Essential Tips for Repairing Hot and Cold Water Faucets

In daily life, one might encounter problems like the one I faced a few days ago when I tried to turn on the faucet at home but found it impossible to twist. It turned out that the valve core screw had rusted. In this situation, how can one make turning it easier?

1. What to do if the faucet valve core screw is rusted?

If the faucet valve core screw has rusted, the first step is to remove the rust. Purchase a rust remover spray and apply it to the rusty area, ensuring to apply extra on the connection points. After waiting for the rust remover to penetrate and dissolve the rust, try twisting the faucet again to see if it can be moved. If it is completely rusted and you cannot shut off the main valve, you may need to saw off the pipe and elbow, then borrow a tap to reinstall the faucet.

In addition to using rust remover, you can also apply machine oil or pour white vinegar on the connection area. Wait for it to effectively dissolve before trying to twist the faucet. If all else fails, consider replacing the faucet, wrapping the joint with thread seal tape while paying attention to the wrapping direction, and then use a wrench to tighten it.

2. What materials are best for faucet valve cores?

The quality of a faucet largely depends on the valve core, which plays a crucial role. If you choose a copper valve core, it may be more expensive but offers great quality. Pure copper is less prone to rusting.

You can also opt for stainless steel valve cores, which do not contaminate water quality and have a long lifespan. If you choose a valve core made of 304 stainless steel, it is resistant to rusting over time and is very popular among consumers.

Furthermore, you can consider ceramic valve cores, which are well-known for their wear resistance and sealing performance, as well as their long service life. They also have high-temperature resistance and are relatively reasonably priced.

The above content analyzes how to deal with rust issues in faucets. First, remove the rust, then use the right tools, and loosening it should become much easier. To prevent faucets from rusting easily, consider choosing valve cores made of pure copper or ceramic.