Enjoy Clean, Clear Water with Faucet Repair and Installation
Faucets can be found in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and other parts of your home. Wherever they are, they deliver a steady stream of potable water. When something goes wrong, tasks like cooking and cleaning can become more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair can be something you can perform on your own. 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 trying this kind of home improvement by yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber, like those at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. With specialized tools and years of training, they can provide a long-term solution to your faucet problem.
We’d like to share some of the most common problems you could 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 no longer safe or healthy to drink.
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 constant stream of water, leaks may increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it could even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is typically quick and inexpensive. A trained plumber will pinpoint the component causing the leak before either repairing or replacing it for proper water flow.
Missing Hot or Cold Water
Your faucets provide both hot and cold water. Choosing the temperature is generally dependent on the faucet’s design, with models featuring either one or two handles. Repairing the handle can often resolve the issue.
But if your problem is lacking hot water, there may be a more serious problem. This will sometimes be a sign your water heater is damaged, in which case a professional plumber should be called.
Poor Water Pressure
Rather than a leak, a broken faucet can weaken water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. Not only is this frustrating, but the added pressure can result in other problems deeper in your plumbing system.
How your plumber resolves water flow problems will require knowing what type of faucet you’re using. Sometimes taking care of the issue is as easy 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 confirmed there’s a problem with your faucet, there’s a few more pieces of information that can simplify repairs. Remember that severe or extensive damage may make new faucet installation the better option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re stuck with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Effective repairs begin with confirming the type of faucet you use. We’re not talking about 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 widespread use today. It uses a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the correct 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 moves, 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 occasionally 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 a spherical 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 pinpoint where the problem is coming from. Most designs will be split into two sections, the faucet body and one or two faucet handles. Knowing the type of problem they’re dealing with can make things easier.
Whatever the problem turns out to be, taking apart the faucet is often necessary for repairs. A decent repair kit should have tools like slip joint pliers or a basin wrench to reach the internal components.
3. Determine Whether a Part Needs Cleaning or Replacement
Sometimes a problem can be resolved by simply reaching the specific component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is usually for the best. These small pieces aren’t expensive, so don’t worry about the cost of replacing a broken part like the spout, O-ring or any washers.
This may be more complex for special faucets, like for 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 hiring a professional. They can remove the old faucet and quickly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 407-329-7661 today!
