There is a cartridge in almost every single lever mixer. It is he who allows you to set the appropriate water temperature, and most often is the reason for the premature failure of the device.
Such a breakdown is easy to fix on your own, because you can change the cartridge in the faucet in the kitchen without having the skills of a professional plumber. It is enough to have a desire and a minimum set of tools.
Cartridge: device, how it looks and where it is
Modern mixers are equipped with either a ball cartridge or its disk counterpart.
Ball cartridge
The ball valve design includes the following elements:
- a hollow ball with a diameter of about 40 mm with three identical holes, one of which is in the middle, and the other two are on the sides slightly lower;
- the seat also has three channels with rubber seals;
- on top of the ball there is a rod for adjusting its position.
The inner cavity of the ball (mixing chamber) is filled with cold and hot water through the side holes, where mixing takes place. The middle hole serves to discharge the already mixed liquid into the outlet channel, through which it enters the mixer head in a state ready for use.
The design of the seat allows the inlet channels to be closed when the ball is turned (using the rod). The water supply of the required temperature depends on the throughput of each of the holes, which can be partially or completely closed.
Disk cartridge
Most of the faucets available on the plumbing market are equipped with disc-shaped cartridges, which are cheaper, easier to manufacture and do not need to periodically (every 2-3 years) change rubber seals, like ball models.
The disc-shaped cartridge has a cylindrical shape with three holes on the bottom (2 inlets and one outlet). Inside the cylinder there are two ceramic discs in close contact with each other. One of them is motionless, and is located below. The upper disc is driven by a rod connected to the mixer adjusting handle.
The lower disc has holes that match those in the case. The upper disc, displaced by means of a lever, reduces the clearance of each of the inlet channels (up to a complete overlap), thus regulating the amount of incoming water. For smooth movement of the plates, the space between them is filled with silicone grease.
Crane cartridges
The range of such products on the market today is simply huge. Their mechanism is made of metal or ceramic, which are located inside a plastic case. Some cartridges supply hot or cold water using a ceramic disc. It is not difficult to remove the cartridge from the tap and change it to a new one; it is more difficult to choose the appropriate option. You can order the desired product with delivery by mail at any time in a specialized online store. Famous brands:
- Hansgrohe;
- ORAS;
- Vidima;
- Ledeme;
- Grohe et al.
Hansgrohe
When planning to buy a cartridge for a single-lever mixer or for a shower stall, pay attention to the products of the German manufacturer Hansgrohe. It is distinguished by excellent workmanship, reliable performance and a long operating period. A great purchase can be:
- model name: Hansgrohe M2 / M3 92730000;
- price: 1950 p.;
- characteristics: type - ceramic, suitable for mono-command (one-handed) Hansgroe mixers;
- pluses: reliability, durability;
- cons: no.
Check out another purchase that may seem more versatile. True, to purchase it, you will need to pay an order of magnitude more:
- model name: AVP DN5 T. 92529000;
- price: 5946 rubles;
- characteristics: made of ceramic, suitable for Hansgrohe and AXOR production from 10.2015;
- pluses: reliability, durability;
- cons: expensive.
ORAS
The Finnish company ORAS specializes in the production of a wide range of mixers and parts for them. The company's products are made using high quality components from European suppliers. The production process of parts at all stages is controlled by precise quality control: from the selection of the right raw material to the final product. The flawless operation of the mixers and the reliability of ORAS components made the company's products famous in many countries of the world. A good purchase can be:
- model name: Oras 158890;
- price: 2855 rubles;
- characteristics: type - ceramic, weight - 109 g, there is an instruction;
- pluses: good build quality, high quality;
- cons: not the most affordable cost.
Check out another popular option for Oras single lever mixers. In terms of strength characteristics, this cartridge is not inferior to the previous one:
- model name: Oras 158888;
- price: 2900 rubles;
- characteristics: type - ceramic, suitable for most single-lever devices;
- pluses: strength, reliability, excellent quality;
- cons: a little expensive.
Vidima
Plumbing fixtures and accessories of one of the most famous European manufacturers in the country, Vidima (Vidima), will cost less than the previous options. The company offers customers a choice of a wide range of products in an affordable price segment. The devices and accessories it offers are high manufacturability, good quality and classic elegant design. Strict compliance with all European standards and reasonable cost determine the wide popularity of Bulgarian plumbing fixtures:
- model name: f 35 Sirius B964936NU from Vidima;
- price: 915 rubles;
- characteristics: type - ceramic, for devices of the Sirius, Orion, Sevaloop series;
- pluses: good workmanship, relatively cheap;
- cons: no.
If the described cartridge for some reason did not fit into the mixer, then take a closer look at one more option. It is also relatively inexpensive:
- model name: f 35 Sirius B964935NU from Vidima;
- price: 915 rubles;
- characteristics: with a cast spout for the Balance, Logik, Orion, Sevaloop, Sirius, Uno collections;
- pluses: acceptable build quality, low cost;
- cons: no.
When to change
If the phenomena described below are observed in the operation of the device, it is highly likely that the cartridge needs to be replaced:
- the flow head at the outlet does not correspond to the position of the lever;
- lateral movements cause significant difficulties, there is no smooth running;
- there are leaks along the body of the mixer, water accumulates around it;
- arbitrary temperature change, inadequate response of the device to the turn of the adjusting knob;
- water flows even when the tap is completely closed.
There are a number of factors that are most common in premature kitchen faucet cartridge failure. The main ones are listed below:
- Fragments of lime scale, rust particles and other water-insoluble impurities, getting between the discs, often cause chips. Even small defects on the surface of the plates break the tightness, negatively affecting the operation of the cartridge and the device as a whole.
- Regular water hammer. This phenomenon can be observed during the water supply, after it is turned off.
- Poor quality materials used in the construction of the device.
- The operating conditions of the mixer do not meet the manufacturer's requirements.
- The high content of calcium salts in tap water provokes the formation of scale on the discs, which causes their premature wear and failure.
Important! A conventional coarse filter installed in front of the mixer will help protect the device from the harmful effects of small fragments of lime scale, metal oxides or sand. Its absence for some manufacturers is the reason for the disclaimer of warranty obligations.
Factors leading to breakdown
The plumbing device acts as the basis for single-lever mixers and allows you to organize the control of the water flow using only one handle. This is much more convenient than controlling a valve mixer.
The ratio of hot and cold water flows keeps the handle in a fixed position. The interior of the device is equipped with two tight-fitting ceramic plates, and this density decreases over time.
As a result, a variety of breakdowns occur. What are the main causes of a malfunction?
The main factors that lead to breakdown:
- Poor quality waterwhich passes through the system (a significant difference from the requirements of the mixer manufacturer).
- Salt deposits.
- Exposure regular water hammer.
- Content impurities against metal oxidation in water streams.
- Cheap mechanisms Bad quality.
- Incorrect operation mixer.
- Coming to completion life products.
When choosing and installing a mixer, you should remember about the factors that can lead to breakdown and choose only the mechanisms of trusted manufacturers. In addition, it will be useful to install a household filter, which will eliminate rust, salts and other impurities in the water stream, as well as extend the life of the ceramic plates.
In addition, you should take care of the plumbing fixture, carefully turn the lever, and do not allow large objects to fall on it.
How to change it yourself: instructions
It is quite easy to figure out how to change the cartridge on a kitchen faucet - no more difficult than replacing the rubber gaskets in a conventional valve. To do this, you need the following tools:
- flat screwdriver with a narrow slot;
- hex wrench;
- a gas or adjustable wrench, a regular open-end of the appropriate size is also suitable;
- a knife with a thin blade.
Perhaps a piece of cloth and a tool for stuck-on threaded items such as WD-40 will come in handy. If one is not available, vinegar solution will replace it.
Renovation work
Next, we will take a step-by-step look at how to replace the cartridge in a faucet in the kitchen. The process includes the following points:
- Use a thin knife or a thin screwdriver to remove the plug on the mixer lever. Finding it is easy: this plug usually has a blue and red sticker on it. The function of the sticker is to tell the user the correct position of the lever for dispensing cold or hot water. This procedure should be carried out carefully so as not to damage the coating.
- A screw will be visible through the opened hole, which must be unscrewed in order to easily remove the lever. Depending on the profile of the slots on the head of the screw, you will need a screwdriver or a hex key of a suitable size.
- After the mixer handle is removed, you need to unscrew the protective ring. This procedure is performed without the use of any tools.
- It remains to unscrew the clamping nut, for which an adjustable wrench is best suited. You can also use a gas wrench or open-end wrench.
Now you need to remove the faulty cartridge from the mixer, carefully clean the seat from foreign objects (if any), install a new one and assemble everything in reverse order.
The installation of a new cartridge should be carried out in such a way that the protrusions on its body coincide with the recesses of the mixer seat. If the cartridge is correctly selected, there should be no problems.
The repair of the ball valve occurs in much the same way, with the only difference that the ball has to be changed extremely rarely. The gap between the ball and the seat is large enough so that any particles interfere with smooth rotation.
All moving parts and the mixer seat are made of metal, which, unlike ceramics, is not prone to cracking. Most often, the ball mixer has to be disassembled in order to replace the rubber gaskets.
Types of cartridges for mixers
Before you buy a cartridge for a mixer, consider its types. Depending on the device, ball and disk are distinguished. The second act similarly to the first, but instead of a ball, a special disk is mounted in them. If ball valves are suitable only for single-lever mixers, then disc counterparts can also be installed in two-valve versions. According to the material of manufacture, the cartridges are metal and ceramic. Depending on the principle of operation, the following models are distinguished:
- for single-lever cranes;
- for a shower cabin (double-lever);
- for thermostats.
Ceramic
Such a cartridge is of a simple design, the main parts of which are a pair of plates. They fit tightly to each other, thereby controlling the pressure of the water and its temperature. The ceramic cartridge of the well-known Hansgrohe, Grohe models can be used for showers, bathroom sinks and kitchen sinks. Due to the constant friction of the ceramic plates, this type of locking device needs constant lubrication.
Ball
The device of the spherical product is relatively simple - in the lower part of the part there are several holes with different diameters. The mixing of water in such a mechanism is carried out using a changing position of the locking ball. It can simultaneously close only half of the holes or all of them, changing the pressure of the working medium. It is imperative to replace the part if the valve leaks in the off state. A similar action is necessary if a two-valve or flag valve squeaks, buzzes or turns tight.
Features of replacement on different mixers
In the plumbing market, many companies are engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of taps and mixers. There is no single standard for the cartridges used in all of these devices.
For each brand of mixer, only a cartridge of this manufacturer is suitable. If there is no proper experience, the only correct option not to be mistaken is to buy a new cartridge only after removing the faulty one, taking it as a sample.
On different versions of single-lever mixers, both solid cartridges and collapsible cartridges can be installed. In the case of the latter, there is the likelihood of a successful repair.
However, finding the right part is quite difficult, especially for older models. Therefore, in most cases, you should buy a new cartridge assembly for replacement. And even better - when purchasing a mixer, immediately take a spare cartridge for it.
Breakdown reasons
There are many reasons for the breakdown of the mixer design in our time. First of all, the ingress of solid and small particles, such as grains of sand, can be attributed to the rapid breakdown of the cartridge in the tap and its subsequent replacement. Because of them, a violation of the internal elements occurs in the mixer, that is, the erasure of the metal parts of the faucet and the head. As a result of this interaction, chips, scratches and other damage appear on them, which are the main reason for the leakage of the crane.
When these signs appear, it is better to repair and replace the cartridge without delaying, and also change the rest of the mixer design details.
