How to Remove a Stuck Faucet Cartridge (Without Breaking Your Valve), by DIY FIX on YouTube. 5 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Close the hot and cold supply valves under the sink, then open the faucet to release the remaining pressure and let the water drain out.
Plug the drain with a cloth so small screws and clips cannot fall in. Pry off the index cap on the handle and undo the screw underneath.
Remove the retaining nut or clip with an adjustable wrench or pliers, then lift the handle and spout clear of the valve body.
Spray penetrating oil around the base of the cartridge where it meets the valve. Leave it to work for 15 to 30 minutes.
Fit the cartridge puller onto the stem, keep it straight, and pull upward with steady pressure instead of jerking or twisting.
If it still will not budge, soak the base with white vinegar for 20 minutes to soften mineral deposits, then try the puller again.
As a last resort, cut a broken or seized cartridge out in pieces with a hacksaw blade, keeping the blade away from the inside walls of the valve body.
Scrape out old O-rings and debris, then wipe the inside of the valve clean with vinegar and a soft cloth.
Coat the new cartridge O-rings with a thin film of silicone grease, line up the locating tabs and push it in by hand.
Refit the retaining nut and handle, open the supply valves slowly and run the faucet to check for leaks.
Tips and common mistakes
Never lever a screwdriver against the rim of the valve body, since that is how the casting cracks.
Skip the blowtorch. Heat warps the seals and can damage a ceramic cartridge beyond use.
Take the old cartridge to the store or match its model number so the new one drops straight in.
In hard water areas, replace the cartridge every few years before it seizes.
Questions
Do I really need a cartridge puller?
For a cartridge that has been in place for years, yes. Pliers tend to crush the plastic stem or twist it off, while a puller spreads the load and pulls straight.
What if the cartridge snaps off inside the valve?
Cut the remaining plastic into pieces with a hacksaw blade and pick them out. Work slowly and avoid scoring the brass, or the new cartridge will leak.
How do I stop the new cartridge from leaking?
Grease the O-rings lightly, check that the tabs sit in their slots and tighten the retaining nut by hand plus about a quarter turn. Over-tightening can crack it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
