to cut the thread with a tool.

• In order not to put it off until later, it is necessary to immediately inspect the condition of the water pipes suitable for washing, in particular those threaded sections on which flexible hoses are planned to be screwed. In order for the hose gasket to fit tightly to the pipe cut, it must be smooth around the entire circumference, not have sharp or protruding edges, or geometry violations due to corrosive effects. If in doubt, it is better to “pack” a factory-made threaded extension in this place - this will guarantee a reliable connection to the hose.

It is advisable to “update” the threads on pipes by installing similar extensions

Installation is carried out on tow, the fibers of which are wound clockwise along the threads on the pipe, and then coated with sealing paste. The extension cord is tightened with an open-end or gas wrench until it stops.

• If you wish and have the funds, you can immediately install shut-off valves if they were not installed previously. This will allow you to subsequently carry out any repair work in the kitchen, for example, in the event of an emergency, without turning off the general home water supply network.
• If you plan to supply water with metal-plastic pipes, it makes sense to immediately “pack” transition fittings onto the steel pipes.
• If you intend to install a new faucet on an old sink, then you must thoroughly clean the area around the mounting hole from scale build-up, accumulated dirt, traces of rust, etc. This cleaning is carried out on both the front and bottom sides.
• If you plan to install a new sink, you must, of course, immediately try to purchase one that already has an installation hole. However, some models are not equipped with it, and appropriate measures will have to be taken.

If the sink is made of stainless steel, then a special tool is used for this, which cuts perfectly even holes in the metal up to 1 mm thick.

The diameter is selected based on the mixer model. So, if it is mounted on studs, then 28 or 32 mm will be enough. When attaching to a nut, the hole must have a diameter of 35 mm.

The process of cutting a hole is simple

It is easy to use - just drill a hole with a diameter of 8 mm in the intended location. The device is inserted with the cutting part from below, twisted with a bolt so that the cutting edges fit tightly to the metal. Then, turning the bolt with a wrench, ensure the rotation of the knives in a circle.

The situation is more complicated if the sink is ceramic. To cut the hole in this case, you will need a diamond crown. But even its presence in the home arsenal does not guarantee success - such a sink can easily be damaged if there is no experience in such work.

Advice - in both cases, it is better to turn to professionals. Usually, good plumbing salons will definitely tell you where and how this can be done, and in some cases such a service can even be provided on the spot.

If the mixer is installed on a countertop, then a hole is drilled in it. To do this, you can use an electric drill with a hole saw Ø 28 or 32 mm. Making the required hole with such a tool in a wood composite panel will not be difficult.

Installation of a new mixer

As has already been mentioned several times in the article, faucet models may differ in the way they are attached to the surface of the sink or countertop.

• The diagram shows a mixer that is mounted on threaded rods. The kit of such a product includes the studs themselves with brass nuts, a crescent-shaped clamp with holes for the studs and a rubber or polymer gasket of the same configuration.

There are models of mixers that use only one pin, but such a design will not be particularly stable (rotation around the axis is not excluded), and it is better to purchase one with two.

This design ensures reliable installation on surfaces up to 30 ÷ 35 mm thick, which is especially important when installing the mixer on a countertop.

• Another option is that the mixer has a cylindrical threaded part and a nut at the bottom, usually M 34.

Such models are more suitable for installation on a metal sink. It is important that there is no complex relief configuration at the bottom in the hole area - an absolutely flat area is necessary, otherwise a tight fit and reliable fixation will not be achieved.

Installation of different types of mixers has its own characteristics.

A. Installation of a mixer with mounting on nut

The elongated lower cylindrical part will not interfere with the screwing of flexible hoses, so installation begins, in fact, with attaching the mixer itself to the sink.

• The mixer kit necessarily includes a rubber sealing ring, and there is a special groove for it at the lower end of the body. The first step is to install the gasket into this groove.

• The threaded cylindrical part is inserted into the hole in the sink. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the rubber ring remains in place and does not move.

• Then, a wide rubber gasket is installed below, which should also be included in the delivery set.

The sealing gasket is put in place...

• The brass fixing nut is screwed on. It has a kind of “skirt” - a washer-shaped extension that will provide maximum pressure through the already installed rubber gasket.

...and then the clamping nut...

• The nut is tightened with an adjustable wrench so as to ensure that the mixer does not move on the sink. In this case, it is necessary to check the correct orientation of the spout - it should be positioned so that the sectors of rotation to the left and right from the central position are equal, and the switch lever or valves are positioned exactly relative to the sink. When the mixer is positioned at an angle, the spout position is selected diagonally.

... which is tightened with a key, fixing the position of the mixer on the sink

• Adjusting the position is easy - you can loosen the nut, align the mixer and fix it again.
• Now you can proceed to installing the hoses. To begin, screw in a hose with a short fitting and tighten it with a 10mm wrench.

No winding of the threaded part of the fitting with tow or fum tape, as a rule, not required - it has one or two sealing rings, which should ensure reliable sealing. The fitting is screwed in all the way with medium force - it is dangerous to overtighten, as the rubber ring may be damaged. Usually, hand effort is enough, and only then no more than one turn with the key.

... and then, in the same way - with an extended

• The next step is to install the second hose in the same way - with an extended fitting.
• If you plan to supply water through a metal-plastic pipe, then the fittings with fittings are screwed in in the following sequence - first the one with a bend, and then the straight one.
• After the hoses (fittings) are screwed in, the sink can be installed in place.

Find out how to choose the right one from our new article.

B. Installation of a mixer with mounting on hairpins

The peculiarity of the installation in this case is that the hoses are screwed into the hole in the countertop or sink before installing the mixer, otherwise it will not be possible to tighten it properly.

• First, the brass nuts are removed from the studs, and the studs themselves are screwed into the corresponding holes at the bottom end of the mixer. The studs usually have slots for a straight or figured screwdriver, but, as a rule, they are easily tightened by hand, without much effort. A strong tightening is not needed here - it is enough to simply screw them all the way to a depth of 8 ÷ 10 mm so that they stand steadily, without play.

You can immediately try on how the shaped gasket and pressure plate will fit onto the studs, but then these elements should be removed - they will be installed later.

• Both hoses are threaded into the hole in the sink (countertop) with the fittings facing up.
• Be sure to check the presence and correct installation of the sealing ring on the mixer body - exactly as described above.
• The next step is to screw in the flexible hose fittings. The sequence of work does not change - first short, then extended.
• Mixer with connected hoses and screwed-in pins are inserted into the installation hole of the sink or countertop.

• From below, a shaped gasket is first put on the studs, and then a metal pressure plate. The brass nuts are baited and tightened by hand as far as possible.

• After checking the correct location of the sealing ring on the body and the direction of the spout, the nuts are tightened with a 10 (sometimes 11) wrench until they stop, so that the mixer is securely fixed to the surface, without the slightest play.

Neatly installed faucet - bottom view

• It is important to ensure that there is no gap left near the housing, not covered with gasket– this sometimes happens when the hole in the sink is too large and the mixer is not centered correctly in it.

That's it, the mixer is installed, you can install the sink in place.

Let us repeat that all of the above actions, of course, can be carried out under certain conditions and due dexterity without dismantling the sink, but this is unnecessary difficulty.

Find out which one to choose, as well as consider the nuances, from our new article.

Video - Installing a faucet in the kitchen

Prices for components for mixers

Accessories for faucets

Connecting the mixer to the water supply

Installation of a sink is a separate topic that requires detailed consideration in a dedicated article. We can only note that if it is mortise and mounted in the old place, then a strip of sealant must be applied to the cleaned surface of the countertop around the perimeter of the installation. After pressing, it should reliably close the gap to prevent water from penetrating through it.

If the sink is overhead and adjacent to the wall, then after installing it, the gap between them is also sealed with sealant.

Now all that remains is to connect the hoses to the water pipes. Hose nuts are usually already equipped with rubber gaskets, and no rewinding or excessive force is required to securely seal the connection. On the contrary, tightening it too tightly can lead to the destruction of the gasket and the appearance of a leak. It is enough to tighten it by hand until it stops, and then tighten it only ½ turn with a 22 or 24 key.

Of course, there will be some fuss with the metal-plastic eyeliner a little more– it is necessary to carefully measure the required segment, give it the required bend, and then tighten it in the appropriate compression fittings.

Video: connecting a mixer with a rigid connection

Usually, when connecting hoses or supply pipes, the following scheme is followed: on the left is hot water, on the right is cold.

If the sink was removed, then do not forget to connect it back to the sewer by replacing the siphon and inserting a corrugated hose with a sealing collar into the designated outlet of the sewer pipe.

In fact, that’s it, you can turn on the water supply and try the mixer in operation. There is, however, one more subtlety - it is recommended to start by pouring water with the tip removed - the aerator. The fact is that small inclusions can accumulate in pipes, hoses, or even in the mixer itself, which can quickly clog the holes of this nozzle. After several liters of water have drained, it is easy to install the aerator in its original place.

When starting up for the first time, be sure to check all connections for leaks. If there are signs of leakage, these deficiencies must be corrected immediately with a small tightening.

The article discussed the most common ways to install kitchen faucets. However, you may encounter more complex options.

• So, for example, if the faucet spout is a shower head on a retractable hose, then you will have to make another switching and adjustment.

At the bottom there will be a hose (position 1 in the diagram) with or without corrugated braiding, about 1.5 m long, with a fitting at the end. This fitting, after installing the mixer in its regular place, is screwed into the socket intended for it on the body. A sinker is installed on the most flexible hose (item 2) - it will return it to its place and hold it in this position, and at the same time will serve as a limiter on the length of the hose. The position of this sinker can be changed using a locking screw.

• Another option is when the mixer spout has two channels - for regular tap water and for purified drinking water. On such models, an additional fitting is provided (item 3) for connecting another hose coming from the system installed under the sink and for post-cleaning.

The mixer for drinking water is turned on using a separate tap or lever (item 4).

There are also more “sophisticated” schemes - with thermostats located under the sink, autonomous boilers, electronic control units, with mechanical traction connected to the drain plug of the sink bowl, and others. The installation technology in this case should be described in detail in the proposed product data sheet. However, if there are any ambiguities in this matter, you should not engage in amateur activities - it is better to invite a specialist.

In plumbing, like any other repair work, there are many nuances. Technically, this work is clear and predictable, but you can’t foresee everything. Incidents can happen at the most inopportune moment and you need to be prepared for them.
Replacing a faulty faucet in plumbing is a type of routine work. Usually it is performed after a complete shutdown of the water supply in the house or riser during vertical wiring. But what to do when it is not practical to disconnect the entire house from the water supply, and the tap needs to be replaced?
Let's see how one of the master plumbers got out of this situation. We would like to warn you right away that this method is not a panacea and has a fairly serious degree of risk. But you shouldn’t reject it either. So let's get started!

Description of the problem

A ball valve, despite its improved structure compared to a valve valve, can also become unusable. There may be several reasons for this:

• Formation of scale on the ball, and as a result, abrasion of fluoroplastic sealing gaskets (seats);
• Broken rotary rod;
• Deformation of the internal parts of the crane;
• Breakage of the shutter ball itself.

Of course, there may be various reasons for this, for example, low-quality thin metal or savings by the manufacturer on components. But in a critical situation, when the tap does not work and needs to be replaced, you need to find the right way out, without flooding yourself or your neighbors.

Changing the pressure tap

First, you should prepare some containers to fill with water in case of the most unexpected event. If there is a toilet nearby or an inspection hatch in the sewer riser, you can use them to drain the water through a suitable hose.

Preparing the seal

Various sealants are used to seal threads in plumbing fixtures. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Linen tow is considered one of the most universal and ancient sealants.
Recently, tow has been commonly used in combination with sealing pastes, such as Unipack. It is easy to use, non-toxic, resistant to corrosion and temperatures up to +140 degrees Celsius. But the biggest advantage of this material is the ability to adjust up to 45 degrees. For complex assemblies where several elements are involved and the position of each of them matters, this property can be extremely useful. Unlike, for example, a fumlenta, you no longer have to disassemble the connection if you suddenly accidentally twist a tap or a coarse filter in front of the meter. It dries very slowly, so if it is necessary to dismantle assembly elements, this work can be done without much effort.
We unwind several fibers of tow and twist them into a tight braid. We calculate the length so that it is enough to wrap the entire thread under the tap. We collect some sealing paste and thoroughly saturate our seal.

Dismantling the crane

This procedure is very risky, since the faucet body, when untwisted, may crack or simply burst from the pressure of water. We adjust the adjustable or gas wrench to the size of the faucet collar. The valve handle (lever or “butterfly”) can be removed by unscrewing the brass Euro-nut.
By adjusting the pressure, turn the tap counterclockwise, holding the outlet of the riser. The last turns of the thread can be done by hand, since the resistance of the thread should be minimal.
Having removed the tap from the thread, we substitute a storage tank or hose to drain the water.

We wind the seal

We wind the tow braid prepared in advance onto the thread of the outlet clockwise. Thus, when installing the crane, unwinding of the seal will be prevented. Additionally, it can be ground into the thread by hand.

Installing the faucet

We install the new ball valve by hand, opening the water supply valve. After making several turns, the connection can be tightened from the key. We tighten the tap until it stops, setting its position relative to the other elements of the assembly, and turn the valve. Evidence of a high-quality connection will be a dry joint at the outlet of the riser and the tap.

In such situations, if possible, it is necessary to turn off the water supply at the riser or in the house. Since you cannot be completely sure that the tap thread on the pipeline is in good working order, you need to be prepared to cut it a new one, and this will take time. Yes, and under the pressure of water - it is very inconvenient to do this, and sometimes it is simply impossible.
In order not to cause the ball valve to malfunction or break, it is worth developing it 1-2 times a month, alternately closing and opening the shut-off rod.
Always try to take high-quality shut-off fittings, including ball valves, because a good plumber who can fix any breakdown may not be at hand!

There is probably no such person who has had to deal with a broken faucet at least once in his life. If you decide to repair the faucet yourself, then before you replace the faucet, you need to find out the reason for its breakdown.

You will find out what the reasons are, how to fix them, and how much it costs to change the faucet in our article.

There may be several of them:

1) 2) This tap may need to be replaced 3) 4) 5) 6)

You need to know what type of faucet you have installed. Then it will be easier for you to change the faucet in the kitchen or, for example, in the bathroom.

Replacing a kitchen faucet

Crane design - general characteristics

The tap (aka mixer) is designed to regulate the water supply to the required temperature. The desired water temperature in the tap is achieved by mixing cold and hot water. There are several common types of faucets:

1.
Valve tap 2.
Lever tap

The design of a tap with two valves is quite simple, which consists of:

• main building,
• Two crane axle boxes,
• Spout,
• Two valves.

The valves are located on both sides of the tap and are screwed into special holes. These valves regulate the height of the crane box. The latter, with the help of a rubber gasket at the end, opens and closes cold and hot water through special holes inside the tap.

A single lever faucet can be of the following types:

1)
Ball valve in the bathroom 2)
Ceramic faucet being disassembled

How to change a faucet in a bathroom or kitchen - with valves

Let's say you encounter damage. And it doesn’t matter whether you need to change the kitchen faucet or the bathroom faucet - the repair needs to start with turning off the water. Your actions should be as follows:

1.
Replacing valve tap 2.

1. Remove the valve and unscrew the corresponding valve axle box.
2. Replace the gaskets and seal the threads with fum tape.
3. Carefully and completely screw the valve axle into place.

Important!
If the crane axlebox has become unusable, replace it

How to change the crane axle box?

To do this:

This is how a crane axle box is replaced

1. Turn off the water and remove or unscrew the button (depending on which model).
2. Remove the screw. If it is very stuck, then lubricate it with machine oil.
3. Unscrew the valve axle counterclockwise.
4. Install the gasket.
5. Reinstall the crane box.

If you have a question about how to change a ceramic axle box valve, then this can also be done according to the instructions described above.

Replacing a ceramic tap (mixer)

How to change the crane axle box, video instructions can be found here:

If water is leaking from the water supply valve

1. Check how tightly the faucet axle is fixed to the mixer. If necessary, tighten it.
2. If everything is normal, unscrew the valve axle. Seal the threads with fum tape and screw the valve axle into place.

How to fix a leaking faucet? at your disposal on our website

Replacing gaskets in faucets

If the tap leaks where the spout is fixed

1. Unscrew the spout fastener.
2. Change the gasket.
3. Carefully reinstall the spout.

If the tap leaks where the hoses are fixed to the mixer

Check the integrity of the sealing gaskets. If necessary, replace them, as well as the hoses.

If the faucet is leaking where it is attached to the sink

Replace the gasket or “seat” the faucet with silicone.

If the tap itself is damaged

Then it also needs to be replaced

1) Close the hot and cold water valves.

2) Remove the flexible hoses from the valves that attach the faucet to them.

Removing flexible hoses

3) Unscrew the large nuts that secure the faucet.

4) Carefully remove the old faucet using an adjustable wrench.

5) Thoroughly clean the area where the old product used to be and install a new faucet. But before that, attach new hoses to it.

6) Tighten the nuts from the underside of the sink.

Tightening the nuts

7) Connect the hoses to the valves and secure them.

8) Let the water run and check if the faucet is leaking now. If necessary, tighten the nuts again.

Checking the tap for leaks

So, now you know how to change a sink faucet with your own hands. You don't need any special effort for this. You can see how to change the faucet, video instructions here:

In addition, you can watch a video with detailed instructions on how to change a bathroom faucet here:

How to replace a faucet with a lever?

If a faucet with a lever begins to leak where the hoses are fixed to the mixer or attached to the sink, then in these cases the instructions for replacing it are no different from those given above.

Replacing a lever valve

How to change a ball valve?

If the faucet leaks from the spout when the water supply lever is turned off or water flows from under it:

DIY ball valve replacement

1. Disassemble the tap using a screwdriver or hex wrench into its component parts, which are then cleaned of lime deposits.
2. If the gaskets are worn out, replace them by pre-treating them with silicone grease.
3. Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.

How to change a ceramic faucet?

1. Disassemble the faucet.
2. Remove the ceramic cartridge and replace it with a new one.
3. If the integrity of the tap is damaged, then replace it with a new one.

How to change a tap on a riser with water shutoff?

1. Shut off the water supply to the riser.
2. Drain the piping system. Having previously received the consent of the management company.
3. Wind a tape with a sealant or fum tape onto the threads of the faucet.

   Important!
   Wind in the direction the tap is screwed onto the pipe.

4. Screw the tap onto the pipe. If it twists easily, add more fum tape, but don’t overdo it! The product must be twisted with some force.

How to change the tap without turning off the water?

• In a high-rise building (possible flooding of neighbors or basement),
• On the heating riser,
• And on hot water.

So, the order of work is as follows:

1) Prepare buckets, some rags and ask someone to help you. One cannot cope here alone.

2) Seal the threads on the new faucet and open it.

Sealing threads on a tap: stages

3) Unscrew the broken tap.

4) Run water through the new faucet.

5) Tighten the tap approximately 2 turns.

6) Close the new tap and turn it on completely.

How much does it cost to replace a faucet?

The cost of replacing a faucet directly depends on its type.

If you decide to entrust a plumber to change the faucet in the bathroom, the price “does not bite” - 700-1,500 rubles. And if you want to change the faucet in the kitchen. The price is reasonable - from 800 rubles. up to 2 thousand rubles

Any faucet installed in the kitchen has certain requirements - soft water pressure, simple temperature control and, most importantly, no leaks. No plumbing fixture can work forever, so during operation there is periodically a need to repair or replace it. If you don’t want to contact a plumber every time there is any problem with the functionality of the faucet, then you need to know how to change the faucet in the kitchen, and what to do if standard malfunctions occur.

Today on the market there is a wide selection of models of water taps for the kitchen, which can be divided into three categories:

• two-valve;
• single lever;
• contactless.

Two-valve

Classic valve taps, which have been known since Soviet times, are distinguished by a simple and reliable design. A special mechanism is fixed in the metal case - an axle box, which regulates the water supply by rotating the valve.

Design of a two-valve kitchen sink faucet

In older models there are screw axle boxes. Inside such mechanisms there is a worm screw, which, depending on the direction of rotation of the valve, presses or releases the locking gasket. To achieve the required pressure, you should make several revolutions. On the one hand, this allows you to use water more economically, but on the other hand, it makes the operation of such a device not entirely convenient. That is why “Soviet” versions of mixers are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Modern models, as a rule, use so-called semi-rotary valves, the operating principle of which is based on the use of two metal-ceramic discs with special holes. When these holes coincide, water flows into the mixer jib; when not, the supply stops. To fully open or, conversely, turn off the faucet in the kitchen, just turn the valve 180° in one direction or the other (hence the name - semi-rotary).

Single lever

Lever mixers quickly gained popularity due to their stylish appearance and convenient operation. Instead of the usual two valves, in this case only one lever is used, which allows you to regulate the supply of both cold and hot water.

Single lever kitchen faucet design

The principle of operation of the cartridge is similar to the operation of a metal-ceramic faucet of a valve mixer. There are also two ceramic plates here, but in this case there are three holes - two for supplying cold/hot water and one for directing the flow to the spout. If the cartridge is working properly, adjusting the water flow and temperature is quite simple.

Please note! In cheap faucets, problems with the accuracy of feed adjustment are often observed, which is why all the advantages of the lever design come to naught. To avoid this, it is recommended to immediately replace the water tap cartridge with a better one.

Contactless

The presence of touchless faucets in a modern kitchen is not as uncommon as it was just a few years ago. Thanks to a special sensor, the water supply starts when a person brings his hands to the tap, and stops when he removes them. This technological solution not only eliminates the need to constantly turn levers and valves, but also allows you to use water more economically.

The main components of the sensory model:

• frame;
• induction sensor;
• solenoid valve;
• control unit;
• battery;
• installation valve.

When any object is brought to the sensor, it generates an electromagnetic signal, which, through the control unit, gives a command to turn on the solenoid valve. The water pressure and temperature are set using an adjustment valve or a special panel, typical for more expensive devices.

Operating principle of the touch faucet

Replacing a water tap - step-by-step instructions

To change the faucet in the kitchen, you don’t need a wide range of tools; all you need is to have:

• adjustable wrench;
• screwdriver;
• flashlight (if necessary);
• container for draining water.

Despite the wide variety of kitchen faucet models, their installation technology is almost identical. Essentially, it is divided into two stages: dismantling the old crane and installing a new one.

Dismantling the old device

Before removing the faucet from the sink, you must turn off the water in the kitchen. As a rule, shut-off valves in apartment buildings are installed in bathrooms. In this case, it is not necessary to disconnect the entire apartment from the water supply. If the hydraulic distribution is done correctly, then you can turn off the water only for a specific sink.

The remaining actions have the following sequence:

1. After shutting off the main, open the cold and hot water taps to relieve pressure in the pipe.

1. Disconnect the flexible line from the water supply. There may be water left in the pipe, which must be drained into a specially prepared container.

Disconnecting a flexible line from the water supply

1. Disconnect the siphon from the sewer and remove the sink. You can do without removing the sink, but in this case it is not entirely convenient to carry out work on replacing the water tap.

Disconnecting the siphon from the sewer

1. Unscrew the faucet mount from the back of the sink. First you need to loosen the nut and then remove the screw using a screwdriver.

1. We remove the faucet by passing the hoses through the hole in the sink.

Installation and connection of a new mixer

If you decide to replace the water tap, then it is not recommended to leave the old connection. As a rule, two flexible pipes 40 cm long are included with a new mixer. If the hoses are insufficient in length or of unsatisfactory quality, visit a plumbing store and select a reliable connection.

Important! In order for the connection between the tap and the pipe to be durable, the hoses must be made of high-quality non-toxic rubber, and their braiding must be made of stainless steel.

The mixer is installed in the following sequence:

1. We attach flexible hoses to the tap. Before doing this, make sure that all rubber gaskets are in place.

Attaching a Flexible Hose to a Faucet

1. Place the O-ring exactly in the groove. This gasket is necessary to prevent water from leaking into the cabinet through the mounting hole in the sink.

1. We pass the hoses through the mounting hole and fix the mixer using the mounting plate. The number of bolts may vary. Some models have one attachment point, others have two.

Passing the hose through the mounting hole

1. We install the sink in place, sealing the joints with the wall using silicone.

1. We connect the supply to the cold and hot water pipes, and then connect the sink siphon to the sewer.

Whatever water tap you use, problems with its performance may arise during operation (although this applies to touchless models to a lesser extent). Of course, you can change the faucet in the kitchen at any time, but this is not always advisable. There are several typical malfunctions that can be eliminated without purchasing a new device.

How to fix a leak at the base of the gander

Often, when opening a double-valve mixer, water begins to seep out at the spout attachment point. The main reason is wear of the gaskets. The amount of wear on the rubber seals depends on how often you turn the gooseneck while using the kitchen sink. To replace old gaskets with new ones, you need to unscrew the fixing nut and disconnect the spout from the body.

Advice! Since it is very easy to damage the chrome plating when using a wrench, the nut should be pre-wrapped with a thin rag. When installing the gooseneck, be careful not to overtighten the nut as this may damage the housing. This is especially true for products made of silumin.

All seals need to be replaced at once, even if visually they look normal.

How to replace a valve axle box

The consequence of a defective axlebox is a leak from under the valve or the inability to completely shut off the water. If the first problem can be eliminated by restoring the rubber gaskets, then solving the second problem will require replacing the entire mechanism. In any of the above situations, you will have to completely unscrew the axle box.

Before you begin disassembling the faucet, you should turn off the water in the kitchen, otherwise, after dismantling the axle box, the flow will pour out of the open hole. Next we perform the following steps:

1. Remove the cap from the flywheel, under which there is a screw.
2. Unscrew the screw and remove the wing.
3. If there are decorative fittings, unscrew them.
4. Using an adjustable wrench or wrench, unscrew the axle box from the valve body.
5. We replace the rubber gasket or install a new mechanism.

Advice! If, as a result of prolonged exposure to moisture, the threaded connections become corroded, they should be treated with a special penetrating lubricant such as WD-40, which will significantly simplify disassembling the mechanism.

How to change a lever mixer cartridge

Problems with lever mixers occur less frequently than with valve mixers. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that here you will have to replace the cartridge as a result of wear or mechanical failure. This work is performed as follows:

1. Turn off the water supply.
2. We remove the handle (lever), for which we unscrew the pin located behind the decorative plug.
3. Unscrew the cartridge casing.
4. Using a wrench, unscrew the copper (or brass) clamp.
5. We remove the old cartridge from the housing and install a new one in its place.
6. Reassemble the faucet in reverse order.

Advice! Faucet cartridges may vary in design. Therefore, you should not purchase this item before disassembling the faucet.

Single lever mixer disassembly diagram

As you can see, replacing or repairing a kitchen faucet is not too difficult if you have at least a little plumbing experience. The main thing is to be careful and attentive at every stage, especially when connecting the device to the water supply. If you are not confident in your abilities, you can always turn to professionals.

Video lesson: installing a kitchen faucet