THE PROJECT: Disc-type faucet
A disc-type faucet is usually a single-handled control as illustrated in this project. They work like this—
in a cylinder, two disks, either plastic or ceramic, glide over one another as you spin the handle. Each disk has corresponding holes that open and close as they rotate to control the fl ow of hot and cold water. They’re practically maintenance free. But, if you have hard water, seals may corrode or a disk may crack.
1. With the water shut off from the shut-off valves, remove the handle. Locate the setscrew in the handle housing. It’s sometimes hidden behind a small decorative cover. Pry off the cover with a fl athead screwdriver or metal nail fi le, loosen the set-screw with an Allen wrench, and lift off the handle.
2. Lift off the escutcheon, which should expose the disk assembly (also referred to as the disk cartridge or cylinder).
3. You’ll probably see mounting screws.Unscrew them and lift out the cylinder—use pliers if it’s stubborn.
4. With the disk assembly out, you’ll see three neoprene seals. Remove them and clean off any debris in the recesses or on the lower disk with a plastic scour pad.
5. Insert the new seals. A cleaned disk, inlets, and new seals may be all you need to stop the leak. To check if this has done the trick, reassemble the faucet, and put the handle in the on position. Then slowly turn on the water from the shut-off—a sudden surge of water could crack a disk.
6. If there’s still a leak, shut off the water from the shut-off valve and disassemble the faucet as described in Steps 1–4.
7. With the entire disk assembly removed, drop in the new replacement cartridge and reassemble the faucet
and screw on the handle.
8. Put the handle in the on position, and then slowly turn on the water from the shut-off valve. Give the faucet a spin, check for leaks . . . tah-dah!
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