Tips for Repairing a Ball Type Faucet

A ball type faucet is a relatively new type of faucet. The technology used in the ball valve is slightly more advanced than a typical, old school compression faucet, but it like any other faucet is still prone to failure from time to time. Repairing any faucet is a relatively easy do it yourself projects that requires only basic tools, some knowledge, and a little bit of time.

Faucet repair is a common household repair. Repairing a faucet will save you a significant amount of money over purchasing a new faucet. BY following the few simple tips listed below, you will be on your way to repairing your old faucet and making it function like new again.

Below are the top ten tips to follow when repairing a ball type faucet.

1. Turn off the water supply. Remember to turn off both the hot and cold water supply before attempting any repairs on any faucet. You do not want to create a water leakage problem, so turn off the water before beginning.

2. Have towels ready. The towels can be used for the drips that can come from any water line. Place the towels where needed to avoid spilling water on other items.

3. A bowl is handy. Sometimes the leak or drips exceed the amount of water that a towel can hold. Place the bowl under any drips to catch excess water.

4. Close the drain in the sink. By closing the drain, you prevent any small parts from falling into the drain line. Parts that fall into the drain line may be impossible to retrieve.

5. Locate the faucet leak. Is it under the handle, or at the spot. Leaks from different areas indicate different problems.

6. If the leak comes from under the handle, loosen the set screw and turn the adjusting ring clockwise until the leak stops. Water will have to be on for this repair,

7. If the water leaks from the spout, the culprit is likely to be the ball type valve. Remove the handle assembly to access the valve. Refer to your owners manual for removal procedures or refer to the web site of the company who makes your particular faucet.

8. Inspect the ball valve for damage or sharp edges. Any amount of damage will allow water to leak by preventing the faucet from being turned off completely, resulting in a leak.

9. If the ball valve is damage, replace it. Don't try a repair here, the unit is intended to be replaced if damaged. The cost is not significant and the new valve will perform flawlessly.

10. If the ball valve appears to be undamaged, try tightening the adjusting ring to increase tension on the valve. This will block leakage, but make the handle more difficult to operate.

Faucet repair typically involves little more than common sense of the inner workings of a faucet. Refer to diagram by the manufacturer to get an understanding of your particular faucet. Additionally, many website list common troubleshooting procedures for faucets they produce. With some research, faucet repair can be a simple task that will save you money on water bills and prevent your from replacing that near new faucet again.