Month: October 2022

If a tap is dripping incessantly, it can be a real problem for your home. Not only is it a waste of water and energy, but it will also affect your pocket. In this post, we explain how to fix a dripping tap, step by step:

But how to repair a dripping tap?

First of all, you should know that there are different types of taps. Specifically, depending on their handles, we can divide them into 2 large groups:

• Single lever taps: A single lever tap is that type of tap that has a single handle. They are modern designs and very easy to use.
• Two-handle taps: In this type of tap it is necessary to use both hands to regulate the hot and cold water. In fact, they are the most classic taps.

It is essential to be clear about the type of tap in order to learn how to fix a dripping tap.

How to fix a dripping mixer tap?

Want to learn how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet? Here are 2 solutions you can do:

• Change the ceramic cartridge: If the dripping is due to limescale, it is necessary to replace the old one with a new one that fits your tap perfectly.
• Clean or replace the aerator: Limescale, sediment or dirt can also accumulate in this part of the tap. Therefore, one of the main tips for the care and maintenance of taps is to check and clean them regularly.

5 steps to fix a dripping two handle tap

How to fix a dripping two-handle tap? We tell you in 9 simple steps how to fix an old tap with deteriorated seals:

1. Close the shut-off valves

First of all, as in any plumbing work, it is essential to close the water stopcocks in your home. These are usually in the kitchen or laundry room. They can also be near the water meter. This will prevent possible leaks during the plumbing work.

2. Remove the trim

Next, it is time to remove the tap trim (that sort of ring underneath the knob), as well as the tap key.

3. Unscrew the valve and remove the seals.

With the help of a spanner, unscrew the valve from the tap. Now it is time to remove the deteriorated water seals.

4. Add new and modern parts

Fit the new seals. Then, install the valve again. We recommend that you also replace the O-rings on the part while you are working on it. In this way, you will optimise the insulating properties of the tap.

5. Assemble the tap

Finally, reassemble the tap. Remember to tighten all the parts firmly. Open the stopcocks and you will be able to use your tap, and without drips!

How to fix a dripping tap? Modern, quality fittings are the key to a good faucet.

Opting for a quality and modern tap is essential to prevent your tap from dripping. As we have said, one of the main reasons why a tap drips is due to its age.

Therefore, renewing your old taps for new ones with an incredible design and the latest technology is more than necessary.

What material is best for a faucet?

We find three main materials: brass, nickel and chrome (or Epoxy paint for the most modern finishes).

The taps are made of brass, that is, an alloy of copper and zinc. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the raw material of this faucet has the lowest possible level of lead in this alloy. Committed to the health of our users, at Mz del Rio we have reduced the lead content in brass to insignificant levels, replacing lead with harmless metals that ensure that lead contamination of drinking water is at an absolute minimum. Our taps are manufactured in Spain with top quality brass of European origin.

Another very important aspect is the coating of the product, which will prevent oxidation. In this sense, in the manufacture of a quality faucet, a high layer of nickel is used to protect the product: the more microns that adhere to the body, the more protected it will be from corrosion. Nickel protects the product by preventing corrosion caused by being in contact with the water and by the gases from the siphons. With an optimal nickel coating, the typical pitting of faucets with black spots will not occur.

And we come to the last layer: the finish. Chrome is responsible for the characteristic shine of the taps. In addition, the longer the chrome bath lasts, the greater the resistance of the taps over time. Specifically, in our taps we ensure that the chrome always remains bright, thanks to a 15 μm nickel and 0.5 μm chrome bath.

With the arrival of new trends in the tap market, chrome is sharing the limelight with special finishes for taps in other shades, such as white or matte black taps. For this, high quality Epoxy paint is used, which goes through an oven at a high temperature.

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What is a chrome faucet?

A chrome faucet is one that has a final layer of chrome that has an aesthetic function in terms of brightness. In addition, depending on its quantity, it will also promote resistance to corrosion, surface hardness and allow it to be easily cleaned.

Chrome plating is a technique that consists of depositing a thin layer of chrome on another metal (or plastic). In the case of Mz del Rio taps, after brass and nickel we find chrome.

Which is better: stainless steel or chrome-plated brass?

The most common material in taps is chromed brass, although stainless steel is also found. Just as different quality factors influence brass taps, in INOX taps the quality of the tap will be subject to a scale. The 300 series stainless steels are superior to those of the 200 series. Mz del Rio uses 304, which has a very good resistance to corrosion in domestic water, while 316 is the highest quality; in fact, it is the one used in marine atmospheres, where corrosion is very high.

Find more information about our bathroom taps and our kitchen taps here. Enjoy our top quality materials, with the peace of mind of the most rigorous standards of the European and American markets!