The Leaky Problem
I noticed a persistent drip from my commercial kitchen sink’s spray head․ It wasn’t a major leak, but it was annoying and wasteful․ The drip intensified over a few days, becoming a steady stream․ I knew I needed to fix it before it escalated into a bigger problem․ I figured a new spray head was the solution․
Discovering the culprit
Initially, I suspected a simple clog․ I tried running a cleaning solution through the spray head, but the leak persisted․ Then, I carefully examined the spray head itself․ I noticed a small crack near the base, almost invisible at first glance․ That was the source of the problem! A tiny fissure was allowing water to escape continuously․ It was a frustrating discovery, but at least I’d found the culprit․ Replacing the entire spray head seemed like the most logical and efficient solution․ I knew it wouldn’t be a quick fix, but a leaky spray head was a bigger problem than I initially anticipated․ The persistent dripping was driving me crazy, and I was eager to resolve the issue․
Assessing the Situation
I checked the existing spray head; it was a standard commercial type․ I needed a replacement, a new gasket, and possibly a wrench․ I found a suitable replacement online, ordered it, and waited for delivery․ Everything arrived quickly; I was ready to begin․
Identifying the spray head type and parts needed
Before starting, I carefully examined the old spray head․ It was a fairly standard model, thankfully, not some obscure, hard-to-find type․ I took a few pictures with my phone to help me remember the specifics, just in case․ Then, I checked the manufacturer’s markings – it was a “Comet” brand, model CX-72․ Armed with this information, I easily found a suitable replacement online from a reputable supplier․ Besides the spray head itself, I knew I’d need a new rubber gasket to ensure a watertight seal․ I also grabbed my trusty adjustable wrench and a small container to catch any residual water․ A roll of plumber’s tape was also a good idea, I thought, just in case․
The Replacement Process
I turned off the water supply to the sink․ Then, I carefully unscrewed the old spray head, using my adjustable wrench․ The old gasket came off easily․ I cleaned the area thoroughly before installing the new spray head and its new gasket․ I then tightened everything securely, making sure not to over-tighten․
Step-by-step guide
First, I located the shut-off valves under the sink and turned them off completely․ Then, I carefully removed the old spray head․ It was a bit tricky; I had to use pliers to get a good grip on the stubborn nut․ Once removed, I inspected the old spray head and the connection point on the faucet․ I found the old rubber gasket was severely deteriorated, causing the leak․ I cleaned the area meticulously, removing any old sealant or debris․ Next, I installed the new gasket onto the new spray head, ensuring a snug fit․ Finally, I carefully screwed the new spray head onto the faucet, tightening it firmly but gently to avoid damage․ I turned the water back on slowly, checking for any leaks․ Success! No more drips!
Unexpected Challenges
The nut connecting the old spray head was incredibly stubborn! I needed to use considerable force and the right tools to finally loosen it․ It was a much tougher job than I initially anticipated!
Dealing with a stubborn nut
Removing the old spray head proved unexpectedly difficult․ The nut securing it was rusted and incredibly tight․ My initial attempts with pliers were unsuccessful; it wouldn’t budge․ Frustrated, I fetched my trusty adjustable wrench․ Even with that, I had to apply significant pressure, fearing I might damage the sink itself․ Finally, with a grunt and a satisfying click, the nut loosened․ I learned a valuable lesson⁚ always have the right tools on hand and be prepared for unexpected resistance when dealing with older plumbing fixtures․ A little penetrating oil beforehand might have saved me some effort․