When your single handle shower faucet begins to drip or leak even when turned off, it is a clear indication that it may be broken or cracked. This means that it needs immediate replacement.
Just like double-handled shower faucets, single-handled shower faucets can also leak, and the dripping can sometimes be irritating, particularly if your bedroom is next to the bathroom. Single-handled shower faucets have one major setback, poor temperature control. However, if you are using a double-handled faucet, you won’t encounter this problem.
When buying the new shower faucet, remember that you need precisely the same estimations with the goal for it to find a way into the valve. Likewise, consider the sort of shower fixture that you have presently. You may find that some brands are not compatible. In case it has one handle and capacities to administer both cold and high temp water subject upon how far you turn it, at that point, it is a single handle shower spigot.
This article focuses majorly on how to replace a single handle shower faucet. Read on to know what it takes!
Things You Will Need- Utility knife, cartridge puller, white vinegar, flathead screwdriver, Allen wrench, and needle-nose pliers.
- 1Shut off the water supply to the shower. In case you cannot locate the one that controls the washroom, shut off from the main water meter. Open the show to allow water to drain out.
- 2Using an Allen wrench, unscrew the handle. The nut, in most cases, is found under the lever. However, sometimes it may be sealed by a cap. If a cap covers it, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off.
- 3If there is a temperature regulator, pull it off. The regulator is usually a plate made plastic that fits into the valve stem. It should come off easily because it is not attached to anything.
- 4Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull the pin that holds the cartridge in place. When the pin is out, grip the stem with the aid of a pair of pliers and pull the cartridge out of the valve seat. Note the cartridge direction before you haul it out; it needs to return in a similar direction.
- 5If the cartridge is stubborn to come out, give it more grip by reattaching the handle. If this fails, utilize a cartridge puller. The puller works using the same principle of a corkscrew.
- 6Check the cartridge to whether it is encrusted with deposits of the mineral. If this is the case, clean it by drenching it in white vinegar overnight. In case you find the circular rings worn out, chop them off using a knife, and introduce new ones. If you notice notches, cracks, or pits around the holes, bring in a new cartridge.
- 7Use a flathead screwdriver to take out the gaskets that are located in the water inlet openings inside the valve seat and substitute them with brand new ones. You may find that a few are spring-loaded. If that is the case, they need to be replaced because they come out with the washers.
- 8Use needle-nose suppliers to fit the washers and springs back into the water inlet holes, then use a pin to secure the cartridge after replacing it. Replace the temp regulator and put the handle in its position but do not fasten the screw.
- 9Turn on the water supply, test the temp after you open the faucet, Pry off the handle, then regulate the limiter until the cold water is cold enough and the hot water is hot enough. Fix the handle screw when you’re happy with the temperature.
Tip: Replacing a Single Handle Shower Faucet
You need to follow explicit guidelines to clean a few cartridges. You can discover this by counseling the producer’s site.
Some cartridges are held in position by a nut rather than a pin. If that is the case, use adjustable pliers to unscrew the nut.
Warning
The water supply must be off prior to removing the cartridge, or you will end up managing a wild spout of heated water, and you could be burnt.
Conclusion
In case you only need to replace the shower handle, you can get rid of the damaged faucet handle and follow steps 6-7 utilizing your newly acquired shower handle.
All in all, make sure you follow the producer’s guidelines that accompany the product so that you can have a successful installation. However, the guidelines above can also help you replace your single handle shower faucet.
