SINGLE-HANDLE kitchen and bathroom faucets often feature replaceable cartridge valves. Signs that a cartridge faucet needs repair are water dripping from the spout, difficulty in adjusting the water temperature, hot water entering cold water outlets like toilet supply lines and inadequately heated water at some faucets. The last symptoms occur because hot and cold water supplies come together at single-handle faucets. A malfunctioning faucet can allow water of each kind to enter the pipes of the other. Usually, cartridge faucet woes mean that the rubber O rings inside the faucet have worn out, or that passages within the cartridge have become clogged. Repair consists of replacing the O rings and, if necessary, the cartridge. Before disassembling the faucet to get at the cartridge, first shut off the water supplying it. To do this, find the two shutoff valves beneath the sink that control the plumbing leading to the faucet. Turn the valves clockwise to close them. If you do not find shutoff valves beneath the sink, inspect elsewhere along the plumbing in the direction of the water meter.

If you cannot find the shutoff valves, turn off the entire water supply by closing the main supply valve at the meter.House Sale Westminster Ave Ottawa In both cases, open the faucet to be repaired and let remaining water drain out. English Bulldog Puppies For Sale New MexicoThen cover the drain hole in the sink so that small faucet parts will not fall in.How To Remove Mildew From Bathtub Mat Carefully pry up the decorative cap or cover from the top of the faucet by using a thin-blade screwdriver. Beneath should be a screw that holds the faucet knob or lever in place. Remove the screw and lift off the parts that come free. If there are several, lay them out in order nearby to ease reassembly. Faucets with a swiveling spout usually have a round retainer nut sandwiched between the handle and the spout.

The rim of the nut is visible even when the faucet is assembled and is grooved like the edge of a coin. Remove the nut by unscrewing it with channel-locking pliers (wrap the jaws of the pliers with tape to avoid marring the nut's edges). Then remove the spout by lifting and twisting. Beneath the spout is the cylindrical faucet body, which is usually surrounded by two O rings. If leaking has occurred around the base of the spout, these O rings should be replaced with duplicates. With the handle removed, and the spout, too, if necessary, the top of the cartridge should be visible, held in place by a horizontal metal clip resembling a long staple. Remove the clip with long-nose pliers. To remove the cartridge, first try pulling it out by gripping the stem with padded pliers. But if the cartridge sticks, which is likely, use a cartridge-pulling tool. If the stem has a hole through it near the top, follow the method shown in the illustration. First, place a small block of wood behind the faucet body, or above it if the faucet is mounted horizontally on a wall.

The top of the block should be even with, or extend up to an inch beyond the top of the cartridge. Next, insert a large nail through the hole in the stem so that approximately an inch of the nail protrudes on each side. Rotate the stem so that the nail and the block are parallel. Hold a pair of pliers by the jaws and slip the ends of the handles under the nail and onto the top of the block. The handles should straddle the stem. Then pry the cartridge out by pulling upward on the jaws of the pliers.If it feels smooth and the passages inside seem clear, replacing the O rings may be sufficient. To install new O rings, lubricate them with petroleum jelly and roll them into place over the cartridge body into their grooves. If the cartridge is clogged, corroded or damaged, obtain a new one. To install a cartridge, pull the stem out as far as possible, using pliers. Then slide the cartridge into the faucet body by pressing against the cartridge rim. It is normal for water to appear around the stem when the cartridge is inserted.

With the pliers, rotate the cartridge until the small tabs, called ears, at the top align with the slots in the the faucet body that permit installing the retainer clip. While pressing the cartridge into the faucet body, replace the clip by inserting it beneath the cartridge ears and into the slots. Use pliers to press the clip fully into place. On faucets controlled by a knob, rotate the stem until the notch at the upper end points away from the sink or tub floor. Reinstall the handle parts, screw and decorative cover or cap to complete the repair. On faucets controlled by a lever, point the notch in the opposite direction. If necessary, first install new O rings on the faucet body as described earlier. Then reinstall the spout and retainer nut. To reinstall the lever, hold it facing the sink. Hook the back of the handle ring (located inside the handle housing which is attached to the lever) over the top of the retainer nut and into the groove surrounding it, as shown in the illustration.

Press the handle housing down firmly so that the underside touches the top of the cartridge stem. Reinstall the handle screw and cover or cap. Restore the water supply. If the water flow seems restricted, remove and clean the aerator attached to the spout.How to Find the Brand of Your Faucet The first step to fixing your faucet is identifying it!As a "faucet doctor" for several years, I've found that I ask this question most frequently: What brand is your faucet? It's not something most people know. IAt one time faucets were standard models, put together out of similar parts with a different look on the outside. It was easy to fix them with an assortment of standard size washers. Now, every brand has their own sizes and types of washers, seats, or seals. It is like looking into different types of cars: no two makes are alike when it comes to finding replacement parts. Some companies do not even make replacement parts after ten years. Here are a few essential things to look for before launching into fixing your faucet.

Looking for the Brand NameIf your faucet is a brand name, it may have a "mark" stamped on it somewhere. It may say Delt', Peerless, Moen, or Price Pfister right on the front of the faucet. Here are the most common locations for the brand "mark." Look at the bottom where the faucet spout or plate meets the sink. Look on the back of the spout instead of the front. If it is a shower head, it might be stamped on the round plate behind the handle, on the handle, or perhaps into the actual valve behind the wall. If your faucet has a clear brand mark, you can visit the manufacturer's website to find the right contact numbers for help. You may also be able to identify the model using their search tools and pictures. If your model has no markings of brand name, get your tools for the next step! Get Out the Tools and Prepare to Get DirtyYou will have to shut your water supply off. This may not be easy. If the item is a shower and there are no accessible shut off valves, you will need to shut the water off to the entire house, usually using a curb-key to turn the main water off at the street or a shut-off valve at your well.

Let's pretend you DID get the water turned off to the faucet. You will need a screwdriver set and/or allen wrench set to get the handles off your faucet. If the faucet is a one-handle, there will be either a small set-screw in the handle that is accessible with an allen wrench or a pop-off top on a crystal handle that can be pried off with a flat-head screwdriver. Under the pop-off top will be a Phillips screw to remove the handle from the stem. More older faucets have this last method of accessing the inside of the faucet. You may need to bring the handle (especially if it is a crystal knob) to your local plumbing shop. If only your handle needs replacing, this is sufficient. If the faucet is leaking, you will need to dig down a little deeper. The stem is the item the handle is attached to. You may need to pull or twist the stem out. Some newer faucets have cartridges that come out all in one piece and older faucets have a brass or plastic stem. Some cartridges have O rings and/or rubber seats and springs that can be changed for very little cost.

This O ring is often the cause of faucet leaks: the rubber ring or seats and springs are worn and need maintenance, just like the brake shoes and fluids on a car. The stem or cartridge is the main identifier your plumbing shop clerk will need to determine your faucet's brand. The rubber seals may also be useful as identifiers, but only with the stem or cartridge present. Plumbing shops and home improvement centers usually have books that can be used to identify faucets and/or a good working knowledge of local brands. There is a good chance, especially if the faucet is old, that the stem replacement could cost as much as a new one and/or will no longer be available. In that case you may need to put in a new faucet. This can be very difficult with some shower valves, requiring access to the back of the valve which may be sealed up in the wall. Remember to always plan good access, especially to shower valves, when remodeling or building a bathroom! Tips on Seats and SpringsSome faucets have "seats and springs" underneath the main valve or stem.

These look like little rubber cups with a hole in the middle of the cup and a small spring that goes inside the cap. One brand's seats and springs do not necessarily fit into one another. For example, the seats and springs in some Price Pfister kitchen faucets look almost exactly like Delta seats and springs, but Price Pfister rubber cups have a slightly smaller inner hole diameter. Thus, if you use a more commonly available Delta part in its place, the faucet will still leak with the new seat. Warranties and Mail-Order PartsIf your faucet is under warranty and you know the model, you may get the repair parts for free by calling the manufacturer. Another note: If your faucet was made by Pfister, your local hardware store will not carry the parts for this brand. Amazon does have them though and can usually deliver in one to three days.Was this article helpful? Yes, I found my faucet's brand and got new parts at the hardware store. Yes, I found the brand and ordered new parts online.