How to disassemble a single lever mixer?

Technical and scientific progress has long been firmly established in our lives and plumbing is not an exception to the rules, but one of their main confirmations. Single-lever faucets have become a new trend in the proper and competent arrangement of bathrooms and kitchens. Conventional wall-mounted faucets and even functional “herringbone” faucets are increasingly losing their popularity, as they cannot compare with newfangled devices in terms of simplicity and ease of use. However, along with the widespread introduction of such a technological innovation, ordinary users are increasingly faced with the question of how to disassemble a single-lever mixer in the bathroom or kitchen in order to carry out its repair or preventive maintenance. This is exactly what we will talk about today in our article.

Types and structure of single-lever mixers

Single-lever faucets differ in the internal working element, which is “responsible” for mixing high and low temperature water. Based on this, they are:

Ball ones. Inside the device there is a ball with three cavities connected to each other. It fits tightly to the body of the device, so the system is completely sealed. The ball is made of metal.
Cartridge. The cylindrical cartridge is also tightly installed in the body. Most often it is made of plastic.

Cartridge single lever mixer

Components of the device:

the control handle itself;
main body;
a spout that performs the function of controlling the jet;
circular nut;
tubes for rapid water supply;
gaskets made of silicone, soft plastic, rubber or any other material;
fastening elements.

More often, seals and gaskets that are responsible for the tightness of the joints of the device fail. But to replace them, the mixer will have to be completely disassembled.

If the reason that the single-lever mixer has ceased to function fully lies in the cartridge or ball, they can no longer be repaired. Either they are replaced or a new mixer is purchased.

Single lever mixer device

If it's leaking from under your shirt

In some cases, water may leak from under the faucet jacket. The main reason for this phenomenon is considered to be damage to the sealing gaskets, and liquid can leak both in the upper and lower parts in the area where the circular nut is located.

Water from under a gander's shirt

In this regard, when installing a single-lever mixer, you need to firmly tighten the circular nut. This part often gets unscrewed or loosened while the product is being transported, resulting in a small gap. Such a gap is quite enough for water leakage.

If the nut is tightened well, then the cause of the leak will be a faulty gasket . To eliminate the problem, unscrew the nut and remove the nylon washer (serves to create a working gap between adjacent rotating parts of the housing). Next, remove the faucet spout along with the jacket and carefully check the installation locations of the gaskets.

There should be no traces of corrosion, sinks, etc. The only solution to the problem in this case is to replace the gander from the old faucet; in the worst case, you will have to replace the mixer completely.

The second reason for water leakage from the jacket is considered to be wear of the sealing gaskets . Such parts are made in the form of a horseshoe, with their working part facing the water chamber. It is quite difficult to buy a new gasket for a faucet, but it is possible to repair a faucet.

Disassembling the mixer to eliminate leakage from under the jacket

To do this, several layers of fum tape are laid in the seats, which will increase the diameter of the seals and improve their tightness. Next, put on the gaskets, install nylon washers, and assemble the remaining parts of the mixer.

Before installing the tap in a permanent place, check its tightness. If the repair work is done correctly, the water does not flow, then the mixer can be fixed to the sink.

Repair technique for single-lever cartridge mixer

Before starting any repair work on plumbing and pipes, you need to turn off the water supply and, if possible, drain the remaining water in the pipes. Then you can start.

Step-by-step instruction:

Using a small screwdriver or knife, carefully remove the decorative cap on the single-lever faucet. It is round, divided into two parts - blue and red, indicating cold and hot water.
Inside the hole you can see a latch that holds the lever, which is responsible for adjusting the flow and pressure of water, as well as the temperature. This part is very important, since through it the lever transmits movements to the main mixing element - the cartridge.
Now you need to unscrew the lock. To do this, use a special screwdriver, since it has a recessed hex head. But the masters claim that this can be done with an ordinary cross.
When the latch is removed, remove the lever from the body.
The next step is to manually unscrew the cap that covers the cartridge itself. This is easy to do as it is equipped with a thread.
Next is the clamping nut. It will not be possible to unscrew it manually - it is tightened tightly. To do this, you need to pick up an adjustable wrench.
Now you can remove the scartridge from the case and inspect it. In its lower part there are 3 holes - cold and hot water flows into two, and from the third, already mixed liquid of a certain temperature directly into the spout of the faucet.
If the mixing element is damaged, replace it with an identical one purchased in a store.
Assemble the device: cartridge, nut, protective cap, lever, latch, blue-red plug.

Disassembling a faucet with a cartridge step by step

After assembly, be sure to check the functionality. Open hot water, cold water and select a neutral mode, for example, supplying liquid at room temperature.

How to disassemble the crane axle box

The axle tap is the main part of the kitchen faucet, responsible for the water supply, pressure force and temperature in the spout tube. Disassembly of this shut-off valve is carried out according to the following algorithm:

First of all, you need to unscrew the kitchen faucet, remove the valves and gain access to the shut-off valves.
The crane box is removed after loosening the dome nut.
The shut-off valve consists of a brass body, stem, O-rings and ceramic parts.
To remove the rod, you need to pick it up with a screwdriver and remove the fixing ring.

After dismantling the ring, the rod is freely removed from the body.
At the opposite end of the axle box there is a valve with a silicone or rubber gasket, which can be removed by hand or picked up with a sharp object.
Ceramic valve plates are removed sequentially by unscrewing or removing them from the stem with a little force.

Crane axle assembly

If the gasket on the valve is worn, it must be replaced. If during the inspection of the structure a crack is revealed on the ceramic plate, the faucet-axlebox assembly should be replaced.

Technique for disassembling a single-lever ball mixer

A ball mixer differs from its cartridge “brother” not only in the shape of the mixing part. The first also has other features, in particular, the presence of additional sealing elements. Rubber gaskets supported by springs are installed in the holes of the ball. They deteriorate more often and must be replaced.

Technique for disassembling a single-lever ball mixer:

Use a knife or screwdriver to pry up the decorative element on the body and remove it.
Use a hex or Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the lock. Delete it.
Remove the lever.
Unscrew the protective cap by hand.
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the clamping nut.
Next, the algorithm of actions changes slightly in comparison with the analysis of a cartridge single-lever mixer. There are two parts installed under the nut - a cam washer and a cam. Below them is a ball mixing element. They must be removed carefully.
Now you can pull out the ball itself.
Take a screwdriver and remove the spring bands.
Replace parts. Carry out assembly, starting with installing the ball and beyond.

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Disassembling a single-lever ball mixer

It is not difficult to disassemble a single lever faucet. All you need is a couple of tools and new parts to replace. The disassembly technique differs depending on the type of device. But both the ball and cartridge mixer can be easily disassembled without the help of a specialist. Have you tried to do this yourself? Happened? Share your experience in the comments.

How to disassemble a single-lever mixer with your own hands, watch the video:

Preventive actions

Faucet repair cannot always solve malfunction problems. In many cases, and always at the wrong time, the tap must be replaced. To extend the life of the mixer as long as possible without repair, experts recommend taking preventive measures and taking a responsible approach to choosing the product.

When purchasing, choose heavy-duty brass faucets. They are more durable and will last much longer. But sulimine mixers will not last long.
To protect your faucet from most repairable breakdowns, install water filters.

Faucet leaks that are not corrected promptly can cause serious problems. It is not difficult to disassemble and repair the mixer yourself. The main thing is to understand the structure of the crane and have the necessary tools and spare parts on hand.

Design

A single-lever bath mixer is structurally different from a double-valve one. It has only one lever handle, with which you can regulate the temperature and water pressure in the tap. This type of faucet is also known as one-armed bandit, ball, joint, joystick. It performs three main functions: mixing water at the optimal temperature, forming a jet and changing its power. The mechanism of its action is quite simple:

By turning the handle horizontally, you can change the water temperature from cold to hot.

Single lever mixer
By raising or lowering the lever in the vertical direction, you can adjust the flow power. The higher the handle position, the more powerful the jet.

Please note that a single-lever faucet consists of the following structural elements: a rotary handle, a faucet cover, a spout with a faucet body, an internal chamber or cartridge, as well as several gaskets and seals.

When should you change the cartridge?

Lever mixers fail as a result of wear of the moving elements. Ceramic plates are washed much less often than plastic components. In fact, it doesn’t matter why the cartridge is broken. This is a one-time item that cannot be repaired, only replaced with a new one. It is easy to understand that the cartridge in the mixer needs to be replaced by the following signs:

the water does not mix as required, only cold or only hot water comes from the tap;
the supply is disrupted; when you turn the lever, water does not flow from the tap;
the water temperature changes even after the lever is locked in one position;
it is not possible to obtain a jet with full pressure;
it is impossible to completely turn off the tap;
force is required to turn the lever;
Water is leaking from under the lever.

Because tap water contains large amounts of impurities, including sand, lime, and rust, the life of your kitchen faucet or bath fixture may be reduced. A coarse filter will help extend its service life . However, this measure will not help you use your plumbing fixtures forever; there will come a time when you need to replace the cartridge.

Kinds

Inside the mixer, as can be seen even from the name of this plumbing fixture, cold and hot water are mixed in order to obtain a stream of optimal temperature. This process is carried out using a ceramic cartridge or ball mechanism. Based on the design of the internal chamber of the mixer, there are 2 types of devices:

With ball mechanism. The design of a single-lever ball mixer consists of a special round-shaped mixing chamber. This chamber, which resembles a metal ball, has three holes. Cold water flows into one of the holes, hot water flows into the second, and a stream comes out of the third, obtained by mixing these two streams. The rotary lever moves this ball, regulating the temperature and power of the jet.
With ceramic cartridge. The ceramic cartridge consists of three separate plates; in its lower compartment there are three holes, which are also used to supply cold and hot water, as well as to issue a mixed stream to the faucet spout. However, mixing of flows occurs, unlike the ball mechanism, in the upper compartment of the cartridge.

Faucet cartridge

Important! Despite the differences in the internal structure, models with a ball mechanism and a ceramic cartridge look and function approximately the same. However, there are also differences: the cartridge is better protected from the accumulation of limescale, and the “ball” is resistant to impurities contained in tap water.

When to change

As a rule, disk cartridges fail due to wear and tear on moving plastic parts. Ceramic plates wear out much less often. But, by and large, it doesn’t matter why the cartridge broke. In any case, it will have to be replaced, because it is a disposable part that cannot be repaired.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many homeowners pay attention to the single-lever mixer, because its design, repair, and installation are simple, but at the same time very effective and functional. These more modern devices differ from two-valve ones not only in their more aesthetic appearance. They are also very convenient to use; they allow you to more accurately and quickly adjust the water temperature and reduce its consumption. But they also have disadvantages:

Demanding on water quality. Single-lever faucets, due to the nature of their design, are very sensitive to impurities contained in tap water. Due to its poor quality, they often become clogged and then stop working. Models with ceramic cartridges especially suffer from this problem.
Low maintainability. It is almost impossible to repair a single-lever faucet with your own hands; you can only replace some of its parts, for example, seals or the entire cartridge.

Remember! To increase the service life of a single-lever mixer, you can improve the quality of tap water by installing a special filter, as well as perform timely preventive maintenance of the device.

The best manufacturers on the market

Modern single-lever models are very popular, which is why they are presented in the collections of leading companies engaged in the production of plumbing accessories. Among the most famous brands belonging to different price categories are the following.

GROHE – wide functionality and high quality

None of the faucet ratings is complete without models from the German brand Grohe.

Despite their rather high cost, they have earned the attention of consumers with their modern design solutions, durability and reliability.

Accessories of this brand are often equipped with many additional options, which ensures comfortable operation. Among the wide range of single-lever kitchen appliances, users most often note the Concetto 32663001 model with a 45-centimeter pull-out spout, which practically replaces a pull-out watering can.

The faucet uses a virtually silent aerator and a reliable SilkMove ceramic cartridge. A popular model for the bath is the Euroeco 32743000 faucet with an aerator and a special water saving regulator.

Grohe faucets and other accessories have a classic design, making them easy to fit into any room design.

LEMARK – original solutions

The Czech company produces mainly single-lever products with a high spout, which are convenient to use in the kitchen. Sometimes they also have a built-in dispenser into which liquid detergents are poured. The models are available in a wide range of shades, which allows you to choose the faucet to match the color of the sink.

At the same time, the catalog also presents traditional chrome-plated products, which serve as a universal option. The top best models according to users included the Comfort LM3061C kitchen mixer, as well as the Pramen LM3318C shower unit.

Owners of these devices note the impressive design of the devices, thoughtful design and high quality. Some claim that they have been using Lemark accessories for several years without any repairs.

Lemark single lever faucets are often equipped with additional accessories and fixtures, such as a pull-out shower head, for added ease of use.

OMOIKIRI – Japanese technology

Plumbing accessories from the Japanese brand “Omoikiri” impress with their unique design, as well as the highest quality and long service life. The manufacturer provides a five-year warranty on all products. Many models have a double spout, thanks to which tap water is supplied separately from drinking water.

The rating of the best models for the kitchen includes the Tonami-C single-lever mixer, made of lead-free chrome-plated brass. The accessory has a double spout with a 360° rotation angle and a built-in aerator. At the same time, users note the reliability and durability of the crane.

Although the cost of Omoikiri products is quite high, users consider it justified. The models are distinguished by their reliability, long-term operation, and original appearance.

IDDIS is the best Russian manufacturer

The products of the Russian company are very popular due to their diverse range and affordable price. They are also of acceptable quality and, with proper care, can last up to 5-7 years without repairs.

Among the accessories that have earned high user reviews, we can note the universal single-lever faucet IDDIS Vane VANSBL0i10 with a swivel spout, a retractable head with a square shower, and an aerator nozzle.

The reliable and simple kitchen faucet Alborg K56001C is also popular. Due to its low spout, this model is best used in shallow sinks.

IDDIS models usually have a classic design and a chrome-plated surface, making them a perfect match for common stainless steel sinks

KAISER – German quality at an affordable price

The Kaiser brand produces a wide range of faucets that have different types of spouts - pull-out, stationary, rotary, flexible. The products are distinguished by their magnificent appearance, while their cost is quite affordable.

Among the presented models, users especially noted the Kaiser 13044 kitchen faucet with a body made of high-quality brass.

In addition to its excellent appearance, this sanitary accessory has two built-in aerators and a water filter. The high spout has the ability to rotate 360 degrees, which guarantees easy access to all corners of the sink.

Kaiser catalogs present not only traditional chrome options, but also stylish accessories made in bronze or granite.

Problems during operation

Even high-quality plumbing fixtures fail over time. The service life of the faucet depends on the material from which it is made, the quality of the tap water and the intensity of use. The most common problems that arise when using single-lever models are:

Cracks on the device body. They arise due to poor quality material and installation errors.
Aerator clogged. The cause of this malfunction is the poor quality of tap water.
Wear of rubber gaskets. Seals are consumables; they wear out over time due to the high intensity of use of the device.

Important! No matter how high the quality of the faucet, it needs preventive maintenance. Even if no problems arise during operation, you need to disassemble the device once every 2 years, clean it, and replace the gaskets. After all, even a small speck that gets under the seal can cause a leak.

Useful tips

To ensure that the mixer serves for many years, you should use the following recommendations:

To clean the mixer body, you need to choose a special cleaning agent;
Do not use hard brushes or compounds that can corrode the coating. These are acetic and alkaline based formulations;
To prevent the chrome coating from darkening, the product used must be washed off with water;
For preventive purposes, you need to change cartridges and gaskets more often; You can insert a filter to purify hard water.

The operation of the entire system depends on the quality of installation.
These simple tips will help maintain the functionality of the device for a long time, which will eliminate the need to make repairs.

Repair

Many home craftsmen are interested in how to repair a single-lever ball mixer if it begins to work poorly. Experienced plumbers say: if the device becomes unusable, you can only completely replace the cartridge or clean it, as well as replace the gaskets. To do this you need to proceed as follows:

First, you need to limit the supply of cold and hot water to the mixer; to do this, you need to shut off the ball valves on the underwater pipes.
After this, use a screwdriver to remove the decorative trim on the rotary handle of the faucet.

Disassembling a ball mixer
Then you should unscrew the fixing screw and nut, which is the cover of the device body.
Next, you can unscrew the nut that secures the internal mechanism of the mixer in the desired position.
The last thing you need to do is remove the cartridge or ball mechanism, replace it with a new one, and then reassemble it in the reverse order.

Replacing the cartridge

Please note that each plumbing fixture has its own service life, which depends on its quality and intensity of use. However, this period can be extended if you improve the quality of tap water using a purifying filter, as well as regularly carry out preventive maintenance of the device. For a single-lever mixer, maintenance consists of periodic disassembly and cleaning, as well as timely replacement of rubber seals.

Two-valve

This procedure should not take you much time, because the design of a two-valve faucet is very simple. For these purposes, you should only stock up on a screwdriver and a wrench. Be sure to remember to turn off the hot and cold water supply. Now you can proceed to removing the plugs on the taps.

The picture shows a two-valve mixer

After their installation, you can find the screws. They should be removed using a screwdriver. After this, access to the rubber gaskets is open. But it will not be possible to determine their damage from just an external glance. Most often, the gaskets will need to be changed or all connections tightened so that the mixer does not dangle.

Another cause of failure may be scale concentrated inside the faucet. To remove it, you should use a long flathead screwdriver and use it to remove limescale.

The video shows how to disassemble a two-valve bathroom faucet:

The ball valve has a similar disassembly principle, the design of which is equipped with two levers. This device is, of course, a little simpler. If you use the recommendations presented correctly, the entire disassembly process will not cause you any difficulties, and you will spend a minimum of time on this matter.

Peculiarities

This type of mixer is a faucet that has only one adjustment handle. Thanks to this design, the water flow in a single-lever faucet is controlled by the movement of one hand.

Its main advantages:

Quickly obtain a water jet at the desired temperature.
Ease of management.
Easy repairs that you can do yourself.

Basic selection options

A single-lever mixer is an integral element of the interior - not only functionally, but visually it can make or break the design of the room. With thousands of different models on the market, a clear choice can be prudent, which can result in purchasing a single-lever faucet that doesn't suit the drainage system or the owners' lifestyle.

For this reason, experts have put together a five-point checklist that will help you easily find the perfect single lever faucet, avoid the most common mistakes, and choose a device that will complement your home and function effectively for many years to come:

Water pressure
Check installation location
Style, size and design
Material inside
Finishing

Kinds

Mixers with one lever are divided into:

Ball. Their internal structure includes a hollow steel ball with three holes. Through two of them, water is supplied inside the ball, and through the third, it is discharged in a mixed form into the drain nozzle. This ball is located inside a ball sleeve, which also has durable rubber seats. Under the pressure of jets of water, the ball is in firm contact with these saddles. A rod is used to move it inside the mixer. Rotations of the ball change the temperature of the water and its pressure in accordance with the coincidence of the holes in the ball. The more the holes are open, the stronger the pressure.
Cartridge. The water inside these faucets is mixed in a cartridge. These mixers are also called disk mixers, since to change the temperature and pressure of the water stream, the valve of such mixers has metal-ceramic or steel disks. The gap between them acts as a chamber in which water of different temperatures is mixed.

If the lever goes down on its own

Spontaneous lowering of the mixer lever usually tells us that it is broken. When you press the flag, water may flow in a thin stream or not at all. Many people believe that the main reason for this lever behavior is a cartridge failure, but this is not always the case.

All residents of a city apartment or country house use plumbing differently. Some open the taps carefully, others, for example, children, jerk the flag sharply. In the latter case, damage to the inner part of the lever, which fits onto the head of the cartridge, may occur. If damaged, the walls of the square insert diverge to the sides, which leads to a certain amount of free movement of the part; when lifted up, the crane begins to fall.

Note! To determine the breakdown, you need to remove the round decorative insert, unscrew the screw and remove the lever. After this, they look at the inside of the flag: if it is damaged, then install a similar part from the old mixer. If you have high-quality plumbing, lowering of the lever may be caused by wear of the cartridge, which will need to be replaced.

Disassembly instructions

First of all, prepare the tools you will need to disassemble your single lever faucet.

You should have with you:

Flathead screwdriver.
Adjustable wrench.
Spanners.
Knife.
Pliers.

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Next, your actions will be determined by the internal structure of the mixer. Please remember to turn off the water supply before starting work.

With ceramic cartridge

Using a knife or screwdriver, remove the plug with the red and blue markings.
Using a hexagon or screwdriver, unscrew the screw whose function is to hold the lever.
Remove the lever from the body to reveal the top of the cartridge with the adjusting rod and clamp nut.
Carefully unscrew the clamping nut, using either a wrench (for a faceted nut) or a screwdriver (for a round nut that has recesses and a shoulder) for this manipulation, depending on the type of nut.
Remove the cartridge, noting its location inside the case.

Ball

The analysis of this single-lever mixer is carried out according to the following scheme:

Remove the handle by loosening the screw that holds it in place.
Using a screwdriver, press down on the ring (its notch) so that it turns counterclockwise, but not completely.
Remove the dome using pliers without deforming the four-prong ring underneath.
Unscrew the plastic ring from the dome to check the connection, its rotation and the degree of contamination.
Remove the plastic shield part by cleaning the black part (seal). Sometimes the whole problem lies in the contamination of this part, so after cleaning the faucet is put back together.
If cleaning does not help, remove the ball from the tap and inspect it. If you need to replace the ball, install a new part in the mixer, and then reassemble the entire structure in the reverse order.

See it clearly in the video below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=K1K2Sw0428U

A mixer of this type quite often gets clogged at the tap spout point, which is manifested by reduced water pressure, but to fix this problem it is not necessary to completely disassemble the ball mixer. To clean the spout, first unscrew the nut in the faucet spout. Remove the mesh, and after washing and blowing, install it back, then return the nut to its place.

Common troubles

The single-lever faucet design has only three common problems.

Malfunction	Circumstance
Handle jamming, enormous hardening during adjustment	Lubricant washout (in most cases occurs after 5-8 years of operation)
Broken rod (the handle is completely separated from the body)	Excessive hardening applied to the handle
Inability to shut off water, leaking when the handle is in the lower position	Chips of plates due to debris, breakage of plastic clips due to excessive hardening on the lever

Let's highlight: the single-lever mixer closes, opens and is adjusted with smooth movement, without unnecessary hardening. The cause of most malfunctions is the habit of turning off the water with a sharp blow to the lever.

Sticking of the handle can be eliminated by re-lubricating the rubbing plates. A special lubricant for the mixer cartridge and ceramic axle boxes is sold in branded plumbing stores; the price of a small tube is 400 - 600 rubles. A more affordable option is silicone lubricants used for household purposes: a 30-gram tube will cost only 120 - 140 rubles.

In all other cases, the repair instructions boil down to replacing the cartridge completely.