# Kimi — raw output, 2026-09-14 09:20 (+07), free, default ("Быстрый") mode, one message, ONE retry

Interface Russian; brief typed in (the operator's clipboard was in use); answer in English. **First attempt refused with a capacity message:** "Система в данный момент занята. Пожалуйста, повторите попытку позже. Система занята. Подождите или обновите план" (system busy, wait or upgrade). The page's retry control was clicked once; the second attempt ran two web searches (12 and 15 results) with visible reasoning and answered, with a footer: "Высокая нагрузка. Для более быстрого ответа включена модель K2.6 Мгновенный. Перейдите на более высокий тариф, чтобы использовать K2.6 Мышление" (high load - the faster "K2.6 Instant" model was used; upgrade for "K2.6 Thinking"). Marked "2/2" on the page. Captured from the DOM. Chat URL kept open for review.

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Here is a complete beginner's guide. A single-lever mixer dripping from the spout when it is off almost always means the ceramic cartridge inside has worn out. After 10 years, especially in a hard-water area, this is normal. The good news is that replacing it is usually a straightforward job.

## What to buy (and what to ask for in Portugal)
Go to Leroy Merlin, Brico Depôt, Obramat, Worten, or a local loja de canalização with the old cartridge in hand if possible.

| What you need | What to ask for in Portuguese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement cartridge | "Um cartucho cerâmico para torneira monocomando de lavatório" | The most common sizes are 25 mm, 35 mm, and 40 mm diameter. Take the old one to match it. Prices range from about €5–€15 for generic ones; branded cartridges (Grohe, Roca, etc.) cost more. |
| Adjustable spanner | "Uma chave inglesa" | One medium-sized spanner is enough for most taps. |
| Screwdriver | "Uma chave de fendas" | Flat-head or Phillips, depending on your tap. |
| Silicone/plumber's grease | "Graxa de silicone para torneiras" or "massa de silicone" | Optional but recommended for O-rings. |
| White vinegar & old toothbrush | — | For dissolving limescale from the housing. |

Tip: If your tap is a known brand (Grohe, Hansgrohe, Roca, Ideal Standard), look for the model name or take a photo. Some brands use proprietary cartridges. If it is unbranded, a generic cartridge usually works.

## Tools you will use
Adjustable spanner (chave inglesa) · Screwdriver (chave de fendas) · Old towel and a bowl or bucket · Torch (phone light is fine) · Optional: phone/camera to photograph each step

## Step-by-step
1. **Turn off the water** — Look under the basin for isolation valves (small oval handles on the copper pipes). Turn them clockwise until firm (usually a quarter-turn). If there are no isolation valves, you must turn off the main stopcock (registro geral), usually under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard. *Stop and call a plumber if:* you cannot turn off the water, or the stopcock is seized and you have no isolation valves.
2. **Release pressure** — Open the tap fully (both hot and cold sides if it has two pipes). Leave it in the open position. Place your towel and bowl in the basin to catch any residual water.
3. **Remove the handle** — Look for a small plastic cap on the handle, usually coloured red/blue, or a tiny screw hole at the back. Pry it off gently with a flat screwdriver. Undo the screw underneath and pull the handle straight up. If it is stuck, wiggle it—do not hammer it. *Stop and call a plumber if:* the screw is completely rounded off or the handle cracks.
4. **Remove the shroud/body** — You will now see a brass or chrome retaining nut (porca de fixação) holding the cartridge in place. Grip the tap body firmly with one hand (or a second spanner wrapped in a cloth to protect the finish) and undo the nut with your adjustable spanner. Turn anti-clockwise.
5. **Remove the old cartridge** — The cartridge should lift or slide out. Note which way round it sits—there is usually a hot and cold side. Take a photo before you remove it. The new one must go in the same orientation.
6. **Clean the housing** — Pour a little white vinegar into the cavity and scrub gently with an old toothbrush to remove limescale. Rinse with clean water. Check that the rubber seals at the bottom of the housing are not cracked.
7. **Install the new cartridge** — Push the new cartridge in the same orientation as the old one. If it has rubber O-rings, you can smear a tiny amount of silicone grease on them. Screw the retaining nut back by hand first, then tighten gently with the spanner. Do not overtighten—you can crack the ceramic discs.
8. **Reattach the handle** — Put the handle back, insert the screw, and press the cap back on.
9. **Turn the water back on** — Open the isolation valves fully (anti-clockwise). Check for leaks around the base of the tap. Close the tap and wait 60 seconds. Check the spout.

## When to stop and call a plumber
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Water will not shut off | You cannot work safely with pressurised pipes. |
| The retaining nut or body is heavily corroded and will not budge, or the metal starts to distort. | Forcing it can snap the tap body or damage the basin. |
| The tap body is cracked or threads are damaged. | The whole tap needs replacing. |
| It still drips after installing the new cartridge. | The problem may be a cracked seat in the body, damaged pipework, or incorrect water pressure—beyond a simple cartridge swap. |
| Water is leaking from the base of the tap (under the basin) or from the flexible hoses. | This is not a cartridge issue; it could be a failed O-ring, loose connection, or damaged hose. |
| You stripped the screw or broke the handle and cannot reassemble it. | A professional can extract broken fittings. |
| You feel unsure at any point. | A 10-year-old tap in a hard-water region can be brittle. There is no shame in stopping before something breaks. |

## Quick summary
Buy a cartucho cerâmico matching your old one (25/35/40 mm). Turn off water, release pressure, remove handle. Undo nut, swap cartridge, clean, reassemble. If anything is seized, cracked, or still leaks afterwards—call a canalizador.

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First read: all six steps in order, with stop-and-call lines placed inside the steps where they apply (the only answer to do that) and a seven-row stop table. Tools list omits the Allen key - it says "undo the screw underneath" and lists only a screwdriver, when most levers use a grub screw that needs a hex key; the shopping table also has no Allen key. "Registro geral" is the Brazilian spelling (European Portuguese: registo). Step 9 reopens the valves "fully" without "slowly". Checks in the sheet.