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Not every plumbing job needs a licensed plumber. In fact
there are many small jobs that can easily be handled by the
do it yourself plumber. When it comes to DIY plumbing are
ceramic taps an option for you to install?
Well let's start by better understanding ceramic taps. It is
only in the last few years that ceramic taps have appeared
on the market. And each year they become increasingly
popular.
There are no washers in these taps like in the old taps
systems. Rather they use two close fitting ceramic discs
instead of the washers. The one disc is in a fixed position
and the other turns up to 90% with the handle. These
two disc are aligned in the open position.
When it comes to obvious features it's the quarter turn
verses the two and half turns of the washer system that
stands out. The ceramic taps don't have the washers.
Instead they have the two ceramic discs. The upper disc is
controlled by the tap itself while the bottom disc is in a fixed
position on the base of the tap itself.
There are lots of pros to installing ceramic over rubber
washers. The ceramic discs are really hard and so they
withstand a lot of punishment. They are very good at
withstanding the erosion from the water over time. They
still wear out but it just takes a lot longer. You'll know
when it's time to replace by the drip.
A ceramic top requires little effort to turn because it is such
low friction. You can actually turn it on with your pinky with
little problem. So if you are older, have arthritis, there is any
other reason you lack hand strength a ceramic tap will be a
real treat.
What you have to remember is you don't have to turn the
tap as far as you do on a washer based tap. If you do you
turn it on too far too fast you'll get a real blast of water.
Installation of ceramic taps is no different than installation of
traditional taps. There are some basic steps to follow to
remove the old and install the new.
1. Turn the water off to the sink, shower, or tub where
you'll be replacing the taps.
2. Turn the hot water tank off.
3. Pop off the cold and hot water tabs on top of the taps.
They are usually plastic.
4. Use a screwdriver to remove the tap handles.
5. Use a wrench to remove the faucet.
6. Go underneath the sink and disconnect both water lines
and unscrew the nuts that hold the taps into place.
7. Remove the entire fixture.
8. To install new tap set it's basically the reverse procedure.
Follow the directions provided with your new ceramic taps.
DIY plumbing isn't that difficult if you know what you are up
against. When you understand your options you can choose
the best repair and get busy.
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