BALL-TYPE FAUCET
First,
it is important to note that ball-type faucets are by far the most
complicated type of faucet to try and find a leak in. They have the general
appearance of a disc faucet, but it is important to note that ball faucet
handles generally are installed over a rounded cap above the base of the spout
whereas a disc handle is installed over a cylindrical cap. Most professional
plumbers will recommend purchasing a repair kit that includes replacement parts
for the ball-type faucet and replacing them all instead of attempting to find a
specific malfunctioning part. After determining the manufacturer of the faucet,
go to a plumbing supply or home improvement store and look for a faucet
replacement kit. If the kit does not come with a hex wrench for removing the
handle setscrew, one will need to be purchased if it is not already owned.
When it is time to begin repairing, the first step – as always – is to turn off the water. Turn on the faucet to allow the water still in the faucet to drain out. Using the hex wrench, loosen the handle’s setscrew and remove the handle. After the handle is removed, unscrew the cap and the plastic cam that are covering the ball. Lift the ball out of the faucet and check it for damage. If the ball looks worn or damaged, replace it along with the seats and springs. To be thorough, remove the o-rings as well and replace them with the ones in the repair kit. Place in the new springs, seats and drop in the new ball. Reattach the cam washer and cam on top of the ball, then add the cap and set the new handle in place. Tighten the setscrew to fasten the handle, turn the water back on and turn the faucet on. If assembled properly, there should no longer be a leak in the faucet.
One important aspect to take into account is the material choice for the ball that serves as the centerpiece of the faucet mechanism. Regardless of how inexpensive it is, it is impossible to emphasize enough how bad of an idea it is to replace the ball with one made of plastic. A plastic ball deteriorates rapidly, often leading to another leak or requiring a replacement within a year at most. For a long time, the industry standard would be to use a ball made of brass. However, it should be noted that brass is a soft metal and even a solid ball of brass is subject to deterioration, corrosion and wear over time. For the longest lasting option, it is recommended to go with a hollow stainless steel ball. Stainless steel is a tougher metal that will resist corrosion and wear better over time.
COMPRESSION FAUCET
Compression faucets are one of the oldest
implemented faucet designs and as such are also one of the most commonly found
faucets in older homes. Although this design may still be considered to be
efficient in industrial settings, most homes have moved on to more recent
designs. Compression faucets have metal stems with a rubber washer at the
bottom that will rise and fall with the turning of the handle. Twisting the
handle tightly closed will force the stem all the way down and the washer will
compress against the seal, stopping water flow.
As a general principle, finding the part to replace in a compression faucet will usually require the disassembly of the faucet first. All-purpose repair kits for compression faucets will usually include washers and o-rings for the seals in the compression faucet; however they are not always the culprit. Older model compression faucets may need a replacement for the string packing and if the stem itself is deteriorated, it may become necessary to replace the faucet as a whole.
When the replacement parts are purchased, the repair process can begin. First, the water supply will need to be shut off. The valve is usually found under the sink and should be fairly easy to shut off. Once the water is off, open the faucets to let any remaining pressure and water in the pipes out. Pry or unscrew the decorative cap from the top of the faucet, revealing the handle screw. Remove the handle screw and then gently remove the handle. If it is stuck, do not pry hard as it may damage the handle or the body of the faucet itself. Instead, tap and pry lightly until it comes loose – again, do not use too much pressure at the risk of damaging the faucet. Remove the stem cover, loosen and remove the retaining nut and then remove the stem itself. Loosen and remove the screw holding the washer in place and replace it with a new washer. The washer may need to be removed using a screwdriver. The o-ring may also need to be replaced, so pry it loose using a screwdriver and replace it with a new one. After reattaching the screw at the base of the stem, check the faucet seat for wear or corrosion. If it is damaged, remove it using a seat wrench (a specialized tool) and replace it with an exact copy. If a replacement seat cannot be found, it is possible to use a seat grinder to repair damage to the seat. Seat grinders must be used carefully, however, as allowing the tool to shake or wobble will likely cause further damage to the faucet and make it impossible to fully seal the faucet when turning it off. In these cases, it may end up being more cost effective to simply replace the faucet as a whole than risk damaging the seat using a grinder. Once repairs are complete, set the valve stem and body back in, and reattach the cover, handle and cap. Tighten the body securely, then turn the water supply back on and flush the system to check for leaks.
CERAMIC DISC FAUCET
Ceramic disc faucets are one of the more recent
designs for faucets and are found in modern homes. They utilize a
cartridge-style design with two ceramic discs inside. The top disc moves and rotates
with the movement of the handle on the faucet and when it lines up with the
stationary bottom disc, water is able to flow through the cartridge and out of
the spout.
Repairing a ceramic disc faucet is generally a simple affair. Due to the design of the faucet, if either of the discs in the cartridge become worn or damaged, the entire cartridge must be replaced. In some cases, the rubber seals and o-rings may have become worn over time and will require replacing. An exact match to the cartridge will need to be used if replacing it, as the faucets are only designed to function with the specific cartridge of that model. Using an incorrect cartridge in the repair will only lead to more issues with the faucet.
First, the water to the sink will need to be shut off. The shut-off valve is usually found underneath the sink. As a precaution, stop up the drain with a towel to ensure nothing falls in through the drain. Loosen and remove the setscrew that is holding the handle in place and then remove the handle itself. Afterward, remove the cap and dome housing, which should provide access to the disc cylinder. Remove the cartridge and cylinder and remove the o-rings and rubber seals. Check the cylinder for cracks or other damage and replace it if needed. If the cylinders aren’t being replaced, clean the seals and then replace the o-rings and seals. Install the ceramic disc cylinder again; ensuring it faces the same direction as before. Turn the faucet handle to “on” before turning back on the water supply, as a sudden burst of pressure may actually damage the ceramic discs. With the proper replacement for the o-rings, seals and the cartridge itself, the faucet should no longer be leaking.
CARTRIDGE FAUCETS
A cartridge faucet is another common design found in many places. The handle controls the movement of a cartridge in the faucet that in the default “off” position will block the flow of water. Raising the handle pushes the cartridge forward, unblocking both the hot and cold lines. The cartridge can also tilt from side to side based on the position of the handle, controlling temperature.
The repair method for a cartridge faucet is similar to that of a ceramic disc faucet, in that it usually will only consist of swapping out an old, damaged cartridge for a new cartridge. It is a good idea to take the cartridge to a plumbing supply or home improvement store to find a proper replacement, as attempting to use a different cartridge will not fix the problem at hand.
As always, the first step is to shut the water supply off. Once that is done, remove the decorative cap from the handle and then remove the fastening screw to remove the handle. After the handle is removed, the body of the faucet that covers the cartridge can be detached. Once that is done, the cartridge is accessible. Under most circumstances, a pair of pliers is all that is necessary to remove the cartridge. In some cases, or for certain manufacturers, specifically designed cartridge removers must be used. Once the cartridge is removed, remove the spout as well to check the o-rings if there have been leaks at the base of the faucet. Replace the spout if it was removed, then insert the new cartridge. From there, all that is needed is to reassemble the faucet in the reverse order. Turn the water supply on and turn the handle to the “on” position and check for leaks.
