Plumber Edison NJ installs, maintains, and repairs the pipes that carry water and waste into and out of homes and businesses. They also work on plumbing fixtures like bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and faucets.
Some common tasks performed by plumbers include unclogging drains, fixing leaky faucets, and installing new taps. Many states require plumbers to be licensed.
If the handle on your faucet is leaking or you can’t turn it off or on, it may be time to call in a plumber. A simple repair can save you money on water and prevent damage to the bathroom. However, before you call a professional plumber, it’s important to understand how the faucet works. This way you can determine what part needs to be replaced and whether it’s something you can easily do yourself.
Start by shutting off the water supply valves located under the sink. Then, remove the faucet handle and cover plate. Examine the base of the handle for a screw that holds it in place. This may be hidden by a decorative cap or button that snaps off, and you may need to use a flathead screwdriver to expose it. This screw is the one you need to remove to take apart the faucet handle.
Most single-handle faucets have a setscrew that holds the handle in place. The set screw may be concealed by a button that snaps off or threaded and can be removed with a screwdriver. In some cases, the set screw is covered by a metal nut that requires an adjustable wrench to loosen and remove. If the screw is stuck, you can try applying some penetrating oil to help break it free.
Some double-handle faucets have a handle screw that you can unscrew with an Allen wrench. If the screw is still stuck, you can apply some penetrating oil or WD-40 to help break it free. This should make it easier to remove and replace the handle.
If your faucet has a wheel-like design, you’ll need to look for a screw that controls it on the base of the handle. It may be covered by a plastic or metallic knob that screws off or is located behind a hole in the base plate. These types of handles often lean classic or traditional and are popular in bathrooms with a country or farmhouse aesthetic. These kinds of faucets require a twisting motion to control the flow of water and temperature, which can be less ergonomic than lever or blade handles for some users.
Faucet Stem
The faucet stem controls the flow of water from a faucet’s underbody to its handle. Stem faucets have a screw-like stem that rises and falls to open and close a rubber compression washer that seals the underbody’s seat. They’re common in laundry rooms and outdoor sinks. A leaking or damaged stem can cause a faucet to leak even when the handle is off. It’s usually easy to repair a stem faucet. Shut off the water supply valves under the sink and drain the sink to prevent water damage while working on a faucet.
Look for markings on the faucet that will help ID the brand (or at least the style)-some manufacturers place stickers under the handle, for example. If you’re unable to find any markings, take a few well-lit photos of the faucet stem from various angles. This will allow you to measure the stem from end to end, so you’ll know which replacement part to buy.
Remove the faucet handle held to the body of the faucet by unscrewing the small screw on its top or back. If the screw is tight or you’re having trouble loosening it, try using penetrating oil. When the handle is removed, examine how it’s attached to the stem-some have a plastic or metal button that snaps out, while others have a decorative cap with a set screw you can unscrew with an appropriate screwdriver. Remove the cap to reveal a six-sided packing nut that holds the stem in place. You can loosen it with a wrench or large slip-joint pliers, being careful not to scar the metal. After loosening the nut, the stem can be removed by hand.
Identify the brand of faucet you’re working on and buy the replacement stem that matches. If you’re unsure which size to get, bring the old one with you to the hardware store or home center so someone can help you find an exact match. Also buy a new rubber O-ring for the bottom of the stem and plumber’s grease to ease the installation. Once you have the parts, remove the old stem and replace it with the new one. Then, insert the new O-ring and lubricate it with the grease before screwing it in place.
Faucet Seat
The valve seat sits at the base of the faucet where the handle is, and it’s responsible for creating a seal that keeps water in or out. The washer that opens and closes to allow water through presses against the seat, which creates friction over time. This can wear down the washer and the seat, leading to a leak. Luckily, this is a simple problem for plumbers to diagnose and fix.
The first step is to check whether the valve seat needs replacing. Most faucet seats have a hexagonal hole in the middle, and some are slotted to accept a screwdriver. If the seat is hexagonal, it can usually be replaced by turning a wrench clockwise. If the seat is slotted, you’ll need to use a valve seat grinder or dresser to even out any worn edges. If you’re replacing a valve seat, be sure to buy an exact replacement to prevent any leaks.
Before you can remove the handle, turn off your water supply. After that, you can take the handle off and then unscrew the packing nut. You’ll also want to loosen the screw holding the handle set screw, which is usually located under a cap on the back of the faucet. Be careful not to strip the threads. You can apply penetrating oil to help make the job easier.
Once the handles and screws are removed, you can begin to work on the actual faucet. You’ll need a pair of adjustable wrenches and a screwdriver to remove the spout and cartridge (if you have one). Once this is done, you can replace the old spout and cartridge, or simply replace the washer and seat.
To do this, you’ll need a seat wrench that fits your particular faucet. Superior Tool makes a six-step faucet seat wrench that has hex and square ends to fit most faucets. It can be used to remove or install a faucet seat, and you can also put in a seat sleeve in place of the old one to ensure a tight seal. Be sure to use a grinder to smooth any worn edges on the new washer, too.
Faucet Cylinder
Bathroom faucet cartridges are small, but they play a major role in the smooth operation of your bath or shower. Understanding your cartridges and how they work is vital for avoiding costly plumbing repairs and water waste. Regular maintenance and replacement of your cartridges will extend the life of your faucet and help you save on energy bills.
The cartridge is the heart of the faucet, forming the seal that controls both the temperature and flow of the water. The earliest cartridges were made of metal, but the vast majority now are plastic. Even though they’re not subject to the same corrosion that plagues the metal ones, plastic cartridges are not immune to failures. They are prone to leaking, dripping and other problems that can lead to high water bills.
Fortunately, replacing the cartridge is simple and inexpensive. First, shut off the water supply to the sink by turning off the valve under the sink or at the main water line. Then, remove the handle by unscrewing it. Some handles have a decorative plate or cap that needs to be removed, and you might need to use a screwdriver or hex wrench.
After you’ve removed the handle and any other necessary parts, you can see the cartridge cylinder. It looks like a plastic cylinder with notches on the side and a stem at the top. Using the square end of a plastic tool or pliers, twist and pull to loosen and remove the cartridge. When you’ve removed the cartridge, take note of its orientation and set it aside.
Most old faucets used a compression cartridge, but most newer models have a ceramic disk cartridge. Both types work in the same way to control temperature and water flow, but the disks are designed with different-sized openings that align with hot and cold water inlets in a faucet body. The ceramic disks rotate in the cartridge cylinder, moving to align with the openings when the handle is turned and moving away from them when the valve is off.
Some older faucets have a brass retainer clip that holds the cartridge in place inside the faucet body. You can usually remove this with a flat-blade screwdriver or needle-nose pliers. Once you’ve removed the cartridge, the retainer clip can be replaced by placing a new one on the bottom of the cartridge and pushing it down into place. Make sure that the two cartridge tabs are precisely aligned with the retaining clip notch or slots.
