How to replace a Delta Cartridge and fix a leaky bathtub faucet | Fix it tutorials, by Keepin Home Up on YouTube. 3 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Turn off the hot and cold water supply to the tub. Open the faucet to release pressure and confirm the water has stopped.
Pry off the handle cap with a small flat screwdriver and remove the screw underneath. Pull the handle straight off the stem.
Unscrew the chrome trim sleeve and escutcheon by hand or with a strap wrench. Wrap the metal in a cloth so it does not scratch.
Grip the cartridge nut with a wrench and turn it counterclockwise. Keep the faucet body steady so the pipes do not twist.
Pull the old cartridge straight out. If it sticks, wiggle it gently or use the cartridge puller tool made for your model.
Wipe the inside of the valve body clean and flush it briefly with the water on to clear debris, then shut the water again.
Coat the O-rings on the new cartridge with silicone grease and slide it in with the alignment tabs lined up with the slots.
Tighten the cartridge nut snugly by hand and wrench, then refit the trim sleeve, handle and screw.
Turn the water back on and run hot and cold for a minute. Check for drips at the spout and around the trim.
Tips and common mistakes
Take the old cartridge to the store or match the model number stamped on the trim, since Delta cartridges are not all the same.
Do not overtighten the cartridge nut, as it can crack the plastic body and cause a new leak.
If water still drips after the swap, check that the cartridge is seated fully and the O-rings are not pinched.
Questions
How do I know which Delta cartridge I need?
Look for a model number on the handle trim or under the escutcheon, or take the old cartridge to a hardware store and compare it. Delta has several cartridge styles that are not interchangeable.
Can I replace the cartridge without shutting off the house water?
No. The cartridge sits in the live water line, so you must close the fixture stops or the main valve first. Otherwise water will spray out as soon as the nut comes loose.
Why does my tub faucet still drip after a new cartridge?
Debris or a damaged seat inside the valve body can keep it from sealing. Flush the body and check the cartridge is fully seated before assuming the new part is faulty.
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.
