Plumbers repair, install, and maintain pipes, fixtures, and appliances that provide water, heat, and waste removal in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They also read and interpret blueprints, building codes, and other specifications to plan plumbing projects.
Plumbers often collaborate with other construction tradespeople on large projects such as hospitals, power plants, and factories. These jobs require them to have physical stamina and the ability to work in tight spaces. Contact Plumbers Cranford NJ for professional help.
Faucet handles are a vital part of the faucet, and they can have a big impact on the look and style of your bathroom or kitchen. They come in a variety of finishes and designs to complement any decor. You can also choose from a wide selection of materials for the handle, including ceramic, plastic, or metal. Some handles are made from stainless steel, which is durable and easy to clean, while others are made of brass or bronze. The material for your faucet handle can make a difference in how long it will last and how well it will resist corrosion or wear.
If your faucet is leaking from the handle, it may be time to replace it. Replacing the handle is a relatively simple process that can be done at home. To do this, first turn off the water supply to the faucet by turning off the valves under the sink or using a water shutoff valve at the house. Next, remove the decorative cap or cover on the faucet handle, which will expose a screw that holds the handle in place. This screw will usually be a Phillips or flat-head screw, and you can use a screwdriver to remove it. Once the screw is removed, carefully lift off the handle, exposing the faucet cartridge.
Depending on your type of faucet, there may be another screw or nut at the base of the handle that you need to unscrew with an adjustable wrench. This is often called the bonnet nut or retaining nut. Once this is removed, you can unscrew the handle from the base and inspect the cartridge and O-rings for signs of damage or wear. If the O-rings are damaged, you can replace them with new ones.
Once you have the replacement handle and O-rings, reassemble the faucet by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If the faucet is still leaking from the handle, you can try adding a small amount of plumbers grease or WD-40 around the O-ring to help it seat properly. Alternatively, you can try to remove the handle and soak it in vinegar, which will help to loosen any mineral buildup and may allow you to remove some of the debris that is stuck.
Faucet Valve
When you turn on your faucet water may flow out the spigot or it may be leaking around the handle. If the water is leaking from the spigot, it’s probably because the rubber seat washer has worn out. Similarly, if the handle leaks, the cam or O-ring is worn out. Repairing these parts is a relatively simple job for any handy homeowner with good tools. Before you do any repairs, shut off the water supply line to the faucet by turning the knob or lever underneath the sink clockwise. This prevents water from flowing while you work on the valve.
Leaking stem and cartridge valves are the most common type of faucet problem in home kitchens. These are also called “stem-and-seat” valves because the valve’s mechanism consists of a single stem that tightens against a valve seat to seal off the supply of water. To open the valve, the stem is rotated and the washer rises against the seat to let water through. Then the washer lowers against the seat to close the valve again. Stem-and-seat valves typically require only the replacement of a washer or packing to prevent leakage.
A plumber who wants to do a repair on this kind of faucet should first remove the handle screw with a wrench and pull the handle off. Next, use a wrench to loosen the packing nut that holds the stem in place. Then, you can either unscrew the stem with a wrench or insert a screwdriver between the valve body and the faucet head to loosen the stem.
Once the old cartridge is removed, replace it with a new one and reassemble the faucet in reverse order of disassembly. Make sure to clean all of the old O-rings before installing the new ones, and coat them with plumber’s grease. Then you’re ready to test your repaired faucet and determine if any other parts need replacement. You may need to twist the cartridge slightly with a plastic spanner cap or needle-nose pliers in order to line it up with the brass retainer clip.
Faucet Seat
The faucet seat is a fitting in the bottom of the valve housing that has a hole in it for water to flow through. The problem with this component, particularly in two-handle compression faucets, is that it can become worn down by hard water, which leaves mineral deposits on the surface of the seat and causes a leak to develop around the inlet hole. Luckily, the replacement of the faucet seat is relatively simple and inexpensive. In fact, plumbers often make a custom tool for this job that they can purchase for under ten bucks.
To remove the old seat, start by removing the handle and the stem. Then, use a seat wrench to turn it counterclockwise and pull it out. Be sure to get a low lead faucet seat, since those contain less toxic material and don’t require caulking after installation.
Once the new seat is in place, test it to see if you can turn the water on and off without a leak. If it doesn’t work, then it is time to replace the washer or the valve seat.
In most cases, replacing the washer or valve seat will resolve the problem. In other cases, however, the faucet handle itself may need to be replaced. In that case, you can usually find the needed parts at your local hardware store.
One way to help prevent leaking from the faucet handle is to apply a silicone sealant, which will provide an extra layer of protection. You can also lubricate the handle’s adjusting ring, which will help keep it from becoming tightened and creating friction that wears down other components of the faucet.
Another thing that can cause a dripping faucet is the cartridge seat, which sits inside the valve and opens and closes to allow water through. If the seat becomes worn or clogged with mineral deposits, then you will have to replace it in order to stop the dripping. A plumber will use a special tool called a seat grinder, which evens out the worn edges of the valve seat and can be bought at most home improvement stores for under $10.
Faucet Cylinder
Cartridge faucets use a cylinder that moves up and down to control water volume, and rotates left or right to control water temperature. When the handle is rotated, strategically placed holes in the cylinder align with matching ones in the faucet body to allow water to flow. This type of faucet is very popular in bathrooms. Over time, the cartridge can develop a leak and need to be replaced. Replacing the cartridge is a simple 15-minute repair with a kit available at hardware and home centers. Before attempting to replace the cartridge, clean any mineral deposit buildup with distilled white vinegar and a scouring pad or rag. You should also remove the square-top plastic tool, if present, and the brass screw at the top of the cartridge shaft to prepare for the removal of the shaft itself. When installing the new cartridge, be sure to note its orientation and the number of tabs or splines that fit into notches in the faucet body. If there’s a retaining clip, remove it and use pliers to firmly grasp the cartridge and pull it straight up to remove it from the body.
Once the faucet is repaired, you’ll need to shut off the water supply. Locate the shutoff valves under the sink and turn off both the hot and cold water pipes to the faucet. Next, open the faucet handle to release any remaining pressure and allow it to drain completely.
Once the faucet is drained, you can remove the handle by unscrewing the set screw. You’ll need to unscrew the escutcheon cover plate, which might be concealed under a chrome sleeve. If the escutcheon is missing, you can find an Allen wrench or other screwdriver under the handle, inside the faucet body. Once the handle is removed, you can remove the cartridge nut by turning it counterclockwise. Then, you can remove the cam and packing, which will reveal the cartridge. To replace the cartridge, simply unscrew the old one, drop in a new one and tighten the adjusting ring with slip-joint pliers.