How to Fix a Leaky Shower Faucet

You lot don't have to supervene upon the whole faucet just to fix a drip.

Fourth dimension

An hour or less

Complication

Beginner

Cost

$51–100

Introduction

Repair a shower faucet that won't close off. Most single-handle, cartridge-manner faucets tin exist repaired in an hour 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, replace the old cartridge with an identical new 1. In this article, we'll focus on fixing a cartridge-style faucet with a shower valve cartridge replacement. Cartridge valves have a single handle and operate when the cartridge slides in and out. Don't confuse them with single-handle ball-style faucets, which have a dome-shaped casing nether the handle.

We won't deal with two-handle faucets hither, which may be either a stem-type valve or ceramic disc valve. Larn more about shower faucet cartridge replacement in the following steps.

Project footstep-by-step (4)

Pace 2

Remove the handle screw, then the handle

screw

Loosen and remove the handle screw. Pull off the handle and set it bated. Plough off the h2o at the fixture shutoff valves or at your home's main valve. Turn on a faucet to make sure it's off. Remove the handle as shown in Photos 1 and 2. If the handle sticks, try heating it with a hair dryer assault "hot". If you even so can't get it off, utilize a special handle puller—an cheap 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 finish tube. Pry upward the cartridge retaining prune with a small screwdriver or awl. Remove the handle washer so twist the cartridge stalk loose and pull it out with pliers.

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Pace four

You may need a cartridge puller

puller

If information technology'due south stuck, apply a special cartridge puller. Unscrew the hex screw and hex nut until threads are visible. Slide the puller over the cartridge stem, adjustment the tool ears with the cartridge notches, and twist to loosen. Near every faucet manufacturer has a different method of securing the cartridge to the faucet body. Expect for a clip or spring and remove it (Photograph 3). Cartridges are ofttimes difficult to pull out. Some manufacturers include a removal cap with new cartridges. Align the cap with the old cartridge ears and try to twist the cartridge loose. Then pull it out with pliers.

If you can't budge the old cartridge, you'll demand a cartridge puller. Make sure the ane 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 shop may exist able to identify the brand and model from a photo. Review Photos 4 and 5 for instructions on using a cartridge puller. Make sure y'all twist the cartridge loose before pulling it out (Photo 4). Have the quondam cartridge with you to a plumbing parts shop or a home centre to observe an verbal replacement.

Install the new cartridge

Turn the hex screw by paw until it bottoms out. Snug up the hex nut past mitt and tug on the cartridge puller handle. If the cartridge won't pull out, concur the puller handle steady and tighten the hex nut two full turns. Pull the cartridge out of the faucet torso. Buy an identical replacement cartridge, marshal it properly and reassemble the parts.

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Originally Published: March 18, 2022