How to repair a faucet in a bathroom with a shower: common breakdowns + ways to fix them

It is hardly possible to find a bathroom where a faucet with a shower hose would not be installed, allowing you to conveniently take hygiene procedures. But, unfortunately, like all plumbing devices, it often fails. Do you want to fix it yourself?

We will tell you how to repair a faucet in a bathroom with a shower with your own hands. The article we have presented describes in detail the common causes of operational disruptions and ways to eliminate their consequences. Taking into account our recommendations, you can restore your device without any problems.

Types of bathroom faucets

As a rule, models of three categories are used in bathrooms:

traditional two-valve taps;
common single-lever devices;
innovative sensor faucets.

For many decades, homes have been equipped with two-handle faucets . Such devices are equipped with two handwheel handles, one of which is intended for hot water, and the second for cold water.

As a locking mechanism, older models used a system of a seat and a valve on a stem equipped with a rubber gasket. When the valve was tightened, the valve closed off the seat, which provided a path for the water to flow.

The stem with the valve had to be screwed in, then unscrewed - this was time-consuming and inconvenient. Instead, they now use a metal valve axle box or a device made of a pair of ceramic disks.

Although two-valve models with a ceramic block are more expensive than devices with rubber gaskets, they have a number of important advantages. They are easier to operate, more durable and reliable

Single-lever options have now become very popular. Lever or joystick mixers have one shut-off and control mechanism that controls mixing, supply, and pressure of hot/cold water.

Based on the locking unit, the range of such mixers can be divided into two categories:

with ball block;
with disk cartridge.

The second option looks preferable due to its lower cost and maintainability. Its locking mechanism, similar to valve devices, includes two ceramic discs with holes for mixing and shutting off water flows. If it fails, replacing the cartridge is quite simple.

Single-lever ball faucets are more expensive, and they cannot be repaired due to the difficulty of finding the locking mechanism. Plumbing stores rarely offer it.

If the ball mixer fails, you will most likely have to throw it away and buy a new one instead. Our recommended article will introduce you to the selection criteria.

But ball valves, installed on hot water and cold water pipes in front of plumbing to shut off the flow in case of repairs, have almost completely replaced obsolete valves.

It is almost impossible to distinguish a ball mixer from a cartridge mixer by appearance. In order not to make a mistake when purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the internal structure of the model indicated in the technical data sheet, or ask the seller

The control element of a touch-sensitive faucet for a kitchen or bath with shower is a photocell, which turns on a stream of water when you bring your hands to the tap and turns it off when you remove them. Repairing such plumbing requires experience and knowledge not only in the field of plumbing.

An exception to the rule is a clogged aerator, which manifests itself in a weakening of water flow. This problem, which we will discuss in detail below, can be easily fixed by yourself.

Repair of a watering can or shower hose

When the gaskets wear out or break, a leak occurs at the connection between the faucet and the hose or between the watering can and the hose. The gasket can be rubber or paronite. If the hose itself is leaking, it must be completely replaced with a new one. To repair the damage you will need pliers, a piece of fabric, FUM sealing tape, and a new gasket.

The shower head is easily separated from the hose

Use pliers to unscrew the clamping nut of the shower hose. It is necessary to place a cloth under the pliers so as not to damage the decorative coating of the nut.
Remove the old gasket and install a new one.
Wrap a little sealing tape around the clean thread and tighten the clamping nut.

Typical causes of malfunctions

Failures of plumbing fixtures are largely associated with low quality products. You should not save money when purchasing by purchasing cheap faucets from little-known manufacturers. As a rule, when assembling them, low-quality components and consumables are used, which quickly fail.

It may be advisable to abandon the usual sealing options in favor of new analogues: instead of rubber gaskets, it is better to use modern analogues made of paronite or silicone. Their service life is much longer, and they are less deformed over time.

Installing a filtration system on water pipes will not only allow you to use high-quality water, but can also increase the service life of plumbing products

A common cause of malfunctions of mixing devices is also water flowing in pipes. Foreign inclusions and a high content of mineral particles lead to the formation of deposits, clogged filters, and cracking of seals.

How to seal plumbing products

This question worries many novice craftsmen. There are several types of seals available; errors not only cause leaks, but can also completely damage the equipment.

What types of sealants are there and what do professional plumbers recommend?

Flax with sealing paste

The photo shows a strand of flax and a tube of paste

A traditional seal, but rarely used lately. Previously, oil paint was used instead of sealing paste. Remember that sealing paste has almost no effect on the quality of sealing, it only prevents the flax from rotting. This means that connections must be tightened with considerable force, and most modern plumbing equipment is made of silumin, a very weak alloy.

It is necessary to wind a flax flagellum onto the thread, recessing it into the turns of the thread, trying to ensure that the flax fibers are smeared in the paste

Result of thread sealing

Conclusion - such connections can only be used on durable steel fittings, because tightness is ensured not by lubrication, but by tightening force.

Another disadvantage of flax is that it cannot be completely covered with threads, and this worsens the appearance of the water fittings. And the last problem is that after using the sealing paste you must constantly dry your hands, otherwise unsightly stains will remain on the surface of the plastic pipes. For professionals, this is a significant loss of working time.

Paste is visible at the junction

FUM tape

A universal seal, used in most cases for internal installation of water supply and plumbing. To seal, there is no need to exert increased effort, which minimizes the risk of cracks forming on weak elements.

FUM tape

When purchasing, check the quality of the FUM tape; it should stretch a little and not tear.

FUM tape is available in convenient packaging, making it easy to use

The tape has two disadvantages - relatively high cost and the inability to adjust the position of the connection. If it becomes necessary to adjust the position of the connected elements by unscrewing, then you will have to completely disassemble them and make a new seal, taking into account the mistakes made.

How to wind ribbon correctly

Even a slight unscrewing back causes leaks. But for home use, this is the optimal sealant with an unlimited shelf life. To connect several fittings you will need a couple of meters of tape, and a skein has ten meters. One skein will last for several years.

Sealing thread

In terms of its properties, there are many similarities with FUM tape. But it has one important advantage - manufacturers guarantee that when unscrewed back 180°, the threaded connection does not lose its original tightness. Although professional plumbers do not recommend unscrewing more than 90°, this ability makes using threads very convenient. Especially for those craftsmen who find it difficult to determine the correct position of the fittings by eye the first time. The cost of threads largely depends on the manufacturers, but it is always higher than that of tape.

The process of winding the seal does not require special skills

Anaerobic sealant

The most modern material, completely unknown to many non-professionals. Anaerobic sealants can be dismantled or difficult to dismantle. The former do not create much inconvenience during repair work. The latter must be heated before dismantling, and this can be quite difficult. Recommended for use in hard-to-reach places that make it difficult to tighten threaded connections with wrenches.

Anaerobic gel sealants

Advantages - the ability to adjust the position of the fittings; when unscrewing, the tightness is completely preserved. There are two disadvantages: high cost and the thread must be perfectly clean. Due to these features, anaerobic sealants are most often used during the installation of new plumbing systems and during the connection of new plumbing equipment. The high price pays off due to the significant acceleration of installation work.

Application of anaerobic sealant

All seals, when used correctly, provide 100% sealing. Find out the types of bathtubs and their sizes by following the link.

Types of breakdowns and methods for fixing them

We list the most common problems with sanitary water faucets with detailed instructions on how to fix the problem.

Failure No. 1 – low water pressure

Using water that comes out of a tap in a thin stream instead of a rapid stream is inconvenient and not very pleasant. If the neighbors on the landing have the same pressure, the reason is most likely that the aerator is clogged.

This element is often included in the design of modern faucets. The mixer aerator saturates the water with air bubbles, reducing its consumption and reducing splashing. Fixing a clogged aerator will not take much time or effort.

If the metal aerator is covered with rust, it is better to replace it with a new one, especially since the cost of this part is not too high

To do this, you will need to grab the aerator with pliers and unscrew it. Remove the mesh filter from the device, then rinse the parts thoroughly, clearing them of small debris and deposits. After cleaning, the device is assembled and inserted back into the tap.

Failure No. 2 – valve leakage

A common cause of water constantly dripping from a faucet is a worn gasket. This minor part plays a dominant role in old-style valve mixers, where it ensures the tight fit of the shut-off valve to the seat - the hole intended for water flow.

This type of problem can be easily corrected. You just need to stock up on a new high-quality gasket, as well as wrenches and lever wrenches.

You need to proceed according to the following instructions:

Securely shut off the water supply system.
Using a wrench, carefully release the bolt securing the wing.
Move the adjustable wrench counterclockwise to unscrew the leaking housing.
Remove the worn gasket and insert a new one in its place.
Take the sealant - FUM tape, and wind it clockwise under the stop edge.
Reinstall the housing and tighten the bolt, after which you can turn on the water.

If, even after replacing the gasket, the faucet continues to flow, you need to pay attention to the “saddle”. With long-term and frequent use of the mixer, this part begins to deform, become covered with scratches, cracks, which can lead to leakage.

Detailed diagram showing the structure of a traditional valve mixer with two taps, identifying all components and consumables

To solve the problem, you need to identify the damaged area, and then use a cutter to turn the found area with a little effort. This way you can level the plane of the “saddle”, thanks to which the mixer will easily fall into place and the leak will stop.

Failure No. 3 – the locking mechanism is faulty

A leak from under the lever is usually associated with a breakdown of the locking mechanism, which must be replaced with a similar element.

The following signs will help you verify this:

it is difficult to operate the lever due to unexpected resistance;
the supply of cold/hot water stops;
the flowing stream spontaneously changes temperature;
it is impossible to close or open the valve all the way.

To replace the cartridge you need to use the following instructions:

Remove the plug from the housing.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the mounting screw.
Remove the lever, and then remove the decorative nozzle.
Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nut that secures the position of the cartridge in the housing.
Remove the faulty unit.
Place a new element in its place.

The final stage is to assemble the device in the reverse order and install it in its original place. Then the mixing fittings are reconnected to the water supply lines, after which the water is turned on and the work done is checked.

When replacing the cartridge, pay attention to the tabs that are on this part. They must coincide with the recesses located inside the housing. If this condition is not met, the mixer will leak

Please note that cartridges vary significantly in size and configuration. In order not to make a mistake when buying a new part, it is better to come to the store taking the old unit.

Breakdown No. 4 – problem with the ball mixer

If the ball joint is leaking, which may be caused by a worn gasket, you can try to repair it. To repair a ball mixer, you must first turn off the valves on the water supply system. After this, you need to unscrew the bolt on which the mixer is mounted and remove the device lever.

Next, you will need to unscrew the threaded connection and dismantle the faucet dome. After this, you need to find the sealing gasket and clean it of dirt. If there are any defects on it, this part must be replaced. It is also better to inspect the ball for damage. If they are found, you will have to change the tap.

The mixer lever must be removed carefully and accurately. It is necessary to perform loosening movements until the resistance weakens. After this, you need to pull the lever up and pull it out

You should also consider the sleeve in which the ball is installed. If necessary, worn out seals around the moving parts of the device should be replaced. After this, you can assemble the reinforcement by performing the operations described above in reverse order, and the parts should be sealed with a special compound or FUM tape.

Failure No. 5 – the housing gasket is worn out

One of the most common failures of lever faucets in the bathroom is caused by the fact that the spout is constantly in motion. Because of this, the rubber gasket located in the groove quickly wears out. To change it, you need to separate the gander from the body by unscrewing the fixing nut.

The damaged gasket is removed from the spout groove, after which a new part is installed there, and the gib is mounted in the body. The thread of the fastening nut is wrapped in 2-3 layers of FUM tape, after which the part that secures the spout is screwed in.

Breakdown No. 6 – repair of the faucet-shower switch

Problems with the shower switch are also common sources of leaks. This is mainly caused by a damaged gasket that is placed between the housing and the switch.

For repairs, you will need to disassemble the mixer, which is done as follows:

the switch button is removed from the rod, which is held in a stationary position;
you get the valve and stem;
the oil seal is removed from the housing;
a similar new part is installed in the intended place;

Next, you need to perform the manipulations in reverse order so that the shower switch is completely assembled. After this, you can turn on the water and check the quality of work.

The cause of malfunctions of spool switches is often a broken nut that holds this part. To cope with the situation, you should dismantle the tap, remembering to turn off the water. Remove the shower hose and switch handle.

Modern faucets may have a built-in or specially installed switch. The latter has a collapsible design, which greatly facilitates repairs. If the built-in unit breaks down, in most cases you have to replace the entire accessory

Unscrew the nuts that secure the spool and switch. Replace the broken part with a new one. Clean the threads, as well as the internal cavity of the nut, with sandpaper. After lubricating all parts with grease or a similar compound, install the mixer in its original place, and then turn on the water.

If the button that turns off the shower does not return to its place, then the spring has failed. To correct the situation, you need to disassemble the switch, as described above, and replace the broken element.

When water flows simultaneously from the shower and from the tap, without the ability to switch, the reason is a faulty oil seal, which is located on the switch rod.

In this case, the following operations are required:

purchase a new oil seal, turn off the water;
remove the button and remove the rod;
remove the old one and insert a new oil seal;
assemble the switch.

After repairing the mixer, you can turn on the water to check the correctness of the work.

Failure No. 7 – leaking shower hose

Sometimes water leaks at the connection between the faucet/hose or the hose/shower head. In such a situation, the gaskets will need to be replaced. After turning off the water, the hose clamping nut is unscrewed with pliers, and then the old gasket is removed.

Instead, a new part is inserted, and it is better to give preference to a more reliable paronite or silicone product.

The design of the shower head and shower hose does not imply the possibility of disassembling them. If these elements malfunction, it is impractical to carry out repairs, so it is better to replace them with new products

To seal, 2-3 layers of FUM tape are wound onto the thread, after which the clamping nut is tightened. Finally, the water is turned on and the operation is checked.

Failure No. 8 – other faults

We list a number of other faucet breakdowns that users may encounter:

A continuous stream of water may be caused by a broken cartridge or a blockage that has formed between it and the gasket. In this case, you need to disassemble the tap, clean all the parts, and if necessary, change the valve.
A dry rubber gasket can cause water to refuse to flow when the valve is open. To verify this, just tap the open device with some hard object.
When the rod thread is torn off, the valve begins to rotate. To solve this problem, you can try wrapping the thread with thread, but only replacing the part will provide significant help.
A damaged rubber gasket can cause constant noise in the faucet. To fix the problem, it is recommended to change the gasket or cut off the worn edge.

As we can see, many faucet malfunctions can be easily corrected with your own hands using simple tools.

Before starting all work, it is important to carefully read and, if possible, watch the instructions, and perform all actions clearly and carefully.

Weak stream of water

This is perhaps the most harmless and easily removable defect of a bathroom faucet. The decrease in the volume of the water stream was most likely caused by a clogged aerator - a special nozzle at the end of the spout. The aerator saturates the water flow with oxygen and reduces its splashing in different directions. Made from metal or plastic.

Aerator contamination

To return the stream of water to its former power, you need to unscrew the aerator and clean it from blockages: rust, pieces of small debris and salt deposits. After the cleaning procedure, the aerator is screwed into its original place. It is better to replace a rusty aerator mesh with a new one. Plaque can be easily removed using special chemicals.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The presented video describes how to repair the most common failures of a shower mixer:

The reasons for failure of shower faucets can be very diverse. In some cases, they are easy to fix yourself using common tools. In other situations, you have to resort to the help of plumbers.

Unfortunately, sometimes the faucet cannot be repaired and has to be replaced. To prevent this from happening, it is important to take preventive measures, and when purchasing plumbing fixtures, choose modern models from well-known companies.

Tell us about how you repaired a faucet with a shower hose with your own hands. Share technological nuances you know that will be useful to site visitors. Please leave comments in the block below, post photos and ask questions about the topic of the article.

Leaking from under the faucet lever

The cause of the leak may be caused by a foreign particle that has entered the core of the mixer - the cartridge. Any mixer core has two fixing rods and three openings: two for cold and hot water inlet and one for mixed water outlet. The only difference is where the water will be mixed - in the cartridge itself or in the body of the mixer.

Faucet cartridge

Any single-lever mixer has a certain type of cartridge that cannot be replaced with another. The cartridge can be ball or ceramic. The ceramic one needs to be completely replaced, but the ball one can be repaired yourself. After dismantling, inspect the seal and other parts of the ball cartridge, remove blockages and replace unsuitable parts with new ones. The following signs indicate that it is time to replace the cartridge:

no hot or cold water is supplied;
the water temperature changes on its own;
the lever does not open fully or does not close completely;
the lever switches tightly, with additional effort;
there is a leak under the mixer lever.

Removing a cartridge single-lever mixer
To replace the cartridge, you must do the following:

Remove the decorative cap - plug.
Under the cap there will be a screw that holds the lever. Unscrew the screw with a hexagon or screwdriver.
Unscrew the decorative trim.
Unscrew the washer that presses the core.
Now you can remove the core for inspection.
The new cartridge is installed in the reverse order.

Advice. To accurately replace the gasket or mixer cartridge, you need to select the same part. Unscrew the old worn-out part and show it to the consultant in the store. This is the only way to confidently guarantee that the purchased spare part is suitable for your mixer.

Traditional methods of struggle at home

To cope with urinary stones and limescale on the toilet yourself, you can try using proven folk methods. They will cope with minor as well as old deposits and deposits, especially if we are talking about a local sewer system or a plastic pipeline.

Soda and vinegar

Baking soda has a bleaching effect, so this substance can be used to clean plumbing fixtures. And if you add vinegar to it, the result will be even more positive. To do this, you need to prepare a special solution, when you take a large spoon of soda powder per tablespoon of acetic acid. The cleansing scheme will look like this:

First, the sewer system is cleaned and excess water is pumped out.
Places with plaque are wiped dry.
Wipes are moistened in the resulting solution and applied to the treated areas.
After six hours, the remaining plaque is removed with a scraper, and the treated areas are washed with water.

Lemon acid

To remove lime and stone formed on the walls of the toilet, you can try using citric acid. Several sachets of this product should be diluted with a little water to form a kind of liquid powder.

Contaminated areas are treated with the finished composition. The citric acid is left to work for at least three hours. To obtain a more pronounced result, the duration of exposure should be at least twelve hours.

Acetic acid

Acetic acid, without damaging the surface of the toilet bowl, corrodes all existing deposits. You should generously moisten paper napkins in vinegar and apply them to places where there are contaminants. After three hours, the toilet is flushed with water.

Oxalic acid

Oxalic acid also effectively cleans the walls of the toilet bowl. It is better to purchase this product in crystallized form. They need to treat the rim of the plumbing fixtures and areas where there is plaque. The composition is left to act for six hours. The toilet is flushed with water using a brush.

Baking soda

If we are talking about small stains, then ordinary soda will cope with them. It needs to be poured onto places where there is contamination. It is better to leave the product on overnight. After sleep, the soda is washed off with warm water.

Coca Cola

The carbonated drink Coca-Cola will help you get rid of lime and urinary stones on your own. The composition of soda is able to quickly corrode formed contaminants, even if they are old in nature.

To do this, you need to pour Coca-Cola into the toilet, and after two hours, clean the plumbing with a brush. The amount of drink used must be at least two liters.

Types of bath-shower switches

The design of mixers has undergone changes, which has made it possible to create more reliable and convenient devices.

Zolotnikova

An outdated type of switch, not found in modern mixers. It is impossible to purchase spare parts. If the bathroom has USSR-era plumbing, the switch may be of the spool type. Inside the structure there is a barrel and an eccentric. Water supply begins when the rod equipped with a protrusion rotates. When the barrel is pressed against the body, the liquid from the watering can stops flowing. Failures occur in the protrusion or rod, causing the shower switch to not work correctly.

Push-button pull

More modern faucets are equipped with such parts. Crane repair in this case involves replacing worn out components. The system operates like a pull-out plug with a rod that moves the valve to different positions. The latter is the most frequently damaged. Water begins to flow simultaneously from the watering can and the spout. At maximum pressure, the switch moves spontaneously.

Cork type

The plug-type switch is an improved version of the spool model. The protruding rod is complemented by a spring that holds the part in the desired position. The notched plug is made of corrosion-resistant brass. The switch lever has a size from 7 to 10 cm. Such mixers are quite reliable. Despite being discontinued, they can be found in some apartments. The plug is subject to wear, and sometimes the movement of the lever is disrupted.

Ball

If you disassemble the ball switch, you will find a small brass ball. It is located between two plates. The holes in the ball are installed towards the spout or shower. The device often fails due to the accumulation of lime deposits. Sand, lime and other solid particles interfere with the movement of the ball. The switch begins to close. If there is no proper maintenance, the ball gets stuck and the lever stops moving.

Regular cleaning can help prevent problems from occurring.

Cartridge

Such switches are considered the most reliable. The design includes a locking mechanism called a cartridge. It is made from metal, plastic or ceramic. When the lever is turned, the part changes position, causing water to flow from the tap or watering can. Cartridges are sensitive to contamination. Installing a filter that catches large particles helps to avoid breakdowns.

Single lever or single lever models

These models have only one handle. It is she who regulates the water flow parameters. It is worth noting that the water temperature can be adjusted either separately or simultaneously. Such devices are also called one-armed and single-grip. If we consider the operating principle of these mixers, they are divided into ball and cartridge. The latter have become more widespread. If the control handle of a product is located horizontally, then it is called joystick.

The main advantages of single-lever designs are comfortable operation. They are very easy to operate with one hand. And such products can last for many years. True, the last factor strongly depends on what kind of water flows in the pipes, that is, on its quality. This is where the main disadvantage of single-lever models comes from. Thus, in urban networks, water enters apartments and houses with a large amount of garbage, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Because of this, mixers break down ahead of schedule. For this reason, when using single-lever products, it is better to install a water purification filter. After all, if a mixer of this type breaks, you will have to buy a new cartridge for it, the cost of which is quite high.

As with valve models, single-lever faucets also have improved models. They are distinguished by the presence of a function that allows you to save water. It consists of two operating modes. One mode is for saving, and the second supplies water with a strong flow. But in order to switch to it, you need to make some effort to overcome the resistance that arises when trying to fully open the lever.

Design of single-lever models

A distinctive characteristic of this type of mixer can be considered a lever that simultaneously performs the functions of two heads at once. With its help, the temperature and pressure of the supplied jet are regulated.

In the first case, the tap handle moves to the right or left, in the second - up or down. Typically, these processes are combined, allowing the user to set the option that is most comfortable for him.

The design of single-lever accessories is extremely simple. Typically such a device consists of the following parts:

body – can be made of different materials;
spout - depending on the purpose of the tap, it can be low, high or medium;
switch - a lever with which the temperature and flow strength are set;
cartridge – for regulating the flow of water, which is an analogue of a faucet axle box.

In addition, single-valve devices also use service elements, such as gaskets. Often such accessories are also equipped with additional components that increase comfort of use. Among them are aerators that saturate the flowing stream with air, built-in dispensers for detergents and much more.

Single lever faucets can be made from a variety of materials. Chrome-plated models have become especially popular, but on the market you can also find accessories made of copper, brass or granite imitation