If your faucet breaks down, water flows all the time, the shower regulator does not work, etc. etc. and repairing the faucet is useless, or you just want to replace the faucet in the bathroom with a new one - in principle, there is nothing complicated, you can try it yourself, without calling a plumber, to install it.

How to replace a bathroom faucet

First, we turn off the cold and hot water on the main taps, unscrew the mixer nuts, which are screwed to the eccentrics. When unscrewed, we look at the eccentrics, in what condition they are.

In fact, normal eccentrics are made of brass and they do not rot and in 90% of cases they do not need to be changed, but if you still decide to change them, then we unscrew the old ones and screw in the new ones, wind the flax, screw each eccentric the same number of revolutions and set them symmetrically. Next, we wind the fake cups, and manually screw the mixer nuts to the eccentrics, when we screwed them all the way with our hands, we twist them a quarter of a turn with the key and open the water, if it digs a little, then we twist it a little more.

How to replace a bathroom faucet


How to replace a faucet in the bathroom If your faucet is broken - water flows all the time, the shower regulator does not work, etc. etc. and repairing the mixer is useless, or you just want

How to change the faucet in the bathroom

Each apartment or house has devices and appliances, the replacement and repair of which can be done independently, without seeking help from a qualified craftsman. Bathroom faucet is one such device.

As a rule, it becomes unusable due to poor water quality or due to untimely replacement of the cartridge in the main filter.

If you encounter any problems, you should know how to replace the bathroom faucet without damaging the device.

Common bathroom faucet failures

Damage can vary, but the most common are:

  • Water leakage with closed faucet. The reason for this is damage to the mixer cartridge by small particles that are in the water.
  • Disruption of a threaded connection devices.
  • Corrosion, to which mixers made of brass alloy are subjected over time.

The last two problems are typical for Chinese-made mixers, because a low-quality brass alloy is used to manufacture the device. Therefore, their cost is much lower, unlike European equipment, which is made of stainless steel.

Before you change the faucet in the bathroom, it is worth preparing all the tools that you may need so that you do not have to constantly be distracted from the process to search for one or another inventory. "Arsenal" should be placed near the workplace.

To replace the mixer, you will need the following tools:

  • pliers;
  • several wrenches;
  • tow or fum tape;
  • sealant;
  • sanitary linen;
  • paranitic or rubber gaskets, ¾ and ½ inch;
  • graphite gasket former;
  • water container.

Most of the listed materials and tools are in household use, and the rest of the accessories can be purchased at a specialized store.

  • To understand how to replace the faucet in the bathroom, a step-by-step instruction is offered.
  • Shut off the supply of hot and cold water in the pipes of the plumbing system.
  • Drain the remaining water from the mixer and reduce the pressure in the pipes by opening the taps.
  • When air and water are completely out of the plumbing system, loosen the large mixer nuts that secure it to the eccentric adapters connecting the pipes of the plumbing system to the faucet.
  • Remove the old faucet.
  • Pay attention to the condition of the eccentrics - they may need to be replaced.

As a rule, the distance between regular places for pipes in mixers corresponds to 15 cm. In practice, this may not correspond to the indicated figures. Then the inaccuracy can be leveled to the desired size with the help of eccentrics that are released or tightened. Thus, the displaced part of the branch pipe will take the central or extreme position, while increasing the center distance or reducing it.

When the required distance is selected between the nozzles of the eccentrics, you can begin the installation of a new mixer. Installed eccentrics must be securely fixed using sanitary linen and a gasket former. To do this, a small amount of flax is wound on the external thread, after which a graphite gasket former is applied, a sealant can be used. In the absence of these materials, it is recommended to use a fum sealing tape.

Eccentrics must be screwed into pipes with mirror accuracy. The synchronism of the execution of actions is incredibly important, because at the slightest violation, the device will take the wrong position, and the installed mixer will be skewed. The installation of the mixer is carried out only after correctly fixing the position of the eccentrics and setting the required center distance, which will be equal to the size of the mixer.

The final stage is the tightening of the fixing nuts. In this process, there are also some tricks, using which the installation will be performed more efficiently. In order not to damage the coating of the nuts that attach the mixer to the eccentrics, it is recommended to wrap them with electrical tape, then tighten them using pliers or an adjustable wrench. Upon completion of work, the electrical tape should be removed from the nuts.

Knowing how to correctly change the mixer, you can not only do the job efficiently, but also save money on calling the master. Using simple recommendations and step-by-step instructions, the mixer will last a long time.

How to change the faucet in the bathroom with your own hands - step by step instructions


Each apartment or house has devices and appliances, the replacement and repair of which can be done independently, without seeking help from a qualified craftsman. Bathroom faucet is one such device.

Replacing a faucet in the bathroom - installing equipment without the help of a plumber

A modern bathroom and kitchen cannot be imagined without faucets. The ease of operation of the water supply system largely depends on their qualities and characteristics. Let's find out how to choose a faucet and replace it yourself in the house.

To successfully replace a broken faucet, it is not necessary to have extensive knowledge or extensive experience in plumbing repairs. The tenant will be required to identify the problem and come up with a work plan. After that, with the installation of a new mixer, there will be no special problems.

Replacing an old bathroom faucet may be required due to the use of low-quality water or the untimely replacement of the cartridge inside the filtration element. When doing work with your own hands, be sure not to damage the product.

If the faucet breaks down, it may need to be replaced.

Mixer failures can be different. Among the most common errors, experts identify the following faults:

  • water leakage when the faucet is completely closed. They appear as a result of damage to the cartridge by small plumbing parts;
  • failure of the thread of the mixer;
  • corrosion formation. This problem is especially relevant when using brass plumbing.

The last two cases are most often encountered by owners of faucets bought in China. Such plumbing is not very reliable due to the use of brass alloys in its production and poor build quality. However, the cost of such equipment is an order of magnitude lower than higher-quality sanitary ware from Europe, made of stainless steel.

Often, repairing a failed mixer is impractical. In this case, the only right decision will be the purchase and installation of new equipment. A faucet that has been used in the kitchen is much easier to replace than a product installed in the bathroom. The second, as a rule, is equipped not only with switches for adjusting the temperature of the supplied water, but also with a water supply system for the shower and bath.

Before you change the faucet in the bathroom, decide on the new equipment. At the same time, pay attention to such features as the place in which the product is located and its type. Depending on the place of attachment, the equipment can be installed on the side or surface of the bath, or fixed in the wall. By design, mixers are divided into ball and valve.

During the operation of ball products, the water temperature is regulated by means of one knob. They are more practical to use and have an original appearance. To protect the small parts of such mixers from debris entering them, it is necessary to install a filter. Valve mixers perform best when used in hard water conditions.

Before starting the replacement, you will need to prepare everything necessary for the work. You may need these tools:

  • pliers;
  • several wrenches;
  • sealant;
  • fum tape;
  • rubber pads;
  • basin or bucket for water.

Rubber gaskets, sealant and fum tape are best purchased at a plumbing store. When buying, pay attention to the integrity of the gaskets - today it has become popular to sell damaged products to inattentive buyers.

Immediately before starting the replacement, you will need to perform a number of preparatory measures. This will help you quickly and comfortably change a faulty faucet in the bathroom.

Turn off water before starting work

First, turn off the water supply to the pipes. Be sure to drain the remaining liquid into a basin and open all taps to reduce the pressure in the pipeline. Wait 10 minutes and begin to slowly loosen the nuts that secure the equipment to the eccentrics, that is, adapters.

Remove the old faucet and carefully inspect the adapters. It is possible that they will have to be replaced. The reason for this may be the appearance of cracks or rust inside the eccentrics.

Most often, new devices are sold completely disassembled. It is very important to check the availability of all the parts from the kit even before purchase. The set must include:

  • gander;
  • shower head and hose;
  • ceiling lamps for decoration;
  • rubber pads;
  • eccentrics.

Assembling the mixer is not difficult

All parts must be placed in separate fabric or plastic bags. Be sure to check the quality of the eccentrics - the main thing is that the thread on them is intact.

When assembling the mixer, first of all you need to connect it with a gander and a shower hose, with a watering can pre-screwed to the hose. When assembling, experts do not advise using wrenches so as not to damage the elements of the mixer. Decorative shades are installed after the installation of the mixer.

In most cases, the distance between pipe sections in mixer designs is about 15 cm. However, this parameter can vary, and inaccuracies must be corrected by tightening or releasing the eccentrics. In this case, the displaced section of the branch pipe will occupy a central or extreme position. The distance between the axles will increase or decrease.

After you find the right distance, you can start replacing the equipment. After installing a new mixer, securely fix the eccentrics. To do this, use plumbing linen and a gasket former. For fixing, wind a little linen around the outside of the thread, then apply the substance used to form the gaskets. Instead of these funds, you can use sanitary sealant or fum-tape.

The distance between pipes is usually about 15cm

It is necessary to screw in the eccentrics with maximum accuracy. If you make a mistake, the new mixer will take the wrong position and warp. It is possible to install the device only after fixing the position of the eccentrics and adjusting the center distance. It must match the size of the equipment being installed.

At the end, you will need to tighten the fixing nuts. This stage also has certain tricks, having studied which the installation of equipment will be performed more efficiently. To ensure that the coating of the nuts is not damaged during installation, they must be wound with electrical tape. Next, the fasteners must be tightened with an adjustable wrench or pliers, after which the electrical tape can be removed.

Having settled in a new apartment, tenants must install a new faucet. The procedure is not much different from the previous algorithm, but there are still differences, and the main one is the need to install fittings.

Before installing the fittings, you will need to do some calculations. The distance between the centers of the parts should be 15 cm. The centers should be located strictly parallel to each other. The installation height of the mixer depends on the location of the fittings, so be careful when choosing this parameter.

Installation of fittings must be performed after wiring plumbing pipes. At this point, the crate for finishing the bathroom should be installed. It is necessary to screw the fittings so that they protrude 25 mm beyond the edge of the crate. Fasten the outlet of the fitting as rigidly as possible using mounting brackets or profiles.

If the crate is not installed, since the walls will be plastered in the future, then when calculating the protrusion of the fittings, it is necessary to take into account the distance from the lighthouse to the surface of the finishing tile glued to the wall. In most cases, the protrusion does not exceed 15 mm. All further installation will be the same as when replacing the old mixer with new equipment.

Do-it-yourself bathroom faucet replacement


A modern bathroom and kitchen cannot be imagined without faucets. The ease of operation of the water supply largely depends on their qualities and characteristics.

How to install a faucet in the bathroom yourself

The mixer ensures the mixing of hot and cold water in order to obtain a warm, body-friendly liquid at the outlet. It is not difficult to install a faucet in the bathroom with your own hands, so it does not make sense to pay money for an incoming plumber. Installing a mixer with your own hands implies the obligatory purchase of a new faucet, which must be correctly selected, since the result of the work done depends on its quality. The main thing in this case is not to chase cheapness. The more expensive the mixer, the better it is.

Hurry when replacing the mixer will result in big problems during the operation of the mixer, so when doing this work, do not rush, because you will use the mixer for more than one year.

When choosing a mixer, you need to be guided by the following parameters:

Bathroom faucet assembly diagram.

  1. Weight. The quality of this device can be determined by its weight. A device made of high-quality and durable material cannot be lightweight, since it is the thickness of the metal that affects the long-term operation of a particular mixer. Its weight is a guarantee of the use of thick, high-strength metal.
  2. Material. In the manufacture of a bathroom faucet, brass or silumin can be used. The latter metal is cheaper, besides, it is significantly lighter than brass counterparts. Silumin, which means an alloy of aluminum with silicon, is a fragile metal, therefore, mixers made from it very often break handles or burst clamping nuts. The only advantage of silumin devices is their low cost. As for brass devices, they are much more expensive, while they have a large weight and increased viscosity of the alloys, which prevents the pipe and nut from bursting during minor deformations that occur during the installation and operation of the crane.
  3. Options. Do-it-yourself mixer replacement involves a preliminary study of technical parameters. Even if you purchase the most expensive device, it may not be suitable for use if its parameters do not match the place of its future installation. Therefore, before you buy it, you need to decide whether you need a mixer with or without a tap. If the first option is chosen, you should decide how long the crane should be.

Self-installation of the faucet in the bathroom

Do-it-yourself bathroom faucet replacement should begin with the dismantling of the old appliance. But in order for its replacement to be of high quality, it is necessary to prepare the following tools in advance:

Bathroom faucet diagram.

  • hexagons;
  • pliers of large sizes;
  • crosshead screwdriver;
  • flat screwdriver;
  • gas key No. 2;
  • open-end wrench for 12 and 14;
  • two wrenches;
  • FUM tape.

Dismantling the old mixer

It is not difficult to dismantle the old faucet with your own hands, the main thing is to turn off the water supply before starting work. At the same time, it is necessary to block not only the main line, but also hot water, which can be supplied by means of an electric boiler or gas column. In this case, the replacement of the mixer will be carried out in the bathroom, the surface of the walls in which is lined with tiles.

First you need to drain the water from the tap and unscrew it from the wall. This must be done carefully, as there is a high probability of damage to the threads on the fitting located in the wall itself. If you allow it to be damaged, you will have to overhaul the walls of the bathroom in order to replace the fitting.

Important! At the end of the dismantling of the mixer with your own hands, you need to carefully clean the female threaded fitting remaining in the wall in order to sweep out pieces of old winding and paint from there.

Faucet assembly

Replacing a faucet in the bathroom also involves assembling the latter, as it is sold unassembled. Therefore, when purchasing it, you need to immediately check the availability of all the necessary components. In the box, along with the mixer should be:

Installation of the bathroom faucet is carried out after its assembly.

  • gander;
  • shower head;
  • shower hose;
  • main block;
  • decorative plafonds;
  • rubber pads;
  • eccentrics.

All these components must be packaged in bags, they can be cellophane or fabric. It would be useful to check the quality of the fastening nuts of the eccentrics. The main attention should be paid to the integrity of the thread.

To assemble the mixer with your own hands, you need to connect a gander and a shower hose with a watering can screwed to it. Even a child can cope with this task.

Important! During assembly, it is undesirable to use wrenches or tighten the nuts with minimal effort.

The eccentrics are wrapped with FUM tape, after which they are carefully inserted into the fittings that are in the wall. In the absence of a tape, you can use winding tow with the addition of Unipack paste. The purpose of the eccentrics is to shift the distance between the centers. The distance between the two inlets on the mixer is most often 150 mm. When installing fittings, this distance is often violated. Eccentrics allow you to correct the situation. But, despite this, when screwing them in, it is advisable to use a level.

Diagram of the device and assembly of fittings.

The next step is to try on the main block to the installed eccentrics, which you need to try to wind. The correct installation of the eccentrics is evidenced by the trouble-free winding of both sides of the block. After that, the block is removed in order to screw decorative shades onto the eccentrics, they, in turn, must fit snugly against the tiles on the wall. The task of these shades is to hide the places where the mixer taps into the water supply.

Now you can screw the block itself. It is not necessary to use additional winding material. Dense shrinkage of the mixer can be ensured by gaskets located inside the clamping nuts. The nut is slightly tightened with a wrench. With normal tightening, the key should creak a little.

At the end of the work, the main tap and hot water are opened to check the mixer for operability.

Mounting the faucet on a new wall

Scheme of connecting the faucet to the bath and washbasin.

When moving into a new apartment, it is not required to replace the old device with a new one, but to install a mixer with the need to change plumbing pipes, followed by tiling the walls. The main essence of the installation remains the same, the only thing is that it will be necessary to install the fittings, which in the first case were already in the wall.

To remove the fittings for the installation of the mixer, some calculations are required:

  • the distance between the centers of the fittings must be 150 mm;
  • fitting centers should be parallel to each other;
  • the extreme point of the fitting should be flush with the plane of the wall;
  • fittings must be at the same level. At the same time, the height of their location must be at a height acceptable for the installation of the mixer. In this case, you can navigate to the side of the bath.

Installation of fittings is carried out only after the wiring of plumbing pipes. By this time, a crate for drywall should be installed or beacons should be put on plaster.

If in the future it is planned to use drywall, then the fitting will need to be soldered so that it protrudes beyond the crate by an average of 25 mm. In this case, the exit must be fixed as rigidly as possible. You can use profiles or mounting brackets for this.

Scheme of the mixer device 3-x position.

If the wall will be plastered in the future, then when calculating the protrusion, it will be necessary to be guided by the distance from the lighthouse to the plane of the tile attached to the wall. Most often, the protrusion in this case does not exceed 17 mm. All further installation work is carried out in the same way as in the first case, when the old device was replaced with a new one.

Performing work on installing a faucet in the bathroom, you can not rush. The haste in this case can result in big problems already during the operation of the mixer. Therefore, you need to tighten the eccentrics first without a sealant, and only after you make sure that your actions are correct, you can put them according to the scheme.

Before the start of installation work, it will be necessary to close the bath, washbasin or sink. To do this, you can use unnecessary rags, corrugated cardboard, adhesive tape or film. This is necessary to protect plumbing equipment from chips in the event of a rather heavy mixer or its components falling. There are cases when the mixer punched through the acrylic bath. So that the usual replacement of the tap does not develop into the need to purchase a new bathtub, washbasin or toilet bowl, you need to play it safe.

Do-it-yourself bathroom faucet replacement: tips for choosing and installing


How to replace a faucet in the bathroom with your own hands? The mixer provides mixing of hot and cold water in order to get a warm liquid at the outlet.

Almost every modern house or apartment has various devices that require periodic maintenance or replacement. Many of these devices do not require calling a qualified craftsman for this work, and sometimes you do not even need to use a special tool. One of these devices is a faucet in the bathroom or in the kitchen, which eventually fails due to wear and tear of individual components or poor water quality. Before you change the faucet in the bathroom or some of its parts, you just need to familiarize yourself with its design and prepare the necessary tool. In this article, we will talk about how to change this device yourself, as well as attach a video that will clearly demonstrate the key points of the process.

Most common bathroom faucet failures

First of all, we will consider the most common breakdowns that may occur during the operation of the device. The most common are:

  • fluid flow with the faucet fully closed. In lever mixers, this is due to damage to the cartridge by small mechanical particles. In valve devices, this occurs when the internal elements of the valve are worn or damaged;
  • stripped valve thread or connecting thread. Such a failure occurs when excessive force is applied during closing of the valve, which leads to the stripping of the internal thread of the valve. A complete replacement of the faucet in the bathroom will be required if the connection of the faucet to the water main is broken. This usually happens with faucets that are mounted on the walls, if you lean on them while taking a shower.;
  • corrosion on the inside of the case. All bathroom faucets that are not made of stainless material are subject to this.

Problems such as thread stripping and housing corrosion are inherent in poor quality products.

Important! When hiring an outside specialist to fix a problem, it is important to remember that the cost of replacing a bathroom faucet can be as high as half the cost of the product itself, depending on the design and complexity of the work. Therefore, it is more profitable to fix the malfunction yourself by studying the design of the product.

Tools for the job

Before changing the faucet in the bathroom, it is necessary to prepare in advance the necessary tools, consumables and spare parts that need to be replaced. All tools must be prepared and placed near the work site. For high-quality and fast work, we need:

  • wrench. Some models will require two keys;
  • pliers;
  • tiflon tape for sealing threaded connections;
  • replacement parts or a new mixer, depending on the nature of the work;
  • masking tape for wrapping the fixing nuts of the mixer during installation or dismantling.

Usually, the listed materials are enough to change the faucet in the bathroom.

Preparation for work

Before you remove the faucet in the bathroom, you must clearly imagine the sequence of actions, the implementation of which determines the quality, speed and safety of work. The whole sequence should look like this:

  • we block the water supply to the mixer at the main shut-off valve;
  • open the taps of the mixer in order to remove the residual pressure in the system and remove the remaining liquid;
  • start dismantling the faucet in the bathroom by unscrewing the nuts that attach the faucet itself to the water pipes;
  • remove the mixer and check the condition of the threads on the water pipes.

Important! In 90% of cases, special eccentrics are installed between the mixer and pipes, which act as adapters if the size does not match between the pipes and the mixer inlets. They also allow you to set the valve in the desired position with an uneven arrangement of outgoing pipes. Before unscrewing the faucet in the bathroom, you need to remember that first of all the mixer must be disconnected from the eccentrics.

Installing a new faucet on the wall

Usually, when installing hidden wiring, the ends of the pipes are removed from the wall with a distance of 15 cm from each other, which corresponds to generally accepted standards. But unfortunately, this distance does not always clearly coincide with the inlets of the mixer. In such cases, before replacing the faucet in the bathroom, special eccentric adapters are additionally purchased, which allow you to compensate for the difference in size. In many models of mixers, such eccentrics are already included with the product.

Before starting the installation of new eccentrics, it is necessary to seal the threaded connection with teflon tape so that water does not seep through the threads. The tape is wound in 3-4 turns, after which the adapters are connected to the outlets of the pipelines and clamped with a wrench. Before unscrewing the faucet in the bathroom, it is advisable to remember in what position they stood, although this is not necessary.

Important! Eccentric adapters must be screwed into the outgoing pipes in compliance with their mirror-accurate location relative to each other. If they are not installed equally, then eventually the mixer will hang crooked in relation to the horizontal. To achieve maximum accuracy, you can use a laser or water level with a ruler.

Next, you can begin the installation of the mixer itself. It is important to remember here that before changing the faucet in the bathroom, which has chrome-plated clamping nuts on the inlets, they must first be wrapped with masking tape so that the key does not damage the coating layer when twisting. It is also important not to forget to place teflon tape on the opposite ends of the cams that will be connected to the inlet holes of the mixer.

After the bathroom faucet replacement is completed, you can open the main shut-off valve and check the product for leaks. In this case, it is important not to open the main valve abruptly, but to apply pressure to the system gradually. It is advisable to slightly open the valves on the mixer in order for air to escape from the pipes.

Installing a faucet on a bathtub or sink

Replacing a faucet mounted on a bathtub or washbasin looks a little easier due to the fact that there are no eccentrics in this design and the faucet itself is connected to the water supply line through hoses. Before changing the faucet in this type of bathroom, you must also turn off the water supply to the system and drain it. Then, using two adjustable wrenches, disconnect the hoses from the water main.

For your information! Before removing the faucet in the bathroom, look at the options for disconnecting the hoses. In many cases, it is very inconvenient to disconnect the hoses from the faucet itself, due to the limited space, then it is easier to disconnect them from the water main and remove the old faucet along with them.

As a rule, before changing the faucet in a built-in bathroom, you need to disconnect it from the surface on which it is located. In most cases, models of such cranes have a threaded body. This body is inserted into the technological opening of the bathroom or sink and is clamped from the bottom with a nut. Between the faucet body and the sink there is a rubber gasket for sealing.

Having disconnected the old mixer, you can proceed to install a new one, repeating all the steps in reverse order. For such minor operations as replacing the faucet gander in the bathroom, dismantling the product itself is not required at all. It is enough to unscrew the clamping nut with a wrench, remove the old gander, install a new one and tighten the nut back.

If you do not know how to replace the faucet in the bathroom yourself, then you can use this material as a guide to action.

Plumbing devices often fail, especially if their quality was not up to par from the very beginning. This also applies to mixers that operate under conditions of constant closing and opening, which cannot but affect the wear of the moving elements of the mechanism. The second factor leading to the breakdown of faucets is the poor quality of tap water. And even coarse filters are not a guarantee of a long service life of water folding devices.

Therefore, periodically there is a need to replace the mixer with a new one. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to resort to the help of a plumber, everything can be done independently.

First you need to purchase a high-quality new faucet, check if the house has all the necessary tools and means for sealing joints. And only after that you can start working.

When buying a bathroom faucet, it is important not to get lost in the abundance of models on offer. Going to the store, you should already know exactly what device you need to buy.

Currently, bathroom faucets are available in three installation options:

  • wall - the most common and familiar;
  • on-board, installed on the side of the bath (which must have a width of at least 7-8 cm, otherwise installation will be impossible);
  • a mixer on a rack or a special shelf is an expensive device, the cost of which is several times higher than that of a conventional mixer.

The latter option is rarely used, since its installation requires quite a lot of space, which is simply not available in a standard bathroom. You will need to choose a place for installing the mixer only in the case of equipping a new bathroom during the construction of a house or a major overhaul of a bathroom.

Here you need to focus on the following considerations:

  • Choose the installation location by eye and evaluate whether it will be convenient to use the mixer.
  • If this is a mixer with a shower, then it must be mounted at a height of 120 cm from the bottom of the bath after its installation.

  • If the gander of the mixer also rotates the sink, then the height must be selected even more carefully. Please note that the height of the sink is rarely less than 85 cm. To this must be added the size of the faucet itself and the height necessary for comfortable hand washing.
  • You should not mount the mixer on the horizontal, which is located at the height of the curb, which is usually done at a height of 100 cm from the floor. It is better to place the device where the wall is lined with smooth tiles, otherwise the faucet reflectors will not adhere tightly to the surface (the curb usually has a rough finish).

Faucet installation - tools and workflow

If you simply change the old device to a new one, then you do not have to choose the installation location. Installation will be carried out where there is already a communications outlet. We will consider replacing a conventional wall-mounted faucet.

  • new mixer;
  • gas key No. 1;
  • wrench;
  • open-end wrenches No. 17 and No. 14;
  • linen tow or teflon tape for sealing threaded connections.

Next, the procedure is as follows:

  • Make sure that the faucets that shut off the supply of hot and cold water are in good condition. To do this, rotate them clockwise until they stop. If these are ball devices, then simply rotate them 90 degrees. When the valves are not used for a long time, lime deposits may appear inside the mechanism, which make rotation difficult and prevent the water flow from being completely blocked. If this is the case, then it is necessary to slowly open and close each valve several times. After making sure they are closed, fully open the water on the faucet and make sure it does not leak.
  • Next, you need to dismantle the old device. To do this, unscrew the nuts holding it on the eccentrics. Evaluate the health of the old eccentrics - check their integrity and thread condition. If they are made of good metal, then it is not necessary to change them. This saves you the hassle of installing and positioning new eccentrics. If there are doubts about the serviceability of the old eccentrics, then carefully unscrew them counterclockwise from the pipe entry so as not to damage it (otherwise you will have to change the pipe entries, which will ruin all the repairs in the room). If the old eccentrics do not unscrew, then the places of their connection with the pipes can be gently tapped using an open-end wrench, or heated with a lighter fire. This usually helps. After removing the old eccentrics, it is necessary to clean the pipes of the water pipes from various contaminants.

  • Twisting new eccentrics is done clockwise until it stops. Their outlet pipes must be located on the same horizontal line, and the distance between their axes must be 150 mm. Even before the start of twisting, tow or tape must be wound on the threads of both eccentrics. You need to start from the beginning of threading in the direction of the cut of the element. Tape or tow should be wound in a dense even layer. Checking the correct installation of the eccentrics is carried out by pre-installing the mixer in place. To do this, the device is baited with one input on any eccentric, and the second is combined with another eccentric. If everything fits together exactly, then you can make the final installation of the mixer. If not, then you need to tighten one of the eccentrics to the correct position.
  • Put decorative caps on the eccentrics, install the sealing gaskets that are included in the kit on the mixer nozzles. Then unscrew the nuts on it until they stop, otherwise they will interfere with you. Wrap tow or tape tightly on the threads of the eccentrics. Tighten the mixer nuts by hand. Then tighten the connections with a wrench, but do not overdo it, otherwise the threads may be stripped.
  • The last step is to install the attachments of the mixer: gander, shower hose and watering can. Be sure to seal all connections with tow or tape.

After installing the device, it is necessary to check its performance at different water pressures.

First unscrew the aerator from the tip of the spout, otherwise it may become clogged with particles of scale and deposits that have fallen into the pipes during the installation of the device.

Check the faucet by changing the water pressure. In this case, there should be no leakage in any connection. If it is still found, you will have to remove the device and repeat the entire installation, while replacing all the tow and tape on the threads.

As you can see, the work of replacing the mixer is not difficult and may well be done with your own hands. Your assistants in this matter will be the accuracy and thoroughness of the implementation of all stages.

All things have their own service life, and the faucet in the bathroom is no exception.

This device is used quite actively, therefore, even with a large margin of safety, it eventually becomes unusable.

Installing a faucet in the bathroom may be necessary in several cases:

  • the old mechanism is completely out of order and cannot be repaired;
  • repairs are being carried out in the room, the decoration, the bathtub, and other large-scale tasks are being replaced;
  • the old mixer does not like or does not suit the characteristics.

Although at first glance this procedure may seem complicated, installing a faucet in the bathroom will not cause difficulties even for a beginner, if he prepares correctly and takes into account a few nuances.

To change the mixer yourself, you will need a small set of tools - an adjustable wrench (or a set of ordinary open-end wrenches), a bubble level, pliers. From additional materials you will need tow, preferably FUM tape or sealant.

It is important when buying a mixer to make sure that it is complete. In addition to the block itself, the box should contain a gander, a hose and a shower head, eccentrics, decorative trims, a set of seals. Some cheap models have extremely low-quality gaskets in the kit, so it is advisable to immediately buy normal seals separately.

Model selection

There are a huge number of models from various manufacturers on the market - from simple two-valve to electronic ones. Thinking about how to change the faucet in the bathroom, you should choose more reliable varieties.

Manufacturers offer brass, silumin, less often - steel, copper products. When choosing, it is worth excluding silumin ones - this is a cheap low-strength alloy that cannot last for a long time.

The choice of mechanism is determined by personal preferences, bathroom design features. Somewhere a single-lever device will look good, somewhere a classic twin-screw device will become relevant.

Screw come with rubber or ceramic locking elements. The latter are more convenient, but they have a higher price, and they are also more expensive to repair. In addition, this variety is more sensitive to mechanical impurities, so a coarse water filter is required.

Dismantling the old appliance

If the mixer has served for many years, then problems may arise with its dismantling - threaded connections could boil, overgrow with rust and calcite.

It is necessary to try to do the work with your own hands carefully, without applying extra effort, so as not to accidentally damage the pipeline fittings.

Because otherwise, you will have to deal with expensive pipe repairs, without which the installation of a mixer in the bath will become impossible. Before starting dismantling, you should turn off the water supply with your own hands.

In new systems, ball valves are likely to be located directly in front of the mixer (under the bathtub, behind a decorative panel), in old pipelines, the common valve will have to be shut off.

Next, drain the remaining water from the system and make sure that the shut-off taps do not etch. In some cases, old valves let water through even in the closed position, you will have to get a bucket, a rag and try to do everything as quickly as possible. The probability of communicating with disgruntled neighbors from below depends on how much liquid spills on the floor.

The mixer is usually unscrewed without any problems with an ordinary key.

If the nuts are tight, then you can use a lever or arm yourself with a gas wrench (“butt”), but you should act carefully so as not to damage the pipeline.

Then unscrew the eccentrics.

They can be problematic.

If the eccentric has turnkey slots, then you should use them. Otherwise, pliers are used - one "lip" is driven directly into the hole until it stops. The tool is then rotated. Sometimes you have to use an additional lever.

If the design is old, then the destruction of the eccentric is possible - threaded fragments remain in the pipe. Then you have to use a drill or puncher to carefully drill or knock out the remnants without damaging the threads on the pipe.

Without completing this task, it will not be possible to start installing the faucet in the bath.

All pieces, dirt, rust must be carefully removed with your own hands, clean the pipe. If this is not done, then after installation all this rubbish will fall into the new mixer and can cause it to break.

Installation sequence

Having prepared all the materials and tools, removing the old appliance and cleaning the pipes, you can proceed to install the mixer in the bath.


Eccentrics are needed in order to ensure the necessary distance between the pipes, as well as the horizontal position of the main unit. Screwing them up so that both conditions are met at the same time is not so easy.

But there is a trick - the main block is put on the eccentrics, without tightening its nuts, the structure is leveled. At the same time, it is no longer necessary to monitor the distance between the pipes.

When tightening the nuts of the main unit, connecting the gander and the shower hose, it is important not to overtighten.

If the mount turns out to be weak, then it won’t take long to tighten it up a little, but if you overdo it and break the seals, you will have to go to the store again.

The easiest way to check the device for leaks is with napkins or toilet paper.

First, all elements are wiped dry, then after a minute, a dry cloth is again carried out over all potential leaks. The napkin should remain dry, which means that the installation of the faucet in the bathtub is successful.

A slight seepage is allowed at the place where the eccentrics are attached to the pipes - after the swelling of the tow, it will stop.

Another problem that may arise is the faucet with cold and hot water is mixed up. Traditionally, the right faucet is always done cold. But if the pipe installers messed up something, then you have to adapt.

Since the taps in most mixers are equivalent, the only thing that will have to be done is to swap the blue and red indicators or the valve handles.

Installation work

If the mixer is installed in the bath for the first time, then the task is somewhat simplified. No need to dismantle the old device, clean the pipes from rust.

Instead, two minor hassles are added.

Firstly, you will have to unscrew the plugs, which were probably installed by the masters who assembled the pipeline. This is done with an ordinary wrench.

Secondly, it is worth making sure that the pipes to which the mixer will be attached are installed in parallel.

If the ends “look” in different directions or at each other, then installation will not succeed without additional adapters.

If the pipes are brought in by hand, then two more conditions must be met - the heads to which the mixer will be attached must be well fixed, and the height of the mixer above the bath is ensured by installing pipes at a distance of 60-80 cm from the floor.

Some are concerned about the question of how many centimeters should be between the pipes. Most standard models are oriented at a distance of 15 cm.

Rates

The price of the service depends not only on the requests of the master, but also on the complexity of the task, including the type of mixer.

Many people have to deal with such an operation as replacing a faucet in the bathroom (more precisely, in the sink). This is required when it wears out so much that it is no longer possible to restore it.

Another reason to take apart and replace a faucet is to completely redesign the room it needs to fit into.

Of course, in such a situation, a plumber is usually called, but it will be easier and cheaper to fix the problem on your own. Any apartment owner who knows how to handle a simple tool, such as a gas wrench or a screwdriver, can figure out how to replace a faucet in the bathroom.

To solve the problem, you need to carefully study this article and follow the recommendations given.

In a situation where the need to replace the faucet is associated with its failure, you need to deal with the reasons that forced you to change the faucet in the bathroom.

The problem with the valve device, forcing it to be replaced, is often due to the poor quality of the water entering it, leading to severe wear of individual parts.

Plumbing fixture failures that you can fix yourself are more common in the following:

  • The water from the tap continues to flow, even if you completely unscrew each lamb.
  • The jet has become too weak.
  • Cold and hot water does not separate (poor mixing).

A leak was detected from the junctions with the water pipes. In any of the cases considered, the reason for the breakdown of mixers is the strong wear of its elements (sealing, separating gaskets or connecting threads).

Often it makes no sense to repair damaged valves due to the complete destruction of elements that cannot be replaced.

There is only one way out - to buy a new plumbing product and try to replace it yourself. But first, it’s not at all superfluous to get acquainted with how a bathroom faucet with a shower, for example, is arranged.

Selecting a new instrument

Before you replace the mixing device in the bathroom with your own hands, you should study the design of the new device and evaluate the possibility of installing it in its original seat. Attention should be paid to such points as its device and class.

The mixer replacement technology is determined by the way it is connected to water pipes, and according to this parameter they are divided into the following types:

  • Devices that are completely (or tightly) built into the bathroom wall.
  • Faucets mounted on its surface.
  • Plumbing fixtures mounted on the sink body.


Before you change the faucet in the bathroom with your own hands, understand the design of the replaced device, according to which they are classified into ball or valve devices.

To replace a ball-type mixer, it is important to remember that the water flow in it is regulated by only one handle. To this I would like to add one more feature concerning its appearance.

The design of such a mixer is elegant, and it is more convenient and practical to use (in comparison with other samples of plumbing). Before changing the faucet of this system, try to purchase a set of filter elements along the way to prevent wear on sensitive parts of the plumbing fixture.

Unlike them, valve ones are not so beautiful and easy to use. But they are better suited to work in conditions of insufficiently purified and hard water.

Mixer replacement

Preparation for dismantling

Before you start dismantling the mixer, you will need to prepare a complete set of tools and auxiliary materials necessary for work, which should include the following mandatory items:

  • wrench;
  • pliers and screwdrivers;
  • FUM tape;
  • sealant and a set of rubber gaskets.

To collect excess water, you will also need a bucket of sufficient capacity or a capacious basin to collect water flowing from the sink or bathtub. Before starting to disassemble a faulty plumbing fixture, it is advisable to place these items near the place of organization of work.

Subsequent operations are carried out according to the step-by-step instructions below.

  1. First of all, in the pipes supplying water to the washbasin, the valve is closed.
  2. Then the remaining water is drained from the mixer into a pre-prepared container, and now you completely unscrew all the taps in the system (this reduces pressure).
  3. After the water and air are removed from the pipes, you should gradually unscrew the nuts securing the device to the adapters (they are also called eccentrics).

These elements will be required for joining the mixing device and water pipes if their seating dimensions (places) do not match.

Before unscrewing them, you need to figure out if you need to replace the faucet eccentrics in the future and whether these transition elements can be reused. When the condition is satisfactory, many say: "I usually don't take them off." It is not necessary to delete them.

Usually the distance between the seats in the mixers is 15 cm. But its complete coincidence with the axial "spacing" of the pipes is rarely observed. Therefore, eccentrics are used, by adjusting which you can easily achieve the desired matches (compensate for inaccuracies). By tightening or releasing it, you can change the center distance, moving the nozzles to a suitable position.

Installing a new faucet

When the dismantling of the mixing device is completed, the replacement of the tap proceeds to its last stage - the installation of a new one. To do this, the eccentrics on it are set to the desired position and, after incomplete tightening of the main threaded connections on the mixer flanges, they are temporarily fixed.

Before you take up the key and proceed with the installation of the mixer, do not forget to prepare the plumbing linen or sealant needed to seal the interfaces.

In the absence of the listed materials, FUM tape may also be suitable for these purposes. All further operations to assemble a new node are carried out in the following sequence:

  1. Upon completion of the pre-installation of the eccentrics, the body of the device with the inlet channels must be located strictly along the center line of the nozzles (without deviations and distortions).
  2. Only after that, you can take the gas key and finally tighten the mates between the pipes and eccentrics. At the end of the work, the final tightening of the fixing nuts of the faucet in the bathroom is done with your own hands.

When performing work operations, you can use techniques to keep the glossy finish of the union nuts in perfect condition when changing the product (do not scratch them with a tool). So that it does not turn out to be badly damaged, they are protected with ordinary insulating tape.