When a retractable faucet hose is brand new, it usually slides back into position without experiencing any challenges. However, due to continuous use, the units get old and start wearing. Instead of retracting easily, the hose starts sticking more to the sides of the holder. This implies that you might need to use both of your hands to push it back to its position.
In a bid to solve this problem, manufacturers nowadays include a weight attached to the hose. What the weight does is that it pulls the hose back to its position.
If this is the problem that you are facing with your retractable faucet hose, then it definitely needs fixing. But if you have never done one of these tasks before, you might find this task quite difficult.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t have to be that hard, with some little guidance, you should be able to do the work by yourself. By doing the fixing yourself without the help of a plumber, you will save some money. Additionally, you will be able to cut back your water bill due to the leaks as you wait for a professional.
Contents
Prepare Your Working Area Before You Fix Your Retractable Faucet Hose
Before you begin fixing the retractable faucet hose, it is important to get rid of anything under the sink which includes cleaners, garbage cans, soaps and any other thing you are keeping there. You should also ensure that there is nothing in the sink.
After clearing the working space, you need to place a towel that you are no longer using to shield the shelf from being damaged by water just in case the fittings, hoses, pipes, or other plumbing components leak in the process.
Assembling The Tools Necessary For Use In Fixing Retractable Faucet Hose
There are certain tools that you need in order to accomplish your task of fixing the retractable faucet hose. To avoid being inconvenienced with having to keep frequenting your store to pick the tools, it is important to have a toolbox that contains all of the tools needed by your side.
This way, your work will be made much easier, and you will focus more on getting the job done. You should also ensure that you keep away any sort of destructors since you don’t want to make a mistake which might add you extra costs.
Remove The Weight From The Hose
The retractable faucet hose is fixed to a weight which is useful in pulling the hose back to its position. To allow you to remove the hose, you must begin by removing the weight which is usually found beneath the sink hanging.
Some of them are brackets which are attached to the retractable faucet hose with screws. To remove the weight, you need to use a flathead screwdriver to open the screws fastening the brackets. Others which don’t use screws will easily snap in and out.
Turn Off The Water Supply Prior To Fixing Your Retractable Faucet Hose
Before beginning any plumbing work, you should first stop the water supply to avoid inconveniences when working. If you don’t shut off the water, you might find a hard time fixing the retractable faucet hose.
To stop the water, try locating the valve which is usually located in the cabinets under the sink. Turn the valve used to close the water supply in a clockwise direction until the water stops. Alternatively, if you can’t find the valve, use the main water supply shutoff valve.
After turning off the water taps for both the cold and hot water. Turn on the faucet in order to get rid of any residual water in the pipelines until the water stops pouring. By draining excess water, you will be avoiding any water leaks when you detach the hose. Another reason for turning on the faucets is to relieve any pressure that has built inside the pipes.
Replacing A Retractable Faucet Hose
In this case, you will need to follow these essential steps to aid you in fixing your retractable faucet hose.
Remove The Hose From The Water Pipe
Now that your working area is clear, you need to separate the faucet hose and the water pipe. To do this, use an adjustable wrench in removing the nut which attaches the water pipe and the hose. Turn the tool in a clockwise direction to loosen the nut. After a few turns, the nut will be loosened, and you can now remove it using your hand by turning it to the left until it comes out.
However, faucets designs differ and you might find that yours has no nut connecting the hose and the water pipe. If you have such a connection, try looking for a grey button which is where there are water supply and hose connections. Releasing the hose is simple since you only need the button.
Apart from these two designs, some faucets use a collect style hose. To disconnect the hose from the water supply, while holding the ring in position, push the hose inside the connection and then release it, and remove the hose by pulling it out.
Additionally, you might want to pull a few inches of the retractable faucet hose into the sink through the spout in order to prevent drops from the pipes falling into the cabinet.
Use A Solution Of Vinegar And Hot Water To Remove Mineral Deposits
Pour the same amounts of vinegar and hot water enough for the sprayer wand to be immersed in a plastic bowl. Insert the sprayer wand until it is covered by the solution and leave it for some hours to allow the vinegar to dissolve any mineral deposits which might have accumulated on the openings of the aerator.
Thereafter, go under the sink to unscrew the other end of the retractable faucet hose from the water supply pipe using a wrench. However, do not pull out the hose from this end.
Detach the faucet from the hose using a wrench to loosen the nut which connects them, thereafter hold the nut while you open the faucet head.
Remove The Hose From The Faucet Spot
Standing in front of the sink, carefully pull the hose from the faucet spout. Sometimes the hose might get stuck in the spout if you find yourself in such as situation try pushing it back a few inches in a bid to loosen it. When it finally gets unstuck, continue pulling it and discard it when it’s out.
Buy A New Hose From A Plumbing Store
When purchasing a new hose, you should take the old hose with you to the hardware store in order to ensure that you get one with the right size and style.
There are three options that you can consider when buying a retractable faucet hose:
- Quick disconnect; uses a button to secure the hose.
- Threaded; uses a nut to connect the hose to the water supply.
- Collect; does not have a button or a nut.
However, if you need to purchase one in advance but not sure which design you have, then you should buy a universal design that comes with many adaptors and attachments.
Fix The New Hose To The Faucet
When fixing the new retractable faucet hose, you should use a rag or a towel to clean and remove water from the threads and do the connections on the faucet and hose.
Wrap the threads using a plumbing tape in lubricating the connection and formation of a good seal.
Push the hose inside the faucet head, while holding the nut; fix the faucet head into it. Using screws tighten the nut with a screwdriver in a clockwise direction.
Insert the other end of the new retractable faucet hose through the faucet spout. Push it through the spout, when the hose has gone through and can be seen beneath the sink; place the faucet head in the holder. Fix the weight on the new hose by sliding it. If the weight is attached using screws, clamp both sides together such that they sandwich the hose and connect them using screws.
Join The Hose To The Water Pipe
Connect the retractable faucet hose to the water supply. For threaded hoses, tie the connection together and nuts to fix it tightly with nuts. Thereafter, use a wrench to fasten the attachment.
If the hose is collect style, hold the ring in position as you insert the hose into the attachment.
For quick disconnect types, push the male end until you hear clicks.
Open The Water Supply
Once you are done with the connections, it’s time to turn on the water to check if the connections are properly made.
Turn the water valves in a clockwise direction until water starts pouring. Thereafter, turn on the retractable faucet hose to allow water to flow through. As the water pours, look for leaks or any other problems with the connection.
If there are no leaks, then your connections are free of any faults, and you can start using the faucets. However, if you notice that there are some parts having some leakages, especially between the hose fittings and the hose, try to tighten the hose in a bid to cut the leakage. If the leakage is between the thread fittings, one of the ways of solving this is using a plumbers tape to wrap the threads.
Tools You Need When Fixing A Retractable Faucet Hose
Despite how hard it might look to beginners, fixing a retractable faucet hose is one of the simplest things. You don’t need to hire a plumber or acquire expensive tools since most of the equipment used are common, and maybe you already have some of them in your home.
Just like any plumbing work, using the right tools is important to the success of your job. If you don’t have the tools necessary, then you are likely to experience challenges when fixing.
However, the good thing is that you can borrow these tools from your friend, neighbor or even hire them if you can find some people offering such services. Here are some of the tools that you need to get the job done:
- Screwdriver
- Plastic bowl
- White vinegar
- Paper towel
- Electric tape
- Adjustable wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- Work light
These are the basic tools that you must have around you before you start fixing the retractable faucet hose. Since most of these tools are not expensive or sophisticated, they are easy to use, and you can easily find them. You should also have any other tool that you think is necessary.
Important Tips
- If the sprayer is damaged, then you should get a new one for replacement at your plumbing supply store or local home improvement.
- A paper towel or plug is inserted into the end of the new hose to protect it from collecting debris when you are pushing it through the spout.
- Many faucets producers usually give a limited or lifetime warranty on their products. If your retractable faucet hose develops a problem, it will be prudent if you begin by contacting them and inquire about the warranty. The producer may deliver the replacement part for free or with a nominal fee.
- There are some faucets which are electrically wired. If you own one of these, you should disconnect the power supply fast before touching the wires. Alternatively, you can remove its batteries before beginning the repair process.
- After repairing the parts of the faucet, when you turn on the faucet, it is likely to spurt or sputter for some moments. This is caused by the air which has accumulated inside the hose and will stop after running water for some time.
Conclusion
It is hard to find a modern home currently that does not use a retractable faucet hose. Apart from making cleaning tasks easier, it is attractive and unique. However, the challenge arises when the hose cannot retract or experiences difficulties. This could be due to the frequent pulling and bending.
Despite how complicated it might look, the process is simple and does not cost much. Since the replacement parts can be obtained from a local plumbing shop and the process could take you less than 10 minutes, there is no reason why you should spend much on expensive plumbing by professionals.
Through following these simple instructions, you will change the hose without encountering any challenges even if it is your first time doing it.