It isn’t very pleasant when you get your faucet squeaking. But, using a bit of silicone-based faucet lubricant, you can quickly solve this problem. Now the question is how to lubricate a faucet cartridge?
To get lubricating your faucet, you’ve to go through some procedures. But, you’ve no worries because we will guide you the whole way.
For example, you’ve to decide which oil you want to apply, like whether it would be silicone lubricant or petroleum jelly, etc. Again, you’ve to decide one would be budget-friendly as the lubricant is not so expensive. So, let’s explore in detail!
Causes of Lubrication
There are many reasons to lubricate the faucet cartridge.
- If any debris gets clogged in the cartridge.
- Sometimes minerals can build up or damage deals within the cartridge.
Necessary Tools to Do
Before lubricating, you should keep all the essential accessories ready. Here is the list of things to make the task successful.
- A wrench set
- Adjustable wrench
- Soft cloth
- Adjustable pliers
- Small screwdriver
- Silicone faucet grease
Step by Step Procedures to Lubricate Cartridges
It is better not to use plumber’s grade faucet grease, silicone sprays, or petroleum-based lubricant because petroleum-based lubricants are unsuitable for reacting with the rubber seals. So, the handle could be more problematic.
Remember one thing. It is not as oiling as other machines. Thus, you have to maintain some steps to do that. After that, you will get your fixtures smooth and quiet.
Step1
First, you have to turn off the faucet’s hot and cold water supply.
Step 2
You have to keep the faucet handle in the “on” position. With a screw, hold the faucet handle to the stem and remove the cap. Then slowly, you have to loosen the screw by using a wrench, and the handle will be pulled off the stem.
Step 3
Remove the cap which covers the faucet ball. With a wrench, turn the cap clockwise to loosen the threads.
But sometimes, you may face the problem that the cap may not have any flat surface to use a wrench. Here you can try another trick. Wrap around the base of the cap with a soft cloth and loosen it by holding it with the pliers. Now you can unthread the cap with your hands easily.
Step 4
Suppose your faucet is a single handle with spouts. To lubricate it, here you have to disassemble it first. So, you have to lift off the water control cam and rubber packing from the ball. Pull it up on the stem from the faucet to remove the ball.
Lift the water control cam and rubber packing off the ball. Pull up on the stem to remove the ball from the faucet body. Now, using the screwdriver’s tip, you have to lift the seats and springs out from the faucet to remove them.
Step 5
It’s time to remove a swivel-type faucet spout. You can do it by twisting back and forth. At the same time, pull it up and make it off the faucet.
Now you can apply a little bit of Silicone faucet grease to the two rubber o-rings on the faucet and the inside of the spout. After that, using a gentle twisting motion, press the tap back into place. You can swing the fixture back and forth to check the free movement.
Step 6
Next, coat the rubber seats with grease and keep the springs and seats back into the faucet holes with a screwdriver.
Step 7
Again dab the ball and rubber packing with ease. According to the control cam, you have to place the filling on top of the ball. Then put the ball down into the faucet but on top of the springs and seats.
To check whether the springs and seats are in the right place and the tab on the cam fits appropriately into its slot, you have to press the cam, ball, and packing into the faucet.
After checking, thread on the cap and hold the ball in place with the stem, tightening the cap. Replace the handle with the stem by tightening the screw.
Step 8
Lastly, check the handle by moving in full motion. Are there any squeaks or binds? Also, prevent leaks by turning the water on.
To Wrap Up
If you get your faucet is hard to move or squeaky, you have to understand that they need remedies. Here first, you can try to remove the problem by lubricating them. Then you have to know how to lubricate faucet cartridges and where you will have to lubricate them.
However, to lubricate, you have to check the grease hole. Then you can apply the lubricant to the hole. In addition, you can use oil on the cartridge, valve, or whole surface.
We’ve provided all the necessary information to learn how to lubricate faucet cartridges, so you know everything you need. All the best!