Probably every person at least once in his life was worried about the question: “The faucet is leaking or just dripping, what should I do?” Most often, faucets that supply hot water break down. Malfunctions of the mixer can be caused by problems such as problems with the valve, a worn-out sealing gasket, worn out stuffing box, worn out threads on the body or spindle. Also, the reason why a faucet in a kitchen or bathroom drips may be particles of sand or rust that have settled between the sealing gasket and the valve seat. Because of this, the gasket is damaged when screwed in and begins to leak water.
What to do if the fluid leaks?
The problem of faulty plumbing worries many; even on the Internet you can often find queries on this topic, for example, “faucet is leaking, how to fix it, video.” Meanwhile, most faults are easily fixed.
Currently, the most common are single-lever faucets with a cartridge (faucet axle box). Both hot and cold water in such a mixer are turned on by lifting a single lever. Most often, incorrect operation of faucets of this type is caused by a cartridge that has become unusable. In this case, you just need to replace the cartridge with a new one. For repairs, you will need a small flathead screwdriver, an adjustable plumber's wrench and a new cartridge.
The faucet is leaking in the bathroom or kitchen. Procedure:
- Turn off hot and cold water.
- Remove the upper part of the lever-handle.
- If there is a protective clip blocking access to the screw, remove it.
- Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screw.
- Now carefully remove the lever and unscrew the decorative cover covering the cartridge nut.
- Using an adjustable wrench or a suitable wrench, unscrew the nut and remove the cartridge by hand.
- Insert a new cartridge and repeat all steps in reverse order.
- All that remains is to restore the water supply and check the operation of the tap.
Eliminating whistling, humming and noise
In addition to a banal leak, the following problems are quite common: the tap turns; weak water pressure in one of the taps; noises that appear when the water is turned on.
First, let's figure out why the faucet whistles (or hums). Noises can be caused by a worn gasket on the faucet valve or a poor-quality cartridge on the mixer. Change the gasket to a new one (made of thick rubber) or a low-quality faucet axle box to a ceramic product from a reliable manufacturer and the whistle when turning on the water will disappear.
What to do if the water from one tap flows in a weak stream? Presumably, the problem may be caused by a clogged filter. rough cleaning mounted on a mixer or tap. It is enough to clean and rinse the filter and the water pressure will be restored. The reason may be even more trivial - a clogged mesh on the faucet tap; it can be easily unscrewed and washed.
Valves rotate due to worn threads or a leaky gasket on the valve head. This happens due to torn or worn threads. To eliminate the problem, replace the valve with a new one. If the thread is in order (this can be seen during disassembly), simply change the gasket.
Unfortunately, plumbing fixtures are not very good property sometimes break. This applies primarily to mixers and water taps. The most common malfunctions may be various leaks and leaks, noise when opening, low water pressure even when the valve is fully open, the valve turning or the inability to close it completely, as well as difficulty in rotating the faucet spout or the same valve head. If the faucet is leaking in the bathroom or kitchen, then, first of all, you need to find out the cause of the malfunction, and then try to repair it.
What to do if the tap is leaking: how to fix a leaking faucet, and why does such a problem occur?
Let's look at the causes of faucet leaks. The most common of them is wear of the rubber gasket. Before you begin troubleshooting, you must turn off the valve on the water pipe. Moreover, if the mixer needs repair, then the water should be turned off on two pipes, both cold and hot water. If the faucet in the kitchen is faulty and dripping, the valves are unlikely to be located under the sink. They are usually located in the bathroom.
After the water is turned off, the repair process itself begins. The sealing gasket in faucets and mixers fails too often. This can happen when the tap is tightly tightened; foreign bodies, sometimes present in water. To replace the gasket, the leaking part in the mixer is disassembled, the defective gasket is removed and a new one is put in its place.
Don’t worry that the faucet is leaking, how to fix it - the video presented in this article will show you step by step the whole process of self-repair.
It is possible that the tap has a good seal, and the water is leaking due to a piece of rust. To eliminate a leak, it will be enough to open and close the valve on the mixer several times. If the particle still does not come out with the stream of water, the valve head must be disassembled and carefully remove the trapped piece with a screwdriver.
There are many more reasons why the faucet does not close completely and drips. What should you do if repairs are impossible due to a serious breakdown that cannot be fixed? It will be necessary to replace a failed mixer or tap.Why is the faucet humming (noisy or whistling), and what could be causing the low water pressure in the mixer?
When wondering why a faucet whistles, you can get a simple answer - an incorrectly installed gasket is to blame. When the valve opens, it begins to vibrate and make a sound. This deficiency should be corrected by cutting off its upper outer edge at an angle of 45 degrees.
If the water pressure from the faucet has become too weak, then most likely scale has been brought to it. In this case, it is worth checking the mesh on the gander or in the place where the mixer hose connects to the pipe. The foreign object must be removed.
Another common problem is that the water does not shut off completely, but the valve rotates; in this case, the tap does not always need to be completely changed. To begin with, you can try replacing the valve; most likely, the thread is broken. Although this does not always lead to positive results.
How to fix a faucet leak under the valve?
You can do minor repairs to your bathroom faucet yourself. To work you will need the following tools:
- screwdriver;
- set of adjustable wrenches;
- fum tape for sealing joints;
- winding (tow).
Initially it is necessary to shut off the supply cold water and remove the mixer handle to determine why this malfunction occurred. If moisture seeps out from under the threads, it is necessary to unscrew the valve box and seal the threads with several layers of fum tape. After the manipulations have been carried out, screw the valve axle into place, the leakage should stop.
If the mixer is leaking due to water leaking through the tap-axle pin, you need to unscrew the clamping nut and install a new seal. The old insulation must first be removed and the new seal reinforced with a layer of winding. 
Why is the faucet humming and how to fix it?
If your hot water faucet is humming, it requires immediate repair, otherwise it will break down over time. To eliminate this malfunction, you should determine the type of axle-box tap - a mechanism inside the mixer that regulates the supply/shut-off of water.
If the device is equipped with an axle box with a rubber gasket, this is the main reason why the faucet in the bathroom is humming. To eliminate the unpleasant sound, it is necessary to replace the gasket or trim its edge. To do this you should:
- turn off the water;
- remove the valve axle;
- trim 1 mm of the edges of the rubber gasket at an angle of 45?;
- assemble the crane.
A faucet with a ceramic axle box may hum because the silicone washer under the ring has sagged. To eliminate sound, a plastic or polyethylene ring 0.5 mm thick should be placed under it. After assembling the faucet, you should definitely check it for any unpleasant sound or water leakage. 
Is it possible to fix a leaking faucet in the kitchen yourself?
Sooner or later, the plumbing fails. What to do if the faucet in the kitchen is leaking, how to fix it yourself?
To fix a kitchen faucet you will need:
- screwdriver;
- pliers;
- cartridge, or rubber gasket.
To identify the reason why a kitchen faucet is leaking, you need to determine its type. In a two-handle faucet, the cause of leakage may be wear of the rubber gasket that covers the outlet hole. When it becomes thinner, it begins to let water through. To eliminate this damage, the gasket should be replaced.
If the leak does not stop, it may be caused by wear of the seat where it meets the rubber gasket. To replace it, you should buy a special cutter that is installed in the mixer body. After replacing the seat and gasket, the leak should stop. IN single lever mixer Most often the cartridge fails. It should be replaced with a new one of similar markings. 
The kitchen faucet is leaking, how to fix it if water flows from under the body?
Often the reason why a faucet leaks is abrasion of the stuffing box. It can be sealed by tightening it tightly with a wrench. If this does not help, the stuffing box should be replaced. To do this, turn off the water supply valve, remove the tap nut and take out the old stuffing box.
As new stuffing, you can use burlap threads, asbestos cord, or linen twine. The packing is laid in the direction of the thread, compacting each layer with a screwdriver. Additionally, it can be moistened with drying oil, this will make the packing waterproof.
Do not fill the stuffing box too tightly, otherwise the valve will break off. If after these measures the water leakage does not stop, it is better to install a new faucet. 
What to do if there is a whistling sound in the hot water tap?
The main reason why a hot water faucet whistles is the wear of the rubber gasket. When water passes through the tap under pressure, the gasket begins to vibrate and makes a characteristic whistle. The reason for this may be:
- thinning of the part due to constant opening/closing of the tap;
- drying of the gasket due to temperature changes in the room;
- mechanical damage to the part.
A plumber can fix this breakdown, but it is also quite possible to repair the faucet yourself. To do this, you should buy a new gasket, and, turning off the water, install it in place of the old one.
A ceramic faucet whistles much less often. The reason for this may be the silicone insert located under the ceramic gasket. 
The shower switch is leaking - how to fix it?
If the faucet in the bathroom leaks where the shower switch is installed, then most often the reason for this is the sealing gasket (paronite or rubber), which has become unusable during use. To fix the problem you will need:
- hex wrench;
- new valve gasket, similar to the old one;
- fum tape.
Product repairs are carried out in the following sequence:
- the screw is unscrewed and the switch is removed from the mixer body;
- the old gasket is dismantled and a new one is installed;
- the old winding is removed from the thread, a new layer of fum tape is wound;
- The crane is being assembled.
Tip: when the mixer leaks, to seal the connections, it is enough to make 2-3 turns of fum tape. If the winding is thinner, it will not ensure a tight fit of the parts, and if it is thicker, it will not be possible to connect them together. 
For what reasons can a bathroom faucet make noise?
There may be several reasons why a bathroom faucet is noisy. Under the pressure of water, some part inside the faucet may vibrate. In low-quality mixers, the rubber axle boxes wear out quickly, and the rod (spindle) or locking gasket begins to dangle in them.
To fix this problem, sometimes it is enough to tighten the screw that secures the locking gasket. But most often you have to change the axle box.
Cranes with ceramic axle boxes are considered more reliable. They have special pins or plates installed that dampen noise. But even such taps sometimes make noise. The reason why a faucet with a ceramic axle is noisy may be poor water quality. If it is heavily contaminated, small bubbles appear on the walls of the plates, which burst when the tap is opened, making noise. In this case, new silencers should be installed. 
In the kitchen, as in the bathroom, plumbing equipment is used quite actively: they wash vegetables, fruits, dishes, hands, collect water for watering plants and cleaning the room. A large load falls on the kitchen faucet - a mixer that regulates the flow of cold and hot water. Its choice should begin with studying the main characteristics, repair features, and design nuances.
A mixer with two valves is a familiar, but not the most comfortable option.
One classification of equipment is based on the opening method:
- with one lever (handle);
- with two valves;
- contactless mechanism.
Of all types of faucets, taps with a pair of valves on either side of the spout are the most familiar and popular. They are suitable for classic interiors or kitchens furnished in retro style.
Lever equipment is easy to use: the water is turned on with one easy movement. There is a cartridge inside that needs to be cleaned from time to time.
Sensor mixer – saving water and nothing more!
Non-contact (touch) devices are less common due to their high cost, but are considered very economical. They are ideal for hand washing and are therefore often installed in public institutions.
If the kitchen has a cleaning system, it is better to use a faucet with a faucet for drinking water- it can belong to any of the listed types.
Mixer with one spout, but two holes - for regular and drinking water
What are faucets made of?
The materials for the production of kitchen equipment are various metals, plastics, and ceramics. The most wear-resistant are products with a body made of nickel, brass, bronze, steel and with internal ceramic parts. If the tap on the mixer turns, it means that the composition contains plastic elements or the nuts are not tightened enough.
When choosing equipment, pay attention not only to the external design, but also to the structure of the mixer tap - if the internal “filling” consists of aluminum or plastic, the water control mechanism will not last long.
Mounting options
There are several types of fastening products in places located in close proximity to the sink:
- on the wall;
- in the countertop;
- in the hole drilled in the sink.
The most common method is the third, which is why most sinks have ready-made holes for installing equipment. Before installation, you need to decide whether to install a corner tap to connect the mixer, which is often equipped with a filtration mechanism.
Causes of breakdowns and repair methods
Most often, to fix a breakdown, it is enough to disassemble the faucet and replace the gasket or cartridge
Even expensive, well-built mixing taps break down due to the composition of the water supplied. centralized system water supply This applies to both ball and three-way mixing products, which are not directly related to the water supply to the sink. Let's look at how to repair equipment if a minor breakdown occurs.
Cartridge clogged
A zorg faucet with a drinking water tap, which has proven itself to have excellent performance and a long service life, may suddenly stop working only because its cartridge is clogged with sand or debris. Don't rush to buy new equipment, just replace the cartridge:
- turn off the water;
- remove the entire assembly;
- remove the plug, then the screw and the locking lever;
- remove the old cartridge, insert a new one;
- Reassemble in reverse order.
As you can see, all actions will take a few minutes, but in general, regular cleaning of taps and mixers prolongs their life.
Gasket wear
When replacing the gasket, do not make a mistake with its diameter.
Leaks often occur due to wear and tear of consumables - plastic or rubber gaskets. The problem is easy to notice: when the mechanism is completely closed, water continues to drip or even flow in a thin stream. In this case, repair of the faucet mixer is not required, you just need to disassemble everything into parts and replace the gasket with a new one. This is necessary even if the cracks in the old one are barely noticeable - under the pressure of the water jet they expand, and the flow of water becomes uncontrollable.
The aerator is out of order
Aerator - a nozzle for adjusting the jet pressure, installed on the spout. If the aerator becomes clogged, the jet power will be lost and the water will flow in a weak stream. There are two options to correct the situation: cleaning the old nozzle or buying a new one. If rust appears on the mesh, it is better to change the nozzle, and the usual blockage can be removed by washing.
As you can see, most problems can be solved by simply disassembling the faucet or replacing parts, but if the faucet from the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen has fallen off, then it is better to replace the entire assembly, because any measures to resuscitate the equipment will be temporary.
