The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The cartridge faucet is a special jot down of washerless fixture commonly used inkitchensandbathrooms.
In these, the motion of the handle twists the cartridge rather than lifting it up and down.
Thetype of water control valveyour faucet uses is not always readily apparent just by looking at the faucet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
For example, a single-handle kitchen faucet could use aball, adisc, or a cartridge faucet valve.
With ball-throw in or disc-throw in faucets, the sensation is inner parts sliding or rotating.
This project discusses only the cartridge-key in single-handle faucet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Some faucet models are more complex than others but these instructions will apply to most situations.
In most cases, you will turn the handle clockwise to tighten it and shut it off.
check that the valves are turned snugly tight.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
jump into the handle screw by carefully prying the plastic cap up with a thin-blade screwdriver.
Carefully lift the sticker with a knife blade and remove the sticker.
In some cases, this is a simple matter of loosening the set-screw to remove the handle.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
You may have to gently pry the handle off.
Set the handle and screw aside.
This will make reassembly a little easier.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Set the nut aside.
Set all following parts aside in the order they were removed.
First, unscrew the decorative collar.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Unscrew the screw to remove the bracket for the handle adapter/connector.
Once that bracket is removed you may find a white plastic ring that sits inside the faucet body.
This ring will orient the movement of the handle.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Remove the stem washer.
With these parts removed, you should now see the retainer nut that holds the cartridge in place.
Remove the retainer nut.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Insert a flat-blade screwdriver behind the clip and gently pry it away from its retention slot.
you could also try this with needle-nose pliers.
Carefully remove the clip, then set it aside with other parts in the order it was removed.
The clip surrounds two plastic tabs on the cartridge body.
(You will need to copy this precise orientation when the cartridge is replaced.)
you’ve got the option to also try this with needle-nose pliers.
Carefully remove the clip, then set it aside with other parts in the order it was removed.
You want it to fit squarely on top of the cartridge.
Some water will come out with the cartridgethats normal.
Purchase the New Cartridge
Purchase a new replacement cartridge.
There are many dozens of replacement cartridges sold, so see to it you are buying the correct one.
Taking the old cartridge with you to the store for comparison is often the best way to avoid mistakes.
Then, pull the top of the stem to the UP position to initiate the cartridge.
roll out the retainer clip by placing it back into its slot until fully seated.
Replace the retaining nut and other parts as appropriate to the model faucet.
Turn the water valves back on and test for leaks.
Disassemble and remove the cartridge, and rotate it 180 degrees before reinstalling.
North Dakota State University.
