The faucet is an integral part of every bathroom, which has a hot and cold water supply. Thanks to him, the temperature of the water leaving the tap and its pressure are regulated. In addition, the faucet has a switch that allows you to redirect water from the tap to the shower. Like any mechanical device, the mixer is not immune from all kinds of breakdowns. Fortunately, its design is not overly complex, allowing, in most cases, to fix problems on their own. In the article, we will consider the device of a bathroom faucet with a shower, repair the faucet in the event of any breakdowns, and list the causes of malfunctions.

Consider how it is arranged with a shower. This will help you understand how it works, depending on the design. All faucets that can be used in the bathroom fall into 3 categories:

1. Sensory... The control element of such a device is a photocell that gives a command to turn the device on and off. Self-repair of such devices is very difficult, so it would be most rational to refer it to specialists.

2. Valve... The device of a bath mixer with a valve-type shower is quite simple:

• frame;
• spout;
• valves. Designed for manual control of the mixer;
• crane axle boxes. They regulate the water supply. Older models are fitted with rubber gaskets, while newer models have ceramic plates.

In the photo, the design of a valve mixer with a flag switch

Tip: Ceramic crane axle boxes are much more durable than older models, and they are much easier to operate, since the valve rotates a maximum of 180 degrees.

3. Lever... Recently, this type of mixer is gaining popularity. A typical lever model consists of the following elements:

• frame;
• spout (gander);
• ceramic or ball cartridge in which water is mixed. Ceramic cartridges cannot be disassembled. If such a cartridge has become unusable, repairing a bathroom faucet with a shower will consist in replacing such a cartridge;
• a control handle that regulates the water pressure and its temperature. Mounts on the cartridge arm;
• nut fixing the cartridge in the body;
• a housing cover that covers the cartridge and is designed to give the mixer a more aesthetic appearance.

The main causes of mixer breakdowns

If you carefully study the device of a bathroom faucet with a shower, its repair will not be difficult. It is only important to know the reasons accompanying breakdowns:

• Unsatisfactory product quality. This is typical for the products of little-known manufacturers who use low-quality components and consumables in their work;
• Use of old-style consumables. For example, paronite or silicone gaskets last much longer than rubber products. In addition, they are less deformed and do not collapse from drying out;
• Dirty water in pipes;
• Increased water hardness affects the internal parts of the device, causing deposits and cracking of the seals.

Major breakdowns and their elimination

Let us analyze in more detail what breakdowns can occur during the operation of the mixer with a shower, as well as how to fix the mixer in the bathroom yourself. Malfunctions can be of the following nature:

Leak at the junction of the gander with the mixer body

This is the most common breakdown, as the gander constantly rotates in different directions, which leads to wear of the round rubber gasket... This gasket is located in the groove of the gander, therefore, to replace it, the gander must be disconnected.

Actions are performed in the following sequence:

• the fastening nut is unscrewed;
• the gander is removed;
• the remnants of the old gasket are removed from the groove of the gander;
• a new gasket is installed;
• the gander is installed in place;
• the thread onto which the fixing nut will be screwed is wrapped with 2-3 layers of FUM tape;
• the nut for fastening the gander is tightened.

Leakage from the control lever

This failure is typical for single-lever mixers and is caused by cartridge breakage. It is necessary to disassemble the mixer, and replace cartridge... In addition to this failure, there are several other signs of cartridge breakage:

• the lever has become difficult to control;
• the temperature of the supplied water changes spontaneously;
• there is no supply of either hot or cold water;
• the valve does not close completely or does not open completely.

In this case, you need to replace the cartridge. Do-it-yourself bathroom faucet repair is performed in this order:

Important: There are tabs on the cartridge body that should line up with the indentations inside the cartridge body. Match them carefully. If they don't match, the mixer will leak.

Leaking valve of two-valve mixer

The reason for the leakage of the two-valve mixer is the wear or destruction of the sealing washer located on the valve box. The destruction of the crane axle box itself may also occur. If the faucet is leaking in the bathroom - how to fix it quickly and inexpensively? Only on my own replacing the crane-axle box or washer on it... There is nothing complicated about that.

All work is carried out with a shut off water supply:

• the plug is removed from the leaking valve;
• the screw with which the valve is attached to the mixer body is unscrewed;
• using an open-end wrench or an adjustable wrench, the crane box is unscrewed;
• the crane box itself or the sealing ring on it is replaced;
• a new or repaired crane box is installed in the old place.

Leaking tap-shower switch

There is another gasket between the faucet-shower switch and the body, which could be damaged. How to fix a bathroom faucet that has a leaking switch? Only by disassembling the switch itself:

• the button (switch) is removed, for which the rod is held in a fixed position with pliers;
• the valve with the stem is removed;
• the damaged oil seal is removed;
• in his place a new oil seal is installed;
• the switch is put together.

Repair of a mixer with a flag switch is shown in the video.

Faulty button or valve "shower faucet"

If the button does not come back after being turned off, then its spring is faulty. Disassemble the switch as described above and then remove the broken spring. In her place a new spring is installed.

If the switch does not work, and water flows from the shower and from the tap at the same time, then the reason is cracked oil seal located on the switch stem... Necessary:

• remove the button (switch);
• remove the stem;
• replace the oil seal;
• assemble the switch.

Leakage at the shower hose connection

This problem occurs due to damage to the hose gasket. If the bath mixer is leaking, do-it-yourself repairs will consist in replacing this gasket. To do this, simply unscrew the hose nut by hand, and then remove the worn out washer. In her place a new paronite washer is installed... Before tightening the nut, it is advisable to wind a couple of layers of FUM tape on the thread. here.

Leak where the watering can is connected to the hose

How to fix a bathroom faucet if there is a water leak at the connection between the hose and the shower head? Very simple. There is a round insulating gasket under the nut on the hose. It can be easily replaced even without the use of tools.

Weak water pressure

If the water pressure through the mixer has noticeably weakened, but the neighbors have remained the same, you should suspect, first of all, clogging of the filter aerator located at the tip of the gander. Unscrew it by hand or pliers, and then check the pressure. If the pressure increased without an aerator, then the reason lay in its pollution. You need to carefully rinse it under running water, and then screw it back into place.

Tip: Often it is not the aerator itself that gets dirty, but the cleaning filter located at the entrance to the room. Therefore, if cleaning the aerator did not work, then unscrew the filter and check the cleanliness of its mesh.

We figured out how to fix a DIY bathroom faucet with shower. When using higher quality consumables, such problems will occur much less frequently.

DIY bathroom faucet repair video

This structural element is called a spout pipe by experts, and it has the function of directing a stream of water to the right place and spraying it to obtain a more uniform flow. If earlier products of this type were monotonous, nowadays you can even find a gander for a 50 cm mixer, this option is used where the bath and sink are located next to each other.

We will consider the main design features, and also figure out how to eliminate the main types of malfunctions that may arise during operation.

Main design features

On the market you can find a huge number of options that can differ significantly in their characteristics and method of execution. Let's consider the most important differences:

At the place of attachment	There are two options here, the first of them is to mount directly on, used for small structures, and the second is to install on the wall, most often this solution is used in bathrooms. Naturally, the option of supplying communications also depends on the location, so consider this factor in advance
By spout type	Often in kitchens and bathrooms, conventional stationary options are used. But more and more often, buyers choose a design with a pull-out watering can for the kitchen, with its help it becomes much more convenient to wash dishes and vegetables with fruits, but the price of such products differs from standard ones very much.
By appointment	There are three main options here, the first is a product specifically designed for use in the kitchen, the second is for use in bathrooms, and the third is for sinks. Each of them has its own design features, so it is important to know at least the approximate parameters of the installed plumbing
By water supply	The first option is units with a bottom arrangement of water supply, the second - with an upper one. Simply put, the gander can be mounted on top or bottom of the mixer, the first type is implemented in structures, the second - in wall systems.
By element shape	Spouts can be of a wide variety of shapes, so you can choose the optimal solution for almost any design. Each of the options has its pros and cons, so you only need to choose a specific solution after consulting a specialist
To size	Another very important parameter that should be considered, especially if you do all the work yourself. There are four main groups: short for small sinks, medium for larger sinks and sinks, long for tubs, and extra-long for multiple containers.

Important! Consider not only the length of the gander, but also its height, especially when installed in sinks in the kitchen. It is much more convenient to wash dishes under a high spout, but too high a height causes splashes, which is also undesirable.

It should be noted right away that if you are equipping a shower stall, then the best solution would be a mixer without a gander, this option includes an adjusting handle and a hose with rain.

If you need a classic version, then you will have to choose from a huge number of models. Let's take a look at what you should focus on.

Criterias of choice

In order to get the best option, there are several important points to consider:

• Assembly and installation instructions must be in Russian... This testifies that the equipment is intended for the conditions of use in our country and was imported legally, with a quality check. The documentation should be free of errors, all schemes should be neat and understandable.
• The second important nuance is the place of installation of the structure. As noted above, for kitchen sinks, the height of the spout, the radius of its spray, as well as the ability to use it on 2 sinks are important (in this case, the option with a pull-out spout is an excellent solution). For bathrooms, the presence of rain, the length of the gander and the adjustment features are important.
• For ease of use, it is best to purchase products with a swivel neck, they provide excellent functionality and practicality. For small sinks, a fixed structure is also suitable, since there is no point in rotating systems.
• A very important factor is the material of manufacture, the strength and durability of the product directly depends on it... The best solution can be called brass with chrome plating; this option is characterized by high strength and durability. You should not purchase products made of powder alloys, due to the low strength, the situation when the gander at the mixer breaks is not uncommon.

Advice! It is best to purchase products from well-known brands, the quality and reliability of which is confirmed by customer and professional reviews. As a rule, the best products are made in Europe, in particular in Italy and Germany, but other manufacturers also produce reliable units, but it is better to choose premium products.

• You should also pay attention to the quality of the protective layer and its type.... This is important not only from the aesthetic, but also from the practical point of rhenium, because the care for different types of coatings can differ significantly.

Trouble-shooting

If the mixer flows from under the gander, then first of all it is worth disassembling the system for inspection.

Consider how to disassemble the mixer gander:

• For classic models, first of all, you need to unscrew the gander fastening nut. This element is present in both the top and bottom spout locations. First of all, try to do it with your hands, and if it does not work, use a plumbing wrench, the main thing is to do everything carefully so as not to scratch the surface.

• After removal, first of all, two rubber sealing rings are inspected, it is because of them that the gander of the mixer most often flows in the bathroom and in the kitchen. These can be purchased at any plumbing store.
• If the rings are normal, inspect the plastic washer, it may wear out, causing water to leak, it must also be replaced.
• But sometimes the leak is formed due to corrosion on the internal elements or cracks in the spout. In this case, the only solution to the problem is to replace the gander of the mixer - in the bathroom you can turn off the tap and use the rain, but in the kitchen, until you replace the unit, you will not be able to use water.

In lever systems, work is carried out somewhat differently:

• First, the handle is removed, for this the fixing screw is unscrewed.
• Next, the fixing washer is unscrewed and the cartridge is taken out, after which the gander can also be removed.
• There are two O-rings on the inside of the element, and they should be inspected. If everything is in order with the rings, but there are traces of corrosion on the inside, the element must be replaced. The assembly is carried out upside-down.

Output

Do not think that the spout is sold only in a set with a mixer, if necessary, it can be purchased separately and replaced without assistance. Some important nuances on this issue, which you should also know about, will be described in the video in this article.

A mixer is an indispensable thing in everyday life, which greatly simplifies the receipt of a stream of water at a temperature that is comfortable for a person.

Just imagine that in our technological age, some countries, for example, England, still use 2 separate taps for hot and cold water. We have long been accustomed to the ubiquitous distribution of mixers, in the body of which hot and cold flows are mixed, as a result of which we receive warm water.

Today we will find out what a gander is for a bathroom faucet, how to choose it, how to repair it, and also replace it with our own hands in case of a breakdown.

Varieties

The gander is the curved spout of the bathtub faucet, from which water flows, mixed inside the body of this appliance until the optimum temperature is obtained. The more correct name for this element is the term "spout".

Bathroom necks differ in length, they often have different diameters and devices. For convenience, they can be classified according to the following criteria:

Note! The bathroom faucet is used most intensively, so water often leaks from the gander. Most often, the cause can be solved independently if you remove the damaged spout, pick up a new one with the required length and diameter, and then screw it into place on the mixer, not forgetting about the seal.

How do I choose a new spout?

So, you have noticed that the faucet is leaking in the bathroom. To eliminate leaks and water overruns, most often you need to replace the gander. If the mixer requires repair, then first you need to correctly select a new spout to replace the broken one. When buying this part, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

Important! Experienced plumbers say that it is more convenient to use a mixer with a swivel spout in everyday life. However, as practice shows, it is in the place of turning on the taps that water flows. If you are thinking about a swivel neck, then before starting the installation, take care of a high-quality seal for the device connections so that the leak does not catch you by surprise.

Repair and replacement

If the gander of the mixer flows in the bathroom, then it must be urgently replaced. If water begins to leak even in a small trickle, but constantly, then its consumption will increase, and hence the cost of utilities. Do-it-yourself repair of a mixer gander in the bathroom is a task that even an inexperienced master can handle.

To do this, follow the instructions below:

Please note that tightening the nut when replacing the shower spout or sink can damage the chrome finish with an adjustable wrench. In places of damage, corrosion will appear, which can spread along the entire length of the product, then causing leakage. To avoid this, it is necessary to wrap the ends of the wrench with a soft, but not slippery material, such as rubber.

Video instruction

The rooms for taking water procedures are equipped with plumbing equipment, the largest of which is a bath. It is installed once and for a long time. With proper care, it never fails, but mixers for it often have to be changed or repaired.

The gander is the spout of the mixer. With its frequent use, it breaks down and wears out. To repair the gander, they call a plumber or try to carry out similar work with their own hands. But, before starting the independent installation of the structure, they first identify the cause of the problem.

Nut wear

The reason that water leaks from under the gander in the bathroom is the natural wear of the gasket at the point where the spout is attached to the mixer body. Fixing this problem is easy. This requires an adjustable wrench and a new gasket. It is important to observe the pressure when unscrewing the gander nut. Excessive stress leads to scratches on the metal surface.

The use of paronite gaskets increases the operational characteristics of the gander due to the absorption of liquid by it. By absorbing water, it completely fills the space inside the spout and prevents leakage.

Dirty aerator

On many models of faucets, an aerator is integrated at the end of the spout, which, by breaking the water flow, creates a volumetric stream, saving its consumption. Sometimes it happens that the gander leaks because of it.

The occurrence of a leak is often due to the structural features of the aerators. The smallest particles of contamination are collected on its nets and impede the movement of water. As a result, the pressure inside the gander rises, and leaks appear. You can fix the problem by cleaning the aerator or replacing it.

Brass aerators are highly resistant to mechanical damage. In the future, when cleaning such models, the risk of damaging them with an adjustable wrench is minimal.

Broken spout / shower switch

Bathroom faucets often leak as a result of a broken spout / shower switch. Elimination of this malfunction depends on its type (cork, push-button, ceramic, with a barrel) and the nature of the breakdown.

Gander repair

If leaks occur in the spout, it is not always possible to change the mixer. Often, a competently carried out repair of an individual part avoids replacing the structure.

So how to properly remove and repair the gander for the bathroom faucet.

Replacing the gasket

To change a part, you need an adjustable or open-end wrench, a new gasket, silicone grease or liquid soap, a piece of thick cloth.

Installation steps:

1. Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the union nut connecting the spout to the body. To prevent the appearance of scratches on the surface, it is recommended to wrap it with a thick cloth.
2. With a slight effort of your hand, turn the gander and pull it out of the body.
3. Pry off the damaged gasket with a thin knife and pull it out.
4. Attach a new ring to this place.
5. Apply a layer of grease on top.
6. Place the gander and tighten by hand.
7. Wrap the nut with a cloth and tighten it completely with an adjustable wrench.

With proper repair, the drain will not leak until the next wear of the gasket.

Cleaning / replacing the aerator

If a mixer with an aerator is installed in the bathroom or kitchen, then sooner or later there will be a decrease in water pressure and leakage. This is due to its pollution. To restore the power of the jet, they carry out cleaning or a complete replacement of the part.

Cleaning steps:

1. Unscrew the aerator from the spout spout, having previously wrapped the part with a thick cloth or rubber (round models are removed by hand, all the others are removed using an adjustable or open-end wrench).
2. Remove the contaminated nets, the gasket and rinse them. If there is limescale, soak the parts in table vinegar or citric acid solution (if these funds are not at hand, you can clean the nets by hand with a needle). The non-separable aerator can be cleaned by submerging it in a weak acid.
3. Reinstall the cleaned nets and the gasket (replace the deformed one).
4. Screw the aerator onto the gander.

It is advisable to clean the aerator prophylactically, before the formation of persistent limescale.

In cases of deformation of the surface of the aerator with an adjustable wrench or the impossibility of carrying out its complete cleaning, the part is replaced with a new one.

Replacing the aerator:

1. Using a thick cloth, unscrew the old part with pliers.
2. Install a new aerator in its place.
3. Twist it up.

When buying a new aerator, take into account the diameter of the gander. Available in 3/4 and 1/2 inch models.

Switch repair

A breakdown in the mode of switching the water from the spout to the shower often provokes the appearance of leaks. To eliminate them, repair is required, which directly depends on the type of switch.

Before starting the repair, close the water supply valves.

Suberic

First, unscrew the nut that connects the part to the body. Then they lubricate it inside with silicone grease and set in place. The nut is not tightly tightened, otherwise it will be difficult to switch the mode.

Button

Leakage is often due to wear on the gasket. To replace it, unwind the part and find out the size. Then they buy and install a new one.

In rare cases, it happens that water flows from the gander and the shower at the same time. This means that the rubber valve responsible for the distribution of water flows has worn out. If you cannot replace it, you will have to install a new mixer.

Keg switch

Most of the leakage of these switches is due to the wear of the gasket. To fix the problem, you need to unscrew the switch and replace it. Sometimes structures of such a model, when turning, do not transfer water from one mode to another. In such cases, not only the gasket needs to be replaced, but also the bolts. In the event of a complete failure, the entire keg must be replaced.

Ceramic

Such structures do not wear out. The occurrence of problems with them is due to the contamination of the cartridges installed inside. This requires the usual replacement of the cartridge.

Faucets are one of the main plumbing fixtures in the home, the traditional places for their placement are the kitchen and bathroom (shower). At the same time, different designs are used for each type of premises. One of the main differences, which immediately determines the type of non-kitchen plumbing fixture, is a gander for a mixer in the bathroom, which has only its inherent shape.

The bathroom usually contains one or two mixers, which are installed above the bowl and washstand, while their design is noticeably different. This is taken into account when choosing a mixing device, along with the fact that for a washstand and a bath, it is practiced to install one tap with an elongated gooseneck (spout).

A gander or spout is a curved metal tube with a round, rectangular, oval or other cross-section through which the water mixed in the mixer body flows to the user.

The main difference between the washstand and the bathtub is the shape of their gander, which performs different functions. All varieties in terms of design are divided into the following groups by:

Length... By size, the gander is divided into short, 14 - 18 cm long, medium 20 - 25 cm and long, 30 - 60 cm long. A faucet with a long gander for the bathroom is used when the tap is simultaneously operating in the washstand and filling the bowl.

Connecting dimensions... The standard diameters of the nibs when fixing to the body of modern faucets with cartridges are 1/2 and 3/4 inches.

Mobility... All ganders are divided into two categories - rotary and stationary, since little changes from the movement of spouts of small length around its axis, then all stationary models are classified as short. Likewise, the long gander, which must work in the bathtub and washstand, are movable; models with a medium spout are also made swivel.

Placement relative to the body... All sink-mounted spouts with taps are located above the handle of the cold and hot water switch (body) of the mixer. In many cartridge faucets for sinks and models that are mounted on the walls in the bathroom or kitchen, the edge of the bathtub, the spout is located in the tap under the handle of the water supply.

Sectional shape... The standard spout has a round or oval tube; recently, narrow rectangular nipples for cascading water supply have been popular, in perfect harmony with high-tech, avant-garde styles. Also, spouts differ in cross-sectional area, some models are capable of passing significant flows of water through themselves, which increases the speed of filling the baths.

Aerator designs... An aerator at the end of the spout, which ensures an even flow of water, is a must for any mixer. The design of the aerator can be designed for supplying water both with a constant flow and with its regulation in terms of area, jet shape and pressure.

Material of manufacture... The standard material for the manufacture of all mixers and, accordingly, their spouts is brass, in the overwhelming majority of cases it is chrome plated on top. Much less often, other types of metals are used for the manufacture of cranes, the main ones are copper, bronze, stainless steel; in exclusive models, plastic, fiberglass, and ceramics are used. All non-ferrous metals, in addition to chrome plating, can have their original appearance or color in other colors in the design modifications of the mixers.

What to look for when choosing

Since the gander is an integral and far from the most important part of the mixer, the crane itself is chosen first of all, paying attention to the following factors:

• The material for the manufacture of the vast majority of mixers is brass, sometimes copper is found, the cheapest models are made of stainless steel, but they visually differ from the two previous ones with chrome plating in a less intense metallic luster. To find out exactly what the chrome-plated mixer is made of. They look at the inner surface of non-chrome-plated fastening union nuts or a gander, in which the aerator is previously unscrewed. Compared to copper faucets, stronger brass faucets should be preferred.
• If you plan to use separate and washstands, it is better to purchase a model with a fixed gander to fill the bowl - this will prevent leaks due to abrasion of the gasket at the point where the tube is attached to the valve body.
• It is clear that if there is a washstand in the bathroom without a mixer, they choose a model with a swivel long spout. Before buying, you should determine the midpoint of the distance from the center of the bathtub on the wall to the drain hole of the sink and, with this calculation, select the length of the gander. If the distance from the bathtub to the sink is too great and it was not possible to find a mixer with suitable parameters, the faucet body is shifted from the bowl towards the sink so that its aerator is located above the drain hole of the washstand.

• When buying, you can unscrew the aerator in the spout and look at the thickness of its walls, comparing it with other models - the larger the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube, the more reliable the selected tap is in operation.
• The diameter of the spout is not very important and can only be important if the user has a rare habit of filling the bath faster. Typically, the circumference or perimeter dimensions of all ganders are standard and correspond to the internal channels of mixers from specific manufacturers. The highest flow channels of the ganders are possessed by expensive models of wall mixers from German manufacturers (Hansgrohe, Grohe) of avantgarde, hi-tech styles.
• When choosing a suitable spout from any manufacturer, it should be borne in mind that the vast majority of expensive or cheap models are made of chrome-plated brass. In none of the most budgetary Russian or Chinese gander, the chrome coating will not peel off from the brass, the metal will not rust during decades of operation. Therefore, there is no point in overpaying for a product of a better-known brand if a similar cheap one is practically not inferior to it in terms of technical characteristics.

How to repair and change a gander in a bathroom faucet

A standard modern gander has a removable aerator at one end and is attached to the valve body with a union nut. If the tube rotates around its axis, the sealing is provided by a built-in coupling with rubber O-rings. In older models of round spouts, the sleeve is absent and the gaskets are placed in the grooves of the tube.

For the usual do-it-yourself gander repair, you will need an adjustable wrench, rubber O-rings of a standard diameter (they can be purchased in advance if a typical mixer model is installed). The main malfunctions of the gander and methods for its repair are discussed in the text below.

Weak pressure

A common cause of this malfunction is clogging of the fine mesh of the aerator with particles of dirt and sand. To eliminate it, the following operations are carried out:

• Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nozzle on the gander and disassemble it, removing the round nets.
• The meshes are washed with warm water until the solid particles are completely removed; in case of difficulties, an additional toothbrush or needle is used.

Note: Sometimes the nets and internal parts of the aerator become covered with hard-to-remove limescale during operation. In this case, they are placed in hot water with the addition of citric acid until the lime is completely dissolved.

• In older models of aerators, metal meshes in a brass cage were often installed, parts with prolonged use corroded and could collapse. In this case, it is easier to buy separately a new aerator with a plastic insert and replace the outdated unit with it.
• After cleaning is complete, the aerator is screwed into place with an adjustable wrench.

Leak at the gander attachment point

If the mixer in the bathroom flows from under the gander, then the main cause of the malfunction is the abrasion of the gaskets on the coupling built into it. To eliminate the defect, the following operations are carried out:

• Disconnect the flare hex nut that secures the gander. If a new sharp-edged key is used, place pieces of paper or cloth underneath to avoid damaging the chrome surface.
• Inside the gander tube there is a threaded sleeve with an internal hexagonal hole, it is unscrewed with a hex key or ordinary pliers, inserting one of the jaws into the part.
• Having removed the clutch, two rubber sealing rings placed in the grooves are observed on its surface. They are removed and replaced with new ones from the previously purchased repair kit. If new rubber rings are not available, after removing the old ones, one or two turns of narrow strips of the corresponding width of cloth tape, adhesive plaster are wound into the groove, after which the gaskets are returned to their place.
• Upon completion of the work, the surface of the rings is coated with silicone grease and the spout is screwed to the mixer body using an adjustable wrench.

Leaking in the body of the gander

A malfunction when the mixer gander leaks is quite common in residential buildings with poor water quality and is due to the fact that the aerator mesh is heavily clogged with large particles of dirt and sand. As a result, the pressure inside the tap increases, and since the spout has the thinnest walls in comparison with the massive mixer body, a leak occurs in it. Water flows out through a crack, which usually appears at the bottom of the tube, invisible to the eye, at a distance of several centimeters from the attachment point.

The easiest way to eliminate this defect in the spout is to replace it. To replace the gander in the mixer, the location of which is the bathroom, the damaged part is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench and a new one with the same diameter of the landing fittings (inner sleeve and union nut) is installed in its place.

It should be noted that replacing the mixer gander is not the only way to eliminate this malfunction. There is also a second option, which is to repair it. The operation to restore the working capacity of the damaged gander consists of the following points:

• The spout is unscrewed with an adjustable wrench, dried from the inside and outside, the surface in the area of ​​the defect is degreased.
• The crack is covered with rigid adhesives after hardening: super-glue, liquid glass, cold welding, epoxy resin.

A more reliable and durable method of repairing a spout is to seal the crack, while the place of soldering under the bottom surface of the tube is invisible from the side. For this, the following operations are carried out in stages:

• They protect the defective area with sandpaper and determine the material of the mixer - if the color of the tube is yellow, then it is brass, red indicates an alloy with a very high copper content.
• For soldering copper, you can use ordinary rosin and tin-lead alloys as solder (POS), you will also need a powerful 100 W soldering iron.
• The surface in the defect zone is degreased, rosin is applied and then POS until the crack overlaps with a section of at least 10 mm wide.
• If the faucet is made from common brass with between 10 and 40% poorly soldered zinc, other more expensive soldering components will be needed. To destroy the zinc-copper oxide film formed during heating, which the rosin cannot cope with, orthophosphoric acid, fluxes with borax or compounds of potassium with boron (fluorine) are used. The flux can be prepared independently by dissolving 10 grams of borax and 10 grams of boric acid powder in 20 mg of water.

To solder brass with a high copper component, POS60 and higher soft solders are used - their strength is quite enough for sealing a narrow seam, and a 100-watt soldering iron is quite suitable for melting. If the brass alloy has a high percentage of zinc and you need a strong connection (the gander is broken off), use solid grades of solder with silver PSr12 - PSr72, copper-zinc from PMTs36 to PMTs54 and copper-phosphorus (have low mechanical characteristics), all of the above melt materials require a gas burner.

• Soldering operations are performed using the traditional method, degreasing and covering the defect with a flux, after which solder is applied.

The gander is an integral part of any mixer, allowing the user to supply water to the bath or sink at a convenient height and distance. To fix a gander in a faucet, the location of which is the wall above the bath, usually the gaskets are changed, the aerator is cleaned or its body repaired using various methods of sealing cracks. All of the above methods do not require replacement of the spout, so its service life is as long as you like.