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 provide a steady stream of potable water. When something breaks, tasks such as cooking and cleaning can become more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair might 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 component of the faucet is broken so repairs can begin. When you don’t feel comfortable trying this kind of home improvement on your own, don’t hesitate to call for a professional plumber, like those at Donelson Air 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 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 not safe or healthy to use.
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 steady 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 generally fast and inexpensive. A professional plumber will point out the component causing the leak before either repairing or replacing it for proper water flow.
Missing Hot or Cold Water
Your faucets deliver 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 is lacking hot water, there could be a more complicated problem. This could be a sign your water heater is damaged, in which case a professional plumber should be notified.
Poor Water Pressure
Rather than a leak, a broken faucet can hamper water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. Not only is this irritating, but the buildup of pressure can result in other problems somewhere else in your plumbing system.
How your plumber resolves water flow problems will depend on the 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 confirmed there’s a problem with your faucet, there’s a few additional pieces of information that could simplify repairs. Keep in mind that serious or extensive damage may make new faucet installation the superior option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re stuck with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Long-lasting repairs start 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 common use today. It uses a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the correct temperature.
- Cartridge Faucet: Manufactured with both one- and two-handle designs. A single-lever design adjusts water flow by raising and lowering the valve within 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 blend hot and cold water to provide the desired temperature.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet: Another single-lever design often confused for a ball faucet. These models use a valve somewhat 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 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 is, taking apart the faucet is often required for repairs. A quality repair kit should include 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 taken care of by simply reaching the affected component and giving it a thorough cleaning. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is generally better. 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 difficult for special faucets, like for an outdoor garden hose.
Consider a Professional for Faucet Installation
Sometimes the damage is too severe, or maybe you just don’t trust your 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 pros at Donelson Air 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 615-953-9885 today!