How to Remove a Faucet Cartridge in 3 Easy Steps

AvatarByLiana Farrell Faucet Queries

How to Remove a Faucet Cartridge

Your faucet is one of the most important parts of your home, but it can also be one of the most frustrating. When a faucet starts to leak or drip, it can be a real pain to fix. But if you know how to remove a faucet cartridge, you can usually take care of the problem yourself in a matter of minutes.

In this article, we’ll show you how to remove a faucet cartridge step-by-step. We’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent future leaks and drips. So if you’re ready to learn how to fix your faucet, keep reading!

Step Instructions Image
1 Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2 Locate the cartridge.
3 Remove the retaining clip.
4 Pull out the cartridge.
5 Install the new cartridge.
6 Turn on the water supply to the faucet.

How To Remove A Faucet Cartridge?

Gather Your Tools and Materials

To remove a faucet cartridge, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Pliers
  • Penetrating oil
  • Replacement cartridge
  • Paper towels

Turn Off the Water Supply

The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. This will prevent any water from leaking out while you are working on the faucet.

To turn off the water supply, locate the water supply valve for the faucet. This valve is usually located behind the faucet, under the sink, or in the basement. The valve will be a small, round, or rectangular knob.

Turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water supply. You may need to use a wrench to turn the valve.

Remove the Handle

Once the water supply is turned off, you can remove the handle from the faucet.

To remove the handle, you will need to locate the screws that hold it in place. These screws are usually located on the front of the handle, near the base.

Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screws and remove the handle.

Remove the Escutcheon Plate

The escutcheon plate is a metal plate that covers the faucet valve. This plate will need to be removed in order to access the faucet valve.

To remove the escutcheon plate, you will need to locate the screws that hold it in place. These screws are usually located on the back of the escutcheon plate.

Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screws and remove the escutcheon plate.

Locate the Cartridge

The faucet cartridge is a small, cylindrical device that controls the flow of water through the faucet. The cartridge is located inside the faucet body.

To locate the cartridge, you will need to remove the faucet body.

To remove the faucet body, you will need to locate the screws that hold it in place. These screws are usually located on the bottom of the faucet body.

Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screws and remove the faucet body.

Remove the Cartridge

Once the faucet body is removed, you can remove the cartridge.

The cartridge is usually held in place by a small clip. To remove the cartridge, you will need to use a pair of pliers to pry the clip open.

Once the clip is open, you can remove the cartridge.

Install the New Cartridge

To install the new cartridge, you will need to reverse the steps above.

First, install the cartridge in the faucet body.

Then, install the faucet body.

Finally, install the escutcheon plate and the handle.

Turn On the Water Supply

Once the new cartridge is installed, you can turn on the water supply to the faucet.

To turn on the water supply, locate the water supply valve for the faucet. This valve is usually located behind the faucet, under the sink, or in the basement. The valve will be a small, round, or rectangular knob.

Turn the valve clockwise to turn on the water supply.

Test the Faucet

Once the water supply is turned on, you can test the faucet to make sure it is working properly.

Turn the faucet on and off a few times to make sure the water is flowing smoothly.

If the faucet is not working properly, you may need to adjust the cartridge or replace it.

Replacing a faucet cartridge is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following these steps, you can easily remove and replace a faucet cartridge.

How To Remove A Faucet Cartridge?

A faucet cartridge is a small, cylindrical component that controls the flow of water through a faucet. It is located inside the faucet body, and it is typically made of plastic or metal. Faucet cartridges can wear out over time, and they may need to be replaced. Replacing a faucet cartridge is a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging the faucet.

Tools and Materials

To remove a faucet cartridge, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Pliers
  • Penetrating oil
  • Rag

Step 1: Turn Off the Water

The first step is to turn off the water to the faucet. This will prevent any water from escaping when you remove the cartridge. To do this, locate the shut-off valve for the faucet. This is typically located under the sink, near the faucet. Turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

The next step is to remove the handle from the faucet. This will expose the set screws that hold the cartridge in place. To do this, use the adjustable wrench to loosen the set screws. Once the set screws are loose, you can remove the handle by pulling it straight off.

Step 3: Remove the Cartridge

Now that the handle is removed, you can access the cartridge. Use the pliers to grip the cartridge and turn it counterclockwise. The cartridge should come out easily. If it is stuck, you can apply a little penetrating oil to help loosen it.

Step 4: Install the New Cartridge

To install the new cartridge, simply reverse the steps above. First, insert the new cartridge into the faucet body. Then, use the pliers to turn the cartridge clockwise until it is snugly in place. Finally, replace the handle and tighten the set screws.

Replacing a faucet cartridge is a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging the faucet. By following these steps, you can easily remove and replace a faucet cartridge in your home.

How do I remove a faucet cartridge?

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. This is usually located under the sink.
2. Remove the handle(s) of the faucet. There may be a screw or set screw that holds the handle in place. Once the screw is removed, the handle should be able to be pulled off.
3. Locate the cartridge. The cartridge is a small, cylindrical-shaped piece that is located inside the faucet body. It is usually held in place by a retaining clip or nut.
4. Remove the cartridge. To remove the cartridge, you will need to either pry it out with a flathead screwdriver or unscrew it with a wrench.
5. Install the new cartridge. To install the new cartridge, simply reverse the steps above. Make sure that the cartridge is properly seated in the faucet body and that the retaining clip or nut is securely tightened.

What tools do I need to remove a faucet cartridge?

You will need the following tools to remove a faucet cartridge:

  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A wrench
  • A pair of pliers

What if the cartridge is stuck?

If the cartridge is stuck, you can try the following:

1. Apply a penetrating oil to the cartridge and let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the cartridge.
3. Use a wrench to apply pressure to the cartridge and turn it counterclockwise.

What if I break the cartridge?

If you break the cartridge, you will need to replace it. You can purchase a new cartridge at your local hardware store.

How do I know if I need to replace a faucet cartridge?

There are a few signs that indicate that you may need to replace a faucet cartridge:

  • The faucet is leaking.
  • The faucet is dripping.
  • The faucet is not turning on or off properly.
  • The water pressure is low.

How often should I replace a faucet cartridge?

Faucet cartridges typically last for about 5-10 years. However, the lifespan of a faucet cartridge can vary depending on the type of faucet and the quality of the cartridge.

Can I replace a faucet cartridge myself?

Yes, you can replace a faucet cartridge yourself. However, if you are not comfortable working with plumbing, you may want to hire a professional plumber to do the job for you.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove a faucet cartridge. We have covered the different types of faucet cartridges, the tools you will need, and the steps involved in the removal process. We have also provided some tips for troubleshooting common problems.

We hope that this information has been helpful and that you are now able to remove a faucet cartridge with confidence. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.