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 provide a steady supply of potable water. When something goes wrong, tasks like cooking and cleaning can become more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair might be something you can handle on your own. But when it’s beyond your skill to fix, a trained plumber can identify what the problem is and what component of the faucet is broken so repairs can begin. When you don’t feel comfortable attempting this kind of home improvement by yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber, like those at TML Service Experts. With specialized tools and years of training, they can provide a long-lasting solution to your faucet problem.
We’d like to share some of the most common problems you might come across with your faucets. We’ll also share 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 leaky faucet or a steady stream of water, leaks can increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it can even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is generally quick and inexpensive. A trained plumber will identify 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. Adjusting the temperature is generally dependent on the faucet’s design, with models featuring either one or two handles. Fixing 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 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 irritating, but the added pressure can produce 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 fixing the issue is as simple as cleaning the affected component. 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 more pieces of information that may simplify repairs. Remember that severe or widespread damage may make new faucet installation the better option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re struggling 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 widespread use today. It uses a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the desired temperature.
- Cartridge Faucet: Manufactured with 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 moves within the faucet, allowing water to flow. Small 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 somewhat 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 uncover where the problem started. Most designs can be 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 turns out to be, disassembling the faucet is often required for repairs. A decent repair kit should possess 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 fixed by simply reaching the specific component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is generally 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 complicated 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 calling a professional. They can remove the old faucet and seamlessly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the Experts at TML 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 208-488-4892 today!