With a ball type faucet, the moving ball actually opens and closes passages inside the ball that directly controls the flow of the water. Since there are many parts inside a ball faucet, they are more prone to breaking down or even just leaking, than other faucet varieties.
Ball faucet repair kits usually contain various replacement parts but not normally a spare ball mechanism, since the ball itself is so rarely the cause of any of the problems that arise. Replacement balls are available, whether from your local hardware store or even at a fabulous place online, such as www.MasterFaucet.com!
First turn off the water and then remove the handle. The handle is usually held on with a small setscrew on the underside.
You will need a small screwdriver or an Allen wrench for this step.
If your leak is coming from under the handle, then you might get lucky and be able to fix it simply by tightening the locking collar that holds the ball into place. You can actually leave the water supply turned on to try this simple repair, but if it doesn't stop the leak, then you will certainly need to turn off the water completely and disassemble the faucet
You will next take off the domed cap, and then remove the cam and cam washer to allow yourself complete access to the ball itself.
Lift out the ball, making note of how the slot in the ball fits onto the pin in the faucet body, because later it will need to go back in the same exact way.
Inside of the faucet itself, there are two valve seats, which look just like little rubber rings, and behind them are small springs. These should be replaced. You can get them out by using a small screwdriver and replace them with some of the parts from the repair kit. The springs go in first, followed by the rubber valve seats. Also replace the O-ring around the ball itself.
When reassembling the faucet, ball first, while making sure that it's aligned with the pin in the faucet body, and the other parts in reverse order of how you removed them. Be sure to tighten the collar ring that holds the ball in place. Reattach the handle and the spout and turn the water back on.
Tips for Repairing a Disc Faucet
Since the disc faucet has so few parts, disc faucets are generally the most leak free of all the faucet varieties today. However, if a disc faucet does leak, then it is usually due to the discs being dirty and just needing to be cleaned, or a disc that is cracked and needs to be completely replaced.
First remove the disc faucet handle, which is usually held in place by a setscrew on the underside. Then remove the decorative escutcheon and the cartridge mounting screws so that you can lift out the disc cylinder entirely.
Take off the neoprene seals on the bottom of the cylinder and then you can clean the cylinder openings with a plastic kitchen scouring pad. Rinse the cylinder well in clean water.
Then you would put the seals back into place and then reassemble the faucet. Important Note: Before you turn the water back on, make certain that the faucet is in the open position. A sudden blast of water onto the discs could crack them.
If the disc faucet still leaks, then you will need to replace the disc cylinder itself. Shut off the water and disassemble the faucet. Lift out the cylinder and replace it with the new assembly. Reassemble the faucet, turn it to the on position and turn the water back on.
These tips are provided by your friends at www.MasterFaucet.com where they have everything you could possibly need for a kitchen or bathroom!
