Enjoy Clean, Clear Water with Faucet Repair and Installation
Faucets can be found in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and other parts of your home. Wherever they are, they ensure a steady stream of potable water. When something breaks, tasks like cooking and cleaning can be much more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair can be something you can perform by yourself. But when it’s beyond your skill to fix, a trained plumber can identify what the problem is and what part of the faucet is faulty so repairs can begin. When you don’t feel comfortable attempting this kind of home improvement on your own, don’t hesitate to call for a professional plumber, like those at Air Engineers Service Experts. With special tools and years of training, they can ensure a long-term solution to your faucet problem.
We’d like to share some of the most common problems you may come across with your faucets. We’ll also provide information on finding the source of the problem and what may be needed to complete repairs.
Common Faucet Problems
Your faucets are connected to your home’s water supply lines. When they break or malfunction, you might not be able to get the water you need. Or worse, the water is not safe or healthy to use.
Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets are one of the most common problems you will come across with your home plumbing. Whether it’s a leaking faucet or a wasteful stream of water, leaks will often increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it may even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is typically fast and inexpensive. A trained plumber will identify the part causing the leak before either fixing or replacing it for proper water flow.
Missing Hot or Cold Water
Your faucets deliver both hot and cold water. Choosing the temperature is typically dependent on the faucet’s design, with models featuring either one or two handles. Repairing the handle can often take care of the issue.
But if your problem has a lack of hot water, there may be a more complicated problem. This can be a sign your water heater is damaged, in which case a professional plumber should be notified.
Poor Water Pressure
Rather than a leak, a faulty faucet can decrease water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. Not only is this frustrating, but the buildup of pressure can cause other problems deeper in your plumbing system.
How your plumber resolves water flow problems will depend on the type of faucet you’re using. Sometimes taking care of the issue is as simple as cleaning the affected part. Other issues start with the seal that separates your faucet from the water supply.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t happen too often. So when the faucet isn’t to blame, your plumber will look for other issues like corroded pipes and clogs (as these also cause the water pressure to fall). Even partially closed valves will drop the water pressure, resulting in weak flow.
What to Know About Faucet Repair
Once it’s determined there’s an issue with your faucet, there’s a few additional pieces of information that may simplify repairs. Keep in mind that serious or widespread damage may make new faucet installation the better option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re forced to deal with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Effective repairs start with confirming the type of faucet you use. This doesn’t mean whether it’s a kitchen faucet or a bathroom faucet, but what internal components are used to deliver potable water. Our plumbers have enough experience with different faucet types that they can recognize yours quickly, starting repairs sooner.
- Compression Faucet: This design is the oldest type of faucet still in common use today. It uses a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the desired temperature.
- Cartridge Faucet: Available in both one- and two-handle designs. A single-lever design adjusts water flow by raising and lowering the valve inside the handle.
- Ball Faucet: The most common type of single-lever faucet. As the lever is moved, a plastic or metal ball shifts within the faucet, allowing water to flow. Special chambers inside the ball combine hot and cold water to create the desired temperature.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet: Another single-lever design often confused for a ball faucet. These models use a valve more similar to a cartridge faucet, raised and lowered to create water flow. By comparison, a ball faucet moves in any direction.
2. Shut Off the Water Before Finding the Affected Part
Once they know what type of faucet you have, the plumber’s next step is to locate where the problem is coming from. Most designs are split into two sections, the faucet body and one or two faucet handles. Knowing the type of problem they’re dealing with can simplify repairs.
Whatever the problem is, disassembling the faucet is often necessary for repairs. A decent repair kit should include tools like slip joint pliers or a basin wrench for reaching the internal components.
3. Confirm Whether a Part Needs Cleaning or Replacement
Sometimes a problem can be resolved by simply reaching the affected component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is typically best. These small pieces aren’t expensive, so don’t worry about the cost of a new part for the spout, O-ring or any washers.
This may be more difficult for special faucets, such as an outdoor garden hose.
Consider a Professional for Faucet Installation
Sometimes the damage is too widespread, or maybe you just don’t have a lot of DIY skills. Whatever the reason, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a professional. They can remove the old faucet and seamlessly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the pros at Air Engineers Service Experts can help. We’ll ensure an affordable solution that doesn’t cost you everything but the kitchen sink.
Request an appointment or free estimate by getting in touch online or over the phone at 904-450-5672 today!