How to Set up a Leaky Shower Faucet

Y'all don't have to replace the whole faucet only to ready a drip.

Time

An hr or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$51–100

Introduction

Repair a shower faucet that won't shut off. Most single-handle, cartridge-style faucets can exist repaired in an hr or less with basic tools.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Cartridge
  • Plumber's grease

Identifying a cartridge-style faucet

Cartridge

Cartridge family unit handyman

Shower valve cartridge replacement

To fix a leaking shower head, supersede the old cartridge with an identical new one. In this article, we'll focus on fixing a cartridge-style faucet with a shower valve cartridge replacement. Cartridge valves take a single handle and operate when the cartridge slides in and out. Don't confuse them with single-handle ball-fashion faucets, which take a dome-shaped casing under the handle.

We won't deal with 2-handle faucets here, which may be either a stem-type valve or ceramic disc valve. Learn more about shower faucet cartridge replacement in the post-obit steps.

Project stride-by-step (iv)

Step 2

Remove the handle screw, and then the handle

screw

Loosen and remove the handle spiral. Pull off the handle and set it aside. Turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valves or at your domicile's main valve. Turn on a faucet to make sure it's off. Remove the handle as shown in Photos ane and 2. If the handle sticks, try heating it with a hair dryer attack "hot". If you still tin can't get information technology off, utilise a special handle puller—an inexpensive tool available from plumbing parts distributors or dwelling house centers.

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Step 3

Pull the cartridge

Pry up the retaining clip

Pry

Pull off the stop tube. Pry upwardly the cartridge retaining clip with a small screwdriver or awl. Remove the handle washer and then twist the cartridge stem loose and pull information technology out with pliers.

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Step 4

Y'all may demand a cartridge puller

puller

If it'southward stuck, use a special cartridge puller. Unscrew the hex screw and hex nut until threads are visible. Slide the puller over the cartridge stalk, aligning the tool ears with the cartridge notches, and twist to loosen. Virtually every faucet manufacturer has a different method of securing the cartridge to the faucet body. Look for a clip or spring and remove it (Photo 3). Cartridges are often difficult to pull out. Some manufacturers include a removal cap with new cartridges. Align the cap with the erstwhile cartridge ears and effort to twist the cartridge loose. Then pull it out with pliers.

If y'all can't budge the old cartridge, you lot'll need a cartridge puller. Brand sure the one you buy works on your brand of faucet. Look on the handle or trim for the faucet brand or manufacturer. A knowledgeable person at a plumbing parts store may be able to identify the make and model from a photograph. Review Photos four and 5 for instructions on using a cartridge puller. Make sure you twist the cartridge loose before pulling it out (Photo four). Take the old cartridge with you to a plumbing parts store or a domicile center to find an verbal replacement.

Install the new cartridge

Turn the hex spiral by hand until it bottoms out. Snug up the hex nut past hand and tug on the cartridge puller handle. If the cartridge won't pull out, hold the puller handle steady and tighten the hex nut two full turns. Pull the cartridge out of the faucet body. Buy an identical replacement cartridge, align it properly and reassemble the parts.

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Originally Published: March 18, 2022