How to remove a cartridge from a bathroom faucet. How to replace (change) the cartridge in the mixer

October 25, 2016
Specialization: master for interior and exterior decoration (plaster, putty, tile, drywall, wall paneling, laminate, and so on). In addition, plumbing, heating, electrical, conventional cladding and balcony extensions. That is, repairs in an apartment or house were done on a turnkey basis with all the necessary types of work.

Single-lever mixers are now found much more often than valve ones - they are more compact and, in my opinion, more convenient. Although in terms of operational life, I do not see any special differences.

The main difference for such cranes is not only in appearance, but in valves. That is, if there is a valve box under each valve, then under the lever there is a cartridge that regulates the permeability of hot and cold water.

Do you want to figure out how you can repair a single-lever mixer yourself by replacing the cartridge?

Repair of a mixer with a cartridge

Note. Single-lever mixers may differ slightly in design, but, nevertheless, they all disassemble and work according to the same principle.

Principle of operation

Below I will describe how the construction works:

when you remove the cartridge, you see three holes there: two of them are on the same line, this is the inlet of hot and cold water, and the third, separate from them, is the outlet after mixing;
if you remove the blue (white, yellow) cap from the cartridge, then you will see something like the one in the upper schematic image, where there are two adjusting plates on the holes;
the plate, which is located above the inlets (highlighted in brown in the diagram), that is, above the hot and cold water channels, has a slot that coincides with the channels. And if you turn the lever left-right, then the slot also moves along the plane. It turns out that when displaced in any direction, one of the holes is partially or completely blocked, regulating the hot and cold flow;
the other plate, above the outlet (gray-blue), moves when the lever is raised and lowered, adjusting the flow rate at the outlet.

Replacing the cartridge

Note. I want to draw your attention to the fact that a replacement is needed only in cases where you cannot completely shut off the water, and a trickle constantly drips or even flows from the spout. In cases where a leak is observed at the joints, you need to change the gasket or tighten the assembly more tightly.

There is a hole under the lever through which you can reach the screw with a screwdriver that fixes this very lever. To do this, remove the plug (it is most convenient to do this with a knife with a thick blade or a minus screwdriver) and open access to the twist.

The head of the screw can be either with a minus or with a cross - different models have different ways, so you can use a flashlight to choose a screwdriver.

Unscrew the screw until you can remove the lever from the stem by pulling it up (it is not necessary to completely unscrew it). Now you need to remove the decorative case and some models have a nut above it, but here they did without it.

The body can be unscrewed by hand - it is usually not tightly clamped, but if the leak has lasted for a long time, then boiling is possible. In this case, use the gas wrench, but be sure to put some kind of rag under it so as not to scratch the surface.

These regulators have different numbers that correspond to the diameter of the device, and they can be from 35 mm to 40 mm. But these numbers can not always be distinguished, so it is best to take the old part with you to the store and show the seller - he will select the required diameter for you.

Pay attention to the top photos: on the left you see the seat, which has two grooves, and on the right, on the cartridge, there are two protrusions that go into these grooves during installation. Elements are indicated with green arrows.

Place the new cartridge in its place: insert the tabs into the slots until it locks in place. To check, try turning it left and right - it should not move.

After that, tighten the decorative body, and if there is a nut there, then this body is simply put on and pressed with this nut. Replace the lever and tighten with the screw, then insert the bezel plug.

After repairs, check the mixer - the power of the water jet should be no less than that of other taps. If so, then everything went well for you.

If, after the work done, you notice a leak, then the cartridge was not installed correctly. In this case, remove the lever and the decorative case again and check if the protrusions clearly fit into the grooves, and if there is any debris that interferes with a snug fit.

Among the manufacturers, I would single out such brands as:

Hansgrohe;
Vidima;
Oras;
Grohe.

Their minimum service life is 5 years, which is very impressive for a mixer. If we talk about cost, then the cheapest of them is Vidima.

But about Hansgrohe they say that it saves water, but I would not recommend believing that. To save water, adapters are installed on the spout - they spray water and under pressure creates a powerful jet effect, but the consumption is reduced.

Conclusion

When replacing the cartridge, or other repairs to the mixer, turn off the water first! Moreover, this must be done not only at the general flow, but also at the exit from the boiler, since there is also a pressure there.

If you still have questions - ask them without hesitation in the comments to the article or on the forum!

October 25, 2016

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From time to time, all technical means fail, requiring repair and human intervention. The faucet mixer is no exception, because sooner or later there comes a time when replacing the old mixer with a new one is simply necessary. Otherwise, if the appropriate water is not produced, the water will not flow properly, and you will not be able to wash your hands, take a bath and solve other domestic tasks.

Functional principle of mixer tap

Modern mixing devices in taps are made of ceramics. In the role of a regulating element responsible for mixing hot and cold water, a sintered metal plate is used, tightly ground. Due to the high level of polishing, the surface of the plates is attracted, due to which a high tightness of the locking unit is ensured.

The working principle of the faucet mixer cartridge (cross section)

In the case of single-lever mixers, several standard cartridge sizes are used, however, in some expensive models of the devices in question, cartridges of the original design are used.

Longitudinal section of a tap mixer cartridge

Main faults and causes of breakdown

Replacing a cartridge in a water tap mixer is a fairly simple task in most cases, but at the same time very important. Some information is needed to replace the cartridge.

Major malfunctions

When opening the tap for water supply in the same position of the lever, the temperature of the supplied water is different;
Difficult regulation of the water supply lever;
Complete overlap of water is impossible, as a result of which water flows in a thin stream;
Regulation of the water supply does not occur (hot or cold water flows);
Incomplete regulation of the water supply, as a result of which the water flows only hot, or only cold.

After familiarizing yourself with the most common malfunctions that can arise and occur, serving to supply water, deserve attention and no less careful consideration of the causes of malfunctions of the faucet cartridges.

Reasons for cartridge breakage

Mechanical damage;
The presence of sand in the water supply system, as well as small particles of metal. The consequence is abrasive effects on the cartridge parts, rapid wear and subsequent failure of the considered part of the crane.

How to choose a faucet mixer cartridge?

If you want the right choice of a cartridge for a quality faucet mixer, it is useful to know about all or at least the most useful aspects of the choice, its subtleties. Thus, it is worth paying attention to the length of the stem, which for some mixing systems may turn out to be fundamental.

It is also necessary to take into account the diameter, which can range from 35-40 millimeters. The type of the landing part is another necessary feature that you should know about before choosing a cartridge. The choice of the seat is made in accordance with the design features of the cartridge being replaced.

Cartridge Replacement Procedure: Tools and Steps

For a high-quality and correct replacement of the cartridge in the faucet mixer, so that the faucet will serve for many years, you will need certain tools that you should acquire in advance, before starting work, so that later during work you will not be irritated due to the lack of tools.

Instruments

Pliers (pliers);
Screwdriver (flat);
Hex key;
Open-end or adjustable wrench.

After all the tools necessary for the work are prepared, you can start working on replacing the mixer cartridge. The following is the procedure for repairing a crane. Before starting work, you will need to turn off the water supply to the cold and hot water taps.

Operating procedure

At the end, the operating conditions are useful, as well as the rules, tips and recommendations that it is advisable to follow for a long service life of the ceramic valve cartridge.

To reduce the problems that may arise in the process of using a crane, in particular for faucets with a ceramic cartridge, experienced craftsmen advise when buying this necessary device to clarify the type of cartridge, as well as the presence of similar analogues on the market
The availability of a guarantee, spare parts are two important points that must be taken into account before purchasing a mixer cartridge;
Well-known companies that have been producing cartridges for water supply taps for many years, in most cases, avoid problems with poor-quality mixer operation.

Following the advice of experienced professionals who know a lot about the maintenance and proper operation of faucets, ceramic cartridges, as well as consistently following the steps to replace the cartridge in the faucet, it is possible to quickly and effectively replace the water mixing element of the faucet, while it will be used for a long time.

In recent years, modern construction markets and specialty stores have been oversaturated with various materials from abroad and products of a modern manufacturer. The same applies to plumbing fixtures. Prices and range of sanitary ware and faucets are varied. However, whatever the modern and durable plumbing device or mixer, they require constant control over themselves. Sooner or later, the moment will come when your mixer stops holding water and starts dripping, causing you a lot of trouble. Take your time to immediately think about the question of how to disassemble a kitchen faucet. Perhaps you can easily replace even without the help of a specialist.

In most cases, ceramic cartridge failure is due to wear and tear on moving plastic parts. Because of this, the ceramic plates do not adhere tightly to each other, as a result of which water begins to leak. In rare cases, the ceramic inserts themselves wear out.

It is possible to identify more likely causes of breakdowns leading to the replacement of the cartridge in the mixer:

Water supply interrupted (either cold or hot water is supplied)
One type of water does not turn on (when you turn on the tap, you cannot turn on certain water)
The water temperature changes every time, even though the position of the lever remains unchanged.
It is not possible to achieve complete water shut-off or maximum head.
Force is required to change the position of the lever.

Recently, out of all mixers, consumers have preferred single-lever mixers with a ceramic cartridge. The great demand for such mixers is due to the fact that they have a long service life and are easy to use, unlike traditional ones. This mixer has a long service life due to the fact that in it metal parts subject to constant friction are replaced by more durable ceramic ones. The convenience of a single-lever mixer is that there is no need to adjust the desired temperature, since the water is turned on and off with a lever.

The ceramic cartridge consists of two ground plates adjacent to each other. They are durable and resistant to corrosion, but still their surfaces can be damaged by impurities in tap water. It is the quality of the water that affects the durability of the mixer, since water is in constant motion, it destroys the surface of the water pipes and delivers particles of rust and metal to the mixer system, which leads to breakdown. To purify water from impurities, it is recommended to install a filter in front of mixers of this kind.

If this is not done, the ceramic plates will fail much faster. Well, if, nevertheless, water starts dripping with the tap closed, most likely you will have to replace the ceramic cartridge.

Video - repair and replacement of the cartridge in the mixer

Mixer disassembly process

When starting the repair of the mixer cartridge, to prevent flooding, it is necessary to shut off the supply of cold and hot water. If you find that the valves in the apartment are not working properly, you will have to seek help from a plumber. If they work in an uninterrupted mode, then the repair will not give you any special difficulties.

In the event that you decide to repair the mixer cartridge yourself, then you need to do a series of not complicated sequential actions. The first thing to do is to remove the plugs by prying them off with a screwdriver or knife. As a rule, the plug has a red or blue color, which indicates what kind of water supply is available in the tap. Under this plug is a locking screw that secures the cartridge to the handle. In order to unscrew this screw you need a special screwdriver, as this screw has a hexagonal hole. It is possible that this screw will slightly boil or rust and it will not be possible to unscrew it the first time. In this case, it is necessary to use WD-40 lubricant. It should be applied to this bolt, wait a while, after which it will unscrew without much effort. After unscrewing the screw, you need to remove the handle-handle from the mixer itself.

Next, you should find a ring that has a protective function and can be easily removed by hand. Using a wrench, adjustable or gas, remove the clamping nut. All that remains in front of you is the cartridge, which is already considered defective and can be removed and simply thrown away. Next, your task is to clean the surfaces from salt and other contaminants. In place of the faulty cartridge, we install a new one, purchased in advance. Replacing the cartridge in the mixer is carried out in a special way: it is important that the holes on it and on the seat of the mixer match exactly. To facilitate this task, special labels in the form of protrusions on the cartridge are designed. It also happens that you bought the wrong cartridge model or installed it incorrectly. In this case, water will flow into the cracks that appear and the mixer will leak.

After replacing the cartridge in the mixer, reassemble in the reverse order. After tightening the clamping nut, tighten the protective ring. Reinstall the mixer handle and tighten the screw with a wrench. And the final touch: put the plug in place. After you have repaired the cartridge in the mixer, you need to restart the water supply and make sure that you have done everything correctly and that your mixer is not leaking. We see that at first glance, replacing a cartridge in a mixer seems to be a rather complicated process. But in fact, even a beginner master who had no idea how to do it before can change it. Of course, in order for your plumbing device to look like new and work without problems, all repair operations must be performed carefully, without damaging the decorative coating.

Sometimes you want to feel like a magician, but here the tap is flowing. It's time to perform a miracle, albeit such as replacing the cartridge in the mixer. It is precisely the malfunctions in its operation that lead to the fact that the pretty single-lever mixer no longer obeys light hand movements.

The cartridge mixes hot and cold water from two different pipes. It can be one-piece or collapsible, but even in the latter case, repairing the mixer cartridge is inappropriate. It is difficult to find and select the necessary parts, and the cost of a similar new product is not so great.

Replacing the cartridge is necessary if the following symptoms are observed:

It is difficult to adjust the temperature regime or water pressure. Situations often arise when, when the lever is in the "hot water" mode, cold water still flows, and vice versa.
In the same position of the mixer lever every time you turn it on, you get water of different temperatures.
Water drips from the tap, that is, it does not completely block off.
The movement of the lever itself is impeded.

The following factors can cause damage to the cartridge:

Poor water quality. For example, it can be oversaturated with chlorine, contain solid particles and other impurities.
Incorrect operation of the mixer.
Substandard materials from which the mixer and the cartridge itself are made.
Frequent interruptions in the water supply, often causing the so-called water hammer.

Thus, if one or more of these factors took place, and as a result, there were problems with the mixer, it is time to go to the store for a new cartridge.

What tools are needed for repair

If it becomes necessary to replace the cartridge, you should not immediately rush to the device and “turn it inside out”. To get started, arm yourself with the necessary tools. For quick and high-quality work you will need:

a set of screwdrivers, including hex;
adjustable wrench;
clean cloth;
pliers and descaler (as needed). As the latter, you can use vinegar solution or WD-40 liquid.

Before getting started, check that you have all the tools you need

Ideally, you should also have a new cartridge in front of you, but it is possible that you do not even know what it looks like. That is why you can first take out the old one and go with it to the store, where you will be picked up the same, but absolutely "healthy".

How to replace a cartridge in a mixer: step by step instructions

Now you know exactly how to replace the cartridge in the mixer. However, if your kitchen or bathroom is decorated with an expensive designer product, or you were unable to cope with lime deposits on your own, it is better not to risk it. Invite a specialist who has specific skills, relevant experience and knowledge.

When disassembling a faucet in a bathroom or kitchen, one of the parts is a cylinder with three holes and numerous plastic plates. This is a cartridge for a mixer, which is needed to adjust the water pressure and temperature.

It is not difficult to change the cartridge in the mixer of the shower stall, bath or kitchen faucet yourself. The whole process takes up to 30 minutes, even for a beginner.

Consider how to replace a cartridge in a mixer with your own hands using the example of a Damixa single-lever shower faucet (this is almost a complete analogue of Grohe):

The replacement cartridge must fully match the dimensions and materials of the part being changed. First of all, attention is paid to its shape and the location of the holes for the stem. For Blanco TALOS-S and Hansgrohe faucets, the shut-off devices may differ even depending on the tap model.

Please note that some cartridge models are universal, but most of them can only be used in certain mixers. Therefore, if you need to change the cartridge, then it is better to choose a model of exactly the same brand as it was (Aqualux, Vidima, Oras or Esko).

How to remove the cartridge

After the handle has been unscrewed, you can remove the cartridge from the mixer by lightly moving your hand up and to the side. It is another matter if the mixer lever cannot be removed for some reason.

To remove the stuck handle of a kitchen or bathroom faucet (for example, a Vidim model) you need:

The cartridge is installed in the reverse order of disassembly. Step by step instructions on how to assemble a mixer:

Popular cartridge sizes

Naturally, the standard sizes of the cartridges are standardized for each mixer model. For washbasins, sinks and showers, the most common sizes are 28 mm, 35 mm and 32 mm. At the same time, parts from 40 mm to 46 mm are most often used for the bathroom (in particular, in Grohe and Kaiser). But why is there such a difference in almost identical mixers?

It is believed that the larger the ceramic single lever faucet mixer, the better it is. In fairness, it should be noted that Chinese cranes (with the exception of FRAP), where the diameter of the spout is often larger than that of branded ones, this rule is really fulfilled. But for branded models (Fiore Rubinetterie, Iddis, Sedal and others), a large cartridge is not always synonymous with quality.

Specifications (diameters) of different mixer cartridges

Let's consider the technical characteristics using the example of a cartridge with a brass Touch-Z stem:

Diameter - 45 mm;
Height with a leg - from 60 mm to 65 mm;
Cartridge height without stem - 47 mm - 50 mm.

Similarly, in terms of characteristics, you can choose a cartridge for a kitchen faucet. Let's take Potato as an example. The diameter of the swivel spout is important here - we recommend using sizes between 26 mm and 30 mm. Hoses can be supplied from 38 mm to 40 mm, depending on the model.

The listed dimensions are considered standard, but they will not work for many original mixers due to their too large diameter. In such cases, non-standard 18 mm, 20 mm and 22 mm accessories are used. Hose connections can also be made in openings 25 mm up to 26 mm or more.

Varieties of cartridges for mixers

Cartridges are classified by design and principle of operation. According to the device, there are such varieties:

According to the material used, they are:

According to the principle of operation, as mentioned above, cartridges are divided into two types:

Each type has its own design features. For example, the number of holes for the nozzles and the shape of the linings for installation in the grooves.

Ceramic faucet cartridge device is a simple structure where two plates are the main parts. They fit tightly to each other, due to which the pressure and temperature of the water are controlled.

Ceramic faucet cartridge

Some of the most famous models are Hansgrohe and Grohe. Can be used for kitchen sink, bathroom sink and shower. This locking device needs regular lubrication due to the constant friction of the ceramic plates. If there is a leak, it cannot be repaired - in the event of a breakdown, it will need to be replaced.

Shower Faucet Cartridge

A cartridge for a shower stall mixer is also called a divertor. It is designed not only for 3 positions for mixing water, as standard parts, but for 4 positions or more. The number depends on the connected devices (for example, if a hydrobox is used, then the divertor works in 5 positions).

To switch positions, a brass rod with plates is used, which rotates 360 degrees around its axis. This angle allows you to combine several mixing modes - up to 6 lever positions.

Single lever mixer cartridge

A cartridge for a single-lever mixer (GOST 25809-96) or one-handed tap is the most common locking device. Its operation is provided by a lever that can rotate in different directions to change the position of the cartridge locking device. It can be ball and disk.

It used to be used exclusively in bathroom sinks, but now it is also used for kitchen plumbing outlets and shower stalls.

Ball Mixer Cartridge

The ball mixer cartridge is a fairly simple design where there are several holes of different diameters at the bottom of the device. There can be 2 identical and 3, where one of them is larger.

The mixing of water is carried out here by changing the position of the shut-off ball. It can block all the holes at the same time or only half of them, changing the water pressure.

Thermostatic cartridge for mixer

Thermostatic cartridge is used for a mixer equipped with a thermostat. On one side of such a crane there is a special temperature scale where you can select the desired parameters. The thermostatic shutter is constantly in a preset position, maintaining the temperature and pressure at a certain level.

This device is often used in public places such as washbasins or bidets.

Mixer cartridge repair

Do-it-yourself redecoration of the mixer cartridge. But, we note right away that this only applies to breakdowns associated with clogging of the working surfaces or wear of the thrust rings. If the plates or balls are worn out, cracks appear, etc., then the device must be replaced. It will not work either professionally or independently to repair it.

What can be done when redecorating a single-lever mixer:

Video: disassembling the cartridge of a single lever mixer

Major malfunctions

If the tap leaks in the off state, then this is a sure sign of cartridge breakage. The consequences of a malfunction can be anything, from flooding neighbors to space utility bills.

If the tap is dripping, it is leaking from the spout in the closed position, or water is leaking from the spout when switching the "Rain" mode (in the shower), then you need to disassemble the mixer and replace the cartridge. The main reason for leaking water may be that the locking mechanism is worn out or the cartridge itself is cracked.

Dripping from the aerator due to mixer malfunction (photo is illustrative)

Likewise, if a flag or two-valve valve hums, squeaks, or turns tight. There may also be several reasons here:

The cartridge is out of size. The diameter of the valve spout is slightly smaller than the outlet of the cartridge or the stem is longer than required. As a result, the lever cannot rotate normally along its axis;
If the valve makes a lot of noise, then this is due to a sharp pressure drop in the system. Most often, to eliminate such a malfunction, it is enough to replace the sealing gasket in the crane box. It is useful to check the condition of the seal every few months.

How to choose a cartridge for a mixer

To choose the right cartridge for the mixer, you need to pay attention to the main characteristics of the device. It:

Naturally, it is better to buy quality models from European manufacturers. Good reviews about Grohe, Kaiser and Blanco. But, if necessary, you can pick up good Chinese options. These are Potato, Frap and others.