The single-lever mixer tap is considered very practical and can be used in a variety of ways. You get fittings for the bathtub, the shower, but also for the washbasin and the kitchen sink. The fittings are durable and can remain in use for many years. Sometimes it happens that they are difficult to move or squeak. You can take various measures to remedy the situation.
Single lever mixer and possible problems when using it
Single-lever mixers impress with their simple functionality, but also with their longevity. In principle, it is not a problem to use the mixer tap for several years or even decades without it causing problems. However, it can happen that the single-lever mixer causes problems after long periods of use. The faucet lever is difficult to move, sometimes it's hard to move or it squeaks with every turn. It is not necessary to buy a new faucet if you have these problems. Before you decide to replace it, you can take various measures to remedy the situation. It is recommended that you take action as soon as you notice the problem. Otherwise, things will get worse and at a certain point repairs will no longer be possible and a new purchase will be unavoidable.
Squeaking with every turn of the faucet
When operating the single-lever mixer, you may notice a slight squeak. At the beginning this is barely audible. However, the more often you need water from the tap, the more persistent you will hear the unpleasant squeaking sound. He won't go away on his own. If this isn't a reason for you to invest in a new faucet, consider remedying the situation. It may be that the unpleasant squeaking sound is accompanied by stiffness, thus mixing two problems. However, it often happens that the lever is very easy to use, but you still feel disturbed by the squeaking sound.
Check the age of the faucet
As a first step, you should consider when you bought the single-lever mixer tap. If the squeaking sound occurs during the warranty period, it is a defect and you are en titled to a replacement. You have a two-year guarantee for all taps that you buy or order in Germany. You should not carry out any repairs within this period as you would void the warranty. Dismantle the faucet and take it to the dealer along with the receipt. He will arrange for a replacement or repair. If you have ordered the single-lever mixer, please contact the dealer by phone or email.
Cost of this solution
If the defect is a warranty claim recognized by the manufacturer, you will not incur any costs. You only have to take into account the journey to the dealer. If you send the faucet in for repairs, the dealer is obliged to cover the costs. You should point this out to the retailer if they want to charge you the costs.
Good to know:
The dealer has the right to repair. You must therefore expect that you will not be able to use the water basin in question for a period of up to two weeks if you do not have an old tap to replace it.
The use of oil in the single lever mixer
Basically, you should be careful when pouring oil into the inside of the mixer tap. In the worst case, the oil gets into the running water and you no longer get clean tap water. However, if you find the squeaking unpleasant and do not want to replace the single-lever mixer because you would no longer be able to get the design or do not plan to make a new investment, you can very carefully try working with oil. It is very important that you use a light penetrating oil. This has the ability to penetrate deep into the interior of a material and develop its effect there. Make sure that you only use a very small amount and use high-quality oil and not a cheap product.
Do this:
- Turn off the water
- Open the lever and let the last drops of water flow out of the pipe
- Use a pipette with a very small amount of oil
- Put the oil on the edge of the mechanism through which the lever rotates
- Wait for some time until the oil is absorbed into the inside of the faucet
- Remove the residue with a soft cloth
- Turn the water back on and perform a functional test
If the measure did not help, you can also dismantle the single-lever mixer and introduce the oil into the mechanism from below using the pipette. However, the effectiveness is less because the oil is usually needed at the top of the faucet. On some models the lever can be removed. This is very practical because you can then enter the oil directly into the mechanism.
Cost of this solution
Preetting oil is available as a practical spray. There are tweezers on the cartridge so you can easily dose the oil. The cost is between five and 15 EUR for a bottle. Some retailers offer larger quantities in a canister. For this you pay around 35 EUR. This solution only makes sense if you also want to use the penetrating oil in another way.
In hardware stores or specialist stores you can get small bottles in which the tweezers are integrated into the screw cap, similar to medicine. These are particularly suitable for use on the tap. You pay between three and seven euros for this product. Since the penetrating oil has a longer shelf life, you can use it several times. This is recommended if you notice after a while that your faucet is becoming stiff again.
Good to know:
If you only use a very small amount of oil, it is almost impossible for you to make a mistake. Proceed carefully and with sensitivity. If a little oil gets into the water circuit, let the tap run for one to two minutes. In most cases, you can then use it again without restrictions.
Descaling single lever mixer
If you are unsuccessful in introducing oil into the mechanism, it may be that the single-lever mixer tap is calcified. This is the case if you have very hard water in your area. You can get information about this from the local waterworks. You have the opportunity to remove the limescale. However, you will only be able to do this if the process has not progressed too far. Use pure vinegar, a little citric acid or a high-quality descaler. Insert this into the mechanism with a pipette as described and allow one or two hours for it to take effect. Then try out the function. In many cases, the unpleasant squeaking of the faucet has disappeared.
Costs for this solution
Using household vinegar is very inexpensive. However, you should make sure that you use vinegar in the form of an essence. You can get it in all supermarkets and discounters for one to two euros per bottle.
A descaler is also available in supermarkets and drugstores. Depending on the manufacturer, you pay between two and five euros. Descalers that you can get from hardware stores are somewhat more effective. These products are sometimes not suitable for sensitive sanitary ceramics. However, you can safely use this descaler for the faucet. You also pay around five euros for this product.
Good to know:
An aggressive descaler or citric acid can damage the high-quality mechanics. You should try home remedies first.
Seal is defective
A broken or worn seal can also cause the faucet to make a squeaking noise. Obtain a new seal from the store and replace it. This works like this:
- Turn off the water.
- Dismantle the single-lever mixer from the water basin
- Open the mixer tap so that you can access the seal
- Insert a new gasket
- Reinstall the mixer tap on the water basin
- Turn on the water
Turn the lever a few times so that water flows to check that it is working properly. In many cases, the problem is resolved by installing a new gasket.
Costs for this solution
A gasket is a very inexpensive item for which you sometimes only pay a few cents. The costs are rarely more than two euros. However, the prerequisite is that the seal you need is available commercially. This can sometimes be a problem with older faucets or models that are no longer manufactured or from a foreign manufacturer. There are providers where you can have a seal made to measure. The cost is slightly higher, but still cheaper than buying a new faucet. This is especially true when it comes to a bathroom faucet that is no longer available in this design. If you value a uniform look, you would also have to replace the other fittings, which can be very expensive.
Good to know:
Sometimes it will be successful if you combine several of these measures together. Start with the oil, descale and in the last step change the seal.
The faucet is difficult - this is how you solve the problem
The lever on the mixer tap is difficult or can no longer be moved at all. You can also try to remedy this problem before purchasing a new faucet. If the lever on a mixer tap is stiff, this can have various causes. You won't always be able to find out the real cause, because the mechanism is closed and cannot be dismantled in many taps. However, you have various options to solve the problem.
The single-lever mixer is difficult to use – the initial measures
First, try out the measures you use when you notice that your mixer tap is squeaking or difficult to move. Do this in this order:
- Treat the mixer tap with penetrating oil as described
- Descale the mixer tap
- Insert a new gasket
It often happens that the squeaking of the lever is accompanied by difficulty moving. If all measures do not help, you must replace the cartridge. However, this is only possible if you can buy a new cartridge from a store. If you have very old faucets, you won't be able to get them anymore. In this case, the only solution is to replace the faucet.
Cartridge change
Changing the cartridge is not difficult, you can do it yourself. Proceed as follows:
- Turn off the water.
- Dismantle the single-lever mixer from the water basin
- Open the mixer tap
- Remove the cartridge
- Insert the new cartridge
- Reinstall the mixer tap on the water basin
- Turn on the water
Check whether the faucet works smoothly again. In some cases, the effectiveness only becomes apparent after prolonged use.
Costs for this solution
A new ceramic cartridge costs around ten euros if you choose a model from a third-party manufacturer. However, before purchasing, you need to make sure the new model will fit your old faucet. Unfortunately, third-party manufacturers do not offer suitable cartridges for all single-lever mixer taps. In this case you can contact the manufacturer. If a cartridge is available for your model, you may pay up to EUR 50. However, this is worth it because after using the cartridge you essentially get a new faucet. In addition, it is not necessary to replace the other fittings to achieve a uniform look.
Good to know:
By inserting a new cartridge, you can easily turn the lifter again and also eliminate the squeaking of the faucet.
