Ceramic Cartridge Faucet Stems - Must Replace, Can't Repair, Fix

[@LaSouthernGemini]

Excellent explanation of what a ceramic valve is, how a rubber seal will not fix it, the cost and possible headache. All done in 3 and a 1/2 minutes. Great job.

[@NoName-tn9cm]

Oh Lordy, I’m so glad you talked about the valve stems installed in the body so freaking hard you can’t pull them out! (2:00 in the video) I was going nuts watching all these damned videos where guys were just pulling out those stems and replacing them so easy. I had to get under my sink and undo every freaking water line and pull the whole valve body. Even then, I swore it was one piece; I couldn’t break that seal to save my life! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I took that stupid valve to a plumbing supply and had them bust it apart for me, and I wasn’t embarrassed to ask! It’s never as easy as the DIY videos show.

[@origtex]

Great video and explanation. That is why KZbin rocks. You could never get this info in person at a big box store

[@Skirkly]

Omg so glad I found this. I was wondering why the valve stem was built onto the other part that goes under the sink. That's because it's not. It's stuck on there so good we may not get it off! How annoying.

[@sbr286]

Thanks for confirming what I was suspecting when I was trying to replace the stem in a Kohler widespread faucet.

[@NextLevelAutoDiagnostics]

This video helped me greatly. Here I was spending time with those o-rings...when I all I had to do were clean those discs. Thanks!

[@Chanenersys]

How I wish we still had some real old-fashioned hardware stores, like this one, left in Australia.

[@thesetruths1404]

Very helpful video. I have a 18 year old widespread faucet (brand unknown) and my cold ceramic valve started dripping. Sometimes there will be a "sweet spot" for the closed position the user can find that will make it not drip. Sometimes not, as in my situation. If the valve is old and you can't find a replacement, sometimes you can soak the unit in a rust and hard water solution like Iron Out or similar, and operate the valve a few times in it over 24-48 hours and it will remove the mineral build up and it will seal again.

[@MrHardware1]

If it ever gets to the point you can’t fix it a dollar to a doughnut says it’s available. You could go so far as to email a picture of the stem to [e-mail]. I bet we either have it or could get it.

[@MrHardware1]

A scratched ceramic plate will need to be polished until the scratch is removed. Grease will fill the scratch for a while.....

[@Jagracoki]

I wish I'd seen this video before I removed the handles unnecessarily and introduced some dirt. Thanks for the useful explanation. Now I know what not to do!

[@bellis01]

This guy is great.

[@PeAtway]

When my ceramic cartridge (cold water side) started to drip, I turned down the cold water main valve under the sink for about 8 hours allowing only a tiny stream of water out on the cold side. The reduction in back pressure apparently cleared the valve plates of debris and now the drip is gone -- 3 days still no drip.

[@OWK000]

Thanks for the video those cartridges are maddening: expensive and hard to figure. I am going to tear one old cartridge apart, just for fun. We had a lot of debris in our water lines because of recent plumbing work and it destroyed the cartridges early. So I would say flush your plumbing lines well with new plumbing work to help make your cartridges last longer. You can also fish em out and try and clean em up and lubricate with plumber's silicone grease if they are not too far gone yet. The second set should last longer if you weren't able to avoid that construction debris the first time around.

[@rupicalifornia8772]

Excellent job explaining.

[@highonsmog]

Could a homeowner install any filters to prevent the sediment related damage? Is there a faucet type you recommend we buy, preferably one which costs much less headaches?

[@MrHardware1]

Sometimes the sediment comes from the pipes, I have good luck with Delta Faucets. I think they have good quality control even though they are made offshore, yuk.

[@moxee33]

Thank you much for this video! What does it mean if turning the faucet will not turn off the water? It is a practically new widespread faucet with a ceramic cartridge. the stem splines and handle grooves are fine and i also checked the o-rings and ceramic discs. I'm stumped 😣

[@MrHardware1]

Most all faucet companies guarantee their stems. Contact them and I bet they send out a new one.

[@nelsondog100]

Nice video Mr. Hardware but, some if not the majority of the ceramic cartridges Are repairable. Leaks and/or blockage can be caused by a mineral accumulation on the mating ceramic surfaces and can be removed by soaking the parts in white vinegar. You don’t always have to spend money to solve problems😉

[@a_mouse6858]

Best video ever. Thank you.

[@nappybiscuit]

Great vid, thanks for posting.

[@JustBeYouooh]

I just installed new taps but the spindle didn’t stop the water from flowing! I couldn’t turn the tap off..do you why? I ended up using the old spindle with a new washer the old fashion style

[@MrHardware1]

Sorry, I have no idea without seeing pictures of the stems and the brand of the faucet

[@IBIZABIKE]

Why do you have a drawer full of o rings it they don't fix the problem?

[@MrHardware1]

I don't use o-rings for ceramic stems, I use them for all the other types of stems. They are in hundreds of types of faucets.

[@IBIZABIKE]

@@MrHardware1 ok thanks 😀

[@dougs3866]

What is the O-ring on the middle of ceramic cartridge for? Will it leak if the o-ring is too thick or thin? The one on the cartridge of my faucet seemed to be thick.

[@MrHardware1]

I is to seal the water from coming up around the cartridge and onto the sink top. Doesn’t effect water flow.

[@cawag98]

excellent info; thanks very much. Wonder if blowing compressed air in the units helps or other fiddly last-ditch effort before replacing. Also, I heard some manufacturers will send a replacement free for their valves - check your manufacturer details!

[@MrHardware1]

Cleaning in vinegar may help, and/or adding a thin o-ring between the bottom washer and the ceramic disk may increase pressure between the 2 plates providing a better seal.

[@nesetceri]

Thanks for the video. One question , I am replacing the old taps with 1/4 turn ceramic valves, because the hot water pipe is on the right can I fit the cold water (blue) tap to the hot water pipe hot water tap(red) to the cold pipe so I can turn on taps levers outer ? blue-red washers , are they made of same material -temp sensetive ?

[@MrHardware1]

Often times I switched hot and cold stems to get the handles to turn the way I want. No, they are not temp sensitive.

[@CharlesLumia]

I have a mixture of galvanized, plastic, and copper pipes (old house). I'm going to be replacing my kitchen faucet soon and was interested in this ceramic disc technology. So you think that it's a bad idea due to the galvanized pipes? I wouldn't say that they are the majority of my plumbing but they are a part from the city line to my kitchen.

[@MrHardware1]

It is getting to the point that you don't have much of a choice. However Delta still makes the original kitchen faucet with a stainless ball and 2 rubber seals that are easy and cheep to repair. It is old fashioned but a well built faucet. Call Blair or Jennifer for pricing on kitchen and bath faucet models and pricing, 586-776-9532

[@gilessteve]

Ceramic cartridge units can be dis-assembled, cleaned, a tiny amount of Lithium grease applied to the opposing surfaces of the ceramic parts, and then reassembled. No cost. I just did it myself. No drip now.

[@nelsondog100]

You are aware that the lithium grease you used will be ingested by anyone who consumes the water from that faucet, aren’t you?

[@OwenIverson]

That unit at 1:26 is what I have and I've found that in the past week, the two ceramic disks (with their extremely smooth surfaces) have begun suctioning together to the point where rotating them is almost impossible. Has anyone experienced this? Any solution?

[@MrHardware1]

If you can disassembly it, get silicone plumbers grease to lubricate all moving parts.

[@OwenIverson]

@@MrHardware1 it was actually in between the two disk where the water mixes and the water would definitely contact those surfaces so I didn't want to grease them (and there was no grease when I opened it up). What I found was that a drop of water was enough to keep the two disks from binding so I just went with that put it all together! It's back to normal so far (day 2)!

[@nygirl5]

Ive had to change 4 valves within 3 years. Two leaked and two were stuck with minerals. Make sure you have the right tools to remove it

[@MrHardware1]

+nygirl5 some homes with galvanized plumbing cause more contaminants that scratch the ceramic discs. This is when I'll go back to an old style faucet with replaceable washers. they are less subject to contaminants.

[@thepitpatrol]

This is why you go to a hardware store instead of Lowes! Experience!

[@benjaminorta6550]

Got red on you...thanks for the info

[@UntoldPlayer]

Mr Hardware, you do not need to replace the O ring or washer with the one for Ceramic tap, you can use the old ring or washer - much cheaper, The tap will protrude a bit but hey, it works and save the environment from creating rubbish.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Great

[@jamesgallagher1992]

Gud video man👍

[@Enpassantful]

And the moral of the tale is, forget ceramic cartridges. Stick to the washer type which can be repaired in a matter of seconds, plus it only costs a few pennies to replace a rubber washer.

[@MrHardware1]

we agree completely. We prefer legacy Delta faucets that use cup washers against a stainless steel stem. Too bad even they have started to switch to ceramic cartridges, un repairable. ugg.

[@jenningsmills5398]

Basically more planned obsolescence at it's finest. also led light bulbs that burn out Lol"😂 just unbelievable.

[@michellehood3345]

Thank you