A Way To Change The Gasket In The Tap And Not Break The Recommendations For Repairing A Tap Leak

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Diagnosing damage
• What comes in handy for replacement
• Replacement process
• Recommendations

The gasket is a rubber element in the mixer that provides a reliable water shut-off. It is a consumable item and wears out over time under physical stress. Therefore, you need to know how to change the gasket in the tap, because sooner or later this will have to be done. It can be purchased at the appropriate store or made by yourself by cutting it to the required size from sheet rubber. The reason for the wear of the seal is the strong tightening of the valve handles.

Diagnosing damage

Before you change the gasket in the mixer, you need to diagnose that it is she who is the culprit. And you also need to know which gasket to change. The main symptom is a leak.

• If water flows directly from the tap, then the valve gasket must be changed. Most often this type of repair occurs;
• If water flows from under the tap valve, then it is necessary to change the gasket that is located between the body and the valve head.

Remember that if you have a leaking lever mixer, there is no rubber seal in it. This problem is solved by replacing the cartridge. The gasket can only be changed on slewing cranes.

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What comes in handy for replacement

Before changing the gasket in the mixer, you must make sure that you have the following items:

• Adjustable wrench;
• Screwdriver;
• Cardboard or other soft material;
• New replacement gasket;

If there is no adjustable wrench, then you can get by with an ordinary cap wrench of a suitable size. At the worst, you can use a manual vise (clamp the valve head in a vise and unscrew / tighten with jeweler's accuracy).

Replacement process

1. Replacing the gasket in the mixer should be started by shutting off the water supply. If you forget to close the water, then you can fill the floors and neighbors, since after removing the tap from the mixer, water will flow under pressure;
2. Place cardboard or soft sheet material on the bottom of the tub (sink). This will help save the plumbing from blows if tools accidentally fall, as well as protect small parts from falling into the drain;
3. Remove the tap handle. There are many types of pens, and all are removed in different ways. Most often, you just need to unscrew one bolt with a screwdriver, which is hidden under the decorative cap. There are also handles that are easy to put on and are not fixed with bolts;
4. Unscrew the valve head. To do this, you need to use an adjustable or wrench.

Once the tap is detached from the mixer, it is best to move the entire workshop to a comfortable and well-lit area.

The next step is to remove the damaged gasket. You can remove it by prying it with a screwdriver. A new one is installed in place of the old gasket. It must be carefully put on

1. If you need to change the gasket in the valve, which is located between the body and the valve head, then the analysis should be continued. It is necessary to separate the axle box from the coupling and then the defeated gasket will be easily accessible and can be changed;
2. When the gasket is replaced, the tap must be reassembled and the water can be turned on again.

It may be helpful to repair the faucet switch.

Recommendations

• Sometimes it is possible not to change the elastic, but to use the old one. To do this, it must be removed, rinsed and reinstalled by turning it over. This is not the best option, but it is suitable as a temporary measure if there is no new gasket immediately at hand;
• When assembling the valve, do not tighten it too much. This can lead to a breakdown of the thread and then it will leak until a new valve is installed;
• A coarse filter installed in the water supply system will help increase the service life of the gasket in the tap;
• After collecting the tap, the water must be turned on gradually and in parallel observe the behavior of the mixer - whether it is leaking;
• If there is plaque on the internal parts of the faucet, then it must be removed with warm vinegar. Plaque negatively affects the properties of the metal.

When replacing the valve, we recommend replacing the shut-off valves with ceramic ones with a low stroke, they are more durable and more reliable than conventional rubber ones.