How To Repair A Ceramic Disc Dripping Tap
- Pull the tap handle off and set it aside
- Using a screwdriver, remove the screws that hold the tap handle in place
- Unscrew the cap on the top of
- Turn off the water supply to the tap
How do you fix a cracked ceramic disk faucet?
If you find that the seals on your ceramic disk cartridge are cracked or badly worn, the fix is generally to just buy a new cartridge and install it. The first step in faucet repair is to locate the hot and cold fixture shutoff valves and turn them off.
How to fix a leaky single handle disc faucet?
1 Repair of a Single Handle Disk Faucet. A common home plumbing repair is fixing a leaky faucet. ... 2 Turn Off Water Supply at Sink. ... 3 Remove Handle Lever. ... 4 Remove Ceramic Disc Cartridge. ... 5 Clean the Cartridge Rubber Seal Seats, Seals and O-Ring. ... 6 Reassemble Disc Cartridge and Faucet. ... 7 Restore Water Supply to Faucet. ...
What is the difference between ball and ceramic disk faucets?
Like most cartridge or ball faucets, a disk faucet usually has a single handle (though there are some double-handle models). But while ball faucets have a handle that rotates freely in all directions, a ceramic disk faucet has a distinctive operating motion that includes a smooth forward-back action, along with a left-right rotation.
Are there universal seals for ceramic disk faucets?
Unlike other faucets, where seals, springs, and other parts are often offered in repair kits specified for particular faucet models, the seals for most ceramic disk faucets are not sold this way. Nor will you find suitable seals in the universal kits that offer a wide selection of washers, seals, and O-rings.
Can you repair a ceramic tap?
No Harm in Seeking Help. While replacing a ceramic tap cartridge can be a straight-forward DIY task, there are many types of tap available to home renovators and some of these taps may feature unusual designs.
How do you replace a ceramic disc tap washer?
4:4112:04How to Repair or Replace a Quarter Turn Ceramic Disk Tap ValveYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis collet here again if it is slightly hot remove you can put a few coats of masking tape aroundMoreThis collet here again if it is slightly hot remove you can put a few coats of masking tape around it like that and then it use a wrench like this just to sort of gently get it started.
How do you replace a ceramic disc?
2:5410:17HOW TO CHANGE A CERAMIC DISC, DIY plumbing on ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's have a look at the mechanism on this quarter turn tap a little bit more closely. Now thisMoreSo let's have a look at the mechanism on this quarter turn tap a little bit more closely. Now this is the quarter. Turn cartridge. So you should actually see the two ceramic discs in there.
Can you clean ceramic discs in taps?
Cleaning the ceramic disc cartridge in your tap will prevent the build up of limescale. This will disrupt the flow of water - meaning you might be forced into washing your hands with just a dribble - instead of a smooth flow!
Why do ceramic disc taps leak?
These are usually caused by a degraded rubber washer or O-ring. Whilst these do last a while, they suffer from wear and tear over time and eventually they will start allowing water to seep out. If your taps are very old, this is the most likely cause of them dripping.
How long do ceramic tap valves last?
A lifetimeHow Long Do Ceramic Disc Cartridges Last? A lifetime. But it depends on the hardness of your water (contact your water provider), and the quality of the tap itself. A cheap tap, even with ceramic discs, is going to wear down over time.
Do ceramic taps wear out?
Ceramic discs are found on most modern taps. They are usually extremely resistant, designed to last for a lifetime, maintenance-free. However, this is not always the case. Occasionally, they do wear out, causing dripping and leaking.
Are ceramic disc taps any good?
The reason why ceramic discs are better than the tap washers is because with ceramic discs there is no constant turning involved when changing the flow of the water. In fact, ceramic discs are designed to last lifetime. Also, with ceramic discs you can shut off the tap with far less efforts.
How do you change a cartridge on a ceramic mixer tap?
0:181:52bathstore: How to change the cartridge in a mixer tap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow remove the old cartridge. And insert the new cartridge by locating the two plastic pegs on theMoreNow remove the old cartridge. And insert the new cartridge by locating the two plastic pegs on the back of the cartridge into the seating of the tap body once the new cartridge is in place replace.
How do you remove limescale from a blocked tap?
Place all three parts in vinegar or vinegar essence for approximately 15 minutes until the limescale dissolves. Citric acid has the same effect. Simply dissolve half a tablespoon of citric acid powder in 100 ml warm water and place the parts in this. After descaling, rinse everything in clean water and reassemble.
How does ceramic disc faucet work?
Ceramic disc faucets, by contrast, use durable ceramic discs to allow and stop water flow. These discs are paired and rotate to allow full flow, partial flow or shut off with greater precision and less wear on the entire plumbing system.
How do you remove limescale from tap valves?
Soak the cartridge in the water and vinegar mix for around 10 minutes. If when you take it out, the cartridge still has limescale on it, it simply needs to be soaked for longer. Add a little more vinegar to the mixture, soak a cloth in it and wrap it tightly around the cartridge.
Do ceramic taps have washers?
Nowadays, the vast majority of modern bathroom taps use ceramic disc cartridges instead of rubber washers. In simple terms, this means no (or at least far fewer) leaks, and only a 90-degree rotation to turn the tap on or off. Back in days of old, taps and shower fittings always used rubber washers to prevent dripping.
Are ceramic disc taps any good?
The reason many opt for ceramic disc spindles is because: They are more durable and longer wearing, saving the inconvenience and expense at having to replace washers. Less wear and tear on the tap as there is no constant turning to get a good flow of water.
How do I change a tap insert?
0:391:52bathstore: How to change the cartridge in a mixer tap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow remove the old cartridge. And insert the new cartridge by locating the two plastic pegs on theMoreNow remove the old cartridge. And insert the new cartridge by locating the two plastic pegs on the back of the cartridge into the seating of the tap body once the new cartridge is in place replace.
How do you change a washer on a tap?
0:382:12How to Change a Tap Washer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe handle may be seized a scale buildup can occur over time use a releasing agent to help loosenMoreThe handle may be seized a scale buildup can occur over time use a releasing agent to help loosen gently tap the handle to break the bond. And pull the handle up to remove depending on your tap.
How Does a Ceramic Disc Faucet Work?
When you raise the faucet lever of a ceramic disk faucet, the upper disk in the cartridge slides across the lower disk, allowing water to enter the mixing chamber.
When Should I Replace a Ceramic Disc Faucet?
The disc assembly, generally made of long-lasting ceramic material, rarely needs replacing.
Instructions: Ceramic Disc Faucet Leaking
Before getting started, get the brand name of your faucet from the faucet body or bring it with you to the hardware store or plumbing supply center. A repair kit with the parts you need is probably available.
Final Thoughts
I hope you can see how easy it is to clean and repair a ceramic disc faucet that’s leaking at the handle’s base. Usually, a simple cleaning of the disc’s inlet ports and seals is all you need to do. But you might need to replace the seals if they’re worn.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help repairing or replacing your faucets.
How do ceramic discs work?
Two ceramic discs at the bottom of the chamber will raise and lower to control the volume of water flow. Temperature is controlled by a side-to-side rotation of the handle. The discs are ceramic which provide long life and aren’t the part that normally wears out.
What to do if your cartridge is cracked?
With the cartridge removed, check it for damage. If it is cracked or otherwise damaged, it will need to be replaced. If you have to replace a cartridge, it’s a good idea to bring the old one along to the hardware store, as it makes finding a replacement much easier.
What is a disk faucet?
Inside the faucet body, a disk faucet uses a special type of sealed cartridge with two closely fitting ceramic disks, one fixed, the other moveable. Moving the handle slides the disks around within their cartridge, aligning the holes in various ways to change the ratio of hot and cold water getting through the disks to the faucet's mixing chamber. It is a very dependable design that requires less attention than standard ball-type or cartridge faucets.
Why does my faucet leak?
In most cases, disk faucets leak because rubber seals in the bottom of the ceramic disk get damaged or layered with grit or mineral deposits.
What is a single handle disk faucet?
But unlike the ball faucet (which has rounded ball-shaped cap right above the base of the faucet and moves in a spherical direction), the single handle disk faucet has a spout lever over a wide cylindrical body and moves in an up and down and side to side motion, similar to a cartridge faucet. The disc faucet mixes hot, ...
How to clean rubber seals on a cartridge?
Gently remove the rubber inlet seals with a screwdriver being careful not to damage the rubber seals. Clean the seal seats in the bottom of the cartridge body with a soft nylon brush such as an old toothbrush and remove any calcification or sediment. Using a product like Lime-A-Way may help.
How to drain water out of a faucet when shut off?
Once the water is shut off, open the faucet to release pressure and let the water drain out .
