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All pictures and texts in this web page are the property of nomaallim.com. Any use of any part of those contents without the written consent of nomaallim.com shall be subject to legal procedures as per international and local laws in the concerned country. Using the name "nomaallim" or "nomaallim com" or "nomaallim.com" in the text describing the unauthorized copied content shall not constitute an exception and shall be sanctioned in accordance to the effective laws and proceedings.
BEFORE YOU START
Be aware that original faucet spares are expensive making it only worth to repair a faucet if the body, handle, chrome plating, etc. are still in good condition. |
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.
What is a faucet cartridge and is it found in each and every faucet?
A faucet or tap cartridge, also called ceramic cartridge, is the valve that allows the water to flow from the tap or tap mixer, each time you move the single lever, or turn the faucet handles.
Yes, there is one cartridge in each and every basin, sink or shower mixer fitted with a single-lever handle, and there are two cartridges in each and every basin, sink or shower mixer fitted with two handles, one for cold water and the other for hot water.
All replacement cartridges of all taps and mixers and replaceable and you can find replacements easily, provided you pay attention to the size, number of holes, etc. See further below for more details on how to buy a cartridge.
You cannot repair a cartridge or replace its O-rings or whatever parts, because cartridges do wear in a manner that all of their parts become loose, leaking or partially clogged with scale. The ones that contain filters, aerators or pressure reducers can also have these partially clogged with particles, etc.
It is therefore advised to replace the whole cartridge rather than attempting to carry out any repair on it.
Yes, there is one cartridge in each and every basin, sink or shower mixer fitted with a single-lever handle, and there are two cartridges in each and every basin, sink or shower mixer fitted with two handles, one for cold water and the other for hot water.
All replacement cartridges of all taps and mixers and replaceable and you can find replacements easily, provided you pay attention to the size, number of holes, etc. See further below for more details on how to buy a cartridge.
You cannot repair a cartridge or replace its O-rings or whatever parts, because cartridges do wear in a manner that all of their parts become loose, leaking or partially clogged with scale. The ones that contain filters, aerators or pressure reducers can also have these partially clogged with particles, etc.
It is therefore advised to replace the whole cartridge rather than attempting to carry out any repair on it.
Are faucet cartridges standard or universal and when to replace them?
Faucet cartridges are to be replaced whenever your faucet, tap or mixer keeps leaking water after it is closed, whether it's about drops or trickle of water. This usually happens when your faucet has been in use for in-between 7 to 10 years.
If your faucet is older like 20 years or more, replacing the cartridge could not necessarily solve your problem, better to consider replacing the whole mixer.
Some faucets have manufacturer specific cartridges, while others use universal cartridges.
Nevertheless universal cartridges are not that universal, meaning they exist in different sizes.
When buying a replacement cartridge, make sure of the following:
If your faucet is older like 20 years or more, replacing the cartridge could not necessarily solve your problem, better to consider replacing the whole mixer.
Some faucets have manufacturer specific cartridges, while others use universal cartridges.
Nevertheless universal cartridges are not that universal, meaning they exist in different sizes.
When buying a replacement cartridge, make sure of the following:
- Diameter of the cartridge's main body, the one which is cylinder-shaped
- Number, shape and layout of bottom holes
- Length of the handle shaft
Dismantling a single-lever faucet and extracting the replacement part
Work over a towel or a piece of carton board.
When looking first at this single handle Grohe long neck faucet, you could think that it cannot be dismantled but the following pictures will show how easy this can be.
When looking first at this single handle Grohe long neck faucet, you could think that it cannot be dismantled but the following pictures will show how easy this can be.
You do not need to remove the faucet neck, but it is easier to manipulate the single handle mixer when it is removed especially this takes a minute. Use a small flat screwdriver to pull out the holding half-moon washer as shown in the left and middle pictures then pull out the faucet neck.
A small hole with a rubber plug can be found to the back side of the handle.
Take out the plug, this uncovers a small bolt that can be unscrewed with an Allen key.
Take out the plug, this uncovers a small bolt that can be unscrewed with an Allen key.
Pull out the handle and unscrew its fitting adapter on the valve.
The chrome dome-shaped ring around the valve can be simply pulled out by hand (right) which uncovers the nut that hols the valve inside the faucet body.
The chrome dome-shaped ring around the valve can be simply pulled out by hand (right) which uncovers the nut that hols the valve inside the faucet body.
Most faucets will have a 27 mm size nut which you can remove with the drive socket of the same size (left).
Try pulling out the valve by hand or use monkey pliers to extract it (middle).
It might not come out in one piece, the lower transparent part was separated in this case as shown in the right picture.
You can now clean the faucet body with vinegar and refit a replacement cartridge by reversing the above steps.
Try pulling out the valve by hand or use monkey pliers to extract it (middle).
It might not come out in one piece, the lower transparent part was separated in this case as shown in the right picture.
You can now clean the faucet body with vinegar and refit a replacement cartridge by reversing the above steps.
See also our other tutorials on taps and mixers...
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