A leaking faucet is an evil: Water and energy are wasted pointless. You can easily do the repair yourself.
Use a handyman to repair it, can get expensive. Maintenance can be carried out with just a few tools- and carry out repair work on nozzles professionally yourself.
The simple faucet is the original type of inlet valve. In the technical language he becomes Zapf- or called the outlet valve. All water taps in the house work according to the following principle: A spindle – a piston on the more comfortable single-lever mixers – can be moved up and down and thus continuously regulates the withdrawal quantity.
Before starting the repair, the closest shut-off valve must first be closed. The spindle is hidden in the upper part of the tap, the heart of the faucet. The handle can, je nach Manufacturer, by pulling or unscrewing – there is a hexagon on the bell – removed. This is best done using pliers with plastic jaws. With their long lever travel, even tight screw connections can be loosened gently. Only in emergencies should high-quality surfaces be tackled with serrated pliers, A damp cloth underneath serves as protection. Use a suitable open-end wrench to unscrew the upper part of the valve counter-clockwise.
Renew the tap washer
At the lower end is the seal- or. Rubber tap washer. The pressing on the sealing seat and the minerals contained in the water leave clear traces: Severe deformation and limescale deposits prevent reliable sealing. The valve disc can be replaced after loosening a locking screw or nut. On this occasion the valve seat should be checked. One point of view- or tactile control provides information, whether it has a flat surface. If necessary, deposits and traces of corrosion are removed with the valve seat cutter. Two, three turns are enough, under no circumstances should more material be removed than necessary.
It sometimes happens with fittings with a swivel spout, that when the nozzle valve is open, water escapes at the swivel joint. The chrome-plated union nut must be loosened here, then you can subtract the s-for-migen outlet. The new O-rings are rubbed with valve grease before assembly. This special grease is harmless to health and protects the sealing rings from aging too quickly. The ceramic discs of the single-lever mixers have a long service life. It drips from the spout, dirt that has accumulated on the panes can be rinsed out by repeatedly opening and closing the panes. If it's still dripping, dismantling is necessary.
A little exercise is good
■ If it is needed after a long time, it comes to light: The shut-off valve cannot be closed. To avoid such mishaps, Shut-off valves that are rarely used should be regularly - at least annually – be moved.