If water continues dripping from the tub spout, you likely need a new shower cartridge. The cartridge controls water flow and temperature, and a worn or blocked one can cause leaks.
Signs That an Old Cartridge Needs To Be Replaced
The shower handle is difficult to turn. This is commonly caused by a buildup of mineral deposits. The water does not turn on when the handle is in the correct position. Water continues to drip from the shower head or spout after the water has been turned off.
Faulty cartridges cause the handle to stay in one position, keeping you from controlling the temperature and flow. Worsening handle stiffness: If your handle doesn't become completely stuck, it may resist you turning it. You'll notice the stiffness when you try turning it to an on or off position.
As far as replacement is concerned, this is usually necessary every 5 to 10 years. However, this also depends on the conditions of use. Intensive use of the fittings, poor water quality, or neglected maintenance can shorten the service life of your thermostatic cartridge.
Shower cartridge replacement costs $100 to $350 on average, including labor and materials. Plumbers charge $90 to $270 for labor to replace a shower valve cartridge. A shower faucet cartridge costs $10 to $80 for the part alone, depending on the brand, type, and material.
Use the Puller Tool to Remove the Old Shower Cartridge
Locate your shower cartridge pulling tool. If your model is older, you can simply remove it with pliers. Hook the puller tool onto the edges of the cartridge and slowly turn until it loosens. Note the position of the cartridge before you begin unscrewing it.
High bathroom humidity can facilitate the growth of mold and mildew, which is another reason why you shouldn't ignore an old and damaged shower cartridge. A leaking or malfunctioning cartridge can cause constant water drips that create excess moisture in the bathroom.
How do you know when it's time to replace your shower filter? There are a few signs that indicate it's time to replace your shower filter. If you start to notice a decrease in water pressure, a change in water quality, or a strange odor coming from your shower water, it's likely that your filter needs to be replaced.
Over time, faucet cartridges experience wear and tear, corrosion, and become coated with mineral deposits. This results in improper functioning such as water leaks and difficulty in turning the handles.
Turn Off the Water
Unless you happen to have a separate cutoff valve installed in the bathroom, shut off the water to the whole house. Open up a faucet at a lower level in your home to relieve pressure in the lines and leave it open as you work.
In most showers, the valve mechanism is a cartridge valve made from plastic and brass. The cartridge can be easily slipped out and replaced when the rubber O-ring degrades over time. If you notice these signs, it's time to replace the cartridge: Leaky faucet though the faucet is shut off.
A thermostatic cartridge can fail due to a variety of reasons, including: Mineral buildup: Over time, mineral deposits from hard water can accumulate inside the cartridge, clogging its internal components and causing it to malfunction.
Inconsistent Water Temperature
If you notice that the water temperature fluctuates between hot and cold, it could be a sign of a malfunctioning shower valve. A faulty valve can prevent the correct mixing of hot and cold water. The incorrect mixing of hot and cold water will lead to inconsistent temperatures.
Soak the cartridge in white vinegar for an hour. Remove and rinse thoroughly with water. While the cartridge is soaking, turn on your shower to flush the opening. We recommend opening the cold water side of the valve to avoid contact with hot water.
Lack of cold water is usually caused by a defective pressure-balancing valve in a cartridge. This part is located inside the shower faucet.
When the Ink-out light stays on, the cartridge is empty and will need to be replaced. The printer will stop printing. When an ink cartridge is in the printer longer than six months and the print quality declines the ink cartridge should be replaced.
A noticeable decrease in water pressure or weaker water flow than usual could indicate a worn-out cartridge that needs replacement. If the faucet handle becomes difficult to turn, feels loose, or gets stuck in certain positions, it may be due to a failing cartridge.
"If you don't replace the cartridge in your filter, contaminants will clog the filter, leaving no room to capture any other chemicals or particles, which will then flow out along with the water.”
How Long Do Shower Filters Last? Although a few shower water filters will claim to last longer than a year according to their warranty, this is unfortunately not the case. Most shower water filters will realistically last a maximum of three to six months if you take two 10 minute showers each day.
Many common household faucets are cartridge faucets. The cartridge is a plastic piece in the faucet that controls water flow. Worn cartridges or rubber O-rings often lead to leaks. By swapping in replacement parts, your faucet won't leak at the base or around the handles anymore.
Shower cartridge replacement averages $275, but most homeowners spend $150 to $350. It depends on the cartridge model and the type of repair, so call a pro for an accurate quote. A shower cartridge replacement costs $275 on average, but you could spend as little as $100 or as much as $400.
Limited Lifetime Warranty - If this product fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship at any time during the life of the product, Moen will replace it free of charge, postage-paid.