How to change the cartridge in a faucet with your own hands

The faucet in the kitchen or bathroom may begin to leak. Trouble happens even with new plumbing.

Instead of immediately running to the store for a new faucet, it is better to learn how to change the cartridge in the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen, because it is this that most often causes problems.

This is really worth paying attention to, because replacing this one part will cost much less than purchasing the entire mixer. In addition, as we will see later, the operation is quite feasible for any non-professional.

Replacing the cartridge in the mixer; detailed repair instructions in photos and videos

The popularity of convenient and stylish single-lever faucets is growing steadily. They are confidently replacing the usual valve structures, decorating kitchens, bathrooms and toilets. However, like any household device, they do not last forever. Sooner or later, the owners of this new plumbing product will need to replace the cartridge in the faucet, since most often it is this element that fails.

How does a single lever faucet work?

The cartridge can be called the main part of a single lever faucet. Thanks to it, you can control the flow of water using a single handle, which is much more convenient than alternately turning two valves with cold and hot water. In addition, the fixed position of the mixer handle eliminates the need to restore the ratio of hot and cold water flow each time.

Inside the cartridge there are two ceramic plates that fit tightly together. Unfortunately, over time, extremely unpleasant phenomena may appear, for example, when pressing the lever, it is not possible to completely block the flow of water, moisture leaks from below, etc. Obviously, the device has failed. By figuring out how to change the cartridge in your faucet, you can save a lot of money.

Possible causes of cartridge failure

In practice, it turns out that the mixer can fail much earlier than its owners expect. It can break down for reasons such as:

the quality of water entering the system does not meet the manufacturer’s requirements;
the presence of impurities in water from metal oxidation;
salt deposits;
frequent water hammer;
violation of the operating conditions of the mixer;
end of service life;
low quality design.

To extend the service life of a single-lever mixer, you should remember these problems already at the stage of purchasing the device. For example, you should give preference to an expensive branded model rather than a cheap fake created by hardworking Chinese. A regular household filter will help to significantly increase the service life of the faucet; it will remove salts, pieces of rust and other impurities that can impair the performance of durable ceramic plates.

Finally, some of the breakdowns are due to the carelessness of the mixer owners themselves. Do not use excessive force when pressing the lever, especially if you do not drop heavy objects onto the device.

How to replace a cartridge

The problem of replacing a cartridge has a fairly simple solution. You don't need any complicated specialized tools, just a couple of screwdrivers, a hex wrench and an adjustable wrench. Actually, repairing a mixer cartridge is no more difficult than replacing a worn gasket in a traditional valve design. To do this you need:

Remove the decorative plug from the faucet, on which hot and cold water are indicated in red and blue. A thin screwdriver is suitable for this.

The decorative plug is carefully removed using a screwdriver

Now you can carefully remove the mixer handle.

There is a protective ring attached under the handle. It can be easily unscrewed simply by hand.

The clamping nut is carefully unscrewed with an adjustable wrench or wrench.

After this, you should carefully clean the mixer, removing accumulated salt deposits and other contaminants.

Having removed the faulty cartridge, you can go to the store to buy a suitable analogue

All that remains is to replace the working cartridge and do all the above operations in reverse order, i.e., replace the clamping nut, screw on the protective ring, fix the handle, and then insert the decorative plug in its original place.
Restore the water supply and check the operation of the device.

The cartridge has two small protrusions.

Thus, changing the cartridge in the mixer can be done even by a novice master. Of course, all operations must be done so as not to damage the decorative coating. Upon completion of the repair, the device will look and work like new, and the family budget will practically not feel the consequences of the repair.

Types of mixers and cartridges

There are two types of mixers:

Single lever.
Two-valve.

Two-valve valves have long dominated the plumbing industry. In it, the mixing of flows is carried out in a mixer, and the pressure of each of them is regulated by turning the axle box valves (hot and cold).

Single lever mixer

Single lever. Today, single-lever cranes (other names - articulated, joystick, mono-command) are increasingly being installed. And the point here is not only in a more advanced design and smooth control. Device manufacturers pay great attention to their design - elegant lines, the coating looks expensive (nickel, chrome, “black gold” are used).

Here everything is regulated by one knob: moving up and down increases or decreases the pressure, and turning right or left controls the water temperature. The mixing process in this design is carried out by a special cartridge - a part that you need to “get to know” better.

It is in the bathroom that heated floors are most often installed. It is quite possible to organize a warm floor under water tiles with your own hands if you follow the instructions.

Read professional advice on choosing a bidet siphon here.

You can read all about the pros and cons of using hygienic showers for toilets in this topic.

DIY faucet repair

Single-lever faucets operate without breakdowns for a very long time, but due to sand and small particles passing through them, the seal is sometimes broken and they begin to leak.

Video:

In this case, you just need to change the cartridge in the mixer. The price of this part is very low.

To find out which cartridge is right for you, you need to know its characteristics.

These parts may vary:

diameter;
landing part;
rod length.

To buy a new part, remove the old one and take it with you when you go to the store.

This way you will be able to select and buy a new one, and easily replace the cartridge in the mixer. Photo:

How to replace the cartridge:

Before starting repairs, shut off the cold and hot water supply lines. Open the tap and release the remaining water;
Remove the decorative plug located on the front of the faucet lever. To do this, you can pry it off with a screwdriver and it will come off easily. After this, unscrew the handle locking screw using a hexagon;
Remove the lever from the body under which the faulty part is located. If the lever does not come off, it means it is stuck to it. Pour hot water onto the lever, it will expand and come off, or spray with WD-40. While the lever is in place, you will not be able to remove the cartridge from the mixer;
The nut holding the cartridge to the body can be unscrewed using pliers;
Remove the faulty cartridge and install a new one. It should snap into place without any effort. Be sure to check whether the holes of the replaced part and the mixer are aligned correctly;
Put the nut on and tighten it;
Install the faucet handle onto the cartridge stem;
Tighten the locking screw and insert the plastic plug into place.

Properly installed replacement cartridges for faucets will allow them to last for several more years.

Cartridge: device, what it looks like and where it is located

Modern faucets are equipped with either a ball cartridge or its disk equivalent.

Ball cartridge

The ball valve design includes the following elements:

a hollow ball with a diameter of about 40 mm with three identical holes, one of which is in the middle, and the other two on the sides just below;
the seat also has three channels with rubber seals;
There is a rod on top of the ball to adjust its position.

The internal cavity of the ball (mixing chamber) is filled with cold and hot water through the side holes, where mixing occurs. The middle hole serves to discharge the already mixed liquid into the outlet channel, through which it enters the mixer jib in a ready-to-use state.

The design of the seat allows you to close the inlet channels when turning the ball (using the rod). The supply of water at the required temperature depends on the throughput of each of the holes, which can be partially or completely closed.

Disc cartridge

Most of the faucets available on the plumbing market are equipped with disc-shaped cartridges, which are cheaper, easier to manufacture and do not require periodic (every 2-3 years) replacement of rubber seals, like ball models.

The disc-shaped cartridge has a cylindrical shape with three holes at the bottom (2 inlet and one outlet). Inside the cylinder there are two ceramic disks that are in close contact with each other. One of them is motionless and is located below. The upper disk is driven by a rod connected to the mixer adjustment handle.

The lower disk has holes that match the same ones in the case. The upper disk, moving by means of a lever, reduces the clearance of each of the inlet channels (up to complete overlap), thus regulating the amount of incoming water. To ensure smooth movement of the plates, the space between them is filled with silicone grease.

On a note

Devices that automatically regulate temperature are very popular, but such models should be purchased with caution. Such cartridges are sensitive to pressure level, quality of supplied water, frequency of use

They react especially negatively to calcium. This element is present in water in almost all regions of our country. An autonomous water purification system will not help correct the situation. It is effective only with low water consumption, and also has a high cost. The price of such a system may be higher than the entire shower stall. Models that respond to water pressure in the pipeline are not suitable for everyone. If the pressure is low, the cassette may simply not work. In addition, it is unstable to water hammer - load changes.

Features of replacement on different mixers

In the plumbing market, many companies manufacture various types of taps and mixers. There is no single standard for the cartridges used in all of these devices.

For each brand of mixer, only the cartridge from this manufacturer is suitable. If you don’t have the proper experience, the only sure way to avoid making a mistake is to buy a new cartridge only after removing the faulty one, taking it as a sample.

On various modifications of single-lever mixers, either solid cartridges or collapsible ones can be installed. In the case of the latter, there is a possibility of successful repair.

However, finding the right spare part is quite difficult, especially for older models. Therefore, in most cases, you should buy a new cartridge assembly to replace it. Better yet, when purchasing a mixer, immediately take a spare cartridge for it.

Operating principle of a single lever mixer

As the name implies, the functions of both heads, which are typical for a two-valve device, are performed by one lever. When it is turned from side to side, raised up or down, the temperature and pressure of water from the tap are regulated. It consists of the following elements:

lever handle,
frame,
rod with a nut and washer so that the part fits snugly,
ball cartridge. It is held in the housing by rubber seats and has three outlets: for hot water, for cold water and for supplying mixed liquid. A ceramic faucet cartridge is sometimes called a disk cartridge; it is much more common than a ball cartridge.

It cannot be said that one of them is preferable to the other. All types of faucet cartridges have one weak point: they easily become unusable if the water is not filtered before entering the tap.

What should prompt you to think about the necessary repairs?

The principle of regulating the water temperature is violated. That is, a single-lever mixer operates arbitrarily, regardless of the movement of the handle.
When the water supply is blocked, it continues to leak.
The usual pressure disappeared, but there were no failures in the operation of the water supply system.

Before you go to the store to buy a new faucet cartridge, you should remove the old one and take it with you. The fact is that this part may differ from different manufacturers:

along the length of the rod,
landing part,
diameter

Cartridge device

The design of a mixer with a steam cartridge resembles the operation of a ceramic faucet: in both cases, the water is blocked by the mutual displacement of ground ceramic plates with through holes.

There are obviously differences:

There are three holes in the bottom plate . Two correspond to cold and warm water, the third, of larger diameter, supplies water to the spout (gander) of the mixer.
The upper plate can not only rotate rather than the lower one, thereby ensuring the predominance of cold and warm water in the mixture, but also move up and down, adjusting the pressure.

Please note: mutual displacement of the plates with minimal hardening is ensured by waterproof silicone grease. Without it, the hardening required to adjust the mixer increases rapidly.

The design of a kitchen faucet with a cartridge allows for easy replacement. Cartridges vary in diameter (28.35 and 46 mm) and length. In order to avoid making a mistake when purchasing, the easiest thing to do is take an example with you - a faulty part.

Where to buy and how much it costs

If your “one-arm” has become faulty, it is not practical to repair the faucet cartridge, since it is difficult to select individual parts for it.

It is better to buy a new part, because its cost is low.

Therefore, it is better to buy such products from well-known brands, choosing from the middle price category if you have a limited budget.

If your wallet allows, then it is better to buy filters for water purification at the same time, then it will work flawlessly for a long time.

Video:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sTBDCAe73WQ

Untreated water spoils the faucet, and therefore, without filters, you will soon have to buy a cartridge for the faucet and replace it.

It should be taken into account that each company installs its own cartridges, and therefore if you have one mixer, you will have to buy it from the same company.

Some large manufacturers produce these parts in several sizes, although the principle of operation is the same, they simply control water of different volumes, so the price of a faucet cartridge can vary greatly.

Sometimes you can find low-quality Chinese fakes on sale; their price is low, but the quality is incomparably worse than that of well-known brands.

Sizes of different types of cartridges

To select a part for the kitchen, you need to take into account such features as the configuration of different faucet models.
Since the dimensions of individual plumbing fixtures can be from 28 to 35 mm, the cartridge must be selected accordingly. The largest parameters are models for a 40 mm bathroom. The size of the mechanisms and sanitary mixer is important, since this parameter can affect the quality of use: the larger the cartridge, the higher the wear resistance characteristics. Therefore, the size of the locking mechanism is of great importance.

Popular sizes:

washbasins in the bathroom or shower – 28/32/35 mm;
kitchen faucet – 26 and 30 mm (hose connection – 38-40 mm);
swivel spout tap – 26-30 mm;
non-standard sizes - 18-20 mm with the size of the hole for supplying hoses - 25-26 mm.

Manufacturers and prices. Design Features

The ball cartridge for a single-lever mixer is a hollow round part that fits snugly onto rubber seat mounts. The water pressure ensures a tight fit. It is made of stainless steel and is a reliable and durable mechanism. Replacing the cartridge in the mixer will be necessary if its sealed seal is broken, for example, due to the ingress of scale. Ball mechanisms are less common on sale, since the manufacturer must have a license to install them.

Therefore, it is much easier to find a replacement ceramic analogue than a cartridge for a ball mixer. It consists of two disks tightly adjacent to each other. During movement of the faucet handle, the upper plate moves relative to the lower one, shutting off the supply of hot or cold water to varying degrees. The pressure is adjusted using the same principle.

The design differences in cartridges from any manufacturing company are small. But among professional plumbers it is generally accepted that replacing the cartridge on the faucet will be required much earlier if the product is in an inexpensive price category. Well-known brands can afford to invest in the development of their own technologies to increase the service life of their products, but the price for this is correspondingly high.

So, what is the average price of a single-lever faucet cartridge?

Grohe disc cartridges are distinguished by the fact that carbon-crystalline coating is applied to the plates. This makes the already reliable ceramic cartridge even more durable. Depending on the diameter of the model 46 or 35 mm, the price ranges from 1300 to 2000 - 2500 rubles.
Plumbing fixtures from TM Vidima (Bulgaria) do not belong to the elite category, but the manufacturer’s quality guarantee for cartridges is impressive - 5 years. For products whose price, regardless of diameter and installation location, does not exceed 950 rubles, this is a very commendable characteristic.
If you're lucky, you can find a cartridge from the Finnish company Oras for 2,800 rubles. But you won’t have to go looking for a replacement part soon; it will last a long time. All mechanisms of this brand are standard, so there will be no problems purchasing a cartridge.
Plumbing fixtures from the German brand Handgrohe are created in accordance with the national principles of thoroughness and thriftiness with consumed resources (water and electricity). Such “smart” cartridges cost from 3 – 3.5 thousand rubles, but the design of the faucet itself assumes a long service life of the entire mechanism as a whole and its components in particular.
Replacing the cartridge in the Damixa mixer will not take a long time. The Danish company is distinguished by its desire for innovation, and in the production of their plumbing fixtures, they use, among other things, technologies patented for the creation of spaceships. Changing a cartridge at Damix plumbing will cost from 2 to 4 thousand rubles.

It is worth thinking about the upcoming repair at the stage of choosing a mixer. Replacing a cartridge in a faucet is an inevitable procedure even for expensive brands. Therefore, if you are on a limited budget, you should choose among offers in the mid-price category. It would be useful to find out about the availability of replacement spare parts for free sale, so as not to order the required one through official distributors, wasting time waiting for its delivery.

How to choose a cartridge for a faucet: useful recommendations

The cartridge can be dismountable or non-separable. The latter option is characterized by wide distribution and availability. The device does not require cleaning and lubrication, the gasket cannot be removed, so this product cannot be repaired. When considering how much a non-separable cartridge costs, you should take into account that a cheap mechanism is not durable.

Helpful advice! When purchasing a mixer, you can additionally purchase a spare cartridge so that later you will not have difficulties finding a new device.

There are both universal cartridges that are suitable for any mixer, and unique ones for specific models.

The new product must be similar to the old model. If you choose another modification, the size of the cartridge for the mixer must correspond to the seat. When choosing a new mechanism, you should pay attention to the shape, number and location of the holes for the rod. Models of the same type of locking device from different manufacturers may differ. If the old element is equipped with a leg, then the new cartridge should have this part of the same size.

Important! There are universal cartridges that are suitable for any faucet, as well as unique models designed for installation in a specific model of plumbing fixture.

If the size of the cartridge for a single-lever mixer or two-valve device is selected incorrectly, the device will not work correctly, which is associated with tight rotation of the lever and the occurrence of squeaking. This mixer is inconvenient to use. Failure to properly regulate the pressure can cause damage to the shower hose or rapid wear of the threads on the faucet.

It is better to purchase a mixer repair kit from well-known manufacturers, whose products are presented in many specialized stores. In addition, many companies provide a long warranty period. Large companies produce high-quality products, which are accompanied by an ISO 9001:2000 certificate. You should also pay attention to the presence of a document indicating that the internal shut-off part of the mixer has been tested for a working pressure of 3.5 atm.

If the shape and size of the cartridge are chosen incorrectly, the mixer will not work correctly.

Cartridges for faucets from Grohe, Vidima and other manufacturers

Plumbing equipment from the German company Vidima is very popular. It produces high-quality shower sets, various types of mixers and accessories for them. The company produces exclusively ceramic locking elements. Cartridges for Vidima faucets are reliable, practical, wear-resistant, durable and affordable. The entire range of products undergoes strict quality control to ensure compliance with European standards.

The German company Grohe offers high-quality cartridges that are characterized by an increased resource. Ceramic plates are manufactured using innovative technology, according to which their surface is repeatedly sprayed. In this regard, Grohe cartridges are characterized by increased strength, wear resistance and durability.

The AM.RM company produces a wide range of cartridge sizes with increased throughput, which is about 43 l/min. This is 2 times more than standard models. The manufacturer also specializes in the production of mechanisms with a thermostat, characterized by a diameter of 35 mm.

Helpful advice! High capacity cartridges are best suited for bathrooms.

Cartridges from Grohe are of high quality and are characterized by increased resource

The Finnish company Oras offers high-quality sanitary products and accessories. Faucet cartridges are practical and durable. Products are assembled from high quality elements from European suppliers. Strict quality control is carried out at all stages of production. The only drawback is their high cost.

Hansgrohe sanitary ware and cartridges for faucets are distinguished by their reliability and affordable price. You can find models from this manufacturer in any specialized store.

Chinese manufacturers that offer internal locking devices with a good price-quality ratio are Potato, Frap, Santide, Tivoli.

Cartridges for Vidima faucets are wear-resistant, reliable and durable

Criterias of choice

The best solution would be to purchase a cartridge similar to the one that was originally installed in the shower faucet, but this is not always possible. If the same model is not on sale, you should familiarize yourself with the selection tips,

What to look for?

In order to carry out a high-quality replacement and not face the imminent failure of a part, when making a purchase, we are guided by the following criteria: Material. The best option is cartridges made of ceramics and plastic. They have good wear resistance. The best choice would be a product made of stainless alloys; the worst choice would be one made of polymers. The latter are not reliable and wear out quickly. Cost and brand. Cheap models allow you to save on purchases, but after a year or even earlier they require replacement. Unscrupulous manufacturers use not only low-quality raw materials, but also molds. Flywheel stroke. If it sticks or jams, it means the part is defective. After installing such a cartridge, the tightness will quickly break down, which will lead to leakage. Inlet fittings. The quality of this element is evidenced by the cast construction and thick partition of the cage. The fittings must be perfectly smooth and even. In addition, the packaging must contain all the information about the manufacturer and full details. If it is an expensive model, then it comes with a warranty.

Blitz tips

If there is poor regulation of the water temperature in the operation of the mixer or the lever of the plumbing fixture is difficult to turn, then you should immediately begin replacing the cartridge.
Each model of plumbing fixture has a certain type of cartridge installed, so in order to avoid purchasing an unsuitable model, it is recommended to go to a specialized store along with the failed device, which is quite easy to remove.
All cartridges are equipped with small tabs to ensure correct installation. If the assembly steps were performed incorrectly, the device will not allow you to tighten the nut that directly presses it. This makes it easier to replace the part, since it is always possible to correct mistakes.
When choosing a device for a mixer, you should pay attention to the availability of spare parts and warranty service. These seemingly insignificant nuances will help in case of breakdowns.
When purchasing the most expensive parts from well-known manufacturers , you should not flatter yourself with the hope of eternal use. In the case when the water supplied to the pipes contains many impurities and does not meet good quality indicators, the parts of the plumbing fixture will accumulate rust (lime) and after some time will again disable the operation of the mixer. Therefore, it is worth remembering that price is not the key to long-term operation. The solution to this problem will be the purchase and installation of cleaning filters (filtration from 100 microns). They do not affect the drop in water pressure and in most cases are equipped with a self-flushing flask, which simplifies the task of removing blockages.

Replacement procedure

Replacing the cartridge in a faucet with your own hands is a process accessible to any home craftsman. Before starting work, you need to turn off the supply of hot and cold water and drain the remaining liquid from the tap.

The single lever mixer needs to be disassembled. To do this, remove the decorative plug, which is located on the front side of the faucet lever. It is made of plastic and sits tightly in the recess, so it can be carefully pryed off with a screwdriver or knife. It not only serves as an indication of which way to turn the handle to get warm or cold water. It closes the shut-off screw, so its loss risks the fact that household members and guests will have to constantly see the internal structure of the mixer.
After removing the plug, access to the locking screw is open. It must be tightened using a hex wrench. It is better to use a special tool to avoid damaging the parts.
Before removing the cartridge from the mixer, it remains to remove the lever from the faucet body. The faulty part you are looking for is located directly below it. It can be difficult to unscrew the faucet if the parts have become stuck to each other during operation. In this case, it is recommended to water the lever with hot water for a while - it will expand a little, now you can treat it with an aerosol preparation WD-40. It dissolves rust and oxide, after which the handle can be easily removed and you can change the cartridge in the tap.

The principle of replacing faulty parts in various modifications of single-lever mixers is identical. It may differ in a couple of details, but the essence is the same.

Now, in order to change the cartridge in the mixer, you need to remove the decorative nut. You can handle it without a tool, by hand, if you apply a little effort.
The clamping nut prevents you from removing the cartridge from the mixer. You will need a spanner wrench, and if you don’t have one, gas or pliers will do. The clamping nut ensures a tight fit of the cartridge inside the faucet, so during the assembly process it will need to be tightened especially carefully.
Now you can remove the cartridge from the mixer by simply pulling it out of the fastenings.
The seats on which the cartridge rests are equipped with holes. On the old and new parts, protrusions are clearly visible, which should clearly align with the holes in the fasteners. To replace the cartridge in the faucet correctly, you need to carefully insert it into the seats so that all the recesses of the seat correspond to the recesses on the part. No effort is required during cartridge installation. If the spare part is purchased correctly, it will easily take its place inside the mixer.
Now you can begin the reassembly process. The clamping nut and then the decorative nut are put on and tightened. The faucet handle is placed on the stem and the locking screw is fixed. The plastic plug returns to its place.

If you need to replace the cartridge in a mixer with a ball system, then steps 1 to 5 are carried out without changes. Once access to the ball is gained, it is removed and the rubber seals are inspected. If they wear out, they must be replaced, as well as the springs that secure the ball. If the seals are in good condition, you can carefully clean them, then replace the new ball and reassemble the mixer.

Replacing the cartridge in a shower faucet follows the same principle as in single-lever faucets on a kitchen sink or sink. The only caveat is that the part can become unusable not only due to bad water, but also due to water hammer. And ceramic cartridges in shower stalls have to distribute water onto a flexible hose. In this case they are installed in the diverter. If this part is faulty, then repairs will not be possible and you will have to purchase a new diverter.

Changing the cartridge in the mixer, if it is selected correctly, is not difficult. Anyone can cope with this task in a short time.

Disadvantages and causes of breakdowns

Lime deposits accumulate on the metal ball over time.

This is especially noticeable when the faucet is not used regularly.

In addition, this design is very sensitive to small abrasive particles.

However, a speck stuck in the structure can break the seal of the disk device.

The device is sealed as long as the rubber and Teflon gaskets and seals are in good condition. Their wear can occur over time or under the influence of damaging impurities in the water. A hum or leak during operation will indicate that the gaskets need to be replaced.

Water leakage can also be caused by a simple loosening of the lever connection. Perhaps the dripping will stop if you just tighten everything up.

In some cases, a crack or chip may appear on the plates, ball, or cartridge body. Using sealant, you can try to eliminate the gap in the shell, but internal damage cannot be repaired - the cartridge will need to be replaced.

Disassembling a single lever mixer

Symptoms of cartridge failure may include:

Lever movement is difficult.
Lack of response to tap control (pressure or temperature does not change).
The supply of any water stops when the lever is turned all the way.
Lack of complete shutdown, or leakage.

To avoid having to change the cartridge again and again, install a fine filter at the inlet - it will be good for both you and your mixer.

How do cartridges from different manufacturers differ?

The differences in cartridge designs from different manufacturing companies are insignificant.

But some use their own technologies to make their products more advanced:

Products from Grohe are popular; many sellers advise buying a cartridge for a grohe mixer with carbon-crystalline coating on the plates, which makes the surface more durable;
The reliable and practical cartridge for the oras faucet, produced by the Finnish sanitary ware manufacturer, is standard, so if the old one breaks, it will be very easy to find a new one;
The price of Vidima plumbing fixtures is one of the lowest, but the ceramic cartridge for the Vidima faucet rarely needs to be changed. They are guaranteed for five years;
The hansgrohe ceramic faucet cartridge is equipped with a safety function and saves energy and water. In case of repair, it is easy to replace it with your own hands;
The Hansgrohe brand has patented the Boltic system: thanks to a special method of attaching the handle and lever, the faucet of this brand works for many years without loosening or failure.

When buying a faucet, you need to pay attention to its details, since it cannot last forever, and replacing the cartridge in the faucet will someday still be necessary. To do this, find out whether you can buy a similar one in free trade for a replacement or whether you will have to order it from an official distributor

To do this, find out whether you can buy a similar one in free trade for a replacement or whether you will have to order it from an official distributor.

Find out if there are official representatives of this product in your city.

Replacing the faucet cartridge in the shower stall

Involves a preliminary check of the possibility of holding this event. Replacement cannot be carried out when the thread is either completely torn off or has been deformed during operation. In this particular case, you have to completely change the tap. If the thread is intact, you can safely purchase a new cartridge, guided by the advice of experts. In addition, you must have at your disposal a set of wrenches, a set of screwdrivers, an adjustable Swedish wrench, and powerful pliers. These tools should be prepared or purchased in advance. Otherwise, it will simply be impossible to replace the cassette.

Step-by-step instruction

The action algorithm implies strict adherence to a certain sequence. Work begins only after the centralized water supply is turned off. Each cartridge model has its own characteristics, but the general procedure remains the same.

Step 1

Remove the plug from the cartridge handle. It covers the fixing bolt for the cartridge handle. Using a hex wrench or screwdriver, unscrew the fasteners. Using a screwdriver with the appropriate profile, unscrew the small screw located in the hole. Next, remove the handle from the structure.

Step 2

To open access to the cassette, remove the decorative nut. For this purpose, unscrew the protective metal casing and remove the cartridge. This is often difficult to do. This happens when the casing becomes sour and cannot be unscrewed.

In this case, a gas wrench will help to remove the casing, but first, be sure to throw a piece of clean and soft cloth over the part. You must act extremely carefully. Excessive pressure may damage the housing

Its design is quite thin and fragile. If excessive force is applied, the housing will become deformed. The decorative trim is held in place by a nut. This hardware is removed and then the clamp is unscrewed. Disassembling the mechanism takes quite a lot of time. The “bucket” allows you to facilitate and speed up the process of unscrewing old threaded connections. Many masters use it. It is sold in every auto parts store and has a low cost.

Step 3

Quite a lot of dirt forms inside the plumbing fixture and solid deposits accumulate. Therefore, exit surfaces must be cleaned. For this purpose, detergents are used. This can be regular dishwashing liquid. The main thing is not just to clean the device, but also to rinse it thoroughly so that no traces of the cleaning agent remain.

Step 4

Instead of the removed cartridge, a new device is installed. The main thing is to position the part correctly. To insert the cassette and not mix anything up, there are two grooves on the walls and a pair of protrusions at the entrance. This design feature prevents the cassette from being inserted in the wrong position.

The cartridge is held with your finger by the handle in the required position and clamped with a nut. When it is placed in place, turn on the water supply and check the functionality of the cassette. If there are no leaks and the mixer is working properly, close the cartridge with a nut (decorative) and put the handle in place.

Basic faults

During the operation of the mixer, malfunctions arise that are associated both with the quality of the water and with incorrect operational features of the plumbing fixture.
The axle crane takes on a large load, since water under high pressure passes through it. If the spare part is of low quality, then after several months of active use the mixer will leak. Frequent causes of faucet cartridge failure:

hard water with a high content of salts and mineral scale, which accumulates on the core of the mixer, the cartridge simply “sticks” and becomes coated with plaque;
pressure differences in water supply. With sudden jumps, the part quickly breaks and bursts;
If the diameter of the faucet spout does not correspond to the size of the cartridge, then noise and crackling will be heard when water is supplied.

If the faucet leaks when switching water from cold to hot, or vice versa there is no change in temperature, then it is important to replace the faucet or cartridge. Such signs are clear manifestations of a faulty core part.

Sometimes you don’t have to change the old locking mechanism; it’s enough to repair it and carry out “cosmetic repairs”. Often a malfunction occurs due to blockage or dust accumulation inside. If the decorative rings are worn out, they can be replaced, and the cartridge itself will work properly.

You can:

Lubricate the plates. This will help reduce friction and increase operation. Oily mixtures and sealants are used.
Adjust the thermostatic cartridge if the device has reset due to frequent use of low-quality water.
Remove clogs from the threads using an old toothbrush.

Table vinegar can help in cleaning rust or scale and dust.

Why does a cartridge become unusable?

Water quality is the most important reason why you need to replace the cartridge in the faucet. Cleaning filters must be installed without fail, then even the most budget plumbing fixtures will last much longer.

Ceramic cartridges quickly fail when abrasive particles get between the discs day after day. They scratch the surface of the plates, worsen the seal, and lead to uneven abrasion of the cartridge elements.

Changing the cartridge in a mixer with a ball system is required due to blockage between the element itself and the seats. Even if the seal is not immediately compromised, the rubber stops may subsequently become deformed, which will still lead to a leak. The shutter can also be clogged, but sometimes to fix operational problems it is enough to disassemble the mechanism, clean it and put everything back in place.

Water may leak from a loose lever cap connection. In this case, repair actions will be reduced to a tight connection of the unit. When water comes up at the base of the faucet, the O-rings are likely worn out. In this case, replacing the mixer cartridge is not necessary; it is enough to purchase a repair kit. The ball itself may crack - this is direct evidence that it is time to proceed directly to replacing the cartridge.

When to change

As a rule, disk cartridges fail due to wear and tear on moving plastic parts. Ceramic plates wear out much less often. But, by and large, it doesn’t matter why the cartridge broke. In any case, it will have to be replaced, because it is a disposable part that cannot be repaired.

Signs of a cartridge failure:

the water does not mix properly (only cold or only hot comes out of the tap);
the water supply is disrupted (when the lever is turned to one of the extreme positions, nothing flows);
when the lever is in a fixed position, the water temperature changes each time;
it is not possible to turn on the water at full pressure;
it is impossible to completely shut off the water;
water leaks from under the handle;
it takes effort to turn the lever.

The service life of the mixer is significantly reduced due to harmful impurities contained in the water: rust, lime, sand and other insoluble small particles. Mechanical cleaning and water softening filters will help solve the problem. However, nothing works forever, and any cartridge will have to be replaced sooner or later.