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 deliver a steady supply of potable water. When something breaks, tasks such as cooking and cleaning can be much more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair might 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 by yourself, don’t hesitate to call for a professional plumber, like those at San Antonio Air 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 could come across with your faucets. We’ll also provide 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 use.
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 constant stream of water, leaks can increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it may even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is usually simple and inexpensive. A professional plumber will point out the part causing the leak before either fixing 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. Repairing the handle can often resolve the issue.
But if your problem has a lack of hot water, there may be a more serious 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 broken faucet can weaken water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. Not only is this frustrating, but the additional pressure can create other problems somewhere else 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 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 an issue with your faucet, there’s a few additional pieces of information that may simplify repairs. Remember that serious or widespread damage may make new faucet installation a more cost-effective option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re forced to deal with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Quality repairs start with knowing 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 relies on 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 controls 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. Special chambers inside the ball mix hot and cold water to create the desired temperature.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet: Another single-lever design often confused for a ball faucet. These models use a valve more 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 locate 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 is, taking apart the faucet is often necessary for repairs. A quality repair kit should have tools like slip joint pliers or a basin wrench to reach the internal components.
3. Confirm Whether a Part Needs Cleaning or Replacement
Sometimes a problem can be taken care of by simply reaching the specific component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is usually 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 complex 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 hiring a professional. They can remove the old faucet and quickly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the professionals at San Antonio 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 210-570-9705 today!