Damage to the kitchen faucet can occur at the most inopportune moment, when there is simply no time to wait for the arrival of the plumber. Agree, the ability to replace a plumbing fixture will be useful to every home foreman. Moreover, special skills and expensive tools are not needed to complete the work.
Before changing the faucet in the kitchen, you need to understand its structure and make a clear idea of the procedure. We will help you in these matters.
The article provides detailed instructions for dismantling old appliances and installing new models, taking into account their design features. Having studied the material, you can easily do the job and save the family budget on a plumbing call.
Types of kitchen mixing devices
The reasons for changing the appliance can be different, ranging from a decrease in its functionality due to the wear of individual parts, and ending with the replacement in order to fit the mixer to the overall interior of the kitchen.
Regardless of the reason for the replacement, the dismantling and subsequent installation process is almost uniform. And the owner of the kitchen, first of all, needs to choose a suitable mixer.
The following parameters should be evaluated:
- design form;
- configuration
- manufacturing material.
The design form is a choice at the personal discretion of the owner of the kitchen, but at the same time, when planning to change the appliance, it is advisable not to depart from the general picture of the kitchen interior. The mixer configuration must match the installation method.
Recall that there are two common ways to install kitchen faucets:
- wall mounted;
- desktop.
Typically, kitchen faucets use tabletop taps designed to be placed on the sink panel or on the rim of the sink. Wall murals gradually go out of fashion or are practiced as part of elite kitchen interiors.
For installation in the kitchen, faucets with two separate taps for regulating the water flow or appliances with a lever mechanism are mainly used. Recent designs are considered more comfortable and quickly gaining popularity.
Also, the owner of the kitchen, who decided to change the plumbing, was given the opportunity to choose from two types of appliances according to the method of controlling the water flow. One type is a construction with two taps (herringbone) and another type is a single-lever type construction, where water is mixed with one lever.
Material for the manufacture of mixing plumbing fixtures is usually silumin, brass, bronze, ceramics. Silumin based devices are less durable than brass and others.
Silumin mixers can be distinguished by weight and market price (they are easier and cheaper). It is more practical to choose brass, bronze, ceramic products. Their price is more expensive, but they will last much longer, so in the long term, such products look more economical.
Mixer Replacement Instructions
A detailed description of the steps to reinstall the mixing equipment will help to avoid mistakes if you decide to make a replacement for the first time.
Tool and mounting kit
The dismantling and installation of a traditional kitchen sink accessory is carried out using the following plumbing tools:
- adjustable wrench - gas key first number;
- wrenches (10 * 12, 13 * 14);
- socket wrench with a deep stock (10 * 12, 13 * 14);
- wire brush,
- PTFE tape - PTFE.
When solving the problem of how to replace or repair the faucet in the kitchen, the installer must have at hand a complete installation kit. This is a set of all the necessary elements: gaskets, connecting hoses, nuts, screws, washers, etc., which are usually sold with the device.
The manufacturer supplements any set of kitchen faucet with instructions where the sequence of installation of such a device is signed.
To dismantle or mount a mixer in the kitchen, you will need a small set of plumbing tools. Such a set should have every owner in the house. It is useful not only for installation, but also in the process of servicing plumbing
In addition to the installation tool, household accessories will be required: a rag, bucket or basin. Thanks to these objects, it is possible to minimize the spreading of the water remaining in the pipelines when the dismantling process is carried out.
It is advisable to have a miniature flashlight, since usually replacing a tabletop kitchen faucet is accompanied by work in darkened conditions - under the sink, under the sink.
Dismantling the kitchen faucet
First of all, the supply of water (cold, hot) to the mixer is stopped - the linear taps on the centralized supply pipes are closed. After the mains are blocked, open the mixer valves and make sure that no water flows. If a water leak is observed, this indicates the wear of the shut-off linear valves.
In this case, first you have to replace the taps on the water supply lines and only then continue to work in the kitchen.
Before starting dismantling / installing plumbing in the kitchen, it is necessary to block the water supply through the hot and cold lines. After closing the stopcocks, check the reliability of the lock by opening the taps on the old mixer
In the absence of a water leak, dismantling can be continued. Under the sink are connecting flexible hoses (40-60 cm long), which must be removed.
A flexible eyeliner attaches to the centralized line with union nuts. It is convenient to unscrew them using an adjustable (gas) wrench. Flexible hoses are mounted on the mixer body with tubular fittings. Here, to turn out the fittings, you need a wrench 13 * 14 or 10 * 12, depending on the modification.
After the flexible hoses are disconnected, it is the turn to dismantle the mixer device directly. It rests on the sink thanks to two hex nuts and a special pressure washer.
Nuts are screwed onto two long studs with a length of about 50-60 mm. Therefore, when replacing it is most convenient to use a socket wrench. The mounting unit is located in the lower area of the mixer, so working under the sink is a common practice in most cases.
When the screws are removed, the support washer is removed from the studs, after which the mixer is easily removed.
You can only remove the water mixing device from the kitchen sink after removing the special mount on the bottom of the appliance. This is either a large-sized clamping washer or two studs (+)
Wall-mounted models in kitchens are rarely installed, but this replacement option is also possible. Unlike the desktop method, there is no flexible eyeliner. The device is rigidly mounted directly on the pipe bends from the centralized highway.
The pipes, in turn, are walled up in the wall, and only threaded ends are left for connection. To dismantle and replace the wall-mounted kitchen faucet, you need to unscrew the two nuts, and then remove the appliance.
Checking a new appliance
A new appliance purchased to replace an old kitchen faucet is removed from the packaging. It is necessary to carefully inspect the design for defects, damage.
Branded plumbing stores, as a rule, accept and exchange defective goods, repair or return money. The main thing is to have a sales receipt on hand.
The mixer must carefully check the mechanical parts and performance:
- rotation of flow controllers;
- thread integrity at joints;
- quality flexible connecting hoses.
Depending on the model of the device, the rotation of the cranes or the movement of the lever should be accompanied by an easy smooth run. The presence of even small defects in the places of the connecting thread is excluded, otherwise at the time of installation, when tightening the nuts, the risk of damage to the entire connection node increases.
The nickel-plated coating of the mixer should be even, uniform (without swelling), without scratches and dents. The protective metal casing of the flexible hoses must not be damaged.
The new device must be removed from the packaging and carefully checked for integrity of all sections. It is also necessary to check the mechanical functionality and quality of threaded connections
Crane installation technology
Prior to installation of the mixer, the outlet internal openings of the water pipes must be cleaned of scale and rust, and the threads on the pipes must be cleaned of any residual sealing material.
It is convenient to do such work with a lightweight metal brush. The mixer landing site at the sink should also be cleaned of scale and oxides, but without a brush - with a rag. If the sink can be easily removed from the base, it is recommended to remove these kitchen accessories for ease of installation.
On the faucet you need to screw the two flexible armored hoses included in the kit - one for hot, the other for cold water. Before screwing the hoses onto the tubular fittings, it is necessary to put on rubber gaskets, which are also provided in the delivery set.
The hoses are screwed by hand all the way, then with a little effort they reach two or three turns with a wrench.
Usually the connection to the central line is made by flexible armored hoses. At one end, these hoses are screwed into the housing of the mixing device.
At the next stage, the device equipped with a flexible eyeliner should be installed in the place of its placement on the sink. Insert flexible hoses into the mounting hole of the sink (sink) with a diameter of 34 mm and lower the device onto the canvas.
From the bottom of the sink, you need to get to the bottom of the mixer, put a sealing washer on the studs and tighten it with nuts to the sink, but not completely.
It is necessary to leave a slight free play on the mixer body so that it is possible to align the device in the center of the mounting hole. After centering the mixer, the nuts on the studs reach all the way.
After mounting the device on the side of the sink, you need to connect the ends of the flexible hoses to the main pipelines. The designs of modern flexible hoses are equipped with union nuts with already installed rubber gaskets.
It remains for the installer only to gently, precisely by carving, screw the union nuts onto the pipe ends as far as they will go and tighten them with a gas wrench for two to three turns.
The mixer body is fastened on the base of the sink by pressing the device with a sealing washer. The washer is pressed with nuts that are screwed onto the studs. Some mixer designs are mounted with a single nut.
Flexible eyeliner for kitchen plumbing is available in various sizes in length. During installation, you should be guided by the rule that states that it is imperative to leave a slack in the hoses. For example, for a distance between connection points of 520 mm, apply an eyeliner with a length of at least 600 mm.
At this stage of work, it is necessary to install a water filter, if it is planned to be used.
A hairpin mount is commonly used on single lever and touch gauges. Devices with two separate control valves have a slightly modified mounting unit.
Here, a support washer with one tightening nut is used, which is screwed onto the lower part of the mixer body. With this option, small wrenches are no longer required. Instead, when replacing the mixer, an adjustable or gas wrench is used.
A feature of installing a wall-mounted device is the need to use a device of a different configuration, namely with two separate inputs.
Wall constructions of mixing plumbing mechanisms are mounted a little easier than desktop ones. There is no flexible eyeliner, only a rigid mount. However, such installation methods are not often used.
The inlet openings of the wall-mounted kitchen faucet must correspond to the center distance of the pipe ends. If there is no conformity, use the eccentric adapters included in the delivery.
Features of installation of different models
The tactics of actions may vary - the order of the work depends on the design features of the mixer. We will analyze step by step the possible installation options.
Photo-installation manual for a mixer with a clamping nut
For installation on today's popular metal sinks, faucets with a clamping nut screwed down from below are ideal. Before starting work on the sink, it is necessary to select a site without a relief in order to position the base of the device on an absolutely flat surface.
The mounting technology of this type of mixer has its own specifics:
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Turning the mixer over, we find a groove on its body. We have in it a sealing ring, which is available in the configuration of the device
If there was no landing hole for the mixer at the sink, we mark and cut it, trying to cut exactly along the contour
In the prepared hole we start the base of the mixer. On the lower side we put on a sealing ring, which should also be in the trading kit
In the wake of the seal ring, put on the bottom and screw on the brass nut that fixes the position of the mixer
Having chosen the most suitable and convenient for use position of the mixer body, tighten the clamping nut with an adjustable wrench
The first to install and fasten the hose with a short fitting. We carry out this work without any seals and winding with a key of 10
Then, in the same way, a flexible hose with a long fitting is wound
Having firmly fixed the hoses and once again making sure that the body is still, we open the stop valves. We check the quality of the installation, if there is a leak somewhere, we fix the shortcomings
Step 1: Installing the O-Ring
Step 2: marking and forming the footprint
Step 3: Install the mixer in the seat
Step 4: Screw the brass nut on the bottom of the case
Step 5: Tighten the clamping nut with an adjustable wrench
Step 6: Installing the hose with a short fitting
Step 7: Screw on the hose with a long fitting
Step 8: Verifying Installation and Commissioning
Quick installation guide for the mixer on the studs
The specificity of plumbing operations with this type of mixer is that flexible eyeliner must be fixed before installing the device in place.
This sequence is due to the inability to tighten them after placement in the landing hole:
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Step 1: Preparing the mixer for installation
Step 2: Installing the mixer in the bore hole
Step 3: Tighten the brass stud nuts
Finish fixing the mixer to the heels
Installation of exotic semi-professional models
The designs of plumbing fixtures are constantly being improved. This also applies to faucets that are operated in the kitchen.
Increasingly, there are buyers who want to replace a conventional faucet in the kitchen with a touch device or a thermostatic mixer. From a mechanical point of view, the installation of electronic structures is almost the same as the installation of traditional models.
However, there are some nuances associated with the electronic control of devices:
- installation of batteries or external power supply;
- setting temperature conditions and storing them in the “memory” of the device;
- regulation of sensitivity of sensors.
Semi-professional appliances with a high spout, a 360 ° turn and with a retractable shower are usually installed in the kitchen, where two sinks or one with two separate sinks are used.
Semi-professional plumbing fixture with a high spout and 360 degree circular rotation, with flexible armored hoses and bolted connection to the system
Replacement of such devices is also not particularly different from the standard method, with the exception of some details. For example, the arrangement of fasteners can be changed, and bolts can be used instead of studs.
Modules with crane boxes in designer models can be installed separately from the spout, as, for example, in the mixer version with combined outlet presented below:
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Step 1: Install the spout and hot / cold water taps
Step 2: Attaching hoses for connecting devices and connecting
Step 3: Connect the outlet to the mixer
Step 4: Checking the correct connection of the mixer
Pressure testing and commissioning
It is recommended to pressure test the assembled structure - check for leaks. To do this, the taps on the mixer must be closed (on the lever model, lower the lever all the way). Open alternately linear taps on the hot / cold water lines, and then carefully inspect all places of installation connections, as well as the mixer itself.
If, after 15-20 minutes, no water leak has been detected, the installation is completed with high quality. You can safely begin to operate a new mixer in the kitchen.
Before starting operation, the aerator - strainer must be removed from the gander of the mixer. In this position, open the taps and let the water flow for a short time in order to wash out the particles of rust, oxides and scale remaining in the pipelines.
After the procedure, install the aerator in place and test the water flow already in the filtration mode. The jet should exit evenly, without splashing water to the sides.
This is how a properly installed kitchen faucet works - an even, dense stream of water at the outlet of the device
Typically, well-known manufacturers give a guarantee of at least 5 years on devices. Claims from buyers are accepted during this period. The warranty period provides for the repair of kitchen faucets at the expense of the manufacturer, if manufacturing defects are found, the introduction of low-quality materials, etc.
Moreover, repairs are carried out within 20 business days, if there are no justified reasons for extending this period. However, there is one important point in the history of returns - the guarantee remains if the mixer was dismantled only after inspection by a representative of the manufacturer.
Visual instructions for replacing an old mixer or installing a new appliance:
Self-replacement of the faucet is possible for any home master. If such work is carried out for the first time, then the main thing is not to rush and perform all the actions according to the installation instructions. A scrupulous approach will ensure the tightness of the docking elements and the duration of uninterrupted operation of the plumbing fixture.
If you have experience in dismantling and installing a kitchen faucet, please share practical skills with our readers. Leave comments and ask questions on the topic in the form below.