Enjoy Clean, Clear Water with Faucet Repair and Installation
Faucets are found in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and other parts of your home. Wherever they are, they ensure a steady supply of potable water. When something goes wrong, tasks such as cooking and cleaning can become more difficult.
Fortunately, faucet repair might be something you can complete by yourself. 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 Strogen's Service Experts. With special tools and years of training, they can ensure 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 locating 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 dripping faucet or a wasteful stream of water, leaks can increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it could even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is typically fast and inexpensive. A professional plumber will identify the part causing the leak before either fixing or replacing it for proper water flow.
Missing Hot or Cold Water
Your faucets provide both hot and cold water. Choosing the temperature is usually 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 could be a more complicated problem. This can 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 damaged or clogged faucet can hamper water pressure or even prevent the flow of water entirely. Not only is this frustrating, but the buildup of pressure can cause 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 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 verified there’s a problem with your faucet, there’s a few more pieces of information that could simplify repairs. Don’t forget that severe or widespread damage may make new faucet installation a more cost-effective option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re stuck with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Long-lasting repairs begin 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 common use today. It relies on a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the desired temperature.
- Cartridge Faucet: Available in both one- and two-handle designs. A single-lever design alters 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 shifts within the faucet, allowing water to flow. Small chambers inside the ball combine hot and cold water to provide 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 provide 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 pinpoint 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 have tools like slip joint pliers or a basin wrench for reaching the internal components.
3. Determine Whether a Part Needs Cleaning or Replacement
Sometimes a problem can be resolved by simply reaching the affected component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is usually better. These small pieces aren’t expensive, so don’t worry about the cost of a new part for 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 severe, or maybe you just don’t have a lot of DIY skills. Whatever the reason, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a professional. They can remove the old faucet and quickly install your choice of replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the professionals at Strogen's 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 603-923-4570 today!