How to disassemble a single lever mixer yourself at home

Tags:Bathroom and toilet, Kitchen, Plumbing, With your own hands

Today, such mixers as, for example, herringbone taps or wall taps are irrelevant, the old one has been replaced by a new one - single-lever mixers. Such devices fit perfectly into the modern design of kitchens or bathrooms. Every day, gaining its popularity, single-lever mixers are displacing conventional taps from the forefront, because innovations in plumbing equipment have a universal body with a plate that serves as a lever, the process of mixing hot and cold water takes place in the body itself. These products are made from metal, ceramics, sometimes from plastic. But, despite the good quality, such cranes also break. We will take a closer look at how to disassemble a single-lever mixer and repair it in this review.

Variety of products

The content of the article

1 What does the mixer consist of?
2 How to disassemble a single-lever mixer: sequence of actions
3 Tips, recommendations
4 conclusions
5 How to disassemble a single-lever faucet in the bathroom: video tutorial

What does the mixer consist of?

Single-lever faucets are a novelty in the plumbing industry, versatile taps for the modern kitchen or bath.

Single lever mixers

Each device has the properties of breaking, failing, therefore, in order to know exactly how to fix a broken tap, it is necessary to understand the types of the mixer itself.

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Two types of single-lever mixers have been developed.

Ball type device. The main part and feature of this category is a metal ball located in the valve body and having several holes. The first serves to separate cold water, the second for hot and in the third compartment the previous types of water are mixed, thereby creating a mixed flow. The presented container inside the metal ball is called the "mixing chamber". The seats are rubber seals that work closely with the inner ball.

Ball type device

In order to turn on the valve, an adjustment rod is used. This part regulates the flow of water flowing through the holes of the metal ball, which is also responsible for the pressure. For example, in the event that the area of the contacting holes expands, the water flow will decrease, in the opposite process, with a decrease in the area, the pressure will increase.The ball mixer, due to its precise and thoughtful design, rarely disappoints its owners with breakage or inconsistencies. This type is the most popular.

Ball type design

Device with cartridge design. If a metal ball was used in the previous form, then in this version it is replaced by a cartridge with two complementary ceramic plates. The cartridge is divided into several parts: 1) In the lower part there are 3 holes for water flow; 2) The upper part serves to mix these three kinds. The system of such a mixer consists in aligning one of the holes of the cartridge of the lower part of the plate with the upper mixing part of the upper disc; when the joystick moves, both parts must be firmly connected. In order to avoid unforeseen problems with the mixer, I use special mounted filters, they protect the structure from the ingress of solid elements.

Faucet with cartridge design

Related article:

Kitchen faucets with drinking water tap. How do these mixers work? How much do they cost and how to choose the right one? Answers in a special publication of our portal.

How to disassemble a single-lever mixer: sequence of actions

So how does a single lever mixer disassemble? A similar question is asked by many who do not know what a bathroom faucet consists of. We will analyze the crane device in detail with a specific example.

How to disassemble a single lever mixer

The disk-type device consists of:

Handles;
Jet regulator;
Ceramic cartridge;
Housings;
Fixing bracket;
Flexible rod for water supply.

Disk crane

Table 1. How to disassemble a single-lever mixer: sequence of actions

Picture	Work stages
	First, let's grab the plugs. They must be removed using a screwdriver. Each is color coded to help you determine the correct water temperature adjustment.
	We release the joystick and the rod responsible for adjustment from each other, take a small Phillips screwdriver and carefully unscrew the screw.
	Next, we proceed to twisting the parts. The first step is to remove the handle attached to the tap. Remove the nuts from the top plate of the joystick. The first ceramic, and then clamping. The latter can be made with small funnels, in this case, in order not to damage the part, it is necessary to act as carefully as possible. As for the ceramic, in any case, it can be unscrewed easily, without any difficulties by hand.
	Finally, we take out the mixing disc. Replacement of the cartridge occurs only if there is a leak or other various reasons.
	We install the intact cartridge in the place from where the old worn structure was taken out. Then we assemble in the reverse order. We tighten the nuts, hold the disk, use the lever, install the screw and at the end we supplement all the work with newly dressed caps.

Repaired crane

When buying a new cartridge, grab the old disk in order to accurately select the desired element, not to make mistakes during the disassembly and subsequent repair. Choose a design made of silicone material, as it is more reliable.

Old disc cartridge device

Next, let's talk about how to disassemble a ball mixer. Dismantling the ball product is no more difficult than the previous valve. What is worth considering is that in case of serious problems or errors, a complete replacement of the mixer will become necessary. For example, if you notice that the water jet is insignificant and weak when you turn on the tap, then there is nothing to worry about - this is a common problem, so you can fix the breakdown yourself by disassembling the mixer. The most common cause of the problem described above is a common blockage on the tap.

Parsing the ball mixer

How to disassemble a single-lever ball mixer, see below.

Remove the tap nut at the drain;
We pull out the mesh inside, rinse well;
After washing, we return and fix everything as it was before.

Remove the valve nut at the drain

Rubber seals can be another problem in the ball valve. They should be replaced using the (already known) screwdriver and hex wrench.

Rubber seals

Sequence of work:

Unscrewing the installed screw, removing the lever;
The connections placed inside are removed from the thread, the screw is unscrewed with a screwdriver. Sometimes it can accumulate dirt, plaque, requiring cleaning.
Together with the extraction of the ball, the gaskets are removed, followed by replacement with new rubber seals;
After replacement, we return the ball to its rightful place. And we strengthen the new seals with a plastic nut;
Lever, screw are fixed back. We check all the work done by opening the crane. If the repair is successful, the water will no longer leak.

Removing the screw

Tips, recommendations

In order not to write similar queries to the search engine: "How to disassemble a single-lever mixer", it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance of your plumbing structure. Under this condition, ball or joystick products will work for a long time without unexpected breakdowns.
When buying new parts, take your old crane parts with you so that you can be sure of the correct replacement.
The faucet device requires a precise process of disassembly, assembly and repair. If you deviate from the accepted rules of repair processes, there will be a possibility of the complete unsuitability of water technology.
Each of the types described in the article has many advantages, although their design is different, the reliability of each is the same, so do not rack your brains over who to give your preference to. Choose any, each of them will last a long time with proper care.

New parts

conclusions

Single-lever cranes are the most profitable and high quality;
It will not be difficult to disassemble and assemble the cranes if you understand their structure;
For long-term use of the taps, it is necessary to monitor and take care of the devices inside.

Single Lever Valve Quality

How to disassemble a single-lever faucet in the bathroom: video tutorial

This video on step-by-step instructions for disassembling and assembling the structure of a single-lever mixer in the bathroom can explain the process most accurately and specifically. Seeing with my own eyes, the repair will go much faster and more correctly. On many video resources, you will receive a large number of useful video instructions, including how to disassemble a mixer in a two-valve type bathroom. Happy viewing.