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Tub and shower faucets office similarly to sink faucets; they each have handles that are used to twist cartridge-based valves hidden below a decorative finish. At the base of operations of these cartridges is a washer that helps to forestall leaks and drips from happening by keeping the cartridge thoroughly shut off. When these washers wearable out, you may discover your tub faucet or shower head commencement to drip. Replacing the shower faucet washer is much like replacing a sink faucet washer, with the only differences beingness the orientation of the cartridges; in the wall, instead of on the sink.

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  1. 1

    Turn off the water at the nearest water valve. If you are unable to locate a close valve, shut off the h2o at its main source where it enters the house.[i]

  2. 2

    Look on the sides of the faucet handles for a small spiral. It is ordinarily at the base of the handle, most the escutcheon or decorative portion. It may be beneath or on the underside of the faucet handle.[2]

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  3. 3

    Use a screwdriver to remove this screw and ready information technology aside.

  4. 4

    Lift the faucet handle off of the escutcheon and gear up it aside.

  5. v

    Look for the screws property the escutcheon to the wall. They are usually hidden by the handle; in one case the handle has come off, they should be easily seen.

  6. half dozen

    Remove the screws holding the escutcheon to the wall.

  7. 7

    Have off the escutcheon and set information technology aside. This will betrayal the faucet cartridge.

  8. eight

    Grasp the cartridge with a pair of pliers.

  9. nine

    Turn the cartridge with the pliers counterclockwise until it comes loose and slips out of the wall.

  10. ten

    Turn the cartridge upside down to run across the washer at its base of operations.

  11. xi

    Remove the old washer from the cartridge by using a screwdriver to loosen the screw holding it in place. Grasp the cartridge with the pliers to aid it loosen, if y'all are having difficulty.[3]

  12. 12

    Slip the new washer into the identify left by the old 1. [iv]

  13. xiii

    Insert the terminate of the cartridge into the wall.

  14. 14

    Grasp the end of the cartridge with the pliers.

  15. fifteen

    Twist the pliers clockwise to lock the cartridge back into identify. [5]

  16. xvi

    Set up the escutcheon back over the cartridge.

  17. 17

    Screw the escutcheon dorsum into place.

  18. 18

    Spiral the handle back onto the escutcheon.

  19. 19

    Run a thin dewdrop of silicone caulk around the border of the escutcheon to seal it into place. [six]

    • Cut the tip of the caulk tube off at a 45-degree angle with a utility knife.
    • Clasp the tube slowly and carefully to fill the gap around the escutcheon.

  20. 20

    Turn on the water at its source.

  21. 21

    Test the cartridge and new washer to ensure no drips occur.

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Add together New Question

  • Question

    Where do I turn off the principal h2o line?

    Community Answer

    Ordinarily, it's extremely close to the water meter. There should be a shut-off valve both immediately earlier and after the water meter. Both can be turned off if one isn't doing the trick. If neither shut off the h2o completely, then you'll need a plumber to replace both with ball type valves for vastly improved predictability and reliability.

  • Question

    What practice I do if the cartridge merely spins and doesn't come out?

    Community Answer

    Make sure y'all removed the large outermost nut, an extremely common setup. You can also both button and pull to complimentary the possible O-ring(s), or you tin spray some oil into the back. It should merely pop out, simply some corrosion or buildup may need to exist overcome. If nothing'south working, then telephone call a plumber and they'll grease up everything then futurity replacements are uneventful.

  • Question

    Practise I have to turn off the h2o to do this?

    Community Answer

    Yeah, you must plow off the water. The washer holds back the water pressure from the main line. If you remove the handle and washer without cutting off the h2o supply, water will spray everywhere.

  • Question

    How come up some washers are flat and some are rounded on one side?

    Community Answer

    It just depends on the connection. Apartment washers are only sandwiched between the connection. The askew or rounded washers are pressed against one side of the connection. Certain they both look the same when assembled, if you could come across them, but in that location's a big departure.

  • Question

    How do I change the taps to a washer-less organisation?

    Community Answer

    Get a new faucet and entire valve. If yous can detect a perfect fit replacement upgrade, then peachy, delight practise a YouTube video about it. But it's not at all likely. Manufacturers are smarter than you and purposely change diameters, depths and configurations to piece of work their magic with planned and now forced obsolescence.

  • Question

    I replaced my cartridge, but I proceed having to supervene upon the washer. Am I doing something incorrect? I've gone through four washers; they piece of work for nigh a calendar month, then they fall autonomously.

    Community Answer

    1 possibility: if the original washer was beveled, be certain you lot are non installing a apartment washer (and vice versa); likewise, check to be sure the beveled side is turned correctly toward the valve seat. If it is installed backward, you lot could very well be cutting through the edges of the new washer and not know it.

  • Question

    I changed the washers on a Delta shower body. The leak stopped, simply the hot water is cooler. Whatsoever thoughts?

    Community Answer

    Make sure you seated the washers and also installed the springs with the broad cease down or and so it goes-in-get-go. And, you may need to re-adjust the anti-scald arm, now that the leak is fixed. Or, you may need a new balancing valve that just wasn't apparent when the mixing happening within the commitment end.

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  • Take the entire cartridge and washer down to the hardware store with you lot to buy a replacement washer. Washers come in many sizes and the incorrect size may crusade leaks.

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  • Make certain the tub you are standing in is dry to aid forestall slips and falls.

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Things Y'all'll Need

  • Small flathead screwdriver
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Silicone caulk
  • Utility knife

References

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