Replacing the cartridge in the mixer: detailed instructions for repair in photos and videos

The popularity of comfortable and stylish single-lever mixers is growing steadily. They confidently displace conventional valve designs, decorating kitchens, bathrooms and bathrooms. However, like any household device, they are not eternal. Sooner or later, the owners of this plumbing novelty will need to replace the cartridge in the mixer, since most of the time this element fails.

How does a single lever mixer work?

The cartridge can be called the main part of a single lever mixer. Thanks to him, it is possible to control the flow of water with a single handle, which is much more convenient than turning two valves with cold and hot water in turn. In addition, the fixed position of the handle of the mixer eliminates the need to restore the ratio of the flow of hot and cold water each time.

Inside the cartridge are two ceramic plates that fit snugly together. Unfortunately, over time, extremely unpleasant phenomena may appear, for example, when you press the lever it is not possible to completely shut off the water flow, moisture will leak from below, etc. Obviously, the device is out of order. By figuring out how to change the cartridge in the mixer, you can save a lot of money.

Possible causes of cartridge damage

Industrial ceramics are at their peak today, and faucet cartridges are no exception. They perfectly tolerate friction and are completely free from corrosion. This explains the rather high price of devices of this type, as well as a long warranty period.

In practice, it turns out that the mixer can fail much earlier than its owners expect. It can break for such reasons as:

• the quality of the water entering the system that does not meet the manufacturer's requirements;
• the presence in water of impurities from metal oxidation;
• salt deposits;
• frequent water hammer;
• violation of the operating conditions of the mixer;
• end of life;
• low quality construction.

To extend the life of a single lever mixer, recall these problems should be already at the stage of purchase of the device. For example, you should give preference to an expensive branded model, rather than a cheap fake created by hardworking Chinese. Significantly increase the life of the mixer will help a conventional household filter, which eliminates salts, pieces of rust and other impurities that can degrade the performance of durable ceramic plates.

Please note: Some manufacturers indicate the presence of a household water purification filter as one of the conditions of the guarantee. The absence of such a filter may lead to a refusal of warranty service of the device.

Finally, part of the breakdowns is due to the carelessness of the mixer owners themselves. Do not use excessive force when pressing the lever; moreover, heavy objects should not be dropped onto the device.

Cartridge replacement procedure

The problem of replacing a cartridge has a fairly simple solution. You will not need any complicated specialized tool, just a pair of screwdrivers, a hexagon and adjustable wrench. Actually repairing the mixer cartridge is no more difficult than replacing a worn gasket in a traditional valve design. To do this, you must:

• • Turn off the water supply, both hot and cold.

Remove the decorative plug from the mixer, on which hot and cold water is indicated in red and blue. A thin screwdriver is suitable for this.

The decorative plug is carefully removed with a screwdriver.

• • Under the decorative plug is a locking screw that holds the handle. It must be unscrewed using a hexagon or a suitable screwdriver.

Now you can carefully remove the mixer handle.

Having unfastened a clamp, it is necessary to remove the handle and a protective ring

• A protective ring is fixed under the handle. It is easily unscrewed simply by hand.

After the protective ring is removed, you should arm yourself with an adjustable wrench. He is needed to unscrew the clamping nut.

The clamping nut is carefully unscrewed using an adjustable or wrench.

• • Now the defective cartridge can be easily removed from the mixer.

After this, the mixer should be carefully cleaned, removing accumulated salt deposits and other contaminants.

Having removed the defective cartridge, you can go to the store to buy a suitable analogue

• It remains to reinstall the serviceable cartridge and do all of the above operations in reverse order, that is, to reinstall the clamping nut, screw on the protective ring, fix the handle, and then insert the decorative plug in its original place.
• Restore the water supply and check the operation of the device.

Tip: Cartridges may vary depending on the mixer model. Therefore, it is recommended not to buy a cartridge in advance, but to go to a plumbing store or to the market, capturing a defective cartridge in order to purchase exactly the same.

The cartridge has two small tabs.

Make sure that they match the holes that are made in the mixer body. If the cartridge model is selected incorrectly or if the cartridge is not installed correctly, the tabs and holes will not match. Water will flow into the gaps between them and the mixer will begin to leak.

Thus, the change of cartridge in the mixer can be carried out even by a novice master. Of course, all operations must be done so as not to damage the decorative coating. Upon completion of the repair, the device will look and work like new, and the family budget will hardly feel the consequences of the repair.