Enjoy Clean, Clear Water with Faucet Repair and Installation
Faucets are found in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and other parts of your home. Wherever they are, they ensure a steady supply of potable water. When something breaks, tasks like cooking and cleaning can be much more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair can be something you can perform 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 on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber, like those at Barlow Service Experts. With special 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 may come across with your faucets. We’ll also provide 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 use.
Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets are one of the most common problems you will experience with your home plumbing. Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a constant stream of water, leaks may increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it may even result in water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is generally simple 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. Adjusting the temperature is usually dependent on the faucet’s design, with models featuring either one or two handles. Fixing the handle can often resolve the issue.
But if your problem has a lack of hot water, there could be a more serious problem. This will sometimes be a sign your water heater is damaged, in which case a professional plumber should be contacted.
Poor Water Pressure
The opposite of a leak, a faulty faucet can weaken water pressure or even prevent the flow of water entirely. Not only is this annoying, but the additional pressure can create 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 resolving the issue is as simple as cleaning the affected part. Other issues stem from 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 additional pieces of information that may simplify repairs. Keep in mind that serious or extensive 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 in place 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 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 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 shifts within the faucet, allowing water to flow. Special chambers inside the ball mix hot and cold water to create the desired temperature.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet: Another single-lever design sometimes 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 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 uncover where the problem is coming from. 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 make things easier.
Whatever the problem may be, taking apart the faucet is often necessary for repairs. A quality repair kit should have 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 resolved by simply reaching the specific component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is typically 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 difficult 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 seamlessly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the Experts at Barlow 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 801-436-8985 today!